MONTGOMERY, .Ala. | Stats Perform has announced a list of 10 finalists for the 2025 HBCU National Player of the Year Award, which is presented to the outstanding player from 21 Historically Black Colleges and Universities in FCS college football.
All positions are eligible for the award. The recipient, to be selected by an eight-voter panel involved in HBCU FCS coverage, will be announced on Dec. 8 and honored at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Show on Jan. 3 in Nashville, Tennessee\
2025 HBCU National Player of the Year Finalists
Andrew Body, Alabama State, QB, R-Jr., 6-0, 205 (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
113 of 160 (70.6%), 1,770 yards, 20 TDs, 1 INT, 203.6 pass efficiency; 518 rush yards, 4 TDs (8 games)
Marquis Gillis, Delaware State, RB, Grad, 6-0, 210 (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
182 carries, 1,166 yards (6.4 ypc), 8 TDs; 11 receptions, 98 yards, 1 TD (12 games)
Walker Harris, North Carolina Central, QB, R-Sr., 6-1, 195 (MEAC)
234 of 375 (62.4%), 3,214 yards, 24 TDs, 9 INTs, 150.7 pass efficiency; 77 rush yards, 5 TDs (12 games)
Erick Hunter, Morgan State, LB, Sr., 6-4, 220 (MEAC)
102 tackles (53 solo), 14.0 TFL (55 yards), 4.0 sacks (34), 3 FF, 1 INT, 5 QBH, 3 PBU, 1 TD/1 safety (12 games)
Quincy Ivory, Jackson State, DE, Sr., 6-3, 239 (SWAC)
64 tackles (31 solo), 13.5 TFL (71 yards), 6.0 sacks (39), 2 FF, 1 FR, 1 INT, 5 QBH (11 games)
Thomas Johnson, North Carolina Central, DE, R-Jr., 6-3, 255 (MEAC)
49 tackles (30 solo), 18.0 TFL (99 yards), 12.0 sacks (83), 2 FF, 1 FR, 14 QBH, 1 PBU, 1 BK (12 games)
Harold O'Neal III, Hampton, LB, Grad, 6-1, 215 (CAA Football)
116 tackles (50 solo), 7.0 TFL (11 yards), 1 QBH (12 games)
Kennedy Parker, Prairie View A&M, LB, Grad, 6-1, 210 (SWAC)
65 tackles (29 solo), 13.5 TFL (31 yards), 4.5 sacks (17), 1 FF, 4 QBH, 2 PBU (12 games)
James Stewart, Tennessee State, DE, R-Sr., 6-3, 248 (OVC-Big South Football Association)
68 tackles (32 solo), 17.5 TFL (65 yards), 6.0 sacks (34), 3 FF, 7 QBH, 4 PBU (12 games)
Jarod Washington, South Carolina State, DB, Sr., 6-2, 188 (MEAC)
32 tackles (29 solo), 1.0 TFL (3 yards), 1 FF, 2 INT (1 TD), 20 PBU (12 games)
In addition to the HBCU National Player of the Year, the Walter Payton Award (FCS Offensive Player of the Year), Buck Buchanan Award (FCS Defensive Player of the Year), Jerry Rice Award (FCS Freshman Player of the Year), Eddie Robinson Award (FCS Coach of the Year) and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year will be presented at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Show.
Voting Panel: Stan Becton (NCAA.com), Gene Clemons (Stats Perform HBCU national writer), Steven Gaither (HBCU GameDay), Craig Haley (Stats Perform), Sam Herder (HERO Sports), Emory Hunt (CBS Sports Network, Football Gameplan), Zach McKinnell (FCS Football Central on SI) and Reggie Thomas (TheUnderdawg.com).
