Atlanta, Ga., -- The Black College Football Hall of Fame announced their 2024 Black College Football Player of the Year watchlist. This award is given to the most outstanding college football player from an HBCU.
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Johnny Jones, a junior wide receiver from Pahokee, FL was named to the 2024 Black College Football Player of the Year Award watch list. This comes after Jones compiled 855 yards on 71 catches in 10 games last season for the Tigers. Jones averaged 85.5 yards per game, 12.04 yards per reception and scored six touchdowns. He also led the Edward Waters football team with 2644 kick return yards and 43 punt return yards.
The watch list is made up of student-athletes from the CAA (2), CIAA (5), MEAC (14), OVC (2), SIAC (8) and the SWAC (19). In total, 50 players from 27 different HBCU institutions are represented on the list.
The candidates have been selected based upon past performances as well as future potential promises for the upcoming season. There will also be additions made to the watchlist as the 2024 season plays out.
Four finalists will be revealed at the competition of the season with the winner being announced during halftime of the 2025 Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl on February 25, 2025, in New Orleans. The recipient will receive the Deacon Jones Trophy.
Former winners of the award include former NFL running back and North Carolina A&T alum Tarik Cohen, who was selected as the award's inaugural winner in 2016. Bowie State's Amir Hall earned the award in both 2017 & 2018. Former Jackson State and current Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders won the award in 2022 while North Carolina Central's Davius Richard and Florida A&M's Jeremy Moussa were the co-winners in 2023.
Jones and the Edward Waters Tigers football team will open their season on Saturday, August 31, with a road match up against Morehouse College at B.T. Harvey Stadium in Atlanta.
2024 Black College Football Player of the Year Award Watch List
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