FUQUAY-VARINA, N.C.  – Benedict College sophomore return specialist Jaxon Williams and senior defensive lineman Israel Nwokocha have both been named honorable mention preseason HBCU All-Americans by BOXTOROW.
 
Williams is returning to the Tigers after a breakout freshman campaign that saw him finish second in NCAA Division II in kickoff returns, averaging 39.1 yards per return. He returned a pair of kickoffs for touchdowns. He was named an honorable mention HBCU All-American by BOXTOROW after the 2024 season.
 
Nwokocha receives his preseason recognition after a stellar 2024 season. He was a SIAC All-Conference first team selection, which saw him finish second in the SIAC and ninth nationally in sacks per game with 0.85. He also ranked third in the SIAC and 25th nationally in tackles for loss per game (1.4). He also blocked one kick and recorded a safety. He was recognized as a second-team selection for the Division II Conference Commissioner's Association (D2CCA) All Super Region Two Football Team.
 
Both Williams and Nwokocha were named preseason All-SIAC in July.
 
Benedict kicks off the 2025 season on August 30 against Fayetteville State University in the Labor Day Classic in Charlie W. Johnson Stadium. Tickets are available at www.benedicttickets.com
 
BOXTOROW has named All-America teams since 2007 based on voting by national media who cover HBCU football.
 
The 2025 HBCU college football Preseason All-America team
 
OFFENSE
QB: Jacobian Morgan, Jackson State, Gr., Canton, Miss.
RB: Thad Franklin, Jr., Florida A&M, Gr., West Palm Beach, Fla.#
RB: Kevon King, Norfolk State, Sr., Chesapeake, Va.
RB: Jacorian Sewell, Alcorn State, Gr. Natchez, Miss.#
OL: Charles Davis, Florida A&M, r-Sr., Marianna, Fla.#
OL: Ashton Grable, Florida A&M, r-Jr., Gordon, Ga.
OL: Trevon Humphrey, North Carolina Central r-Jr. Greensboro, N.C.*
OL: Noah McKinney, North Carolina Central, Sr., Duncan, S.C.#
OL: Korion Sharpe, North Carolina A&T, Sr., Charlotte, N.C.#
OL: D'Andre Townes-Blue, Jackson State Sr. Willow Grove, Pa.*
TE: Marvin Landy, Jackson State, Gr., Lakeland, Fla.
WR: Brevin Caldwell, Johnson C. Smith, Sr., Charlotte, N.C.
WR: Nathan Rembert, Jackson State, Jr., Eustis, Fla.
 
DEFENSE
DL: Bryce Cage, Grambling State, r-Sr., Baton Rouge, La.
DL: Ckelby Givens, Southern, Sr., Shreveport, La.*
DL: Davion Westmoreland, Florida A&M, Gr., Griffin, Ga.
DL: Jeremiah Williams, Jackson State, r-Sr., Lexington, Miss.
LB: Stemarion Edwards, Alcorn State, Gr., Hollandale, Miss.
LB: Erick Hunter, Morgan State, Sr. Capitol Heights, Md.
LB: Max U'Ren, North Carolina Central, r-Sr., Winston-Salem, N.C.
DB: Camani Cobbs, Tennessee State, r-Soph., McDonough, Ga.#
DB: TJ Huggins, Florida A&M , r-Sr., Miami, Fla.
DB: Michael King Jr. Tuskegee Sr. Tuskegee, Ala.#
DB: Keane Lewis Alabama State Sr. Miami, Fla.#
DB: Malcolm Reed, North Carolina Central, Sr., Raleigh, N.C.
DB: Jarod Washington, South Carolina State r-Sr. Fredericksburg, Va.*
 
SPECIALISTS
P: Gerardo Baeza, Jackson State, Gr., Boaz, Ala.
PK: Johnny Schifano, Grambling State, Gr., Arlington, Texas
PR: Travis Terrell Jackson State Soph. Atlanta, Ga.*
KR: Travis Terrell Jackson State Soph. Atlanta, Ga.*
 
Honorable Mention
TE: Luke Bracey, North Carolina Central
OL: Tim Artis, Jr., Howard; Desmond Daniels, Alabama State
WR: Joanes Fortilien, Jackson State
DL: Ishaun Abdul-Ali, Howard; Cameron Davis, Virginia State; Xavier Esquillen, Savannah State; Dashawn Fields, Morgan State; Nay'Ron Jenkins Florida A&M; Daylan Long, Norfolk State; KJ McNeil Virginia State; Noah Miles, Howard; Israel Nwokocha, Benedict
LB: Vincent Paige, Southern
DB: ; Jadon Carter, Morgan State; Horacio, Johnson Southern; Antwone Watts, Bethune-Cookman
P: Mark Shenouda, Tennessee State
KR: Jaxon Williams, Benedict
PR: Malique Leatherbury, Morgan State
 
*Tie
#2024 HBCU All-American