Two standout defenders earned the first selections to the 2026 Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl, the Black College Football Hall of Fame announced Thursday.
Southern University’s Ckelby Givens was named to Team Robinson after a dominant junior season in which he started all 13 games, led the FCS with 27.5 tackles for loss, tallied 73 tackles, 12 sacks, 13 quarterback hurries and forced three fumbles.
Givens enters the fall as the SWAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Morgan State linebacker Erick Hunter will suit up for Team Gaither. Hunter missed most of last season due to injury but returned to earn MEAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2025. He has already posted 20 tackles, a sack, 1.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup to start the campaign.
“Announcing Ckelby Givens and Erick Hunter as our inaugural invitees to the 2026 Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl fills us with pride,” said Doug Williams, Super Bowl XXII MVP and Black College Football Hall of Fame co-founder. “They exemplify the high level of talent, character, and spirit of today’s HBCU football players. We know they will represent this game with excellence.”
The 2026 Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl is scheduled for Feb. 21 at Tulane University’s Yulman Stadium in New Orleans.
