• Complete Black College Football Player of the Year Watch List
Three Tennessee State football players have been named to the Watch List for the Black College Football Player of the Year Award. The award, known as the Deacon Jones Trophy, is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player from a Historically Black College & University (HBCU).
The TSU players on the initital watch list, which included 49 players from 26 HBCU's, were quarterback
Draylen Ellis, running back
Devon Starling and linebacker
James Green.
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 2023 HBCU Legacy Bowl on Saturday, February 25, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The game will be broadcast live on NFL Network.
“Black College Football has outstanding talent, as evidenced by the Inaugural HBCU Legacy Bowl,” said Super Bowl XXII MVP and BCFHOF co-founder Doug Williams.
“The Deacon Jones Trophy is the most prestigious football award for HBCUs,” said BCFHOF co-founder and 2012 inductee James Harris. “Deacon Jones was a pioneer and an icon, and still to this day represents the very best of Black College Football.”
The Watch List candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential. Additions to the list may be made as the 2022 season progresses. The finalists and the winner will be chosen by a Selection Committee.