HBCU Sports
  • SECTIONS
    • Football
    • Basketball
    • Baseball
    • Softball
    • Volleyball
    • Track & Field
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Bowling
    • Other Sports
    • News
    • Opinion
    • Features
  • BANDS
  • PODCASTS
  • FORUMS
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • DONATE
No Result
View All Result
HBCU Sports
  • SECTIONS
    • Football
    • Basketball
    • Baseball
    • Softball
    • Volleyball
    • Track & Field
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Bowling
    • Other Sports
    • News
    • Opinion
    • Features
  • BANDS
  • PODCASTS
  • FORUMS
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • DONATE
No Result
View All Result
HBCU Sports
No Result
View All Result

Home Football

Black College Football Player of the Year power rankings: These are the frontrunners so far

HBCU Sports breaks down our top D1 candidates for the Black College Football Player award.

Jarrett Hoffman by Jarrett Hoffman
October 3, 2022
0
Alcorn football

Photo: Alcorn State Athletics

4k
VIEWS

You might also like

Alcorn State athletic director heading to the MEAC

FAMU offense can’t back stellar pitching effort in shut out loss at No. 2 Florida

‘Long shot’ FAMU to play at Florida in NCAA tourney. Here’s everything you need to know

This season, another HBCU player will be added to the Black College Football Player of the Year award lineage.

While there is a presumed favorite to win the 2022 award, that does not mean there are not worthy candidates that deserve to be in the discussion.

HBCU Sports breaks down our top candidates for the Black College Football Player award at the Division I level.

Xavier Smith WR, Florida A&M

Rather than playing in the first annual HBCU Legacy Bowl, Florida A&M receiver Xavier Smith opted to return to the Rattlers for one more season and it has paid dividends.

The fifth-year player is leading the SWAC in total receptions (43) and receiving touchdowns (6) while ranking second in receiving yards per game (89.2).

FAMU football, 2022
Photo: Florida A&M Athletics

Smith has posted at least eight receptions and 70 receiving yards in four of five games. His last performance against Mississippi Valley State secured his place on this list as he finished with 13 receptions for 128 yards and two touchdowns.

Not only is he dangerous as a receiver, but he is also active in the return game, tallying 116 yards on kickoff returns.

Khalil Baker DB, North Carolina Central

If there is any HBCU defender who has a chance of taking home the Deacon Jones trophy it would be Baker.

The junior defensive back played a major role in his team beginning the year 4-1, its best start to a season since 2007. Baker has been a ball hawk for the Eagles recording an interception in each of his first four games.

NCAT football
Photo: Carolina Peacemaker

In addition to leading the country in interceptions, he has also tallied 24 total tackles (14 solo) and a pass breakup.

Bhayshul Tuten RB, North Carolina A&T

North Carolina A&T has, for a long time, been a factory for great running backs with players such as Tarik Cohen and Jah-Maine Martin each having defining seasons for the Aggies.

That streak continues as sophomore running back Bhayshul Tuten makes his mark in his first full season as the team’s starter.

BT NC AT 2
Photo NC A&T Athletics

Tuten leads the Big South across every category in rushing. He has 534 total rushing yards and is averaging 106.8 rushing yards per game to go along four rushing touchdowns.

He has recorded three-straight 100-rushing yard games, including 140 rushing yards on 12 attempts in NC A&T’s first win of the season against South Carolina State.

Jarveon Howard RB, Alcorn State

Alcorn State running back Jarveon Howard is making a great case for the SWAC Newcomer of the Year award after shredding opposing defenses on the ground.

The Syracuse transfer ranks third in the country in rushing yards per game (142.8) and total rushing yards (571) in addition to being tied for ninth in rushing touchdowns (6).

alcorn1

Howard made his presence felt immediately recording 199 rushing yards on 21 attempts and a touchdown in the Braves season debut against Stephen F. Austin.

In the team’s most recent outing against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Howard had yet another big game putting up 299 rushing yards and scoring four touchdowns.

Shedeur Sanders QB, Jackson State

Arguably the leader in the clubhouse for the Black College Football Player of the Year award, Sanders has a chance to make history by becoming the first sophomore to win the honor.

Sanders is the only HBCU quarterback with over 1,300 passing yards, at least 10 passing touchdowns, and a completion percentage over 70%.

S SANDERS1
Shedeur Sanders and the JSU offense didn’t have the best night, but made timely plays when it mattered. Justin Ford/HBCU Sports

It also helps that Jackson State holds a perfect 4-0 record, including three conference wins by an average margin of 46.3 points.

Not only is Sanders in contention for the Black College Football Player of the Year, but he is will be a serious candidate to win the Walter Payton Award as well.



Tags: Alcorn StateFlorida A&MJackson StateNorth Carolina A&TNorth Carolina Central
Jarrett Hoffman

Jarrett Hoffman

Jarrett Hoffman is an HBCU Sports contributor and a graduate of Bowie State University.

Next Post
Alabama Sate vs. Jackson State

Jackson State looks forward to featuring football circus at Alabama State homecoming

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Trending

  • Kerrick Jackson, one-time Southern coach, to be first Black man to lead SEC program
  • Former Benedict quarterback Eric Phoenix transfers to the FCS
  • Bubba McDowell explains how Deion Sanders committed to Prairie View football camp
  • Grambling State wide receiver transfers to SWAC West school
  • These SWAC football games are slated to air on ESPNU in 2023. See the matchups
  • Alcorn State athletic director heading to the MEAC
  • HBCU mega camp at Prairie View brings out high school football talent, Deion Sanders
  •  Zachiah ‘ZZ’ Clark, one of the top guards in the country, is HBCU-bound
  • Dillard has a softball team. Now meet the program’s first-ever recruit
  • The HBCU national champions to be featured on ESPNU against MEAC contender

RSS HBCU Sports Forums

  • Sha'Carri Richardson Back to Winning Ways (article)
  • Chuck Todd leaving NBC political panel show 'Meet the Press' and being replaced by Kristen Welker
  • ‘Penis Snake' Discovered in Brazil is Actually a Rare Amphibian
  • Music 2023
  • Can Tim Scott really relate and have a message for the black community?
  • Roland Garros 2023
  • 2024 Presidential Candidates - Part 01
  • This Little Midget Would Get the Spoon!!!!!
  • "Gooch Grease" Is Trending, And Everyone Is Absolutely, Positively, And Completely Mortified
  • Encouragement - Motivation June 2023
  • TERMS & CONDITIONS
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • COMMENT POLICY
  • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
 CONTACT US

© 2023 RASHAD MEDIA - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
PARTNER OF IONE DIGITAL / CASSIUS NETWORK

No Result
View All Result
  • SECTIONS
    • Football
    • Basketball
    • Baseball
    • Softball
    • Volleyball
    • Track & Field
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Bowling
    • Other Sports
    • News
    • Opinion
    • Features
  • BANDS
  • PODCASTS
  • FORUMS
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • DONATE

© 2023 RASHAD MEDIA - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
PARTNER OF IONE DIGITAL / CASSIUS NETWORK

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

X