By D. Orlando Ledbetter

With the HBCUs set to start the 2026 football season, the Black College Football Hall of Fame released their watch list of top players to watch this season.

The Black College Football Player of the Year award is up for grabs. This is a starting list that will be fluid over the course of the season.

A couple of early adds included Southern defensive end Ckelby Givens, who is returning to play his fifth season and North Carolina Central offensive tackle Taron Williams, who’s 6-foot-8 and 330 pounds.

Alabama State quarterback Andrew Body, the 2026 SWAC preseason offensive player of the year is one of the top candidates on the list along with Jackson State defensive back Kam Sallis, the current SWAC preseason defensive player of the year.

The list also features quarterbacks Josh Jones of North Carolina Center, Jamir Dismukes of Fayetteville State, Xzavier Jackson of Clark Atlanta and Rahsaan Matthews Jr. of Virginia State.

South Carolina State of the MEAC is well represented with  Joshua Barker, Ka’Von Chisolm, Jordan Franklin, James Reddick II, Tyler Smith, Darius Thompson and Moses Umoren on the list.

Howard running back Eden James, son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Edgerrin James and Howard defensive back Kedrick Green are expected to have big seasons and made the list.

Morehouse defensive lineman Zach Underwood is on the list.

Jackson State standout wide receiver Joanes Fortilien and Nate Rembert are players to watch.

The annual award recognizes the most outstanding football player in HBCU football. The winner will receive the Deacon Jones Trophy, named in honor of the legendary Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end who helped redefine the pass rush.

This year’s list features a strong mix of players from the MEAC, SWAC, SIAC, CIAA, and other HBCU programs.

Here’s the list:

Elijah Baker — Alabama State, OL

Joshua Barker — South Carolina State, DL

Chase Bingmon — Prairie View A&M, RB

Andrew Body — Alabama State, QB

Chance Bush — Allen, OL

Ka’Von Chisolm — South Carolina State, DL

Jaiden Cleveland — Clark Atlanta, DL

Darius Cyprian — Kentucky State, WR

Quaveon Davis — Jackson State, OL

Jamir Dismukes — Fayetteville State, QB

Derrick Drayton — Albany State, DL

Wayne Favors — Delaware State, DB

Joanes Fortilien — Jackson State, WR

Jordan Franklin — South Carolina State, LB

Trevon French — Edward Waters, LB

Kedrick Green — Howard, DB

Malik Gucake — Prairie View A&M, DL

Danarius Hilliard — Arkansas-Pine Bluff, LB

Xzavier Jackson — Clark Atlanta, QB

Eden James — Howard, RB

Jaylen Jennings — Arkansas-Pine Bluff, RB

Michael Joiner Jr. — Alabama State, DL

Josh Jones — North Carolina Central, QB

Brian Lane — Johnson C. Smith, WR

Isaiah Lawson — North Carolina Central, LB

Rahsaan Matthews Jr. — Virginia State, QB

Arturo Mattocks — Morgan State, LB

Calvin McMillian — Prairie View A&M, OL

AC McMoore — North Carolina Central, OL

Ryan Nolan — Norfolk State, OL

Chance Peterson — North Carolina Central, WR

James Reddick II — South Carolina State, OL

Nate Rembert — Jackson State, WR

D’Avery Robinson — Arkansas-Pine Bluff, WR

Cameran Rogers — Alcorn State, OL

Kam Sallis — Jackson State, DB

Travion Searcy — Central State, DB

Alex Simmons — Morgan State, TE

Ta’Shaun Sims — Alabama State, DB

David Smith — Benedict, RB

Bobby Smith — Johnson C. Smith, RB

Tyler Smith — South Carolina State, RB

Johntarrious Thomas — Edward Waters, RB

Eric Thomas Jr. — Alcorn State, DL

Darius Thompson — South Carolina State, WR

Isaiah Turner — Benedict, OL

Moses Umoren — South Carolina State, OL

Zach Underwood — Morehouse, DL

Mehki Wall — North Carolina Central, WR

Brandon Wiley — Bluefield State, WR

Jaylen Williams — Norfolk State, DL

Wyatt Wright — Alabama A&M, LB