OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. | Alabama State University corner back Twillie Lovett and safety Keane Lewis have been named to the  4^th  Annual Aeneas Williams Award Preseason Watch List announced on Wednesday. This list includes 15 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 in partnership with DraftHBCUPlayers and the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award  4^th  Annual Aeneas Williams Award Preseason Watch List

Alabama State's James Burgess became the first SWAC player to win the award in 2025.

This list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons may be added to the semifinalists and finalists lists as the season progresses.
 
2025 Aeneas Williams Award Preseason Watch List
Keane Lewis, Safety, Alabama State, Sr.           
Twillie Lovette, Cornerback, Alabama State, Sr.   
Diego Addison, Safety, South Carolina State, Jr.         
Herman Brister III, Safety, Southern, So.
Jadon Carter, Cornerback, Morgan State, Sr.   
Blake Davis, Cornerback, Grambling State, Sr.
Wayne Favors III, Cornerback, Delaware State, Jr.     
Aaron Harris, Cornerback, North Carolina A&T, Gr. Sr.           
Johnny Harris III, Cornerback, Bethune-Cookman, Sr.
Shamar Hawkins, Cornerback, Jackson State, Sr.       
Kahleef Jimmison, Safety, Norfolk State, Gr. Sr.          
Horacio Johnson, Safety, Southern, Gr. Sr.               
Malcolm Reed, Cornerback, North Carolina Central, Jr.          
Jameel Sanders, Cornerback, Florida A&M, Sr.
Jarod Washington, Cornerback, South Carolina State, Sr.
 
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.
 
This 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.
 
Aeneas Williams Award Important Dates
 Wed., Aug. 6: Preseason Watch List Announced at 11 a.m. CT/noon ET
Tue., Nov. 4: Semifinalists Announced at 11 a.m. CT/noon ET
 Tue., Dec. 2: Finalists Announced at 11 a.m. CT/noon ET
 Thurs., Dec. 11: Winner Announced at 11 a.m. CT/noon ET
 Tue., Feb. 10, 2026: Aeneas Williams Award Banquet Honoring the 2025 Winner in Oklahoma City
 
The official presentation of the Aeneas Williams Award takes place in Oklahoma City, in conjunction with the annual Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet. The current winner and former winners are invited each year to celebrate. Over 600 supporters attend this joint award banquet each year, including many celebrities and dignitaries.

For more information about the Aeneas Williams Award and past award recipients, please visit www.oklahomasportshalloffame.org. Follow up with the Aeneas Williams Award in-season news on our Paycom Jim Thorpe Award socials: Instagram (@jimthorpeaward), X (@jimthorpeaward), and Facebook (Paycom Jim Thorpe Award).

2024 Aeneas Williams Award Winner
James Burgess Jr., Alabama State University

James Burgess Jr. came to Alabama State University out of Huffman High School in Birmingham, Alabama. In addition to football, James was a standout basketball player at Huffman, winning the 6A AHSAA State Basketball Championship. Burgess appeared in nine games for the Hornets and recorded five tackles during the spring 2021 FCS football season. He played in eight games and recorded four tackles during the 2022 campaign. James saw regular playing time during the 2023 season and finished his junior year with 32 tackles, 26 solo. He intercepted two passes for touchdowns in 2023, while his 11 passed defended tied for third in the SWAC Conference.

James Burgess Jr. produced an incredible senior season for the Alabama State University Hornets and won the 2024 Aeneas Williams Award. Burgess finished the regular season with 53 tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovered. He was targeted 37 times and allowed only nine catches while in man coverage. James tied for third in the SWAC with 10 passes defended, and finished first in the conference with four interceptions, while helping lead the SWAC's top defense.

Burgess was named First-Team All-SWAC and First Team All-American and he received a 2025 Legacy Bowl invitation.

Aeneas Williams Award Namesake
Aeneas Williams, Southern University
New Orleans-raised Aeneas Williams was a junior walk-on defensive back at Southern University. The next year, Aeneas tied the NCAA Division I-AA single-season interception record. He was drafted in the third round of the 1991 draft by the Arizona Cardinals and became a St. Louis Ram in 2001. During a remarkable 14-year NFL career - that led to his induction into the NFL Hall of Fame, a Super Bowl appearance, eight Pro Bowls and four All-Pro selections - Aeneas had chances to help some of his teammates through some of life's rougher patches. These opportunities led Aeneas to the realization that unhappiness doesn't come from the things in our lives. It comes from things missing from our lives.

Aeneas made his personal commitment to Jesus Christ during his junior year at Southern University and has devoted his off-field life to sharing the wisdom and understanding of the Word of God. Pastor Aeneas has a love for people and a passion for helping each of us fulfill our full potential. In 2007, Aeneas and his wife of 23 years, Tracy, founded The Spirit Church in St. Louis, Missouri, where he serves as Senior Pastor. Aeneas, Tracy, their three daughters Saenea, Tirzah and Cheyenne and son Lazarus live in Creve Coeur, Missouri.

The Chickasaw Nation is dedicated to meeting our mission to enhance the overall quality of life of the Chickasaw people, ensuring that they stay united, thriving and dedicated to the preservation of family, community and heritage in the State of Oklahoma. A diverse economic portfolio generates funds to support a variety of quality programs and services in the State of Oklahoma in the areas of education, health care, youth and more, which directly benefit Chickasaws and their Oklahoma communities.

DraftHBCUPlayers is a platform and movement dedicated to evaluating black college talent for professional sports. Pairing scouting with history while motivating our student-athletes is our top priority. DraftHBCUPlayers consists of scouts, producers, photographers, coaches, and writers striving towards one goal: promoting HBCU athletes throughout every conference, division, and sport.