Football | 7/31/2025 11:44:21 AM
NORFOLK, Va . — HBCU football programs are filled with talented players who were on display last season – many of whom are back for the 2025 season.
In the Football Championship Subdivision, the Stats Perform HBCU National Player of the Year Award honors the outstanding player from the 21 HBCU programs of the Division I subdivision in the Mid-Eastern Athletic, Southwestern Athletic, CAA Football and OVC-Big South conferences.
All positions are eligible for the award, and it was reflected in last season's 10 finalists: two running backs, two defensive backs, a linebacker, an offensive lineman, two defensive linemen and two quarterbacks, including the inaugural winner, Eric Phoenix of South Carolina State.
Southern University defensive end Ckelby Givens is the only returning finalist from last season and is part of a 20-player preseason watch list for the HBCU National Player of the Year Award.
A national panel involving HBCU/FCS coverage will select the award winner after the regular season. The recipient will be announced on Dec. 8, then honored at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Presentation on Jan. 3, 2026 in Nashville Tennessee.
HBCU National Player of the Year Award Preseason Watch List
- Bryce Cage, Grambling State, DL, R-Sr., 6-5, 269
Named to the 2025 SWAC preseason first team. … Received 2024 Bayou Classic Defensive MVP after totaling a season-high nine tackles with 2.5 for loss. … Finished the season with 49 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, four sacks, five QB hurries and one forced fumble.
- Jason Collins Jr., Morgan State, RB, R-So., 5-9, 185
2025 MEAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year to build on being the conference’s 2024 rookie of the year. … Finished the season with 634 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, capped against Morgan State with over 200 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns.
- Desmond Daniels, Alabama State, OL, Gr., 6-6, 303
2025 SWAC preseason first team; 2024 All-SWAC second team. … The former Bethune-Cookman lineman found success after he transferred to Alabama State last year, grading out 85% with only one sack allowed, per Hornets Athletics.
- Stemarion Edwards, Alcorn State, LB, Gr., 6-0, 220
2025 SWAC preseason first team. … Posted a breakout season with 91 tackles, 13.5 TFLs and three forced fumbles last year. … Had four straight games with double-digit tackles and averaged over 11 stops in the Braves’ final five outings.
- Ckelby Givens, Southern, DE, Sr., 6-3, 250
2025 Stats Perform Preseason All-America first team and SWAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. … Finished the 2024 season with 73 tackles, an FCS-high 27.5 TFLs, 12 sacks and three forced fumbles while finishing in a sixth-place tie in the Buck Buchanan Award voting and as a third-team All-American.
- Ashton Grable, Florida A&M, OL, R-Sr., 6-4, 315
2025 Stats Perform Preseason All-America third team. … Selected to the 2024 All-SWAC first team, gaining similar honors this preseason. … Anchored FAMU’s O-line to a No. 3 ranking in the SWAC in offensive yards per game.
- Walker Harris, North Carolina Central, QB, R-Sr., 6-1, 195
2025 MEAC preseason first team after ending the 2024 season on the second team. … Completed 61% of his passes for 1,882 yards, 18 touchdowns and a 151.8 pass efficiency rating. He added two rushing touchdowns.
- T.J. Huggins, Florida A&M, DB, R-Sr., 6-3, 185
2025 SWAC preseason first team. … FAMU is known for outstanding defensive backs. In 2024, Huggins led the Rattlers in interceptions with three and pass breakups with seven.
- Trevon Humphrey, North Carolina Central, OL, R-Jr., 6-5, 255
2025 MEAC preseason first team to follow up his spot on the 2024 postseason first team. … Helped NCCU rank as the No. 1 offense in the MEAC. … Has prototypical NFL length and should dominate up front by adding more size this season.
- Erick Hunter, Morgan State, LB, Sr., 6-4, 210
2025 Stats Perform Preseason All-America third team to go with MEAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. … Helped lead the MEAC’s top-ranked defense in 2023, but he missed all but two games last season due to injury. … Finished with a seven-tackle, one-sack performance against Howard, increasing his career totals to 196 tackles and 6.5 sacks.
- Kevon King, Norfolk State, RB, Sr., 5-11, 200
2025 MEAC preseason first team; 2024 All-MEAC second team. … Rushed for 944 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. … Best performances came against some of the top HBCU teams, including Florida A&M (146 yards, two TDs) and South Carolina State (144 yards, TD).
- Noah Miles, Howard, DL, Sr., 6-4, 250
2025 Stats Perform Preseason All-America third team and MEAC preseason first team. … Was on the All-MEAC first team last season after finishing fourth in the conference in TFLs (11.5) and sacks (eight). He finished with 35 tackles.
- JaCobian Morgan, Jackson State, QB, Gr., 6-4, 228
2025 SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. … Helped lead the Tigers offense to wins in the SWAC championship game and Celebration Bowl, where he was named the Offensive MVP. … Was an All-SWAC second-team selection, finishing with the second-most TD passes (21).
- Cam Ransom, Bethune-Cookman, QB, R-Sr., 6-3, 220
2025 SWAC preseason second team. … As a transfer last season, he allowed the Wildcats to return to competitiveness, totaling 2,007 yards of total offense with 16 total touchdowns (11 passing, five rushing). … Completed 18 of 20 (90%) pass attempts in a win over Grambling State.
- Malcolm Reed, North Carolina Central, DB, Sr., 6-3, 180
2025 Stats Perform Preseason All-America first team and MEAC preseason first team. … Also was on the 2024 All-MEAC first team after finishing with 60 tackles, nine pass breakups, two interceptions and one fumble recovery.
- Nathan Rembert, Jackson State, WR, Jr., 5-8, 150
2025 SWAC preseason first team at JSU after making the 2024 All-SWAC first team at Mississippi Valley State. … Caught 70 passes for 1,038 yards and four touchdowns as a sophomore, becoming the first Delta Devils player with over 1,000 receiving yards since 2014.
- Jacorian Sewell, Alcorn State, RB, Gr., 5-9, 195
2025 SWAC preseason first team; 2024 All-SWAC second team. … Rushed for 804 yards and six touchdowns and caught 10 passes in 2024. Has averaged 5.7 yards per carry in his Alcorn career.
- Ja'Quan Snipes, Hampton, RB, R-Sr., 6-1, 215
Big-bodied running back who emerged throughout the 2024 season into Hampton’s lead back. … In just nine games, he finished with 595 yards and six touchdowns on 5.6 yards per carry.
- Travis Terrell Jr., Jackson State, RB/RS, So., 5-9, 170
Selected as a returner to 2025 Stats Perform Preseason All-America first team and SWAC preseason first team. … 2024 Jerry Rice Award finalist averaged 6.1 yards per carry and 108.1 all-purpose yards per game.
- Jeremiah Williams, Jackson State, DL, R-Sr., 6-2, 314
2025 Stats Perform Preseason All-America third team and SWAC preseason first team. … Was the 2024 Celebration Bowl MVP and finished the season with career highs in tackles (58) and TFLs (7.5).
In addition to the HBCU National Player of the Award, Stats Perform will present the Walter Payton Award (FCS Offensive Player of the Year), Buck Buchanan Award (FCS Defensive Player of the Year), Jerry Rice Award (FCS Freshman Player of the Year), Eddie Robinson Award (FCS Coach of the Year) and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award this season.
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