OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) released the 3^rd  Annual Aeneas Williams Award Preseason Watch List. This list 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.
 
AENEAS WILLIAMS AWARD PRESEASON WATCH LIST
 
Devon Allen, Norfolk State, Sr. 
Kendall Bohler, Florida A&M, Sr. 
James Burgess, Alabama State, Sr. 
Darren Burton II, Hampton, Soph. 
Carlvainsky Decius, Morgan State, Sr. 
Kenny Gallop Jr., Howard, Gr. Sr.
Calvin Henderson, Grambling State, Sr.
Carson Hinton, Howard, Gr. Sr.
Horacio Johnson, Southern, Sr.
Terron Mallory, Norfolk State, Gr. Sr. 
Robert McDaniel, Jackson State, Gr. Sr.
Emari Pait, Alabama A&M, Soph. 
Ja'son Prevard, Morgan State, Soph. 
Karon Prunty, North Carolina A&T State, Sr.  
Canary Simmons, Texas Southern, Sr. 
Andrew Smith, Alcorn State, Sr.  
Marvin Smith, Alabama A&M, Soph. 
BJ Washington, Jackson State, Soph. 
Deco Wilson, Florida A&M, Gr. Sr.
 
The Aeneas Williams Award is presented by the Chickasaw Nation and awarded to the best defensive back in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Division I college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character.
 
This award was established in 2022 and serves as the first of its kind in HBCU history in honor of its namesake, Southern University walk-on and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Aeneas Williams. The contribution of HBCUs to the landscape of college football and the NFL has forever left an impact on the game. HBCUs hold an incredibly rich athletic tradition, tied to the game of football, that continues to exemplify the culture of these schools for over the past century.

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