Courtesy of North Carolina Central Athletic Communications
DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University sophomore Brandon Codrington has been announced as a member of the 2021 BOXTOROW HBCU college football All-America team, earning the distinction as a punt returner.
Codrington, a 5-9, 170-pound native of Raleigh, N.C., garnered All-MEAC First Team honors as the third-leading punt returner in NCAA Division I-FCS with a MEAC-best 15.0-yard punt return average. The versatile defensive back also ranked second in the league with a 22.5-yard kickoff return average.
His 77-yard punt return touchdown against Alcorn State in the season-opener, sealed the victory for the Eagles in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Atlanta. Codrington was named MEAC Specialist of the Week for his performance in the season finale versus Delaware State as he blocked the Hornets' field goal attempt in the first overtime, which set up NCCU's victory, and returned a punt 25 yards to set up a go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.
NCCU sophomore placekicker Adrian Olivo received recognition as an honorable mention selection to the BOXTOROW HBCU All-America Team.
Olivo (5-10, 160, Plant City, Fla.) collected All-MEAC First Team honors after leading the MEAC with 11 field goals made and ranked second in the nation in field goal percentage (91.7%), converting 11 of 12 field goal attempts with a long of 43 yards. He added 25 extra-point kicks to top the Eagles in scoring with 58 points, and received the MEAC Specialist of the Week award three times (Sept. 20, Sept. 27, Nov. 15) during his sophomore campaign.
BOXTOROW has named All-America teams since 2007 based on voting by national media who cover HBCU football.
2021 BOXTOROW HBCU college football All-America team
OFFENSE
QB: Aqeel Glass, Alabama A&M, Sr., St. Louis, Mo.
RB: Bishop Bonnett, Florida A&M, r-Sr., Jacksonville, Fla.
RB: Calil Wilkins, Bowie State, Sr., Temple Hills, Md.
OL: Keenan Forbes Florida A&M, Gr., Miami, Fla.
OL: Quindonte Bobo Bowie State, Jr., White Plains, Md.
OL: Johnathan Bishop, Southern, Sr., Birmingham, Ala.
OL: Robert Lacey, Tennessee State, Jr., Mobile, Ala.
OL: Matthew Derks, Delaware State, Gr., Brantford, Ontario
TE: Kemari Averett, Bethune-Cookman, Sr., Atlanta, Ga.
WR: Abdul-Fatai Ibrahim, Alabama A&M, Jr., Miramar, Fla.
WR: Odieu Hilaire, Alabama A&M, Jr., Belle Glade, Fla.
DEFENSE
DL: James Houston, Jackson State, Sr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
DL: Jason Dumas, Prairie View A&M, Sr., Vacherie, La.
DL: Antwan Owens, Jackson State, Sr., Tallahassee, Fla.
DL: Jonathan Ross, Bowie State, r-Soph., Waldorf, Md.
LB: Isaiah Land, Florida A&M, r-Jr., Buffalo, N.Y.
LB: Aubrey Miller, Jr., Jackson State, Sr., Memphis, Tenn.
LB: Payton Lunsford, West Virginia State, r-Jr., Hurricane, W. Va.
DB: Markquese Bell, Florida A&M, r-Sr., Bridgeton, N.J.
DB: Decobie Durant, South Carolina State, r-Sr., Lamar, S.C.
DB: BJ Bohler, Florida A&M, r-Jr., Ocoee, Fla.
DB: Drake Cheatum, Prairie View A&M, Sr., Mesquite, Texas *
DB: Joshua Williams, Fayetteville State, Sr., Fayetteville, N.C. *
SPECIALISTS
P: Matt Noll, Delaware State, Fr., Robesonia, Pa.
PK: Jose Romo-Martinez, Florida A&M, Gr., Banning, Calif.
PR: Brandon Codrington, North Carolina Central, Soph., Raleigh, N.C.
KR: Isaiah Bolden, Jackson State, Jr., Tampa, Fla.
RS: Imeek Watkins, Chowan, Sr., Wilmington, N.C.
Honorable Mention
QB: Juwan Carter, Norfolk State
RB: Brett Sylve, Kentucky State; Gary Quarles, Alabama A&M
OL: Colby Byrd, Norfolk State; Mark Evans, II, Arkansas-Pine Bluff; Miquail Harvey, Albany State; David Keck, Chowan; Jalen Powell, Norfolk State; Justin Redd, Norfolk State
TE: Anthony Williams, Norfolk State
WR: Trey Gross, Delaware State; Charles Hall, Virginia Union
DL: De'Shaan Dixon, Norfolk State; Jamal Holloway, Central State; Jeblonski Green, South Carolina State; Keyshawn James, Fayetteville State
LB: BJ Davis, South Carolina State; Chad Gilchrist, South Carolina State; Devon Hunt, Shaw; Untareo Johnson, Bethune-Cookman
DB: Omari Hill-Robinson, Bethune-Cookman; Brandon Barnes-Brown, Fayetteville State; Armani Maddox, Morehouse
P: Josh Sanchez, Arkansas-Pine Bluff; Jonatan Ward, Kentucky State
K: Adrian Olivo, North Carolina Central
RS: Imeek Watkins, Chowan