Less than two weeks before the start of the 2024 HBCU football season, the Black College Football Hall of Fame has created a watch list for its coveted Deacon Jones Trophy.
The watch list consists of 50 returning HBCU football players, including each conference’s preseason Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year.
The SWAC leads all conferences with 19 selections, followed by the MEAC with 14 and the CAA/OVC combined with four. The SIAC leads the Division II conferences with eight, while the CIAA fielded just five.
Alabama State led all teams with five selections, followed by South Carolina State and Howard with four.
Here are some of the notable names left off the list.
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Announcement of the nominee list for the 2024 Black College Football Player of the Year award #DeaconJonesTrophy 🏆
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Benari Black LB, Johnson C Smith
If there was an award for the most improved team last season, Johnson C. Smith would have been a top candidate. They improved their winning total by five games in the 2022 season and were selected to the inaugural Florida Beach Bowl.
Linebacker Benari Black played a major role in this transformation, recording 82 total tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and three pass breakups.
He was named to the CIAA All-Preseason First Team on a Johnson C. Smith team that was projected to finish fourth in the conference's projected seeding.
Jayden Broughton DL, South Carolina State
Although South Carolina State had the second-most selections of any team on this list, they could have been tied with the addition of Benedict transfer Jayden Broughton.
Broughton recorded 56 total tackles, 24.0 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles to lead Benedict to its second consecutive SIAC title.
Broughton is one of many former Benedict players who followed Chennis Berry to South Carolina State in the offseason.
Cameron Davis DL, Virginia State
As a redshirt freshman, Cameron Davis was one of the unsung heroes of the Virginia State team that came one win short of the division title last year.
Davis recorded 38 total tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and a fumble recovery and was named to the All-CIAA Rookie Team.
With a larger role on Virginia State's defensive line, replaced by All-CIAA selection Miqueal Pillow-Smiley, Davis is expected to have his breakout year in 2024.
Kelvin Dean RB, Florida A&M
Reigning Celebration Bowl offensive MVP Kelvin Dean is another player who is poised to have a standout season as Florida A&M's top running back in 2024.
In his freshman year with the Rattlers, Dean ran for 376 yards and three touchdowns, while also catching 11 passes for 136 yards and three touchdowns.
He helped lead FAMU to victory in the Celebration Bowl, catching three passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns.
Keith Jenkins Jr. DB, Morgan State
On a team dominated by its defensive talent, Keith Jenkins Jr. is an underrated talent in the Bears' special forces unit.
Jenkins averaged 23.2 yards on 23 kick return attempts, including a 90-yard kick return touchdown against Norfolk State.
He was one of only two non-defensive players from Morgan State named to the All-MEAC team last season.
Robert McDaniel DB, Jackson State
Robert McDaniel is moving from Alcorn State to Jackson State and hopes to make lasting improvements to last season's top SWAC secondary.
McDaniel recorded three interceptions, five pass breakups and three forced fumbles. He also recorded 30 total tackles and 2.0 tackles for loss.
Irv Mulligan RB, Jackson State
Irv Mulligan made an immediate impact in his freshman season at Jackson State last season, leading the team in rushing yards.
He managed 674 rushing yards and scored five touchdowns while adding 41 receiving yards on five receptions.
Devin Williams DB, Bowie State
Rounding out the list is Bowie State defensive back Devin Williams, who followed an excellent sophomore season with an even better third year.
Williams had three interceptions, 11 pass defenses and two forced fumbles. He also recorded 36 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.
