OKLAHOMA CITY | The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) released the 5th Annual Aeneas Williams Award Preseason Watch List. This list includes sixteen 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. This list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons may be added to the semifinalists and finalists lists as the season progresses.

Junior Ta'Shaun Sims represents Alabama State University on the preseason watch list.  Sims has had a banner preseason adding to a list that includes 2026 BOXTOROW HBCU Preseason-All-American, Preseason All-SWAC (1st Team), Phil Steele Preseason All-SWAC (1st Team), Stats Perform HBCU National Player of the Year Watch List and the Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch. List (Top LB).

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.

Delivering one of the nation's most dominant defensive performances last season, South Carolina State University's Jarod Washington was named the 2025 Aeneas Williams Award winner. Fredericksburg, Virginia, native Washington became the only FCS players with six passes defended in a game in 2025, a feat he accomplished twice. Washington was a steady force for the Bulldogs all season through his consistent production and shutdown ability. His 33 tackles, impressive 32 solo stops, seven pass breakups, two interceptions, and a defensive touchdown, made him one of the nation's most dependable and disruptive playmakers on the back end, ultimately leading Washington to being named the 2025 MEAC Defensive Player of the Year and a 2025 First Team All-MEAC defensive back. Washington participated in the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl and stood out as the fastest player there. Although he was not drafted out of South Carolina State this spring, the Minnesota Vikings have signed Washington to their training camp roster.
 
The Aeneas Williams Award's 2026 preseason candidates are revealed alphabetically by last name with university, position and class year noted.
 

2026 Aeneas Williams Award Preseason Watch List

 

Nasir Bashir	Norfolk State	Cornerback	Gr. Senior
Herman Brister III	Southern	Safety	Junior
KJ Chisholm Jr.	Jackson State	Cornerback	Junior
Wayne Favors III	Delaware State	Cornerback	Senior
Kedrick Green	Howard	Safety	Gr. Senior
Stephon Hall	Norfolk State	Safety	Gr. Senior
Keon Handley Jr.	Alabama A&M	Safety	Gr. Senior

Tayvion Haney	Alcorn State	Cornerback	Senior
Kwantre' Harry	South Carolina State	Cornerback	Senior
Aki Harvey	Morgan State	Cornerback	Senior
Naim Lassiter	Bethune-Cookman	Cornerback	Junior
Jakarri Martin II	North Carolina Central	Cornerback	Junior
Sharmari Reed	South Carolina State	Cornerback	Gr. Senior
Kam Sallis	Jackson State	Safety	Senior
Ta'Shaun Sims	Alabama State	Safety	Junior
Eric Zachery	Prairie View A&M	Safety	Junior

 
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.
 
New Orleans, Louisiana native and Hall of Fame cornerback 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.
 

Aeneas Williams Award Important Dates

 
Wed., Aug. 19: Preseason watch list announced at 11 a.m. CT/noon ET
Tue., Nov. 3: Semifinalists announced at 11 a.m. CT/noon ET