Latest news with #DeaconJonesTrophy
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
HBCU Football's Best Begin Race for Deacon Jones Trophy
The race for HBCU football's top individual honor is officially on. The Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) has released its 2025 Watch List for the Black College Football Player of the Year Award, spotlighting 50 of the most talented HBCU football players today. Presented annually to the most outstanding college football player from a Historically Black College or University, the award comes with one of the sport's most prestigious prizes - the Deacon Jones Trophy. This year's Watch List features talent from across the HBCU football landscape: SWAC – 18 playersMEAC – 11 playersSIAC – 10 playersCIAA – 8 playersOVC – 2 playersCAA – 1 player Since its creation in 2016, the award has been claimed by some of the biggest names in recent HBCU football history. Former North Carolina A&T and NFL running back Tarik Cohen was the inaugural winner, followed by two-time Bowie State QB Amir Hall, Tennessee State WR Chris Rowland, and Alabama A&M QB Aqeel Glass - who claimed both the Spring and Fall 2021 awards. Shedeur Sanders took home the 2022 honor before heading to the NFL, while Davius Richard (North Carolina Central) and Jeremy Moussa (Florida A&M) shared the award in 2023. Last year, Jada Byers of Virginia Union stood alone as the 2024 winner. Four finalists will be named at the end of the 2025 season, and the winner will be revealed during halftime of the 2026 Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl at Tulane University's Yulman Stadium on February 21, 2026. The event - broadcast live on NFL Network - will also celebrate Black culture, history, and opportunity, highlighted by the country's largest HBCU Career Fair. BCFHOF co-founder and NFL legend Doug Williams says the award carries more than just a stat sheet's worth of weight. "The Black College Football Player of the Year Award honors the talent, dedication, and spirit of today's HBCU football players. These young men uphold a proud legacy and inspire future generations to dream bigger and aspire for greatness." Fellow co-founder James Harris connected the trophy to the man it's named after - Hall of Fame pass-rusher David "Deacon" Jones. "Deacon's greatness wasn't just in his dominance on the field, but in the way he inspired others through his leadership, integrity, and commitment to excellence." In the ever-growing spotlight on HBCU football, being on this list is more than another preseason accolade. It's a signal to NFL scouts, media outlets, and fans that these players are the best of the best. With talent spread across every conference - from powerhouse SWAC programs to rising CIAA and SIAC squads - the 2025 race for the Deacon Jones Trophy is shaping up to be one of the most competitive yet. The stage is set. The watch is on. And for HBCU football's elite, the chase for Player of the Year just became very real. The post HBCU Football's Best Begin Race for Deacon Jones Trophy appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Black College Football Hall of Fame makes major announcement
Under the glowing lights of the College Football Hall of Fame, the heartbeat of HBCU football history just got stronger. On June 7th, the Black College Football Hall of Fame will welcome its Class of 2025 during its 16th Annual Induction Ceremony in Atlanta. Presented by the Atlanta Falcons and hosted by NFL Network's Steve Wyche—a proud Howard University alum—the event continues to be a crown jewel celebration of HBCU excellence. Advertisement Honoring Legends Who Shaped the Game This year's inductees span generations, reflecting the depth of talent that HBCUs have contributed to football. While the full class list is set to be formally introduced during the ceremony, early anticipation is already building across alumni bases and fan forums. These men and coaches not only dominated on the field but also inspired off it—paving the way for stars like Walter Payton and Jerry Rice, both HBCU greats and NFL Hall of Famers. Celebrating Present-Day Stars with Deep HBCU Roots The event isn't just about the past—it's about the future, too. Jada Byers, the electrifying running back from Virginia Union University, will receive the 2024 Deacon Jones Trophy as Black College Football Player of the Year. Byers rushed for 1,279 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, showing the world that elite talent is thriving at HBCUs. Meanwhile, LA Rams cornerback Cobie Durant, a South Carolina State product, will be honored as the 2024 Pro Player of the Year. Durant racked up 9 passes defended and 2 interceptions in 2023. Former South Carolina State defensive back Cobie Durant© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images A Star-Studded Celebration of Black College Excellence Advertisement Over 30 past inductees will attend the ceremony, alongside NFL alumni, HBCU coaches, and top media figures. It's more than just a night of awards—it's a reunion, a statement of legacy, and a reminder that Black college football continues to pulse with pride, power, and purpose. Related: HBCU star makes major announcement in power move to Big Ten The Legacy Lives On Whether you're a proud alum or a die-hard fan of the game, this year's induction ceremony is a reminder: Black college football isn't just history—it's heritage. Related: NBA legend and HBCU trailblazer dies at 88 Related: Former Gatorade National Player of the Year turns heads with HBCU transfer
Irish Daily Star
24-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Star
Shedeur Sanders' astonishing earnings, $400K Rolls Royce, retirement decision
