Five HBCU quarterbacks to watch during the 2023 football season

The countdown to the 2023 HBCU football season is underway with teams assessing what they have available to them and where each piece will fit on the depth chart.

Here we will begin a series where we highlight some of the top returning players at each position that fans should watch out for in the upcoming year.

Beginning with the quarterbacks, we could see a new hierarchy of players establishing themselves as the elite at their position in HBCU football in 2023.

These are five quarterbacks to watch during the 2023 season.

Aaron Allen, Alcorn State

Although running back Jarveon Howard was the shining star for Alcorn State last season, Allen’s added a dimension to this offense that could make them dangerous this upcoming year.

Despite a slow start to the season last year, Allen showed off his true potential for the Braves in conference play.

In five games against the SWAC, Allen averaged 212.2 passing yards per game, including two 300-yard passing games completing 69% of his passes.

With much of Alcorn State’s receiving corp returning from last season and Howard and Javonta Leatherwood in the backfield, this Braves offense will be fun to watch this year.

Trazon Connley, Prairie View A&M

Trazon Connley put himself on the map last season by producing a very good season, establishing himself as a top dual-threat quarterback in HBCU football.

He finished with 1,462 passing yards and scored 11 touchdowns, along with 662 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns (second-most in SWAC).

Prairie View A&M’s 2022 season ended disappointingly, losing its season-finale against Mississippi Valley State, ruining the Panthers’ hopes for a second straight SWAC championship appearance.

In his quest to get the Panthers back into championship contention, Connley will need to do so with a slightly new supporting cast.

Instead of Jaden Stewart and Jailon Howard at running back and wide receiver respectively, he will have Caleb Johnson and Brian Jenkins Jr. in those roles.

Davius Richard, North Carolina Central

Davius Richard put the world on notice last year, leading North Carolina Central to a win in the Celebration Bowl and upending Jackson State’s bid for an undefeated championship season.

Beyond looking to repeat as HBCU national champions, Richard has a chance to place himself among the greatest quarterbacks in HBCU football history.

In the 2022 season, he showed off his skillset as a duel threat finishing with 2,661 passing yards scoring 25 touchdowns, and 788 rushing yards scoring 15 touchdowns.

Richard led the MEAC in passing and rushing touchdowns on his way to being named the MEAC Player of the Year.

It is rare to see a quarterback achieve 2,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in a season. With the weapons surrounding the MEAC Player of the Year, it would not be surprising to see him etch his name on that list.

Bryson Williams, Tuskegee

If Tuskegee wants to repeat as SIAC West division champions, Bryson Williams will play a huge role in making that happen.

The Golden Tigers will be without their two leading rushers from last season, Taurean Taylor and Donte Edwards, meaning Williams’ role within the Tuskegee offense will surely increase.

Williams put up a solid season in 2022 finishing with 1,369 passing yards completing 58% of his passes and scoring 11 touchdowns. He also added seven rushing touchdowns.

It helps that he is working with a young receiving corp, including Antonio Meeks and Corey Petty coming off impressive freshman seasons.

David Wright, Allen

Although he played in just five games last season for Allen, David Wright gave a good enough sample size to leave fans wanting more.

In his sophomore season, Wright averaged 209.8 passing yards per game, completing 60% of his passes and scoring five touchdowns without throwing an interception.

Surrounding him is a group of talented young offensive skill players, including running back Beau Herrington as well as wide receivers Jayden Horace, Armone Harris, and Jamal Jones.

If Wright can play a full season, this team could have a big year putting numbers on the board.