Jason Dumas showcases his pass rush potential in HBCU Legacy Bowl

Southern University defensive lineman Jason Dumas has a simple answer for those who say he is not big enough to play at the next level.

“Just line up against me.  Get in front of me and stop me.”

Participants in Saturday’s HBCU Legacy Bowl at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium found out the hard way that the product of St. James High School means business. The 5-foot-10, 280 pounder was voted Defensive MVP of the Legacy Bowl after bagging three sacks as his club, Team Robinson, consisting of players for the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAC) defeated Team Gathier, seniors from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), 10-3.

It was the second year for the HBCU Legacy Bowl, the brainchild of Grambling legends Doug Williams and James Harris in an effort to expose players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities to NFL talent evaluators.

Over 100 players spent nearly one week in New Orleans participating in a combine at the Saints Training Facility, practices at Yulman Stadium, a career fair and Saturday’s game, which was televised by the NFL Network.

It’s an experience that’s made-to-order for the All-SWAC performer who transferred from Prairie View to Southern for the 2022 season.

It was an opportunity to impress the doubters and he feels he took advantage of the experience.

“I’m a hard worker.  I’m a go-getter. I’m a team player and I’ll do everything I can for the team first and stay disciplined to who I am. Being a good person is better than being a football player that’s not a quality person.  It’s all about the team and representing the SWAC and all HBCU’s.  I’m really at a loss for words.  This was such a wonderful experience.”

“Jason Dumas is the real deal,” said Team Robinson co-head coach Chennis Berry of Benedict College.  “He had a great week of practice.  He got out there and hunted in practice and went out and hunted in the game as well.”

Grambling State University assistant coach Robert Valdez coached Jason Dumas at St. James High School.   He understands that the measurables don’t work out.  However, he is not surprised Dumas was a standout this week.

“Sometimes you’ve got to overlook what’s on paper.  Of course, you won’t have a lot of guys his height but when you get a guy like that who is special it’s great to see him get an opportunity to beat the odds to pursue what he loves doing.  I so excited for him and his family.”

Florida A&M wide receiver Xavier Williams was the Most Valuable Player on offense.  Williams grabbed six passes for 86 yards including the game’s lone touchdown, a 22-yarder from Langston University quarterback Larry Harrington.