St. Patrick’s Braxston Blackwell shares his journey to the HBCU Legacy Bowl

With the college football season beginning to wrap up soon, post season awards and invites are starting to roll in for deserving student athletes. One coast alum never imagined he’d be in the mix, especially for the sport of football.

Braxston Blackwell was a dual-sport athlete at St. Patrick high school playing both baseball and football for the Fighting Irish. Focused on baseball, he jokingly told his coach he could long snap for the football team without any prior experience. Little did he know that small decision senior year would change his life.

“2020 came around and ruined my season in baseball, so I had to figure out another route. I started going to a camp that summer and it was like a month before college was supposed to start and I ended up finally getting an opportunity and took an offer from Mississippi Delta Community College and started my career with one offer,’ said Blackwell.

and that would only be the start of Blackwell’s outstanding college football journey. He would then go on to play at Western Kentucky and multiple years at Southern University where he was named a two-time all conference long snapper for the SWAC Conference.

As if his story wasn’t inspiring enough, Blackwell received the honor of being selected to play in the Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl.

“I’m just blessed I’m not going to lie. All glory to God,” said Blackwell. “He’s shown me blessings and it’s been a long journey but it’s been a fun journey and words can’t explain how excited I am. It’s something I’ve been working hard for. I’ve always had an underdog mentality and I’m just glad it’s all coming into place. Like I said, all glory to God. It’s a blessing to be able to do this and be in this spotlight.”

The HBCU Legacy Bowl will be played Saturday, February 22nd in New Orleans. Until then, Blackwell will continue his intense training as he hopes to continue his career in the NFL. Best of luck Jaxson, and we’re rooting for you!