With the HBCU soccer season within the rearview and convention awards being distributed, there may be nonetheless the matter of handing out probably the most prestigious award, the Deacon Jones Trophy.
The Deacon Jones trophy, often known as the Black Faculty Soccer Participant of the 12 months award, has been a quarterback’s award in its seven years, with every of the final three recipients being quarterbacks (5 general).
This 12 months, nevertheless, may probably finish that streak, with a number of gamers at completely different positions staking respectable claims for why they need to be this 12 months’s winner.
Listed here are the High 10 Deacon Jones Trophy candidates.
10. Jada Byers RB, Virginia Union
Greatest Efficiency: October 21 vs Lincoln (PA)
Coming off a 2022 season during which he was named CIAA Offensive Participant of the 12 months, Virginia Union operating again Jada Byers continued to show why he’s among the many prime operating backs in HBCU soccer. He completed the season with 1,186 dashing yards on 205 carries and scored 12 touchdowns (additionally two receiving touchdowns). In a season full of signature performances, none have been extra spectacular than his efficiency towards Lincoln. Though he solely managed 94 yards from scrimmage, Byers lived ultimately zone, scoring 5 complete touchdowns (together with 4 dashing touchdowns) on 14 touches.
9. Jeremy Moussa QB, Florida A&M
Greatest Efficiency: October 7 vs Southern
In a 2023 season that was not precisely his strongest, Jeremy Moussa confirmed how good he was as he battled by means of inconsistencies, serving to lead his workforce to a historic season. Moussa was named SWAC Offensive Participant of the 12 months after recording a conference-high 2,893 passing yards, finishing 58% of his passes and scoring 22 touchdowns. He helped lead the Rattlers to their first-ever SWAC championship, adopted by their first Celebration Bowl victory. Moussa’s finest sport got here towards Southern, placing up 325 passing yards, finishing 31-of-53 passes and scoring two touchdowns. This included a landing cross within the closing three minutes that helped seal the victory for the Rattlers.
8. Joel Felder RB, West Virginia State
Greatest Efficiency: November 11 vs Charleston (WV)
Joel Felder put himself on the map this 12 months by serving to re-write the report e-book at West Virginia State. Felder set a brand new faculty report for dashing yards in a season with 1,115 and dashing touchdowns with 12. He additionally completed the 12 months with 26 receptions for 213 yards and 4 touchdowns. The Yellow Jackets’ again acquired off to a sizzling begin, producing 5 straight 100-yard performances out the gate, together with 4 straight with no less than 120 dashing yards. Nonetheless, he saved his finest model for final, recording a season-high 165 dashing yards and two touchdowns towards Charleston (WV).
7. Jayden Broughton DL, Benedict
Greatest Efficiency: September 9 vs Edward Waters
Jayden Broughton profoundly impacted a Benedict workforce that made historical past, ending the common season undefeated and successful the SIAC title for the second 12 months in a row. In his third 12 months with the Tigers, Broughton stepped his sport up, producing 56 complete tackles, 24.0 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, three cross breakups, and two pressured fumbles. Selecting his finest efficiency was powerful as a result of his numbers have been constant all year long. In the long run, his sport towards Edward Waters acquired the nod, during which he had 3.0 tackles for loss and a couple of.0 sacks.
6. Ladarius Owens RB, Texas Southern
Greatest Efficiency: October 14 vs Bethune-Cookman
Ladarius Owens was the most effective operating again within the SWAC this 12 months, and it wasn’t even shut. Owens posted a SWAC-leading 1,370 dashing yards over 500 dashing yards greater than the participant in second place. He additionally led the convention with 1,848 all-purpose yards, 800 yards greater than the second-place participant. Owens was a one-person present for the Tigers, accounting for 65% of the workforce’s complete dashing yards. Though he’s had video games with extra dashing yards, his efficiency towards Bethune-Cookman put his all-around skillset on show. He put up 329 all-purpose yards, together with 163 dashing yards, scoring three touchdowns, and 142 kick return yards on 4 makes an attempt.
5. Loobert Denelus DE, Benedict
Greatest Efficiency: September 16 vs Lane
Two-time reigning SIAC Defensive Participant of the 12 months, Loobert Denelus anchored a Benedict protection amongst Division II soccer’s prime models. He recorded 47 complete tackles, 18.0 tackles for loss, 10.0 sacks, a pressured fumble, and a fumble restoration. The Tigers’ edge rusher had a monster sport towards Lane with seven complete tackles, 4.5 for loss, and three.0 sacks. Though his teammate Broughton had higher numbers throughout the board, he benefited from Denelus’ fame, with opposing offenses keyed in on him opening lanes for different linemen to make a play.
4. Willie Drew, DB, Virginia State
Greatest Efficiency: October 14 vs Bluefield State
The Virginia State Trojans’ protection was the definition of a “No Fly Zone,” and Willie Drew was a giant a part of why that was the case. Drew ranked second within the nation with 22 passes defended, together with six interceptions (fourth within the nation), being named CIAA Defensive Participant of the 12 months. The Trojans’ defensive again made his most important affect within the workforce’s win over Bluefield State. He pressured two interceptions and 4 cross breakups, serving to restrict Bluefield State to 127 passing yards and a 42% cross completion share.
3. Isaiah Main LB, Florida A&M
Greatest Efficiency: September 16 vs. South Florida
SWAC Defensive Participant of the 12 months Isaiah Main, an integral member of Florida A&M’s vaunted ‘Darkish Cloud’ protection, performed a major position in his workforce’s championship season. He posted 106 complete tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, two interceptions, and three cross breakups. Main’s two interceptions sealed victories for the Rattlers, together with towards Alabama State, which he returned for a 40-yard landing. HBCU gamers hardly ever have their finest outing of the season towards an FBS opponent, however Main did simply that towards South Florida. He tallied 11 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, and a couple of.0 sacks.
2. Terrell Allen DL, Tennessee State
Greatest Efficiency: October 28 vs Lindenwood
An argument could possibly be made that Tennessee State defensive lineman Terrell Allen was the most effective defensive participant in FCS soccer this season. He led the nation with 28.0 tackles for loss and had the second-most complete sacks (14.5). Along with being named OVC-Huge South Defensive Participant of the 12 months, he was named FCS Defensive Participant of the 12 months by FCS Soccer Central. To indicate simply how dominant Allen was this season, look no additional than his stat-stuffing efficiency towards Lindenwood. He completed the sport with ten complete tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and two pressured fumbles.
1. Davius Richard QB, North Carolina Central
Greatest Efficiency: October 26 vs South Carolina State
Coming into the 2023 HBCU soccer season, Davius Richard was tabbed as the favourite to win the Deacon Jones trophy. Now that the 12 months has concluded, the Eagles quarterback put up a adequate efficiency that warrants being named Black Faculty Soccer Participant of the 12 months. Richard totaled 2,177 passing yards, finishing 61% of his passes and scoring 21 touchdowns. He additionally added 630 dashing yards and 18 dashing touchdowns. The MEAC Offensive Participant of the 12 months had his finest sport, serving to snap a three-game shedding streak towards South Carolina State. He scored seven complete touchdowns, together with 5 passing touchdowns to go along with 352 passing yards.
