ATLANTA, Ga.– The Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) announced the 2026 Watch List for the Black College Football Player of the Year Award. The Award is presented annually to the most outstanding football player from a Historically Black College & University. Among the list include two players representing Benedict College – running back
David Smith and offensive lineman
Isaiah Turner.
Four finalists will be unveiled after the season. The winner of the Black College Football Player of the Year Award, which will be announced during halftime of the 2027 Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl, will be presented with the Deacon Jones Trophy. The Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl will take place on Saturday, February 27, 2027 in Atlanta, Georgia. The game will be broadcast live on NFL Network.
"The Black College Football Player of the Year Award represents the excellence, dedication, and competitive spirit of HBCU football," said Doug Williams, BCFHOF Co-Founder and 2011 Inductee. "These young men are building their own legacies, as they set the standard for themselves and others who will follow. In order to keep this tradition alive, we have to continue to exemplify the impact of HBCU football."
The Watch List candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential. Additions to the list will be made as the 2026 season progresses. The finalists and the winner will be chosen by a Selection Committee.
Smith rushed for 530 yards and three touchdowns last season, and is expected to be a featured back for the Tigers this season. Smith is one of the fastest players in the SIAC, and won the men's 100-meter dash at the SIAC outdoor track & field championship last spring.
Turner is one of the anchors of the Benedict offensive line that averaged 314.9 yards per game and almost 150 yards rushing per game. Benedict also allowed just 2.0 sacks per game, fifth-best in the SIAC.
Former North Carolina A&T and NFL running back Tarik Cohen was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Award in 2016; Bowie State QB Amir Hall was the 2017 and 2018 recipient; former Tennessee State and NFL WR Chris Rowland was the 2019 recipient; former Alabama A&M QB Aqeel Glass was the recipient in the Spring 2021 and Fall 2021 seasons, former Jackson State player and NFL QB Shedeur Sanders was the 2022 winner of the Award; North Carolina Central QB Davius Richard and Florida A&M QB Jeremy Moussa were the co-winners in 2023;in 2024, Virginia Union RB, Jada Byers was the sole recipient; in 2025, former Virginia Union RB, Curtis Allen received the Deacon Jones Trophy Award.
"The Deacon Jones Trophy represents one of the highest honors in HBCU football," said BCFHOF Co-Founder and 2012 Inductee James Harris. "Deacon Jones was the most feared pass rusher of his generation, and even coined the term "sack." His legacy extends far beyond the game, continuing to inspire the next generation of players who carry the tradition of Black College Football forward."
| Name |
School |
Position |
| Elijah Baker |
Alabama State |
OL |
| Joshua Barker |
South Carolina State |
DL |
| Chase Bingmon |
Prairie View A&M |
RB |
| Andrew Body |
Alabama State |
QB |
| Chance Bush |
Allen |
OL |
| Ka'Von Chisolm |
South Carolina State |
DL |
| Jaiden Cleveland |
Clark Atlanta |
DL |
| Darius Cyprian |
Kentucky State |
WR |
| Quaveon Davis |
Jackson State |
OL |
| Jamir Dismukes |
Fayetteville State University |
QB |
| Derrick Drayton |
Albany State |
DL |
| Wayne Favors |
Delaware State |
DB |
| Joanes Fortilien |
Jackson State |
WR |
| Jordan Franklin |
South Carolina State |
LB |
| Trevon French |
Edward Waters |
LB |
| Kedrick Green |
Howard |
DB |
| Malik Gucake |
Prairie View A&M |
DL |
| Danarius Hilliard |
Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
LB |
| Xzavier Jackson |
Clark Atlanta |
QB |
| Eden James |
Howard |
RB |
| Jaylen Jennings |
Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
RB |
| Michael Joiner Jr. |
Alabama State |
DL |
| Josh Jones |
North Carolina Central |
QB |
| Brian Lane |
Johnson C. Smith University |
WR |
| Isaiah Lawson |
North Carolina Central |
LB |
| Rahsaan Matthews Jr. |
Virginia State University |
QB |
| Arturo Mattocks |
Morgan State |
LB |
| Calvin McMillian |
Prairie View A&M |
OL |
| AC McMoore |
North Carolina Central |
OL |
| Ryan Nolan |
Norfolk State |
OL |
| Chance Peterson |
North Carolina Central |
WR |
| James Reddick II |
South Carolina State |
OL |
| Nate Rembert |
Jackson State |
WR |
| D'Avery Robinson |
Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
WR |
| Cameran Rogers |
Alcorn State |
OL |
| Kam Sallis |
Jackson State |
DB |
| Travion Searcy |
Central State |
DB |
| Alex Simmons |
Morgan State |
TE |
| Ta'Shaun Sims |
Alabama State |
DB |
| David Smith |
Benedict |
RB |
| Bobby Smith |
Johnson C. Smith University |
RB |
| Tyler Smith |
South Carolina State |
RB |
| Johntarrious Thomas |
Edward Waters |
RB |
| Eric Thomas Jr |
Alcorn State |
DL |
| Darius Thompson |
South Carolina State |
WR |
| Isaiah Turner |
Benedict |
OL |
| Moses Umoren |
South Carolina State |
OL |
| Zach Underwood |
Morehouse |
DL |
| Mehki Wall |
North Carolina Central |
WR |
| Brandon Wiley |
Bluefield State University |
WR |
| Jaylen Williams |
Norfolk State |
DL |
| Wyatt Wright |
Alabama A&M |
LB |
About Deacon Jones
David "Deacon" Jones played defensive end for South Carolina State University and Mississippi Valley State University from 1958 to 1960. Blessed with speed, agility, and quickness, the "Deacon" became one of the finest pass rushers in the business. He won unanimous All-NFL honors six straight years from 1965 through 1970 and was selected to eight Pro Bowls. Jones is an inaugural Black College Football Hall of Fame inductee (2010) and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
About The Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl
The Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl, presented by the Black College Football Hall of Fame, is a postseason all-star game that showcases the top 100 NFL draft-eligible football players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The game will be played on Saturday, February 27, 2026 (Atlanta, Georgia) and broadcast live on NFL Network. More than a football game, the week-long celebration of Black culture and history provides invaluable exposure for HBCU students, and includes the largest HBCU Career Fair in the country.
About The Black College Football Hall of Fame
The Black College Football Hall of Fame, a non-profit, tax-exempt organization, located at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio was founded in 2009 by African American pioneers, quarterbacks James Harris and Doug Williams to preserve the history and honor the greatest football players, coaches and contributors from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. There are 130 Inductees including Mel Blount, James Harris, Willie Lanier, Art Shell and Doug Williams, who serve as Trustees. The Black College Football Hall of Fame has awarded over $450,000 in direct support to HBCUs and HBCU scholarships since inception. Other major initiatives include the Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl, the Ozzie Newsome GM & Quarterback Summit (in partnership with the NFL), as well as the Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic (in partnership with the Pro Football Hall of Fame).
