Week 1 of the 2021 HBCU college football season gave us some great games filled with some exceptional performances.
As promised, here’s how my Deacon Jones Award field looks after Week 1, with an appearance by a couple of players that had career days and a usual suspect on the award’s watch list.
Elijah Burris, RB, Hampton
Week 1 stats: 194 ALL-PURPOSE YDS, 3 TDS
Ooooh, look! A freshman is on the list! 136 yards rushing on 15 carries, 51 yards on a kickoff return, and two receptions for seven yards. An impressive outing your first time out if I’d say so myself.
Aqeel Glass, QB, Alabama A&M
Week 1 stats: 28/49, 426 YDS, 5 Total TDs
Most definitely a frontrunner for this year’s award, seeing as though he won it last year. Glass did not fail to impress. The Bulldog signal-caller passed for over 400 yards and scored five total touchdowns. This is the third straight season-opener where Glass has tossed for over 390 yards and four touchdowns.
Jailon Howard, WR, Prairie View A&M
Week 1 stats: 4 REC, 136 YDS, 2 TD
Even though PVAMU QB Jawon Pass “played well” last weekend (and could very well be on this list too), I’m going with the redshirt senior from Missouri, TX that had a career day, leading all players in receiving yards and touchdowns.
Ron Hunt, WR, North Carolina A&T
Week 1 stats: 5 REC, 146 YDS, 2 TDs
There was an anticipation that an Aggie would be on this list. I don’t think many thought it would be a wide receiver, especially Hunt. After playing in only one game in 2019, the senior from Greensboro had a career game in A&T’s season opener.
Keyshawn James, DL, Fayetteville State
Week 1 stats: 11 Total Tackles, 3.5 Sacks
C’mon, man. I couldn’t ignore this performance. The Broncos held Elizabeth City State to -4 yards rushing. Yes, you saw that correctly, minus-four. That dynamic defensive display was led by the graduate student from Cayce, SC. The CIAA Defensive Lineman of the Week had four solos and six tackles for a loss in the 47-6 win over the Vikings.
Honorable Mention
Jawon Pass, QB, Prairie View A&M
25/37, 354 YDS, 3 TDs
Charles Hall, WR, Virginia Union
6 REC, 182 YDS, TD
Shaquan Davis, WR, South Carolina State
5 REC, 140 YDS, TD
Antonio Mullins, WR, Prairie View A&M
10 REC, 131 YDS, TD
Sy’veon Wilkerson, RB, Delaware State
26 CAR, 92 YDS, 3 TDs
Kendrell Flowers, RB, South Carolina State
14 CAR, 80 YDS, 3 TDS
Darran Butts, RB, Hampton
11 CAR, 143 YDS, TD
Gary Quarles, RB, Alabama A&M
22 CAR, 129 YDS, TD
Ronald Holmes, LB, Delaware State
6.0 TOT TKs, 2.0 SKs, 2 FFs, FR
Caleb Sutherland, CB, Bethune-Cookman
13.0 TOT TKs, SK, FF
Taeyonn Reynolds, CB, Elizabeth City State
7 TKs, 2 FF, INT
Manny Smith, DB, North Carolina Central
10.0 TOT TKs, SK, FF, FR
