Prince Ijioma’s move from Mississippi Valley State to Oklahoma highlights how Power Four programs are uncovering overlooked HBCU talent.
The HBCU-to–Power Four pipeline isn’t just about stars anymore — it’s about finding diamonds in the rough of HBCU football. Mississippi Valley State defensive back Prince Ijioma is the latest example. After two seasons at one of the most historically challenged programs in all of college football, Ijioma has committed to the University of Oklahoma football in the SEC, jumping from the SWAC basement to one of college football’s most recognizable brands.
The move underscores a growing reality in the transfer portal era: Power Four programs are no longer only mining HBCUs for All-Americans or award winners. They’re finding developmental pieces, depth builders, and long-term upside at programs that rarely make headlines for winning.
From Mississippi Valley State to Norman
Ijioma’s journey is unconventional even by portal standards.
Mississippi Valley State, an HBCU Football program best known nationally for the legendary “Satellite Express” era of the 1980s, has never won a conference championship and has spent much of the modern era fighting uphill battles in the SWAC. Recent seasons have been particularly difficult, with Valley posting multiple one- and two-win campaigns…