2026 Deacon Jones Trophy Watch List Announced
ATLANTA — Aug. 18, 2026 — The Black College Football Hall of Fame has announced the 2026 watch list for the Black College Football Player of the Year Award, continuing a tradition that recognizes the nation's top football talent competing at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
The award honors the most outstanding HBCU football player each year, with the eventual winner receiving the Deacon Jones Trophy, named for the legendary defensive end and Pro Football Hall of Famer.
The 2026 watch list features 52 players representing HBCU programs across the country, with talent represented at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, offensive and defensive line, linebacker, defensive back and tight end.
The watch list is not considered final. Additional players can be added as the 2026 season progresses, while four finalists will be selected following the conclusion of the season.
HBCU Football's Top Players in the Spotlight
The quarterback position is well represented on this year's list, including Andrew Body of Alabama State, Jamir Dismukes of Fayetteville State, Xzavier Jackson of Clark Atlanta, Josh Jones of North Carolina Central and Rahsaan Matthews Jr. of Virginia State.
North Carolina Central has multiple players on the list, including Jones, linebacker Isaiah Lawson, offensive lineman AC McMoore and wide receiver Chance Peterson.
South Carolina State also has a strong presence with defensive linemen Joshua Barker and Ka'Von Chisolm, linebacker Jordan Franklin, offensive linemen James Reddick II and Moses Umoren, running back Tyler Smith and wide receiver Darius Thompson.
Jackson State is represented by offensive lineman Quaveon Davis, wide receivers Joanes Fortilien and Nate Rembert and defensive back Kam Sallis.
Several other programs have multiple candidates, including Alabama State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Benedict, Clark Atlanta, Edward Waters, Johnson C. Smith, Morgan State, Norfolk State and Prairie View A&M.
2026 Deacon Jones Trophy Watch List
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 — 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 — WR
Isaiah Lawson — North Carolina Central — LB
Rahsaan Matthews Jr. — Virginia State — 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 — 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 — WR
Jaylen Williams — Norfolk State — DL
Wyatt Wright — Alabama A&M — LB
A Tradition of HBCU Excellence
The Black College Football Player of the Year Award was established in 2016, with former North Carolina A&T and NFL running back Tarik Cohen becoming its inaugural recipient.
The award's previous winners include Bowie State quarterback Amir Hall, Tennessee State and NFL wide receiver Chris Rowland, Alabama A&M quarterback Aqeel Glass, Jackson State and NFL quarterback Shedeur Sanders, North Carolina Central quarterback Davius Richard, Florida A&M quarterback Jeremy Moussa and Virginia Union running back Jada Byers.
Former Virginia Union running back Curtis Allen received the Deacon Jones Trophy in 2025.
The award has become one of the premier individual honors in HBCU football, providing national recognition to players competing at programs throughout the MEAC, SWAC, CIAA, SIAC and other HBCU conferences.
Four Finalists Will Compete for the Deacon Jones Trophy
The 52 players currently on the watch list will have the opportunity to strengthen their cases throughout the 2026 season.
Four finalists will be announced after the season, with the finalists and eventual winner selected by the Black College Football Hall of Fame's Selection Committee.
The 2026 Black College Football Player of the Year will be announced during halftime of the 2027 Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl, where the winner will receive the Deacon Jones Trophy.
The Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 27, 2027, in Atlanta, with the game set to air live on NFL Network.
Honoring a HBCU Football Legend
The award carries the name of one of football's most dominant defensive players.
David “Deacon” Jones, who played college football at South Carolina State and Mississippi Valley State, became one of the NFL's premier pass rushers during his professional career.
Jones earned unanimous All-NFL honors six consecutive seasons from 1965 through 1970 and was selected to eight Pro Bowls. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and was also part of the inaugural Black College Football Hall of Fame class in 2010.
His impact on the game extended beyond his statistics. Jones is widely credited with popularizing the term “sack” to describe bringing down a quarterback behind the line of scrimmage.
That legacy now lives on through an award recognizing the next generation of HBCU football stars.
The Road to the 2027 HBCU Legacy Bowl
The Deacon Jones Trophy watch list is the first step toward one of the most anticipated individual honors in HBCU football.
The Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl will bring together top NFL draft-eligible players from HBCU programs for a postseason all-star showcase. The event also features a weeklong celebration of HBCU culture and history, including a major career fair designed to connect students and athletes with professional opportunities.
For the players on the 2026 watch list, the path to Atlanta begins now.
Every Saturday provides another opportunity to make an impression, elevate an HBCU program and potentially join the growing list of players who have earned the Deacon Jones Trophy.
