A total of 54 football players, including players from both the FCS and NCAA Div. II black college ranks, are on the initial Watch List announced Tuesday for the Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) Deacon Jones Trophy given to the top player in black college football.
The Watch List candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential. Additions to the list will be made as the 2026 season progresses. The finalists and the winner will be chosen by a Selection Committee.
The list includes 14 of the 20 FCS players on the Stats Perform HBCU Player of the Year Watch List unveiled last week.
The BCFHOF Watch List adds these players:
| Player | Player |
|---|---|
| Joshua Barker, Sr., DT, S. C State | Chase Bingmon, So., RB, Prairie View A&M |
| Chance Bush, Jr., OL, Allen | Jaden Cleveland, Jr., DL, Clark Atlanta |
| Jamir Dismukes, Sr., QB, Fayetteville State | Derrick Drayton, Gr., DL, Albany State |
| Jonas Fortilien, Gr., WR, Jackson State | Trevon French, Jr., LB, Edward Waters |
| Malik Gucake, Sr., DL, Praire View A&M | Xzavier Jackson, So., QB, Clark Atlanta |
| Michael Joiner Jr., R-So., DT, Alabama State | Josh Jones, R-So., QB, NC Central |
| Brian Lane, So., WR, J. C. Smith | Isaiah Lawson, R-Sr., DB, NC Central |
| Rahsaan Matthews Jr., Sr., QB, Virginia State | Arturo Mattocks, Sr., LB, Morgan State |
| Ryan Nolan, R-Sr., OL, Norfolk State | James Reddick II, Gr., OL, S. C. State |
| Nate Rembert, WR, Jackson State | D’Avery Robinson, Jr., WR, Ark.-Pine Bluff |
| Cameran Rogers, Jr., OL, Alcorn State | Travion Searcy, Jr., DB, Central State |
| Alex Simmons, Jr., TE, Morgan State | Tyler Smith, R-Sr., RB, S. C. State |
| David Smith, R-Jr., RB, Benedict | Bobby Smith, R-So., RB, J. C. Smith |
| Johntarrius Thomas, Sr., RB, Edward Waters | Eric Thomas Jr., So., DL, Alcorn State |
| Darius Thompson, Jr., WR, S. C. State | Isaiah Turner, R-Sr., OL, Benedict |
| Moses Umoren, Sr., OL, S. C. State | Zach Underwood, R-So., DL, Morehouse |
| Mehki Wall, R-Jr., WR, N. C. Central | Brandon Wiley, Jr., WR, Bluefield State |
| Jaylen Williams, R-Sr., DL, Norfolk State | Wyatt Wright, Jr., LB, Alabama A&M |
Notably absent from the list and likely to be added are a number of transfers expected to be key contributors this season.
They include:
| Player | Transfer From |
|---|---|
| Isaiah Knowles, Sr., QB, Florida A&M | (transfer from Albany State) |
| Fabian Duncan, Jr., RB, Johnson C. Smith | (transfer from Allen) |
| Brevin Caldwell, R-Sr., WR, Norfolk State | (transfer from JC Smith |
| Xavier Herndon, TE, Florida A&M | (transfer from Albany State) |
| Daylin Lee, Sr., QB, Tennessee State | (transfer from Winston-Salem State) |
| Chase Gillespie, Grad, RB, Florida A&M | (transfer from Vanderbilt) |
Four finalists will be unveiled after the season. The winner of the Black College Football Player of the Year Award, which will be announced during halftime of the 2027 Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl, will be presented with the Deacon Jones Trophy. The Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl will take place on Saturday, February 27, 2027 in Atlanta, Georgia. The game will be broadcast live on NFL Network.
