OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) released the 3rd Annual Aeneas Williams Award Preseason Watch List for HBCU players. This list includes 19 of the nation’s best defensive backs in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Division I college football. The preseason watch list is selected by a screening committee and in partnership with the organization DraftHBCUPlayers and the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award. This list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons may be added to the semifinalists and finalists lists as the season progresses.
AENEAS WILLIAMS AWARD PRESEASON WATCH LIST
Devon Allen, Norfolk State, Sr.
Kendall Bohler, Florida A&M, Sr.
James Burgess, Alabama State, Sr.
Darren Burton II, Hampton, Soph.
Carlvainsky Decius, Morgan State, Sr.
Kenny Gallop Jr., Howard, Gr. Sr.
Calvin Henderson, Grambling State, Sr.
Carson Hinton, Howard, Gr. Sr.
Horacio Johnson, Southern, Sr.
Terron Mallory, Norfolk State, Gr. Sr.
Robert McDaniel, Jackson State, Gr. Sr.
Emari Pait, Alabama A&M, Soph.
Ja’son Prevard, Morgan State, Soph.
Karon Prunty, North Carolina A&T State, Sr.
Canary Simmons, Texas Southern, Sr.
Andrew Smith, Alcorn State, Sr.
Marvin Smith, Alabama A&M, Soph.
BJ Washington, Jackson State, Soph.
Deco Wilson, Florida A&M, Gr. Sr.
The Aeneas Williams Award is presented by the Chickasaw Nation and awarded to the best defensive back in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Division I college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character.
This award was established in 2022 and serves as the first of its kind in HBCU history in honor of its namesake, Southern University walk-on and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Aeneas Williams. The contribution of HBCUs to the landscape of college football and the NFL has forever left an impact on the game. HBCUs hold an incredibly rich athletic tradition, tied to the game of football, that continues to exemplify the culture of these schools for over the past century.
AENEAS WILLIAMS AWARD IMPORTANT DATES
Wed., Aug. 7: Preseason Watch List Announced
Tue., Nov. 5: Semifinalists Announced
Tue., Dec. 3: Finalists Announced
Fri, Dec. 13: Winner Announced
Tue., Feb. 4, 2025: Aeneas Williams Award Banquet Honoring the 2024 Winner in Oklahoma City
The official presentation of the Aeneas Williams Award takes place in Oklahoma City, in conjunction with the annual Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet. The current winner and former winners are invited each year to celebrate. Over 600 supporters attend this joint award banquet each year, including many celebrities and dignitaries.
For more information about the Aeneas Williams Award, past award recipients and to check-in on upcoming award key dates, visit www.oklahomasportshalloffame.org. Follow up with Aeneas Williams Award in-season news on our Paycom Jim Thorpe Award socials: Instagram (@jimthorpeaward), X (@jimthorpeaward), and Facebook (Paycom Jim Thorpe Award).
2023 AENEAS WILLIAMS AWARD WINNER
KENNY GALLOP JR., HOWARD UNIVERSITY
Kenny Gallop Jr. came to Howard University out of Churchland High School in Portsmouth, Virginia. Gallop appeared in two games as a freshman. He saw regular playing time during his sophomore season finishing 2021 with 75 tackles, 45 solo while being named to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) All-Conference Second Team and 2021 Phil Steele FCS All-MEAC Second Team. Kenny became one of the most dominant defensive backs in the FCS in 2022. He had 93 tackles, 63 solo while leading the Bison to a share of the MEAC regular season championship. Gallop was a 2022 All-MEAC first team selection and named to BOXTOROW HBCU All-America Second Team, the Bluebloods All-Conference First Team, and Phil Steele FCS All-MEAC First Team.
Kenny Gallop Jr. produced an incredible senior season for the Howard Bison and won the 2023 Aeneas Williams Award. Gallop finished the regular season with 65 tackles, 40 solo, 1.5 sacks, 4 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 3 interceptions for 26 yards, and 3 passes defended through 11 games. He recorded a season-high 11 tackles and the game-clinching interception in the homecoming victory over Norfolk State earning him FCS National Defensive Player of the Week. Howard’s secondary topped the FCS in pass defense, allowing only 129.1 pass yards per game. Gallop was named to the HBCU All-American Team, FCS Football Central All-American Team, and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
AENEAS WILLIAMS AWARD NAMESAKE
AENEAS WILLIAMS, SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
New Orleans-raised Aeneas Williams was a junior walk-on defensive back at Southern University. The next year, Aeneas tied the NCAA Division I-AA single-season interception record. He was drafted in the third round of the 1991 draft by the Arizona Cardinals and became a St. Louis Ram in 2001. During a remarkable 14-year NFL career – that led to his induction into the NFL Hall of Fame, a Super Bowl appearance, eight Pro Bowls and four All-Pro selections – Aeneas had chances to help some of his teammates through some of life’s rougher patches. These opportunities led Aeneas to the realization that unhappiness doesn’t come from the things in our lives. It comes from things missing from our lives.
Aeneas made his personal commitment to Jesus Christ during his junior year at Southern University and has devoted his off-field life to sharing the wisdom and understanding of the Word of God. Pastor Aeneas has a love for people and a passion for helping each of us fulfill our full potential. In 2007, Aeneas and his wife of 23 years, Tracy, founded The Spirit Church in St. Louis, Missouri, where he serves as Senior Pastor. Aeneas, Tracy, their three daughters Saenea, Tirzah and Cheyenne and son Lazarus live in Creve Coeur, Missouri.
The Chickasaw Nation is dedicated to meeting our mission to enhance the overall quality of life of the Chickasaw people, ensuring that they stay united, thriving and dedicated to the preservation of family, community and heritage in the State of Oklahoma. A diverse economic portfolio generates funds to support a variety of quality programs and services in the State of Oklahoma in the areas of education, health care, youth and more, which directly benefit Chickasaws and their Oklahoma communities.
DraftHBCUPlayers is a platform and movement dedicated to evaluating black college talent for professional sports. Pairing scouting with history while motivating our student-athletes is our top priority. DraftHBCUPlayers consists of scouts, producers, photographers, coaches, and writers striving towards one goal: promoting HBCU athletes throughout every conference, division, and sport.