The Black College Football Hall of Fame has officially unveiled the 2025 Watch List for the Black College Football Player of the Year Award.
The 50 most talented football players across Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) were picked to be in the running for the honor.
These players represent the pinnacle of HBCU football, each vying for the prestigious Deacon Jones Trophy—awarded annually to the nation’s most outstanding HBCU football player.
The list draws from six conferences: the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), which has 18 players, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), which has 11, the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), which has 10, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), which has 8, the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC), which has 2, and the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA), which has 1.
Why Deacon Jones Award matters
The award honors the legacy of David “Deacon” Jones, a legendary defensive end who starred at South Carolina State and Mississippi Valley State before a Hall of Fame NFL career. The trophy celebrates leadership, skill, integrity, and on-field dominance.
“The Black College Football Player of the Year Award honors the talent, dedication, and spirit of today’s HBCU football players,” said Doug Williams, Hall of Fame co-founder. “These young men uphold a proud legacy and inspire future generations to dream bigger and to always aspire for greatness.”
The recipient will be announced during halftime at the 2026 Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl in New Orleans on February 21, 2026. This high-profile event, broadcast live on NFL Network, is a premier platform showcasing top HBCU talent to a national audience.
Top Deacon Jones Contenders to Watch
The 2025 Watch List features a broad spectrum of skill positions and standout contributors, including quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, and defensive stars. Some of the frontrunners named by analysts include:
-
Kelvin Durham (QB, Johnson C. Smith): Poised for a breakout season with multiple 1,000-yard receivers aiding his offense.
-
Curtis Allen (RB, Virginia Union): Stepping into the spotlight after years backing a former Player of the Year.
-
Ckelby Givens (DL, Southern): SWAC Defensive Player of the Year, aiming to break an offensive player’s winning streak.
-
Jacobian Morgan (QB, Jackson State): Led Jackson State to the 2024 HBCU national title, preseason SWAC Player of the Year.
Breakdown of Players by Conference
| Conference | Number of Players | Percentage of Watch List |
|---|---|---|
| SWAC | 18 | 36% |
| MEAC | 11 | 22% |
| SIAC | 10 | 20% |
| CIAA | 8 | 16% |
| OVC | 2 | 4% |
| CAA | 1 | 2% |
Deacon Jones Award Frontrunners
| Player | Position | School | Key Strengths & Notes | Conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelvin Durham | Quarterback | Johnson C. Smith | Leading QB candidate with multiple 1,000-yard receivers | CIAA |
| Curtis Allen | Running Back | Virginia Union | Former backup turned leader, poised for a big season | CIAA |
| Ckelby Givens | Defensive Line | Southern | Defensive standout, SWAC Defensive Player of the Year, disruptive on defense | SWAC |
| Jacobian Morgan | Quarterback | Jackson State | Preseason SWAC Offensive Player of the Year, top-rated SWAC QB | SWAC |
