2023 Black College Football Player of the Year Award Watch List
At a glance:
- Award is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player from a Historically Black College & University (HBCU).
- Winner receives the Deacon Jones Trophy.
- Watch List is composed of 49 players from 26 different HBCUs.
- Players per conference: MEAC (13), SWAC (11), CIAA (11), SIAC (10), OVC (3), CAA (1).
Atlanta, GA (August 15, 2023) – The Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) announced today the 2023 Watch List for the Black College Football Player of the Year Award. The Award is presented annually to the most outstanding football player from a Historically Black College & University. Former North Carolina A&T and NFL running back Tarik Cohen was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Award in 2016; Bowie State quarterback Amir Hall was the 2017 and 2018 recipient; former Tennessee State and NFL WR Chris Rowland was the 2019 recipient; former Alabama A&M QB Aqeel Glass was the recipient in the Spring 2021 and Fall 2021 seasons; and former Jackson State QB Shedeur Sanders was the 2022 winner of the Award.
Four finalists will be unveiled after the season. The winner of the Black College Football Player of the Year Award, which will be announced during halftime of the 2024 Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl, will be presented with the Deacon Jones Trophy. The Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl takes place on Saturday, February 24, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The game will be broadcast live on NFL Network.
“The Black College Football Player of the Year Award showcases the immense talent of our HBCU players today,” said Doug Williams, BCFHOF Co-Founder and 2011 Inductee. “These student-athletes represent the very best of HBCU football.”
The Watch List candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential. Additions to the list will be made as the 2023 season progresses. The finalists and the winner will be chosen by a Selection Committee.
“The Deacon Jones Trophy is the most prestigious football award for HBCUs,” said BCFHOF co-founder and 2012 inductee James Harris. “Deacon Jones was a pioneer and an icon, and still to this day represents the very best of Black College Football.”
2023 Black College Football Player of the Year Award Watch List
| First | Last | Year | Position | School | Conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colton | Adams | GS | LB | Alabama State | SWAC |
| Zelly | Aldridge | Jr | DB | Tuskegee | SIAC |
| Terrell | Allen | Sr | DL | Tennessee State | OVC |
| Sundiata | Anderson | Sr | DL | Grambling | SWAC |
| Isaac | Anderson | R. Jr | DL | Virginia Union | CIAA |
| Khalil | Baker | Sr | DB | NCCU | MEAC |
| Andrew | Body | Jr | QB | Texas Southern | SWAC |
| Jay | Boyd | Sr | DB | Shaw | CIAA |
| Jaki | Brevard | Jr | LB | NCCU | MEAC |
| Brennan | Brown | Sr | TE | Howard | MEAC |
| Jada | Byers | Jr | RB | Virginia Union | CIAA |
| Kentrell | Caldwell | So | LB | Fayetteville State | CIAA |
| Brevin | Caldwell | So | WR | Johnson C Smith | CIAA |
| Jeremy | Dees | Sr | DL | Tuskegee | SIAC |
| Loobert | Denelus | Sr | DL | Benedict | SIAC |
| Willie | Drew | GS | DB | Virginia State | CIAA |
| Ryan | Duff | Sr | K | Tuskegee | SIAC |
| Kelvin | Durham | R. Fr | QB | Fort Valley State | SIAC |
| Donovan | Eaglin | Jr | RB | Alabama A&M | SWAC |
| Corinthius | Edmonds | GS | WR | Fort Valley State | SIAC |
| Draylen | Ellis | Sr | QB | Tennessee State | OVC |
| Matthew | Foster | Sr | OL | Virginia State | CIAA |
| Darius | Fox | Jr | OL | Howard | MEAC |
| Isaiah | Freeman | So | QB | Lincoln (PA) | CIAA |
| Kenny | Gallop | Sr | DB | Howard | MEAC |
| Marquis | Gillis | R. So | RB | Delaware State | MEAC |
| Patrick | Godbolt | GS | DL | South Carolina State | MEAC |
| Jalen | Goss | GS | OL | FAMU | SWAC |
| Kasey | Hawthorne | Sr | WR | Howard | MEAC |
| Keshane | Hinckley | R. Sr | WR | Bowie State | CIAA |
| Jarveon | Howard | R. Sr | RB | Alcorn | SWAC |
| Jacquez | Jones | Jr | WR | Lane | SIAC |
| Cameron | Merrell | R. Jr | DL | Fayetteville State | CIAA |
| Jae'Veyon | Morton | GS | DB | Morgan State | MEAC |
| Derek | Morton | R. Sr | WR | Texas Southern | SWAC |
| Jeremy | Moussa | GS | QB | FAMU | SWAC |
| Davius | Richard | Sr | QB | NCCU | MEAC |
| Jah'Marae | Sheread | GS | WR | FAMU | SWAC |
| Josh | Simon | Sr | OL | Albany State | SIAC |
| Torricelli | Simpkins III | Jr | C | NCCU | MEAC |
| Devin | Smith | Jr | WR | NCCU | MEAC |
| Aaron | Smith | Sr | LB | South Carolina State | MEAC |
| Gentry | Sparks | Jr | TE | Fort Valley State | SIAC |
| D.J. | Stevens | GS | TE | Jackson State | SWAC |
| Qwashin | Townsel | GS | LB | Hampton | CAA |
| Jaree | Turner | Jr | DB | Albany State | SIAC |
| Devin | Versteegen | Jr | K | Shaw | CIAA |
| T.J. | Yarbrough | Sr | OL | Alcorn | SWAC |
| Jason | Brown | SR | QB | Jackson State | SWAC |
| Myles | Crawley | Fr | QB | Grambling State | SWAC |
About Deacon Jones
David “Deacon” Jones played defensive end for South Carolina State University and Mississippi Valley State University from 1958 to 1960. Blessed with speed, agility, and quickness, the “Deacon” became one of the finest pass rushers in the business. He won unanimous All-NFL honors six straight years from 1965 through 1970 and was selected to eight Pro Bowls. Jones is an inaugural Black College Football Hall of Fame inductee (2010) and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
About The Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl
The Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl, presented by the Black College Football Hall of Fame, is a postseason all-star game that showcases the top 100 NFL draft-eligible football players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The game will be played on the Saturday, February 24, 2024 (Yulman Stadium at Tulane University), and broadcast live on NFL Network. More than a football game, the week-long celebration of Black culture and history provides invaluable exposure for HBCU students, and includes the largest HBCU Career Fair in the country. Founding Partners include the National Football League, adidas, Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and his 15 and the Mahomies Foundation, Coca-Cola, Coors Light, State of Louisiana, New Orleans Saints, Riddell, Sugar Bowl, Tulane University, Zebra Technologies and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Follow at www.HBCULegacyBowl.com and on social media via @HBCULegacyBowl.
About The Black College Football Hall of Fame
The Black College Football Hall of Fame, a non-profit, tax-exempt organization, located at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio was founded in 2009 by African American pioneers, quarterbacks James Harris and Doug Williams to preserve the history and honor the greatest football players, coaches and contributors from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. There are 113 Inductees including Mel Blount, James Harris, Willie Lanier, Art Shell and Doug Williams, who serve as Trustees. The Black College Football Hall of Fame has awarded over $400,000 in direct support to HBCUs and HBCU scholarships since inception. Other major initiatives include the Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl, the HBCU Combine and the Ozzie Newsome GM & Quarterback Summit (in partnership with the NFL), as well as the Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic (in partnership with the Pro Football Hall of Fame).
Follow at www.BlackCollegeFootballHOF.org and on social media.