MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State University linebacker Colton Adams added BOXTOROW All-American hons to his growing list of accolades on Monday, Dec. 12, 2022.
Adams adds the honor to his First-Team All-SWAC and Hero Sports Sophomore All-American selections. Adams led the SWAC and FCS with 11.6 tackles per game while starting in all 11 games at middle linebacker. The Wetumpka, Ala., native registered a SWAC-best 128 tackles and ranked second with 52 solo tackles. Adams ranked seventh in the SWAC with 1.2 tackles for loss along with two sacks, three pass breakups, and forced a fumble.
We've almost reached the end of the 2022 HBCU college football season, and some of the top players in HBCU football will have a chance to decide who the national champion will be.
No. 1 Jackson State is unbeaten and will face No.2/3 North Carolina Central in Atlanta on Saturday to help decide the HBCU national champion. These are just two of the teams that have multiple players on The HBCU college football All-America team presented by BOXTOROW.
BOXTOROW has named All-America teams since 2007 based on voting by national media who cover HBCU football.Florida A&M led the way with six selections, including three repeat performers: defensive end Isaiah Land, wide receiver Xavier Smith, and punter Chris Faddoul.Jackson State had five selections, including a repeat performer in linebacker Aubrey Miller.
Miller, who was named to his third consecutive HBCU All-America team, was named SWAC Defensive Player of the Year. He is tied for the lead in the SWAC in forced fumbles (4), is third in the SWAC in tackles (106), and has registered 11 tackles for loss, two sacks, and six 6 pass breakups.
NCCU defensive back Khalil Baker was one of two Eagle players named to the team. Baker was named MEAC Defensive Player of the Year and is second in MEAC in interceptions (4) with one returned for a touchdown. He also has five pass breakups and 51 tackles (38 solo).
Virginia Union running back Jada Byers received the most overall votes. Byers was named CIAA Offensive Player of the Year and leads all HBCU running backs in rushing yards (1,928) and rushing yards per game (175.3). He's tied for sixth in country in rushing touchdowns (19), seventh in yards per carry (6.8), and rushed for 100 or more yards in 10 of 11 games including rushing for 200 or more yards in a game three times.
In total, 15 programs are represented of the 28 selections. Benedict, South Carolina State, and Southern also had two selections each.
The BOXTOROW Superlative Awards will be announced on Wednesday. The awards include players of the year on offense and defense, specialist of the year, rookie of the year, coach of the year, and the impact player award.
The BOXTOROW HBCU College Football All-America Team
OFFENSE
QB: Shedeur Sanders, Jackson State, Soph., Canton, Texas
RB: Jada Byers, Virginia Union, Soph., Hammonton, N.J.
RB: Jarveon Howard, Alcorn State, r-Sr., Columbia, Miss.
OL: Tyler Brown, Jackson State, Soph., Jackson, Miss.
OL: Jalen Goss, Florida A&M, Gr., Valdosta, Ga.
OL: Dallas Black, Southern, r-Jr., New Orleans, La.
OL: Corey Bullock, North Carolina Central, Jr., Accokeek, Md.
OL: Maurice Campbell, Benedict, Gr., Atlanta, Ga.
TE: Kemari Averett, Bethune-Cookman, Sr., Atlanta, Ga.
WR: Xavier Smith, Florida A&M, Gr., Haines City, Fla.
WR: Shaquan Davis, South Carolina State, r-Jr., Summerville, S.C.
DEFENSE
DL: Loobert Denelus, Benedict, Jr., Naples, Fla.
DL: Isaiah Land, Florida A&M, r-Sr., Buffalo, N.Y.
DL: Kamari Stephens, Florida A&M, r-Jr., Jacksonville, Fla.
DL: Nyles Gaddy, Jackson State, r-Soph., Nashville, Tenn.
LB: Colton Adams, Alabama State, r-Soph., Wetumpka, Ala.
LB: Aubrey Miller, Jr., Jackson State, Sr., Memphis, Tenn.
LB: BJ Davis, South Carolina State, r-Jr., Blair, S.C.
DB: Khalil Baker, North Carolina Central, Jr., Winston-Salem, N.C.
DB: Isaiah Hamilton, Texas Southern, Fr., Channelview, Texas
DB: Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig, Jackson State, Soph., Birmingham, Ala.
DB: Kenny Gallop, Howard, Jr., Portsmouth, Va.*
DB: Corione Harris, Southern, Sr., New Orleans, La.*
DB: Kevin Larkins, Jr., Livingstone, Fr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.*
SPECIALISTS
P: Chris Faddoul, Florida A&M, r-Sr., Wesley Chapel Fla.
PK: Jose Romo-Martinez, Florida A&M, Gr., Banning, Calif.
PR: Kwincy Hall, Bowie State, r-Jr., Washington, D.C.
KR: Keith Jenkins, Jr., Morgan State, Fr., Gainesville, Va.
Honorable Mention
QB: Davius Richard, North Carolina Central
RB: Bhayshul Tuten, North Carolina A&T; Sy'Veon Wilkerson, Jackson State
OL: Emmanuel Boone, F. Valley St.; Darian Bryant, Virginia Union; Drake Centers, Texas Southern; Mark Evans, II, Ark.-Pine Bluff; Robert Mitchell, North Carolina Central
WR: Dallas Daniels, Jackson State
DL: Malachi Bailey, Alcorn State; Armonii Burden, Virginia Union; Devin Cowan, Fayetteville State; Patrick Godbolt, South Carolina State; Jermaine McDaniel, North Carolina A&T; Elijah Williams, Morgan State
LB: Tyquan King, North Carolina A&T; Ronnie Thomas, Mississippi Valley State
DB: Jay Boyd, Shaw; Willie Drew, Virginia State; Omari Hill-Robinson, Bethune-Cookman; Tyler Moore, Fort Valley State; Karon Prunty, North Carolina A&T
P: Jacob Young, Fayetteville State
K: Adrian Olivo, North Carolina Central
KR: Darnell Deas, Bethune-Cookman
*Tie
! Spring 2021 and 2021 HBCU All-American
#2021 HBCU All-American
$2019 HBCU All-American
