OKLAHOMA CITY | The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) released the second annual Aeneas Williams Award Preseason Watch List, with 19 of the nation's best defensive backs in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Division I football and a pair of Alabama State student-athletes made their way on the list.
 
Returning all-conference performer Adrian Maddox and Chauncey Moore each found their way onto the list, with Maddox earning the nod after being named Preseason All-SWAC and being named Preseason HBCU All-Defense. Last year, he was a Jerry Rice Award finalist and earned all-defense honors. He recorded eight tackles and had an interception against Howard in the MEAC-SWAC Challenge, becoming the youngest player to intercept a pass in a collegiate game. He finished the season with 49 total tackles including 25 solo and also recorded a pair of interceptions.
 
Meanwhile, Moore recorded 33 tackles including 15 solo stops, and recorded one interception coming against Florida A&M. He also recorded 1.5 tackles for loss and one quarterback hurry. His best game came against Florida A&M where he recorded nine tackles, and he also recorded eight tackles against Jackson State.
 
The preseason watch list is selected by a screening committee and in partnership with the organization DraftHBCUPlayers and the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award. The list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons may be added to the semifinalists and finalists lists as the season progresses.
 
About the Aeneas Williams Award
The Aeneas Williams Award is presented by the Chickasaw Nation and awarded to the best defensive back in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Division I college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability, and character.
 
The award was established in 2022 and serves as the first of its kind in HBCU history in honor of its namesake, Southern University walk-on and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Aeneas Williams. The contribution of HBCUs to the landscape of college football and the NFL has forever left an impact on the game. HBCUs hold an incredibly rich athletic tradition, tied to the game of football, that continues to exemplify the culture of these schools for over the past century.
 
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