Courtesy of Norfolk State Athletic Coummnications


NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State football team had five representatives, most of any HBCU, on the preseason watch list for the Black College Football Player of the Year, which was announced Tuesday by the Black College Football Hall of Fame.

Quarterback Juwan Carter, running back Kevin Johnson, receiver Da'Kendall James, defensive lineman De'Shaan Dixon and defensive back Devyn Coles were all named to the watch list, which is comprised of 56 players from 27 different Division I and II HBCUs.

The news is the latest in a string of preseason honors for Carter, the senior quarterback entering his fourth year as the NSU starter behind center. Carter was recently named the Preseason MEAC Offensive Player of the Year and was also selected to the preseason watch list for the Walter Payton Award, given to the top offensive player in the Division I FCS. Carter earned second-team All-MEAC honors in 2019 after leading the conference with 2,632 passing yards, 2,856 yards of total offense and a 60.6 completion percentage. His 23 touchdowns were the most by a Spartan quarterback in the Division I era.

A preseason All-MEAC first-team selection, Johnson was a third-team All-MEAC pick after scoring 11 touchdowns as a freshman in 2019. He led NSU with 468 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, and also caught 13 passes for 200 yards and three more scores. Johnson ranked fourth in the MEAC in scoring and eighth in all-purpose yards (959).

James, another preseason first-team All-MEAC pick, led a deep NSU receiving corps with 37 catches two seasons ago. His 557 receiving yards and four touchdown catches were second-most on the team. He also posted three 100-yard receiving games while ranking among the MEAC's top 10 in receptions and yards.

Dixon was yet another preseason All-MEAC first-team selection. He posted 61 tackles and 4.5 sacks two seasons ago, earning third-team all-conference accolades. Dixon was recently named to the preseason watch list for the Reese's Senior Bowl.

Coles, who was also voted to the preseason All-MEAC first team, tied for the conference lead with five interceptions as a true freshman two seasons ago. He was named to Phil Steele Magazine's FCS Freshman All-America fourth team after recording 38 tackles and six pass breakups.

The complete watch list can be seen here. Four finalists will be unveiled on Nov. 30. The winner of the sixth annual Black College Football Player of the Year Award, which will be announced during halftime of the inaugural HBCU Legacy Bowl, will be honored with the Deacon Jones Trophy. The HBCU Legacy Bowl takes place on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The game will be broadcast live on NFL Network.

ABOUT DEACON JONES 
David "Deacon" Jones played defensive end for South Carolina State University and Mississippi Valley State University from 1958 to 1960. Blessed with speed, agility and quickness, the "Deacon" became one of the finest pass rushers in the business. He won unanimous All-NFL honors six straight years from 1965 through 1970 and was selected to eight Pro Bowls. Jones is an inaugural Black College Football Hall of Fame inductee (2010) and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

ABOUT THE HBCU LEGACY BOWL 
The HBCU Legacy Bowl, presented by the Black College Football Hall of Fame, is a postseason all-star game that will showcase the top 100 NFL draft-eligible football players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The game will be played on the Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 (Yulman Stadium at Tulane University), and broadcast live on NFL Network. More than a football game, the week-long celebration of Black culture and history will provide invaluable exposure for HBCU students. HBCU Legacy Bowl founding partners include the NFL, adidas, Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and his 15 and the Mahomies Foundation, Seattle Seahawks LB Bobby Wagner, Sugar Bowl, Pro Football Hall of Fame, Riddell and Tulane University. 

Follow at www.HBCULegacyBowl.com and on social media via @HBCULegacyBowl. 

ABOUT THE BLACK COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME 
The Black College Football Hall of Fame was established in October of 2009 by African-American pioneers and quarterbacks, Pro Bowl MVP James "Shack" Harris and Super Bowl MVP Doug Williams to preserve the history and honor the greatest football players, coaches and contributors from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). There have been 90 Inductees since inception, including Mel Blount, James Harris, Willie Lanier, Art Shell and Doug Williams, who serve as trustees.