HBCU Quarterbacks off to Fast Starts in 2024

Stats Perform is bringing a greater spotlight to athletes, students and stories at Historically Black Colleges and Universities through a partnership with Urban Edge Network. Included in the 2024 college football season are both HBCU FCS Player and Team of the Week awards and a season-ending HBCU FCS National Player of the Year Award, each presented by HBCU+.

Everybody in football knows the sport’s most-important position: Quarterback.

If a team doesn’t have a strong quarterback, it will likely struggle.

When a signal caller performs well, he unlocks the potential of his team’s offensive talent.

Which often produces victories.

There were many outstanding quarterback performances in the first full week of the 2024 college football season at all levels. Signal callers such as former Jackson State star Shedeur Sanders and fellow FCS transplant Cam Ward – both Jerry Rice Award recipients – lit the football world on fire with performances for Colorado and Miami (Fla.), respectively.

Not surprisingly, the impressive performances behind center extended to the HBCU landscape as well.

The FCS-level HBCU quarterbacks leading the way:

Daniel Richardson, Florida A&M

There surely was concern about this year’s Florida A&M squad after its 2023 Celebration Bowl victory led to the exit of former coach Willie Simmons and starting quarterback Jeremy Moussa. Well, the Rattlers continue to strike and strike again early in 2024 – off to a 2-0 record over formidable HBCU opponents from the MEAC.

At the forefront is Richardson, an FAU transfer and X factor who went 22 of 30 for 286 yards and three touchdowns in a 24-23 victory over Norfolk State in the MEAC-SWAC Challenge. He followed up that performance by going 23 of 38 for 282 yards and three TDs against South Carolina State.

Richardson’s hot start earned the season’s first HBCU+ National Player of the Week.

Draylen Ellis, Tennessee State

It’s interesting to watch a team led by a former NFL running back (coach Eddie George) throw the football all over the field. It helps, of course, to have one of the leading HBCU quarterbacks.

Ellis started hot in an opening win over Mississippi Valley State with a 55-yard touchdown throw to Jalal Dean. That was the beginning of a 31-point first half offensive explosion for the Big South-OVC member. By game’s end, the 6-foot-1 senior had amassed 356 yards and three touchdowns through the air.

Jacobian Morgan, Jackson State

Jackson State was on the wrong side of a 30-14 score against ULM, but Morgan played a quality game against an FBS foe. He was 23 of 28 for 228 yards and a touchdown, and added a rushing score.

Teams in the SWAC will be very aware of the 6-4, 227-pound junior’s performance as they move into conference play. JSU will be a major factor in deciding the conference championship.

Malcolm Mays, Hampton

Mays did not even start the CAA Football team’s season opener. The 6-5 senior split time with junior Chris Zellous at the position, but he was clearly the more effective of the two. It makes his statistical line – 13 of 17 for 168 yards and two touchdowns along with 63 rushing yards –look even more impressive.

Even though the Pirates suffered a tough, 30-28 loss to Morgan State, the Pirates could give Mays the lion’s share of the snaps in Week 2.

Marqui Adams, Delaware State

The 6-1, slightly built dual-threat has used his arm and legs to find early season success.

A sophomore, Adams had a good performance against Hawaii, collecting 200 yards of total offense and a touchdown in the MEAC team’s 35-14 loss to the Rainbow Warriors. He came back the next week against Sacred Heart and led the Hornets to their first win, going 14 of 22 for 150 yards and a touchdown with 44 rushing yards.

It’s a fantastic start to the season for a team that managed only one win (sub-FCS) last season.

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