By D. Orlando Ledbetter
The NFLPA is once again sponsoring the NFLPA Black College Football Pro Player of the Year Award, which will be presented at the Black College Football Hall of Fame Banquet in Atlanta this summer.
The selection process is underway. The NFLPA sets out to honor the outstanding achievements of players from Black colleges.
Below is the list of active players from the 2025-26 NFL season. The winner will be announced at the banquet on June 6. This year’s winner will also be part of a special donation from the NFL Players Association to their alma mater’s football program.
Voters were allowed to submit their top three choices.
–Houston offensive tackle Tytus Howard (SWAC Alabama State) started 17 games for the Texans. He helped them reached the playoffs.
He was traded to the Browns in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick.
“I’m excited for a fresh start,” Howard told the Cleveland media. “Being in a city with such a love for football, and just excited to get here and make an impact – especially on the offensive line, to give Shedeur (Sanders), Deshaun (Watson), all these quarterbacks as much time as possible, to make an impact every day and win some games.”
Howard is entering his eighth NFL season, joining just his second team since he was drafted. He was originally drafted by the Texans in the first round as the 23rd overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He spent his first seven years in the league with Houston, starting all 93 games played.
–Kansas City cornerbacker Joshua Williams (CIAA, Fayetteville State) played in 15 games, mostly on special teams.
–Rams cornerback Decobie Durant (MEAC South Carolina State) helped them reached the NFC title game. He started 18 of 20 games last season and finished with six interceptions, including three in the playoffs.
Durant, 28, signed with the Cowboys in free agency. He was a fourth-round pick by the Rams in the 2022 draft after starring for the Bulldogs.
–Dallas defensive end James Houston (SWAC Jackson State) played in all 17 games last season. He had 5.5 sacks.
–Carolina linebacker Claudin Cherelus (SWAC Alcorn State) played in 14 games and made four starts for the Panthers, who won the NFC South title.
–Vikings defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (MEAC South Carolina State) played in 16 games and made 15 starts last season. He had 52 tackles, 3.5 sacks while playing 537 defensive snaps (53%). He signed with the Gree Bay Packers in free agency on March 11.
Players who were active in the 2025-26 Season:
Chris Blair ATL SWAC Alcorn State WR
KhaDarel Hodge ATL SWAC Prairie View WR
Brandon Parker ATL MEAC North Carolina A&T T
Tyrone Wheatley ATL MEAC Morgan State T
Carson Vinson BLT SWAC Alabama A&M T
Brandon Codrington BUF MEAC North Carolina Central CB
Ja’Tyre Carter CAR SWAC Southern U. G
Claudin Cherelus CAR SWAC Alcorn State ILB
Joshua Miles CHI MEAC Morgan State T
Ian Wheeler CHI MEAC Howard RB
Keenan Isaac CLV SWAC Alabama State CB
Jason Ivey CLV CAA North Carolina A&T T
Markquese Bell DAL MEAC Florida A&M FS
James Houston DAL SWAC Jackson State DE
Joaquin Davis DEN MEAC North Carolina Central WR
Andrew Farmer DEN SIAC Lane OLB
Emanuel Wilson GB SIAC Fort Valley State RB
Tytus Howard HST SWAC Alabama State T
Isaiah Land IND SWAC Florida A&M DE
Grover Stewart IND SIAC Albany State, Ga. DT
Ricky Lee JAX Big South North Carolina A&T T
Joshua Williams, KC CIAA, Fayetteville State CB
Decobie Durant LA MEAC South Carolina State CB
Xavier Smith LA SWAC Florida A&M WR
Quinton Bell MIA SWAC Prairie View OLB
Kion Smith MIA CIAA Fayetteville State G
Javon Hargrave MIN MEAC South Carolina State DT
Elijah Williams MIN MEAC Morgan State DE
Isaiah Bolden NE SWAC Jackson State CB
Terrell Jennings NE SWAC Florida A&M RB
Jamie Gillan NYG SWAC Arkansas-Pine Bluff P
Aaron Smith NYJ MEAC South Carolina State LB
Robert McDaniel WAS SWAC Jackson State DB
Bobby Price WAS MEAC Norfolk State FS
Trenton Scott WAS SWAC Grambling T