Atlanta, GA (August 14, 2019) – The Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) announced today the 2019 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 current Chicago Bears 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.
The winner of the 2019 Black College Football Player of the Year Award will be honored with the Deacon Jones Trophy during the Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, which takes place on February 22, 2020 in Atlanta. Four finalists will be unveiled on December 6, 2019.
“There are many gifted football players competing at Historically Black Colleges and Universities right now,” said Super Bowl XXII MVP and BCFHOF co-founder Doug Williams. “This Award is a way for the Black College Football Hall of Fame to recognize these talented student-athletes.”
“The Deacon Jones Trophy is the most coveted individual award a football player from an HBCU can receive,” said BCFHOF co-founder and 2012 inductee James Harris. “I enjoy monitoring the progress of these young men throughout the season.”
The Watch List candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential. Additions to the list may be made as the 2019 season progresses. The finalists and the winner will be chosen by a Selection Committee.
| First Name | Last Name | Position | School | Class | Conference |
| Kyle | Anthony | WR | Howard University | Senior | MEAC |
| Solomon | Bassett | DL | Lincoln University (PA) | Senior | CIAA |
| Elijah | Bell | WR | North Carolina A&T | Senior | MEAC |
| Jordan | Bentley | RB | Alabama A&M | Senior | SWAC |
| Traviontae | Brown | DB | Benedict College | Senior | SIAC |
| Brian | Cavicante | LB | Delaware State | Junior | MEAC |
| Qwynnterrio | Cole | DB | Alcorn State | Junior | SWAC |
| Santo | Dunn | RB | Morehouse College | Junior | SIAC |
| Jequez | Ezzard | WR | Howard University | Senior | MEAC |
| Marques | Ford | DL | Bethune-Cookman | Senior | MEAC |
| Deondre | Francois | QB | Hampton University | GR | Big South |
| Aqeel | Glass | QB | Alabama A&M | Junior | SWAC |
| Stevie | Green | RB | Fayetteville State | Senior | CIAA |
| Kevin | Greenhow | WR | Central State | Junior | SIAC |
| Sterling | Hammond | DB | Virginia Union | Senior | CIAA |
| Joseph | Harris, Jr. | LB | Saint Augustine's University | Soph | CIAA |
| Marquis | Hendrix | LB | Bethune-Cookman | Senior | MEAC |
| Devon | Hunt | LB | Shaw University | Senior | CIAA |
| Noah | Johnson | QB | Alcorn State | Senior | SWAC |
| Rico | Kennedy | LB | Morgan State | Senior | MEAC |
| Jah-maine | Martin | RB | North Carolina A&T | Junior | MEAC |
| Ian | McBorrough | LB | Morgan State | Junior | MEAC |
| Mac | McCain III | DB | North Carolina A&T | Junior | MEAC |
| Joseph | McWilliams | DB | Grambling State | Senior | SWAC |
| Trevor | Merritt | DB | Bethune-Cookman | Senior | MEAC |
| Javen | Morrison | DB | Alcorn State | Senior | SWAC |
| Jalen | Morton | QB | Prairie View A&M | Senior | SWAC |
| Solomon | Muhammad | LB | Alcorn State | Senior | SWAC |
| Anfernee | Mullins | DL | Grambling State | Senior | SWAC |
| Caylin | Newton | QB | Howard University | Junior | MEAC |
| Ju’Anthony | Parker | DB | Prairie View A&M | Senior | SWAC |
| Dedrick | Parson | RB | Howard University | Soph | MEAC |
| Taeyler | Porter | RB | Arkansas-Pine Bluff | Senior | SWAC |
| Joshua | Pryor | DL | Bowie State | Soph | CIAA |
| Jimmie | Robinson | WR | Bethune-Cookman | Senior | MEAC |
| Chris | Rowland | WR | Tennessee State | Senior | OVC |
| Michael | Sims | QB | Morehouse College | Junior | SIAC |
| Daryus | Skinner | DB | Winston-Salem State | Senior | CIAA |
| Xavier | Smith | WR | FAMU | Soph | MEAC |
| Brandon | Smith | KR | Fayetteville State | Junior | CIAA |
| Austin | Stephens | LB | Miles College | Senior | SIAC |
| Tabyus | Taylor | RB | Virginia Union | Soph | CIAA |
| Davoris | Thomas | LB | Tuskegee University | Senior | SIAC |
| Isaiah | Totten | RB | North Carolina Central | Junior | MEAC |
| Dawonya | Tucker | RB | Prairie View A&M | Senior | SWAC |
| Leonard | Tyree | WR | Miles College | Senior | SIAC |
| De’Shawn | Waller | RB | Alcorn State | Senior | SWAC |
| Camron | Young | DB | Fort Valley State | Senior | SIAC |
About Black College Football Hall of Fame
The Black College Football Hall of Fame was established in October of 2009 by African-American pioneers and quarterbacks, Pro Bowl MVP James "Shack" Harris and Super Bowl MVP Doug Williams, to preserve the history and honor the greatest football players, coaches and contributors from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). There have been 77 Inductees since inception, including Mel Blount, James Harris, Willie Lanier, Art Shell and Doug Williams, who serve as Trustees.
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.
