Alabama State defensive back James Burgess has been named the recipient of the Aeneas Williams Award for the 2024 HBCU football season.
Burgess was one of three finalists for the award, along with North Carolina Central’s Isaiah Norris and Tennessee State’s Boogie Trotter.
Established by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in 2022, the Aeneas Williams Award is given to the top defensive back in HBCU Division I football.
HBCU’s Best DB 🏆 Congratulations to James Burgess on winning the 2024 Aeneas Williams Award!@BamaStateSports @BamaStateFB @DraftHBCU @theswac pic.twitter.com/UXf3niK5iS
— Paycom Jim Thorpe Award (@jimthorpeaward) December 13, 2024
Burgess is the first SWAC player to receive the award after 2023 winner Kenny Gallop of Howard and inaugural winner Khalil Baker of North Carolina Central.
The senior defensive back contributed to an Alabama State defense that led the SWAC, allowing 16.7 points per game and 265.3 offensive yards per game.
He finished the season with 53 total tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, four interceptions (tied for most in SWAC this year), six pass breakups, and a forced fumble.
Burgess was one of three Alabama State defensive backs named to All-SWAC teams along with Amon Scarbrough (first-team) and Keane Lewis (second-team).
