As we proceed counting down the kick-off to the 2025 HBCU soccer season, seven Black School soccer gamers ought to be within the Deacon Jones Award dialog.
Curtis Allen RB, Virginia Union
Virginia Union’s quest for a CIAA championship three-peat will transfer on with out star operating again Jada Byers, who electrified Hovey Area in his time with the Panthers.
Byers rewrote the Virginia Union file e-book, setting new speeding data throughout the board and turning into the college’s all-time main rusher with 5,978 speeding yards.
Tasked with filling the position of beginning operating again is Curtis Allen, who has been a sleeping large because the Panthers’ backup operating again for a few years.
Allen has proven flashes of greatness in his three years as Byers’ backup, together with a 132-rushing-yard efficiency in Union’s playoff win over Lenoir-Rhyne final season.
He additionally brings expertise as a starter, compiling 306 speeding yards in two video games that Byers missed because of damage.
Allen has proven glimpses of greatness previously and may have the chance to place his skillset on full show within the Panthers’ bid for one more convention title.
Kelvin Durham QB, Johnson C. Smith
After a disappointing finish to its 2024 marketing campaign, Johnson C. Smith is about up for what could possibly be a historic 2025 season after placing collectively a powerful offseason.
Regardless of key losses similar to All-CIAA quarterback Darius Ocean and linebacker Benari Black, the Golden Bulls recovered properly, including some important offensive items.
This included pairing Clark Atlanta 1,000-yard receiver Armone Harris with fellow 1,000-yard receiver Brevin Caldwell and former Fort Valley State quarterback Kelvin Durham.
Seeing because the Deacon Jones trophy has been swayed towards quarterbacks, Durham can be the most certainly candidate to take residence the award.
Having solely performed with one large receiver who recorded 500 receiving yards in a season beforehand, enjoying with two 1,000-yard receivers will do wonders for the previous SIAC Preseason Offensive Participant of the Yr.
Ckelby Givens DL, Southern
Regardless of the award’s namesake being some of the influential defensive gamers in soccer historical past, the Deacon Jones trophy has but to be awarded to a defender.
If there have been anybody who had the very best likelihood to interrupt that streak this upcoming season, it might be Southern defensive lineman Ckelby Givens.
The reigning co-SWAC Defensive Participant of the Yr has been a playmaking machine for the Jaguars’ defensive unit, accumulating 48.5 tackles for loss, 19.0 sacks, and 7 compelled fumbles previously two seasons.
Along with being a prime candidate for the Deacon Jones trophy, Givens may also be seeking to assist get his group again to the SWAC championship for the second straight 12 months.
A second straight SWAC West division championship, paired along with his normal particular person manufacturing, could possibly be the recipe to turning into the primary defender to be named Black School Soccer’s Participant of the Yr.
Jamal Jones, WR, Clark Atlanta
An argument could possibly be made that Clark Atlanta was essentially the most thrilling group in HBCU soccer final season, placing collectively a ‘worst-to-first’ 12 months for the ages.
Of their first season below head coach Teddy Keaton, the Panthers improved from 0-10 the earlier 12 months to 7-3-1, clinching a berth within the SIAC championship recreation.
Nevertheless, the offseason introduced important modifications for Clark Atlanta, specifically the departures of star quarterback David Wright III and main receiver Armone Harris.
This leaves the door open for returning wideout Jamal Jones to place the group on his again to copy the success of final season.
Jones was the Panthers’ second-leading receiver with 987 receiving yards on 74 receptions whereas additionally scoring three return touchdowns.
With the group fielding Jackson State switch Zy McDonald, Clark Atlanta’s berth within the SIAC championship recreation will not be out of attain, which might significantly profit Jones’ case for the Deacon Jones trophy.
Kendric Rhymes RB, Tennessee State
Tennessee State enters the 2025 season seeking to replicate its success from the earlier 12 months, however with huge inside modifications.
Following a 2024 season during which Tennessee State superior to the FCS Playoffs, profitable a share of the Massive South/OVC title for the primary time since 1999, they are going to usher in new head coach Reggie Barlow following Eddie George’s departure.
As well as, the lack of key gamers similar to quarterback Draylen Ellis and prime defenders Sanders Ellis and Eriq George loom over the Tigers.
That being stated, the Tigers had a reasonably respectable offseason, that includes the addition of former Southern operating again Kendric Rhymes, who’s searching for a standout efficiency in his remaining collegiate season.
Rhymes performed an integral position in Southern’s highway to a SWAC West division title, posting 645 speeding yards and a team-leading seven touchdowns because the group’s backup operating again.
A change of surroundings and an enhanced position might give the previous Jaguar the chance to determine himself among the many elites in HBCU soccer.
Travis Terrell Jr. RB, Jackson State
The reigning Celebration Bowl champion Jackson State Tigers have the recipe for a repeat efficiency with an offense stuffed with big-time playmakers.
Regardless of dropping star large receiver Isaiah Spencer to the switch portal, the Tigers nonetheless have a great deal of expertise, with operating again Travis Terrell Jr. being essentially the most intriguing.
Terrell enters the 2025 season following a powerful freshman marketing campaign, stringing collectively 1,405 all-purpose yards and 6 complete touchdowns.
He’s one in every of solely two FCS gamers to file 300+ yards in three completely different classes, doing so in speeding (459), kick returns (551), and punt returns (300).
Terrell has proven celebrity potential, and the 2025 season could possibly be his time to dwell as much as that.
Tiant Wyche RB, Albany State
In a wide-open SIAC championship race, Albany State shall be within the thick of it, seeking to declare its first convention championship since 2021.
The reigning SIAC Freshman of the Yr and dynamic Golden Rams operating again Tiant Wyche will play a serious position in getting the group to the promised land.
Wyche started his collegiate profession by establishing himself as an all-purpose operating again, compiling 1,229 all-purpose yards on 141 touches and scoring six complete touchdowns.
He was the one freshman in Division II soccer to rank within the prime 30 in all-purpose yards and one in every of solely two gamers to file at the least 500 speeding yards and 400 kickoff return yards.
If Wyche can develop as a participant and proceed to get stronger bodily and mentally coming into the 2025 marketing campaign, the sky’s the restrict for what he might accomplish.
