Alcorn State linebacker Mahamadou Diarra has earned an 85.6 Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade, ranking No. 1 among HBCU players and No. 3 among FCS linebackers midway through the 2026 college football season.
The senior linebacker, who wears No. 33 for the Braves, has backed up the recognition with consistent production on the field.
Through eight games, Diarra has recorded 49 total tackles, including 8.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He has also forced a fumble, giving Alcorn State a disruptive presence in the middle of its defense.
Diarra’s ability to make plays behind the line of scrimmage has been an important part of his production. His 8.5 tackles for loss account for 36 yards lost by opposing offenses, while his 2.5 sacks have contributed to the Braves’ pass rush.
A Memphis, Tennessee, native and Whitehaven High School product, Diarra is a senior who continues to represent Alcorn State and HBCU football on a broader stage.
With the season continuing, his reported PFF ranking puts him among the defensive standouts to watch at the FCS level.
Can Diarra finish the 2026 season as one of the top linebackers in FCS football?
Follow Sneaker Shop Talk for more HBCU football coverage.
