OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame is proud to announce Kenny Gallop Jr. of Howard University is named the 2023 Aeneas Williams Award Winner. The award is given to the top defensive back in HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Division I college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character. Taylor receives the 2023 honor on behalf of Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and presenting sponsor the Chickasaw Nation.
KENNY GALLOP JR. - HOWARD UNIVERSITY
Kenny Gallop Jr. produced an incredible senior season for the Howard Bison with 65 total tackles (40 solo, 23 assist), 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.
In the homecoming victory over Norfolk State (Oct. 21), he recorded a season-high 11 total tackles and the game-clinching interception. For his efforts, he was named FCS National Defensive Player of the Week. The Virginia product led Howard's secondary where they topped the country in pass defense, allowing only 129.1 yards per game in the air.
Gallop has received numerous postseason accolades, including being named to the HBCU All-American Team, FCS Football Central All-American Team and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and the Chickasaw Nation will honor Kenny Gallop Jr. as the 2nd Annual winner of the Aeneas Williams Award at the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet in Oklahoma City on Feb. 6, 2024, in conjunction with this year's Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Winner, Trey Taylor of Air Force.
For more information on the Aeneas Williams Award and past award recipients, please visit oklahomasportshalloffame.org.
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