Alcorn State Players Named to Deacon Jones Player of the Year Watch List

Two Alcorn State football players have been named to the 2026 Deacon Jones Player of the Year Watch List, the Black College Football Hall of Fame announced this week in Atlanta.

Junior linebacker Eric Thomas Jr., from Columbus, Mississippi, received preseason honors on the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Preseason Team. He finished the 2025 season with 26 tackles, including 14 solo stops, over 12 games. Thomas also recorded 6.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, four quarterback hurries, and a fumble recovery. Earlier this month, he was named to the BOXTOROW Preseason All-America Team for Division I, the hall said.

Offensive lineman Cameran Rogers, from Theodore, Alabama, was also named to the All-SWAC Preseason Team. He played in 11 games last season, helping block for an offense that averaged 24.25 points per game. The Braves rushed for 178.3 yards per game, with Rogers contributing to the blocking for quarterback Jaylon Tolbert, who threw for 2,128 yards and 15 touchdowns. Running backs Reggie Davis and Jacorian Sewell combined for 1,605 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns during the campaign.

The hall said four finalists will be announced after the season. The winner will be recognized during halftime of the 2027 Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl in Atlanta, where the Deacon Jones Trophy will be presented. The game is scheduled for Saturday, February 27, 2027.

Doug Williams, co-founder of the Black College Football Hall of Fame, emphasized the significance of the award, describing it as a symbol of excellence and dedication in HBCU football. The hall noted that candidates are selected based on past performance and potential, with additional players added as the 2026 season unfolds.

James Harris, another co-founder, highlighted Deacon Jones’s legacy as a legendary pass rusher and the originator of the term “sack.” Jones, a Hall of Famer, played at South Carolina State and Mississippi Valley State from 1958 to 1960 and was one of the NFL’s most feared defenders.

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