Shedeur Sanders was once the highest-earning college football player , and he is now stepping into the NFL Draft as a highly-promising quarterback prospect. The 23-year-old has had a stellar career with the Jackson State Tigers and Colorado Buffaloes, recording 14,327 passing yards and 134 touchdowns from the backfield. Notably, Sanders's rushing performance was also impressive, especially in his final year, where he scored 17 touchdowns from just 29 rushing yards throughout his career. With a trophy cabinet boasting the Jerry Rice award, the Deacon Jones Trophy, and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award, Sanders is poised for a bright future in the NFL . There's been much speculation about whether the projected top-five QB would follow in the footsteps of his father, former NFL star Deion Sanders. Deion, a two-time Super Bowl champion, has played for teams including the Atlanta Falcons, the San Francisco 49ers, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Baltimore Ravens. Interestingly, Deion also served as Shedeur's head coach at the Buffaloes and trained Shedeur and his safety-playing brother Shilo at collegiate level. Given the family's deep roots in the NFL, it's no surprise that the young quarterback has earned accolades and financial rewards from his time in the sport. Here's a look at some of the major stories surrounding Shedeur Sanders, including his jaw-dropping college football earnings, controversy over his retirement choice, and how the quarterback spends his money when he's off the field. Shedeur Sanders' impressive college earnings Shedeur Sanders has made millions from his college football career (Image: RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) Clocking up four college football seasons has netted Sanders a hefty sum through NIL deals and brand endorsements. TalkSPORT reported that he was the first to ink a NIL deal with Nike, allowing him to earn money whenever the brand uses his name, image, and likeness. Sanders didn't just stop with Nike; he's also secured deals with luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz, sporting goods giants Under Armour, tech behemoth Google, music moguls Beats by Dre, and hydration heavyweight Gatorade, amassing an fortune of $6.1million. During his college career, Sanders outearned peers, including teammate Travis Hunter and NFL hopeful Cam Ward. However, Texas Longhorns' Arch Manning, nephew to NFL legends Peyton and Eli, now claims the title of wealthiest student-athlete at $6.5m. But Sanders is poised to pocket even more when he joins the pro league in 2025. However, with such financial success comes certain drawbacks. Sanders likes to show off his earnings (Image: @shedeursanders/Instagram) Sanders revealed the downsides of affluence on former NFL star Robert Griffin III's podcast, Outta Pocket, as he said: "I definitely love NIL, but there's pros and cons to it though. You got to don't feel like you made it already. "When you able to get whatever you want any time in life, then there's like a lot of things don't really interest you no more. "So you got to really get down to the core, what makes you happy? Which is the making the music, the chilling, the having luxury things and doing that type of stuff what makes you happy and of course being with the family." He added: "Tax is not good." Shedeur's $400,000 Rolls-Royce and $100K gift to brother Sanders has spent some serious money on a few flashy supercars, including dropping $400,000 on a Rolls-Royce, which caused him some drama back in college. In a report from Marca in September last year, a video showed Sanders' Rolls-Royce clamped with a parking boot while at college, a likely sign that he parked it where campus authorities weren't happy with. That wasn't the only show of his deep pockets, though. The quarterback also snapped up a Tesla Cyberbeast truck that he gave to his brother Shilo. This prized possession, worth around $100,000, was displayed on Shilo's Instagram in a custom black-and-gold wrap, clearly a nod to their Colorado roots. It's not just his sibling who benefits from Shedeur's taste for the finer things; his social media pages are littered with pricey vehicles, including Lamborghinis, the renowned Rolls-Royce, and his very own blacked-out Tesla truck. Despite critics sending hate at Sanders beneath his posts for his luxurious lifestyle, the quarterback obviously feels happy showing off his iced-out chains and Mercedes-Benz as he gears up for the NFL. Colorado Buffaloes' jersey retirement decision sparks backlash The news of Sanders' jersey number retirement has sparked heated debate, with many questioning the decision to honor him and teammate Travis Hunter so soon after they departed from the team. Typically, such an honor is reserved for legendary athletes who have significantly contributed to their sport over a prolonged period. However, Shedeur's father and former head coach, Deion Sanders defended the decision, arguing that exceptional college football players shouldn't have to wait years for recognition. The Buffaloes duo were honored with a retirement ceremony (Image:for ONIT) Sanders Sr., also known as Coach Prime, made a poignant reference to the late Colorado coach Bill McCartney, who was diagnosed with late-onset dementia and passed away in January. The team waited 10 years before announcing plans to build a statue in McCartney's honor, and Deion made a point of how important timely recognition was. He said: "Why we wait? I give you your flowers now, I'm not going to wait 20 years down the street, then bring you back when you're limping, you can barely walk or some tragedy happens, to recognize your greatness and what you contributed to this program." Sanders Sr. 's comments highlight the debate surrounding the timing of honoring athletes' achievements and the importance of recognizing their contributions while they are still active. The coach continued: "I'm trying not to get in trouble with what I'm about to say, but why we wait, man? Why we wait? Wouldn't we have wanted [McCartney] to see, to be involved in it? To feel it? To feel the love, the respect the appreciation. Why we wait? ... He can't enjoy that right now. Sanders and Hunter's jersey numbers have now been retired (Image:for ONIT) "The same thing with Rashaan Salaam, right? How long did we wait? ... How many years after his death? So we gotta die to get recognized?" He added: "We're a now generation. You guys are now people, this is a now time, and those guys deserve what they deserve right now, so I'm proud of them."
