In a move that underscores the Baltimore Ravens’ continued belief in raw talent and developmental upside, the franchise selected Alabama A&M offensive tackle Carson Vinson with the 141st overall pick in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The decision drew praise for its forward-thinking approach while also turning heads due to Vinson’s HBCU roots and relatively under-the-radar collegiate career.
For Vinson, it’s a dream realized—and a moment that could open doors for many more players from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). For the Ravens, it represents both a calculated risk and a potential steal.
Carson Vinson isn’t a household name—at least, not yet. But his game tape and athletic profile tell a different story.
Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing in at 317 pounds, Vinson combines elite length with nimble footwork rarely seen in small-school prospects. A three-year starter at left tackle for the Alabama A&M Bulldogs, he was the anchor of an offensive line that improved each season under his leadership. His ability to mirror edge rushers, stay low in his stance, and reset against power rushes made him a dominant force in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).
Though he played against FCS competition, scouts raved about his potential. NFL evaluators reportedly clocked his 40-yard dash at 5.05 seconds during a private workout, an impressive time for a player of his size. More importantly, he showed fluid hips and a quick first step, traits that could serve him well against NFL-caliber speed rushers.
“Carson has all the physical tools you want in a developmental tackle,” said one AFC scout before the draft. “He needs refinement, sure, but give him a year in an NFL strength and conditioning program and some reps against top-tier competition, and he could become a very solid starter.”
The Ravens have a long-standing tradition of identifying value in the middle and later rounds of the NFL Draft. From Marshal Yanda to Orlando Brown Jr., Baltimore has proven adept at finding linemen who can thrive in their physical, run-oriented scheme. Vinson now enters that same pipeline.
With veteran left tackle Ronnie Stanley’s health often in flux and Morgan Moses having departed in free agency, the Ravens knew they needed to replenish their depth at tackle. They already spent early capital on the offensive line in recent drafts, but Vinson gives them a prospect who doesn’t have to start immediately but could become a long-term contributor.
“He’s not someone we’re expecting to throw into the fire on Day 1,” said Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta during his post-draft press conference. “But what we see in Carson is a moldable, coachable player with upside and toughness—exactly the kind of guy we like to work with in Baltimore.”
Beyond the football implications, Vinson’s selection holds cultural weight. HBCU programs have historically been talent-rich but under-scouted. Only a handful of HBCU players have been drafted in recent years, a trend many critics argue stems more from institutional biases than actual ability.
By taking Vinson in the fifth round—not as an undrafted free agent, but with draft capital—the Ravens sent a message: HBCU players belong in the NFL conversation.
Alabama A&M head coach Connell Maynor celebrated the pick as a milestone not just for Vinson but for the entire program.
“This is a huge day for our school,” Maynor said. “Carson worked his tail off every single day, and he’s earned this opportunity. I tell my guys all the time—if you can play, the NFL will find you. And the Ravens found a great one.”
Vinson’s journey to this moment wasn’t easy. Coming out of high school in Montgomery, Alabama, he was lightly recruited and chose Alabama A&M in large part because they promised him a chance to compete right away. After redshirting as a freshman, he bulked up in the weight room and eventually earned the starting job as a sophomore.
Each season, his footwork, pad level, and hand technique improved. Coaches noted his increased maturity and vocal leadership, with teammates routinely citing him as the locker room’s tone-setter. Despite limited exposure compared to Power Five prospects, Vinson made the most of every chance he got.
He impressed scouts at the HBCU Legacy Bowl and then doubled down with a standout showing at the HBCU Combine. Against players from Jackson State, Florida A&M, and Grambling State, Vinson showed he could handle speed off the edge and recover from stunts and twists.
Those performances helped push him into draft consideration, but the Ravens’ decision to pull the trigger showed real conviction.
In Baltimore, Vinson joins a franchise that values grit, adaptability, and long-term potential. Offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris, known for his work in developing late-round picks and undrafted linemen, will now take Vinson under his wing.
Vinson likely projects as a swing tackle in his rookie season, possibly getting reps at both left and right tackle while learning the speed of the NFL game. Given the team’s injury history at offensive line, particularly with Ronnie Stanley, there’s a real chance he’ll need to suit up at some point during the season.
He’ll compete for a roster spot against other young linemen, but his size, arm length, and athleticism give him a shot to stick—especially if he proves himself in camp and on special teams.
Draft analysts were mixed on the pick, with some praising the Ravens for taking a chance on upside and others questioning the level of competition Vinson faced.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah called the pick “vintage Ravens.”
“This is what Baltimore does—they draft traits and coach them up,” Jeremiah said. “Vinson is a raw but talented player. He wouldn’t have lasted this long if he played at Georgia or Michigan.”
Others, like ESPN’s Matt Miller, believe the pick speaks to a larger trend in the league.
“I think you’re going to see more HBCU players drafted in coming years,” Miller noted. “Carson Vinson could be the guy who reopens that pipeline.”
After being selected, Vinson was emotional during his first call with the Baltimore media.
“I’m just so grateful,” he said. “Grateful to God, my coaches, my family, and everyone at Alabama A&M who believed in me. I’m ready to get to work. I know nothing is given in this league, and I’m going to earn everything.”
He also expressed appreciation for being drafted by a team known for its stability and player development.
“When I saw it was the Ravens calling, I almost dropped the phone. That’s a first-class organization with a winning culture. I just want to add to that and make my school proud.”
Training camp will be crucial for Vinson. He’ll need to adjust to the speed of NFL defenders, refine his technique, and prove his value as a backup lineman. If he can absorb coaching and maintain his physical edge, he has a legitimate chance to carve out a role.
Even if he doesn’t start right away, the long-term view is promising. With offensive linemen in high demand across the league, a player with Vinson’s upside is worth the investment.
And for the Ravens, it’s another example of betting on their coaching infrastructure to turn raw talent into on-field production.
Carson Vinson’s selection at No. 141 may not make the biggest headlines, but it might end up being one of the most meaningful picks of the 2025 NFL Draft—for Baltimore, for HBCU programs, and for the future of offensive line scouting.
If the Ravens’ track record holds, this fifth-round swing could pay off in a big way.
