Football | 8/7/2025 2:00:00 PM
BALTIMORE, Md. (Aug. 7, 2025) -- Morgan State standout defensive back Jadon Carter is earning national recognition, highlighted by his recent selection to the 4th Annual Aeneas Williams Award Watchlist, as announced by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.
This list includes 15 of the nation's best defensive backs in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Division I college football. The preseason watch list is selected by a screening committee in partnership with DraftHBCUPlayers and the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award. This list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons may be added to the semifinalists and finalists lists as the season progresses.
Carter, a Preseason All-MEAC First Team selection, is set to anchor the secondary as a senior leader this season. A reliable presence at cornerback, he appeared in all 12 games last year, compiling 25 tackles, a tackle for loss, a forced fumble, and two interceptions—demonstrating his versatility and playmaking ability. Already a proven contributor, Carter enters the 2025 campaign with heightened expectations and the potential to be one of the top defensive backs in the conference.
Morgan is set to open its 2025 football season on the road Saturday, August 30, with a challenging out-of-conference matchup against the University of South Alabama Jaguars. This highly anticipated season-opening showdown for Morgan will kick off at 7 p.m., taking place on the Jaguars' home turf at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
The Aeneas Williams Award is presented by the Chickasaw Nation and awarded to the best defensive back in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Division I college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character.
This award was established in 2022 and serves as the first of its kind in HBCU history in honor of its namesake, Southern University walk-on and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Aeneas Williams. The contribution of HBCUs to the landscape of college football and the NFL has forever left an impact on the game. HBCUs hold an incredibly rich athletic tradition, tied to the game of football, that continues to exemplify the culture of these schools for over the past century.
Aeneas Williams Award Important Dates
Wed., Aug. 6: Preseason Watch List Announced at 11 a.m. CT/noon ET
Tue., Nov. 4: Semifinalists Announced at 11 a.m. CT/noon ET
Tue., Dec. 2: Finalists Announced at 11 a.m. CT/noon ET
Thurs., Dec. 11: Winner Announced at 11 a.m. CT/noon ET
Tue., Feb. 10, 2026: Aeneas Williams Award Banquet Honoring the 2025 Winner in Oklahoma City
The official presentation of the Aeneas Williams Award takes place in Oklahoma City, in conjunction with the annual Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet. The current winner and former winners are invited each year to celebrate. Over 600 supporters attend this joint award banquet each year, including many celebrities and dignitaries.
Finalists for the 2025 Aeneas Williams Award will be announced on Dec. 2.
For more information about the Aeneas Williams Award and past award recipients, please visit www.oklahomasportshalloffame.org. Follow up with the Aeneas Williams Award in-season news on our Paycom Jim Thorpe Award socials: Instagram (@jimthorpeaward), X (@jimthorpeaward), and Facebook (Paycom Jim Thorpe Award).
The complete Aeneas Williams Award Watchlist is as follows:
Diego Addison, Safety, South Carolina State, Jr.
Herman Brister III, Safety, Southern, So.
Jadon Carter, Cornerback, Morgan State, Sr.
Blake Davis, Cornerback, Grambling State, Sr.
Wayne Favors III, Cornerback, Delaware State, Jr.
Aaron Harris, Cornerback, North Carolina A&T, Gr. Sr.
Johnny Harris III, Cornerback, Bethune-Cookman, Sr.
Shamar Hawkins, Cornerback, Jackson State, Sr.
Kahleef Jimmison, Safety, Norfolk State, Gr. Sr.
Horacio Johnson, Safety, Southern, Gr. Sr.
Keane Lewis, Safety, Alabama State, Sr.
Twillie Lovette, Cornerback, Alabama State, Sr.
Malcolm Reed, Cornerback, North Carolina Central, Jr.
Jameel Sanders, Cornerback, Florida A&M, Sr.
Jarod Washington, Cornerback, South Carolina State, Sr.
Aeneas Williams Award Namesake
Aeneas Williams, Southern University
New Orleans-raised Aeneas Williams was a junior walk-on defensive back at Southern University. The next year, Aeneas tied the NCAA Division I-AA single-season interception record. He was drafted in the third round of the 1991 draft by the Arizona Cardinals and became a St. Louis Ram in 2001. During a remarkable 14-year NFL career - that led to his induction into the NFL Hall of Fame, a Super Bowl appearance, eight Pro Bowls and four All-Pro selections - Aeneas had chances to help some of his teammates through some of life's rougher patches. These opportunities led Aeneas to the realization that unhappiness doesn't come from the things in our lives. It comes from things missing from our lives.
Aeneas made his personal commitment to Jesus Christ during his junior year at Southern University and has devoted his off-field life to sharing the wisdom and understanding of the Word of God. Pastor Aeneas has a love for people and a passion for helping each of us fulfill our full potential. In 2007, Aeneas and his wife of 23 years, Tracy, founded The Spirit Church in St. Louis, Missouri, where he serves as Senior Pastor. Aeneas, Tracy, their three daughters Saenea, Tirzah and Cheyenne and son Lazarus live in Creve Coeur, Missouri.
The Chickasaw Nation is dedicated to meeting our mission to enhance the overall quality of life of the Chickasaw people, ensuring that they stay united, thriving and dedicated to the preservation of family, community and heritage in the State of Oklahoma. A diverse economic portfolio generates funds to support a variety of quality programs and services in the State of Oklahoma in the areas of education, health care, youth and more, which directly benefit Chickasaws and their Oklahoma communities.
DraftHBCUPlayers is a platform and movement dedicated to evaluating black college talent for professional sports. Pairing scouting with history while motivating our student-athletes is our top priority. DraftHBCUPlayers consists of scouts, producers, photographers, coaches, and writers striving towards one goal: promoting HBCU athletes throughout every conference, division, and sport.
FOLLOW MORGAN STATE ATHLETICS IN CYBERSPACE
There are many ways to keep up with MSU athletics online and on the go:
• Visit www.morganstatebears.com, the official website of Bears athletics, for news, schedules, stats, bios, and more.
• Follow us on social media:
Facebook: /MorganStateBears
Twitter: @MorganStBears
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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.