This time of the year is always looked forward to as the 2024 HBCU football season approaches. A total of 63 talented football championship subdivision (FCS) players are on the watch list to participate in one of the oldest, yet most popular football games there has ever been, the East-West Shrine Bowl.
The East-West Shrine Bowl is known as an annual collegiate-level all-star football game that showcases players’ skills from all four levels of college football to the NFL team representatives. This game has been around since 1925 and is sponsored by Shriners International. This year’s matchup will occur on Jan. 30 at A&T Stadium in Arlington, TX, home of the Dallas Cowboys.
Amongst the 63 players selected, seven of them are currently representing HBCU football across the country:
DB Kenny Gallop Jr., Howard – The Aeneas Williams Award (Best FCS HBCU DB) winner was recently named MEAC Preseason Player of The Year.
LB Erick Hunter, Morgan State – finished the 2023 regular season ranked No. 1 in the MEAC with 75 tackles and was No. 6 in tackles for loss (9.5)
LB Aaron Smith, South Carolina State – The latest in a long line of outstanding linebackers from SC State.
OL Carson Vinson, Alabama A&M – A part of an offensive line that opens up holes for a dynamic running back.
CB Kendall Bohler, Florida A&M – Made the game-clinching interception in the Celebration Bowl against Howard last season.
CB Robert McDaniel, Jackson State- Recorded three interceptions and five pass breakups