OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) released the 2nd Annual Aeneas Williams Award Preseason Watch List. This 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.
A favorite to win the award is North Carolina Central defensive back Khalil Baker, who won the inaugural award in 2022. He is joined by teammate Manny Smith, an All-MEAC Second Team defensive back in 2022 and a preseason Second Team selection in 2023.
The Eagles are one of seven schools to have multiple players on the watch list, joining Alabama State, Morgan State, Florida A&M, Southern, Howard, and Tennessee State.
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