2023 Black College Football Player of the Year Watch List

49 Black college football stars highlight the 2023 Black College Football Player of the Year Watch List.

Atlanta, GA  – The Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) has released the 2023 Watch List for the Black College Football Player of the Year Award. The award recognizes the most outstanding football player from a Historically Black College & University.

Previous Black College Football Player of the Year Recipients

1. North Carolina A&T and NFL running back Tarik Cohen was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Award in 2016  
2. Bowie State quarterback Amir Hall was the 2017 and 2018 recipient  
3. Former Tennessee State and NFL wide receiver Chris Rowland was the 2019 recipient 
4. Former Alabama A&M quarterback Aqeel Glass was the recipient in the Spring 2021 and Fall 2021 seasons
5. Former Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders was the 2022 winner of the Award

The BCHOF panel will announce four finalists after the 2023 season. The Black College Football Player of the Year Award winner will receive the Deacon Jones Trophy during halftime of the 2024 Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl. The Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 24 in New Orleans, LA and will be broadcast live on NFL Network.

“The Black College Football Player of the Year Award showcases the immense talent of our HBCU players today,” Doug Williams said, BCFHOF Co-Founder and 2011 Inductee. “These student-athletes represent the very best of HBCU football.”

NCCU Eagles quarterback Davius Richard; Credit: Doug Burt, NCCU Athletics

Sep 4, 2022; Miami, Florida, US; Florida A&M Rattlers quarterback Jeremy Moussa (8) throws a pass against the Jackson State Tigers during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports

Grambling State Tigers defensive lineman Sundiata Anderson (9) is held back by his teammates after a fight during a game between Florida A&M University and Grambling at Bragg Memorial Stadium on FAMU's homecoming Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. Famu Vs Grambling 103021 Ts 1613; Credit:© Tori Lynn Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat / USA TODAY NETWORK

Andrew Body, Texas Southern Quarteback; Credit: Kyle A. Mosley, HBCU Legends

2023 Black College Football Player of the Year Award Watch List

The Watch List candidates have been selected based on their past performance and potential for the future. Additional players may be added to the list as the 2023 season progresses. The finalists and eventual winner will be chosen by a selection committee from the BCFHOF.

“The Deacon Jones Trophy is the most prestigious football award for HBCUs,” BCFHOF co-founder and 2012 inductee James Harris remarked. “Deacon Jones was a pioneer and an icon, and still to this day represents the very best of Black College Football.”