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.