Aeneas Williams Award Watch List | 2023

The award for the nation's top HBCU defensive back includes 19 players from the SWAC, MEAC, and independents.

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) released the 2nd Annual Aeneas Williams Award Preseason Watch List. This includes 19 of the nation's best defensive backs in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Division I college football. 

The preseason watch list is selected by a screening committee and in partnership with the organization DraftHBCUPlayers and the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award. This list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons may be added to the semifinalists and finalists lists as the season progresses.

A favorite to win the award is North Carolina Central defensive back Khalil Baker, who won the inaugural award in 2022. He is joined by teammate Manny Smith, an All-MEAC Second Team defensive back in 2022 and a preseason Second Team selection in 2023.

The Eagles are one of seven schools to have multiple players on the watch list, joining Alabama State, Morgan State, Florida A&M, Southern, Howard, and Tennessee State.

Aeneas Williams Award Preseason Watch List

• Khalil Baker - North Carolina Central
• Kendall Bohler - Florida A&M
• Jordan Carter - Southern
• Kriston Davis - Southern
• Carlvainsky Decius - Morgan State
• Kenny Gallop Jr. - Howard
• Josh Green - Tennessee State
• Esaias Guthrie - Jackson State
• Romell Harris-Freeman, Delaware State
• Omari Hill-Robinson, Bethune-Cookman
• Robert Jones III - Howard
• Adrian Maddox - Alabama State
• Chauncey Moore - Alabama State
• Javan Morgan - Florida A&M
• Byron Perkins - Hampton
• Bryce Phillips - Tennessee State
• Karon Prunty - North Carolina A&T
• Manny Smith - North Carolina Central
• Jordan Toles - Morgan State