Saturday’s first-ever HBCU Legacy Bowl in New Orleans was designed to showcase football players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

FAMU’s Antwan Collier made the most of his opportunities.

Collier, a defensive back on Team Robinson, earned Defensive MVP honors with a game-high nine tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.

Additionally, FAMU linebacker Derrick Mayweather (Team Robinson) had six tackles,

Team Gaither beat Team Robinson 22-6 at Yulman Stadium.

FAMU coach Willie Simmons was a co-head coach on Team Robinson.

Other Rattlers who played in the game included in Rattlers Bishop Bonnett (running back), Jaylen Spady (center), Jay Jackson-Williams (tackle), Keenan Forbes (guard), Derrick Mayweather (linebacker) and Savion Williams (defensive tackle).

The game was aired on the NFL Network and was presented by the Black College Hall of Fame.

It featured the top draft-eligible players from HBCUs and was the culmination of a week-long event that celebrated Black culture and history.

Team Gaither was named after FAMU coaching great Jake Gaither; Team Robinson after Grambling State coaching legend Eddie Robinson.

HBCU programs are hopeful the game helps promote players and improves their NFL Draft status.

There were no HBCU products selected in the 2021 NFL Draft and there's been just one picked over the past two drafts.

Reach Jim Henry at jjhenry@tallahassee.com.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU's Collier earns Defensive MVP honors in HBCU Legacy Bowl in New Orleans