ATLANTA -- North Carolina Central junior quarterback Davius Richard has been named to the Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) 2022 Watch List for the Black College Football Player of the Year Award. The award is presented annually to the most outstanding football player from a Historically Black College & University.
A native of Belle Glade, Fla., Richard is a Preseason All-MEAC First Team honoree who claimed All-MEAC Second Team recognition in 2021. He ranked second in the MEAC with 2,496 yards of total offense, an average of 226.9 total yards per contest, and threw for 2,133 yards to become just the second quarterback in NCCU history to register more than 2,000 passing yards in consecutive seasons. He completed 58.0% of his passes (177-for-305) and accounted for 23 total touchdowns (15 passing, 8 rushing).
After his first two seasons (2019, 2021) at NCCU, Richard ranks eighth on NCCU's all-time career passing list with 4,153 passing yards, and seventh in career total offense with 4,761 total yards.
"Davius is one of the hardest workers on the team," NCCU head football coach Trei Oliver said. "He's a field general. He doesn't say a whole lot, but when he talks, he gets everybody's attention. He's really done a good job of developing his body and overall strength. He's very smart and understands exactly what the coach is trying to accomplish each play call. He does a really good job reading the defense and taking what the defense gives him."
Four finalists will be unveiled after the season. The winner of the Black College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced during halftime of the 2023 HBCU Legacy Bowl and will be honored with the Deacon Jones Trophy. The HBCU Legacy Bowl is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 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," Super Bowl XXII MVP and BCFHOF co-founder Doug Williams said.
"The Deacon Jones Trophy is the most prestigious football award for HBCUs," BCFHOF co-founder and 2012 inductee James Harris said. "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.