The brand new FCS partnership between Stats Carry out and City Edge Community LLC contains the creation of an HBCU+ FCS Nationwide Participant of the 12 months Award. To kick off the thrilling race within the 2024 season, right here’s is a 20-player watch checklist of candidates.
The on-field accomplishments of many proficient HBCU soccer gamers can been ignored given the huge dimension of getting 129 FCS faculties in Division I faculty soccer, however current winners of the Buck Buchanan Award have showcased the numerous talent.
Most lately, Tennessee State defensive finish Terrell Allen acquired the 2023 Buchanan Award because the FCS nationwide defensive participant of the yr.
The inaugural City Edge Community LLC HBCU+ FCS Nationwide Participant of the 12 months Award will prolong the popularity within the 2024 season. The award will honor the nation’s finest HBCU participant – no matter place – from 21 applications unfold throughout the FCS, together with within the Southwestern and Mid-Japanese athletic conferences.
A nationwide panel of voters will choose the winner after the common season. The recipient shall be introduced on Dec. 9 and invited to the Stats Carry out FCS Nationwide Awards Banquet on Jan. 5 in Frisco, Texas.
As the college bands fine-tune their performances and cheerleaders and dancers excellent their routines, let’s get you prepared for the 2024 marketing campaign with a preseason watch checklist of 20 candidates for the HBCU+ FCS Nationwide Participant of the 12 months Award.
HBCU+ FCS Nationwide Participant of the 12 months Award
Malachi Bailey, Alcorn State, DL, Jr., 6-2, 260
The All-SWAC preseason first-team choose has 74 tackles and 18.5 sacks over two seasons. With one other step, he may produce double-digit sacks within the aggressive race.
Kendall Bohler, Florida A&M, DB, R-Sr., 6-0, 193
As an All-SWAC first-team choice, Bohler helped FAMU to the convention title and a 2023 Celebration Bowl victory. He was in on 39 tackles with one interception and 14 go breakups, together with seven in a two-game span.
Elijah Burris, Hampton, RB, Sr., 5-10, 205
A 2023 third-team All-CAA choice, Burris rushed for 803 yards and 6 touchdowns in solely seven video games. With a full season of labor, he could possibly be one of many 16-team CAA’s high rushers.
Myles Crawley, Grambling State, QB, R-Sr., 6-4, 210
Named the SWAC’s 2024 preseason offensive participant of the yr, Crawley ranked second within the convention in passing yards (2,303) and landing passes (16), finishing over 60 p.c of his passes with solely eight interceptions.
Jaxson Davis, Mississippi Valley State, TE, So., 6-5, 210
Davis was a 2023 Stats Carry out FCS Freshman All-American with 36 receptions, 406 yards and three TDs. If he fills out his lengthy, athletic body, his seasonal numbers may double as a sophomore.
Rico Dozier, Alabama State, LB, Sr. 5-11, 208
A switch from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Dozier is on the All-SWAC preseason first crew. In his profession, he’s recorded 210 tackles with 17.5 tackles for loss and 5 sacks.
Donovan Eaglin, Alabama A&M, RB, R-So., 5-11, 226
The All-SWAC preseason first-teamer has rushed for 1,638 yards and 13 TDs in his first two seasons at A&M. His highly effective working type suggests potential for a 1,000-yard marketing campaign.
Kenny Gallop Jr., Howard, DB, Gr., 6-0, 214
The MEAC’s 2023 defensive participant of the yr led a convention championship season with 59 tackles and three takeaways. The Stats Carry out All-American is a tackling machine with 242 profession stops.
Jordan Gant, Tennessee State, RB, R-So., 5-10, 205
Tigers coach Eddie George loves what he has within the 2023 All-Huge South-OVC second-team choose, who had 144 carries, 533 yards and 10 touchdowns. The subsequent step for Gant could possibly be a 1,000-yard season.
Ckelby Givens, Southern, DE, Jr., 6-3, 250
The SWAC’s 2024 preseason defensive participant of the yr racked up 61 tackles, 21 TFLs, seven sacks, 4 compelled fumbles and a fumble restoration final yr as among the finest HBCU defensive gamers.
Erick Hunter, Morgan State, LB, Sr., 6-4, 210
Named to 2023 All-MEAC first crew, Hunter was No. 1 within the convention in tackles per recreation (7.5), however he additionally confirmed versatility with seven QB hurries, three sacks, two compelled fumbles and two interceptions.
Jarett Hunter, Howard, RB, Gr., 5-10, 205
The MEAC’s 2024 preseason offensive participant of the yr has three straight seasons over 600 dashing yards and 200 receiving yards. He continues to search out the top zone increasingly more, tallying 11 touchdowns final season.
Fabian McCray, Jackson State, WR, Gr., 6-2, 193
The All-SWAC preseason first-teamer had 41 catches for 584 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2023. He needs to be the Tigers’ main receiver and command extra targets this season.
Karon Prunty, North Carolina A&T, CB, R-Sr., 6-2, 180
Earned All-CAA third-team honors whereas totaling 45 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, one sack and 5 go breakups final season. Prunty can have an opportunity to soar even greater in opposition to high-level competitors.
Nick Taiste, South Carolina State, OL, R-Sr., 6-2, 295
Taiste made the All-MEAC second crew as a freshman in 2021, then jumped to the primary crew every of the final two years. SCSU had the convention’s top-ranked dashing offense final season.
Dearis Thomas, Bethune-Cookman, LB, Jr.., 6-1, 195
The All-SWAC preseason second-team choose flies across the subject. He’s coming off a breakout marketing campaign with 97 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks and three QB hurries.
Treqwan Thomas, Alabama State, Edge, Sr., 6-1, 235
Thomas will once more have a lead function on one of many SWAC’s finest defenses. Named to the convention’s preseason first crew, he created havoc for offenses with 35 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, seven sacks and two compelled fumbles.
Elijah Williams, Morgan State, DL, Sr., 6-3, 270
Already a two-time All-MEAC first-team choose, Williams has an opportunity to be one of many nation’s most disruptive forces. He had 50 tackles, 11 TFLs, seven sacks and two compelled fumbles final season.
Jacob Williams, Texas Southern, LB, Jr., 6-0, 210
An amazing second-level blitzer who has a nostril for the ball, Williams had a breakout 2023 season with 72 tackles and seven.5 sacks. He was named to the All-SWAC preseason second crew.
Deco Wilson, Florida A&M, DB, Gr., 6-1, 205
The All-SWAC preseason first-teamer is a part of one of many FCS’ finest secondaries. A yr in the past, he had 49 tackles, three interceptions (one returned for a landing), 4 go breakups and a compelled fumble.
Additionally this season, the Walter Payton Award (FCS Offensive Participant of the 12 months), Buck Buchanan Award (FCS Defensive Participant of the 12 months), Jerry Rice Award (FCS Freshman Participant of the 12 months), Eddie Robinson Award (FCS Coach of the 12 months) and FedEx Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the 12 months shall be introduced on the Stats Carry out FCS Nationwide Awards Banquet.
Try the historical past of the FCS Nationwide Awards. Additionally, comply with all of our FCS soccer protection, together with on X, Fb and Instagram.
