HBCU+ FCS Player of the Year Watch List

The new FCS partnership between Stats Perform and Urban Edge Network LLC includes the creation of an HBCU+ FCS National Player of the Year Award. To kick off the exciting race in the 2024 season, here’s is a 20-player watch list of candidates.

The on-field accomplishments of many talented HBCU football players can been overlooked given the vast size of having 129 FCS schools in Division I college football, but recent winners of the Buck Buchanan Award have showcased the significant skill.

Most recently, Tennessee State defensive end Terrell Allen received the 2023 Buchanan Award as the FCS national defensive player of the year.

The inaugural Urban Edge Network LLC HBCU+ FCS National Player of the Year Award will extend the recognition in the 2024 season. The award will honor the nation’s best HBCU player – regardless of position – from 21 programs spread across the FCS, including in the Southwestern and Mid-Eastern athletic conferences.

A national panel of voters will select the winner after the regular season. The recipient will be announced on Dec. 9 and invited to the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Banquet on Jan. 4 in Frisco, Texas.

As the school bands fine-tune their performances and cheerleaders and dancers perfect their routines, let’s get you ready for the 2024 campaign with a preseason watch list of 20 candidates for the HBCU+ FCS National Player of the Year Award.

HBCU+ FCS National Player of the Year Award

Malachi Bailey, Alcorn State, DL, Jr., 6-2, 260

The All-SWAC preseason first-team pick has 74 tackles and 18.5 sacks over two seasons. With another step, he could produce double-digit sacks in the competitive race.

Kendall Bohler, Florida A&M, DB, R-Sr., 6-0, 193

As an All-SWAC first-team selection, Bohler helped FAMU to the conference title and a 2023 Celebration Bowl victory. He was in on 39 tackles with one interception and 14 pass breakups, including seven in a two-game span.

Elijah Burris, Hampton, RB, Sr., 5-10, 205

A 2023 third-team All-CAA selection, Burris rushed for 803 yards and six touchdowns in only seven games. With a full season of work, he could be one of the 16-team CAA’s top rushers.

Myles Crawley, Grambling State, QB, R-Sr., 6-4, 210

Named the SWAC’s 2024 preseason offensive player of the year, Crawley ranked second in the conference in passing yards (2,303) and touchdown passes (16), completing over 60 percent of his passes with only eight interceptions.

Jaxson Davis, Mississippi Valley State, TE, So., 6-5, 210

Davis was a 2023 Stats Perform FCS Freshman All-American with 36 receptions, 406 yards and three TDs. If he fills out his long, athletic frame, his seasonal numbers could double as a sophomore.

Rico Dozier, Alabama State, LB, Sr. 5-11, 208

A transfer from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Dozier is on the All-SWAC preseason first team. In his career, he’s recorded 210 tackles with 17.5 tackles for loss and five 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 powerful running style suggests potential for a 1,000-yard campaign.

Kenny Gallop Jr., Howard, DB, Gr., 6-0, 214

The MEAC’s 2023 defensive player of the year led a conference championship season with 59 tackles and three takeaways. The Stats Perform All-American is a tackling machine with 242 career stops.

Jordan Gant, Tennessee State, RB, R-So., 5-10, 205

Tigers coach Eddie George loves what he has in the 2023 All-Big South-OVC second-team pick, who had 144 carries, 533 yards and 10 touchdowns. The next step for Gant could be a 1,000-yard season.

Ckelby Givens, Southern, DE, Jr., 6-3, 250

The SWAC’s 2024 preseason defensive player of the year racked up 61 tackles, 21 TFLs, seven sacks, four forced fumbles and a fumble recovery last year as one of the best HBCU defensive players.

Erick Hunter, Morgan State, LB, Sr., 6-4, 210

Named to 2023 All-MEAC first team, Hunter was No. 1 in the conference in tackles per game (7.5), but he also showed versatility with seven QB hurries, three sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions.

Jarett Hunter, Howard, RB, Gr., 5-10, 205

The MEAC’s 2024 preseason offensive player of the year has three straight seasons over 600 rushing yards and 200 receiving yards. He continues to find the end zone more and more, tallying 11 touchdowns last season.

Fabian McCray, Jackson State, WR, Gr., 6-2, 193

The All-SWAC preseason first-teamer had 41 catches for 584 yards and four touchdowns in 2023. He should be the Tigers’ primary receiver and command more targets this season.

Karon Prunty, North Carolina A&T, CB, R-Sr., 6-2, 180

Earned All-CAA third-team honors while totaling 45 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, one sack and five pass breakups last season. Prunty will have a chance to soar even higher against high-level competition.

Nick Taiste, South Carolina State, OL, R-Sr., 6-2, 295

Taiste made the All-MEAC second team as a freshman in 2021, then jumped to the first team each of the last two years. SCSU had the conference’s top-ranked rushing offense last season.

Dearis Thomas, Bethune-Cookman, LB, Jr.., 6-1, 195

The All-SWAC preseason second-team pick flies around the field. He’s coming off a breakout 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 again have a lead role on one of the SWAC’s best defenses. Named to the conference’s preseason first team, he created havoc for offenses with 35 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, seven sacks and two forced fumbles.

Elijah Williams, Morgan State, DL, Sr., 6-3, 270

Already a two-time All-MEAC first-team pick, Williams has a chance to be one of the nation’s most disruptive forces. He had 50 tackles, 11 TFLs, seven sacks and two forced fumbles last season.

Jacob Williams, Texas Southern, LB, Jr., 6-0, 210

A tremendous second-level blitzer who has a nose for the ball, Williams had a breakout 2023 season with 72 tackles and 7.5 sacks. He was named to the All-SWAC preseason second team.

Deco Wilson, Florida A&M, DB, Gr., 6-1, 205

The All-SWAC preseason first-teamer is part of one of the FCS’ best secondaries. A year ago, he had 49 tackles, three interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), four pass breakups and a forced fumble.

Also this season, the Walter Payton Award (FCS Offensive Player of the Year), Buck Buchanan Award (FCS Defensive Player of the Year), Jerry Rice Award (FCS Freshman Player of the Year), Eddie Robinson Award (FCS Coach of the Year) and FedEx Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year will be presented at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Banquet.

Check out the history of the FCS National Awards. Also, follow all of our FCS football coverage, including on X, Facebook and Instagram.