Gallop Among Semifinalist for the Aeneas Williams Award

Reigning MEAC Defensive Player of the Year among the top HBCU defensive backs in the nation

Derek W. Bryant, Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations & Sports Information

Football | 11/5/2024 11:55:00 PM

OKLAHOMA CITY (November 5, 2024) – The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) uncovered its semifinalists for the prestigious Aeneas Williams Award where Howard University defensive back graduate Kenny Gallop Jr. (Portsmouth, Va.) was among the 10 recipients. The announcement came Tuesday.
 
This list included the nation's best defensive backs in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Division I college football.
 
Last season, Gallop won the illustrious award en route to claiming the 2023 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Defensive Player of the Year. Before the season, he, along with teammate fifth-year Bison Carson Hinton (Detroit), was selected to the Aeneas Williams Preseason Watch List after producing 65 total tackles (42 solos) with six tackles for loss, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and two quarterback hurries a year ago.
 
Gallop ranks among the top open-field tacklers in the country this season, racking up 69 total tackles, including 45 solos (18th in the nation).
 
The semifinalists were selected by a screening committee in partnership with DraftHBCUPlayers and the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award and based on field performance, athletic ability and character.
 
This list is not final and unlisted players who continually have outstanding performances as the season progresses may be recognized as one of the three finalists.
 
Howard closes out the home schedule Saturday (Nov. 9) when it hosts the Bulldogs of South Carolina State. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com or the Aeneas Williams Award website at www.oklahomasportshalloffame.org.