MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State University's Andrew Body, Elijah Baker and Ta'Shun Sims were listed on the Stats Perform Preseason HBCU National Player of the Year award watchlist on Wednesday. 

ike many others in the FCS, HBCU football programs have the unenviable task of replenishing their rosters each season due to graduation and the dramatic increase of players moving around via transfers. Often, many of the stars from the previous season are not around to build on their individual and team success.

The third-year award honors the outstanding player from the 21 HBCU programs of Division I FCS in the Mid-Eastern Athletic, Southwestern Athletic, CAA Football and Ohio Valley conferences. All positions are eligible for the award, and it was reflected among last season's 10 finalists: three linebackers, three defensive ends, two quarterbacks, one defensive back and one running back.

Alabama State quarterback Andrew Body was voted the 2025 HBCU National Player of the Year, and he's the lone returning finalist this year.

A national panel involving HBCU/FCS coverage will select the award winner after the regular season. The recipient will be announced in December.

HBCU National Player of the Year Award Preseason Watch List

Elijah Baker, Alabama State, OL, R-Sr., 6-4, 323
Baker sets the standard up front for Alabama State, which had the SWAC's top offense last season. A proven powerhouse in the trenches, he was a first-team All-SWAC selection, adding the same honor in the preseason this year.
Andrew Body, Alabama State, QB, R-Sr., 6-0, 205
As one of the more dynamic playmakers at the position in the FCS, Body leads the Alabama State offense. The 2025 Stats Perform HBCU Player of the Year and recipient of the SWAC's top offensive honor accounted for 2,288 offensive yards and 24 total touchdowns with just one interception in eight games.
Ta'Shaun Sims, Alabama State, DB, Jr., 6-0, 188
Sims was a first-team All-SWAC performer in 2025 after tying for the conference high with five interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, and he added in a fumble recovery. This preseason, he's back on the SWAC preseason first team plus the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List.

OTHERS LISTED
Herman Brister III, Southern, DB, R-Jr., 6-2, 205
Omari Allen, Hampton, OL, Sr., 6-4, 300
Allen is set to anchor Hampton's offensive line once again after a 2025 season that finished with him earning second-team All-CAA recognition. The dominant offensive lineman now enters the 2026 campaign as a first-team preseason selection.
Long and athletic, Brister has been one of the best tacklers among SWAC defensive backs for two seasons, totaling 62 stops in 2024 and following it up with 76 more last season. He also had 1.5 TFLs, five passes defended and a forced fumble while making the All-SWAC first team, and he's back there this season.
Cornelius Brown IV, Alabama A&M, QB, Grad, 6-5, 220
Brown was named SWAC offensive player of the week twice last year before he suffered a season-ending lower leg injury (he had a strong 152.9 pass efficiency rating in four games). Named to the Shriners Children's East-West Bowl 1,000 Watch List, he has 5,593 passing yards across three schools.
Ka'Von Chisolm, South Carolina State, DL, R-So., 6-5, 260
Chisolm exploded on the scene as a redshirt freshman while helping the Bulldogs ascend to a Celebration Bowl victory. The 2025 Stats Perform Freshman All-American finished with 31 tackles, 11.5 TFLs and 4.5 sacks. He was named to the MEAC preseason first team.
Quaveon Davis, Jackson State, OL, Sr., 6-8, 330
Davis is a mountain on the O-line, helping Jackson State's offense to consistently be one of the best in the SWAC. He enters the 2026 season on the conference's preseason first team and the Stats Perform Preseason All-America third team.
Wayne Favors III, Delaware State, DB, R-Sr., 5-11, 181
Favors has been a regular standout for the last two seasons, but particularly during the Hornets' 2025 turnaround (8-4 from 1-11 in 2024), when he finished with 38 tackles, nine passes defended and one interception for a 91-yard touchdown. He was named to the MEAC preseason first team.
Jordan Franklin, South Carolina State, LB, R-Jr., 6-2, 205
The Bulldogs linebacker was all over the field during SCSU's 2025 MEAC- and Celebration Bowl-championship season, finishing with 62 tackles, 12 TFLs, two sacks and two interceptions and making the All-MEAC first team. His 2026 preseason honors: MEAC Defensive Player of the Year, Stats Perform All-America third team and Buck Buchanan Award Watch List.
Kedrick Green, Howard, DB, Grad, 6-2, 215
The runner-up in voting for MEAC preseason defensive player of the year, Green is coming off a breakout 2025 season. The all-conference first-team safety totaled 60 tackles, including 44 solos, 3.5 TFLs, two interceptions and one blocked kick.
Danarius Hilliard, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, LB, Sr., 5-11, 210
Hilliard racked up 90 tackles and 8.5 TFLs in 11 games, with his 8.2 per-game average the highest in the SWAC. He made the all-conference first team, and is back this year with the same preseason honor.
Eden James, Howard, RB, Grad, 5-9, 195
The three-time MEAC preseason first-team selection has 1,488 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in his career, and that's even after his 2025 season was cut short by a Week 2 injury. Back in 2023, he had 213 scrimmage yards and a TD against the Big Ten's Northwestern.
Jaylen Jennings, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, RB, Jr., 5-10, 195
The All-SWAC first-teamer was a workhorse while leading the conference in carries (182) and finishing second in rushing yards (936) and rushing touchdowns (11). He enters the 2026 season back on the SWAC preseason first team.
RJ Johnson III, Grambling State QB, R-Jr., 6-2, 210
Johnson made a transfer to Grambling this year after starring in the SWAC at Florida A&M last season. His 2,597 passing yards ranked second in the conference, but he was first in passing yards per game (236.1) and completions (215). He also was third in touchdown passes (18).
Elijah Kennedy, North Carolina A&T, WR/RS, R-Sr., 5-11, 180
After averaging 16.3 yards on 18 punt returns with two going for touchdowns, Kennedy was named to the 2025 Stats Perform All-America second team. He also broke out as a receiver with 25 catches. This preseason, he's back on the CAA first team and All-America second team.
Calvin McMillian, Prairie View A&M, OL, Grad, 6-5, 328
The massive offensive lineman's play up front was one of the reasons PVAMU averaged 435.1 yards and 31.6 points while winning 2025 SWAC title. He was named to the all-conference first team and is back there this preseason.
AC McMoore, North Carolina Central, OL, 6-2, 311
McMoore has shown incredible durability over the past three seasons, starting 30 of his 32 games and helping the Eagles to a No. 1 offensive ranking in the MEAC each time. He earned all-conference second-team honors last season and moved up to the first team this preseason.
Chance Peterson, North Carolina Central, WR, R-Jr., 5-8, 154
Peterson had a breakout 2025 season with 48 receptions for 720 yards and a touchdown en route to earning All-MEAC second-team honors. This year, he is eyed as the engine that drives that NCCU offense, earning MEAC preseason offensive player of the year and a spot on the Walter Payton Award Watch List.
Kam Sallis, Jackson State, DB, R-Jr., 6-1, 222
Sallis was one of the anchors of a JSU defense that allowed under 19 points a game in 2025. He was in on 53 tackles with two interceptions and two forced fumbles, garnering All-SWAC second-team honors. But in 2026, the dynamic defensive back has earned SWAC preseason defensive player of the year.


In addition to the HBCU National Player of the Award, Stats Perform will present 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 Award this season.