After turning heads at the Reese’s Senior Bowl this past February, Carson Vinson is looking to prove all the narratives wrong about small school prospects.

The 6-foot-6 offensive tackle will participate in Sunday’s drills at the NFL Scouting Combine as the only player invited from an HBCU school.

“Being at an HBCU is a unique experience that people will only understand if they went to an HBCU,” Vinson said Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine. “I love it to death. It’s made me the player I am today, and it taught me that I have to work for everything I get.”

Vinson contributed to an A&M offense that led the SWAC in total yards (444.5 per game) and passing offense (260.5 yards per game).

Last season Vinson gave up one sack in the season opener against Auburn and finished the year with an 89% offensive line grade, recording 61 knockdowns.

He earned First Team All-SWAC honors, FCS All-American recognition, and was a named a finalist for the HBCU+ National Player of the Year.

“I’m a competitor that’s what I do. I compete day in and day out from when the lights are on or when they are off,” Vinson said. “I’m a dog and I believe being a violent individual on the field is what sets you apart.”

During the Senior Bowl, Vinson displayed his length and athleticism winning 1-on-1 reps against SEC defenders such as Sai’von Jones (LSU) and Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M).

“It was a blessing that I got to be there. It was an opportunity, and I always rise in those moments” Vinson said. “Football is not a guaranteed thing and that could have been my last time putting on shoulder pads. I said if this was going to be my last time, I’m going to have the most fun that I can, and that’s what I did.”

Despite not having the team success he would have wanted at Alabama A&M, Vinson talked about how he managed to stay atop of the HBCU totem pole as one of the best prospects coming out of all small schools.

“No matter what you are going through you have to get it done,” Vinson said. “When you go to an HBCU excuses are out the door. If you really want to go far you can’t make excuses because nobody is expecting you to go anywhere in the football world. I’m doing it and its other guys from HBCU’s who’s done it too.”

Following the combine, Vinson will participate in a workout at the pro day for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Offensive lineman drills for the NFL Scouting Combine will begin Sunday at noon. Coverage will be live on the NFL Network.

Jerry Humphrey III covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @Jerryhump3 or email him at [email protected].