HBCU Defensive Players: Early Season Standouts

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+.

The early season for HBCU football programs is always an interesting time as it’s filled with showcase games, money matchups, meetings against lower division programs, even rivalries.

Defense has been the calling card for a lot of programs early this season. They have tried to keep offenses off schedule, broken up passes, pressured the quarterback and, of course, limited rushing attacks.

The outstanding performances indicate just how rich HBCU football teams are with talented defensive playmakers.

Here are some HBCU defensive players who have been lighting up the stats sheets and establishing themselves as ones to watch all season:

Kenny Gallop Jr, Howard, Defensive Back

Gallop Jr. was on the preseason list for everything imaginable. A stellar 2023 season landed him the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year award and his team a trip to the Celebration Bowl.

Through three games this season, his 16 solo tackles and 9.7 overall tackles per game lead the MEAC. He’s on pace to eclipse 100 tackles, which would be a personal best for the fifth-year senior and go a long way toward the Bison’s goal to be back in Atlanta in December.

Elijah Williams, Morgan State, Defensive Line

Like Gallop Jr., Williams was on every preseason watch list of HBCU defensive players you can think of. His performance over his previous three seasons has made him an NFL prospect.

This season, the 6-foot-3, 270-pound standout is off to a hot start. He’s second in the MEAC with three sacks and 22 sacks yards. He also has nine solo tackles and 16 overall for a Bears defense that is proving once again to be a force.

Andrew Jones, Grambling State, Linebacker

At 6-2, 220, the redshirt junior transfer from Memphis looks the part of a playmaking three-down linebacker, and through the first three games, he’s been playing like it.

His nine tackles per game rank No. 1 in the SWAC. It includes a 13-tackle performance against Texas A&M-Commerce, which earned conference defensive player of the week honors.

AJ Richardson, Norfolk State, Linebacker

As a true freshman last season, Richardson tallied 69 tackles in 11 games. Through four games this season, he’s on pace to obliterate those numbers.

He has 34 tackles, posting double-figure totals in each of NSU’s last two games, against Virginia State and Hampton. He could threaten 100 tackles this season, especially with the MEAC full of teams that look to run the ball.

Cortez Andrews, Alabama A&M, Linebacker

A Florida State transfer, Andrews has performed well in his second season with the Bulldogs. At 6-1, 245, he’s a big, physical linebacker.

He’s accounted for 26 tackles in three games, with 5.5 tackles for 37 yards in losses and 3.5 sacks over the last two outings.

Keandre Booker, Tennessee State, Defensive Line

The 6-3, 240-pound grad transfer is making the most out of his only season playing for the Tigers. He spent five years at Southeast Missouri, where he transitioned from an outside linebacker to now defensive end.

Over his first three games, Booker has 11 tackles and four tackles for loss, highlighted by five and three, respectively, in a win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the Southern Heritage Classic.

Jadon Carter, Morgan State, Defensive Back

Carter had a breakout 2023 at Bowie State, where he recorded 18 tackles, eight pass breakups, and three interceptions. He transferred to Morgan State earlier this year and has picked up right where he left off on the Division II level.

He’s tied for the lead in the MEAC with two interceptions, returning one for 43 yards against Hampton before adding another pick against Ohio U. He also forced a fumble against Towson.

Amyrion Mingo, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Defensive Back

With the transfer portal being so rich with older talent, you don’t see as many true freshmen playing a lot these days. Mingo is an exception to that scenario, making waves early in his first season.

He recorded two tackles against Arkansas in his collegiate debut, recorded two interceptions in UAPB’s blowout win against Arkansas Baptist, and followed that up with four tackles against Tennessee State.

That’s not a bad start to a young career. In fact, that’s a great start for some HBCU defensive players.