New Orleans, LA (February 23, 2024) — It was announced today that Florida A&M University senior quarterback Jeremy Moussa and North Carolina Central senior quarterback Davius Richard have been selected as the recipients of the Black College Football Player of the Year Award. They will be presented with the Deacon Jones Trophy, named after the legendary Historically Black College & University (HBCU) player and inaugural Black College Football Hall of Fame inductee.
Black College Football Hall of Fame Co-founders James “Shack” Harris and Doug Williams made the announcement during Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl Week (www.HBCULegacyBowl.com) in New Orleans at an all-players meeting. Both QBs will be playing in the game tomorrow (Saturday), which will be broadcast live on NFL Network (3:00pm CST).
The Award recognizes the most outstanding football player that rich tradition of athletic excellence and integrity associated with HBCUs.
Jeremy Moussa led the Florida A&M University Rattlers to the 2023 Black College Football National Championship, finishing with a 12-1 record (8-0 in conference). He finished the season with 214 completions for 2,893 passing yards and 22 touchdown passes. Moussa was named the 2023 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Offensive Player of the Year, and was selected to the 2024 Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl.
Davius Richard helped the North Carolina Central University Eagles win nine games. He finished the 2023 season with a conference best 2,177 passing yards and 21 touchdown passes. He also led the Eagles in rushing touchdowns with 18, breaking the school’s single-season record. Richard was named the 2023 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Offensive Player of the Year, and was selected to the 2024 Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl.
“Jeremy and Davius both had outstanding seasons and capped incredible collegiate careers. They represent the best from Black College Football today,” said Doug Williams. “We look forward to watching them compete in the Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl and wish them well in the next chapter of their football journey.”
The inaugural winner of the Deacon Jones Trophy was running back Tarik Cohen from North Carolina A&T State University in 2016, the winner in 2017 and 2018 was quarterback Amir Hall of Bowie State University, the winner is 2019 was Tennessee State WR Chris Rowland, the winner in 2020 and 2021 was Alabama State QB Aqeel Glass, and last year’s winner was Jackson State QB Shedeur Sanders.