ATLANTA – Three North Carolina Central University Eagles – senior safety Davanta Reynolds, sophomore running back Isaiah Totten and freshman running back Jamal Currie-Elliott - are among the 52 student-athletes from 25 different HBCUs to be named to the 2018 Watch List for the Black College Football Player of the Year Award, the Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) announced Wednesday. The Award is presented annually to the most outstanding football player from a Historically Black College & University.
 
The winner of the 2018 Black College Football Player of the Year Award will be honored with the Deacon Jones Trophy during the Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, which takes place on Feb. 16, 2019 in Atlanta. Four finalists will be unveiled on Nov. 29.
 
"HBCU football has outstanding talent, as evidenced in this year's NFL Draft," said Super Bowl MVP quarterback Doug Williams, a BCFHOF co-founder and 2011 inductee. "This Award is a way that the Black College Football Hall of Fame is able to recognize these talented student-athletes."
 
"The Deacon Jones Trophy is the most prestigious football award for HBCUs," said BCFHOF co-founder and 2012 inductee James Harris. "Deacon Jones was a pioneer and an icon, and still to this day represents the very best of Black College Football."
 
The Watch List candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential. Additions to the list may be made as the 2018 season progresses. The finalists and the winner will be chosen by a Selection Committee.
 
Former North Carolina A&T, and current Chicago Bears running back Tarik Cohen was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Award in 2016; and Bowie State sophomore quarterback Amir Hall was the 2017 recipient.
 
A native of Tucker, Georgia, Reynolds was announced as the 2018 MEAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. During a spectacular junior season, he was voted First-Team All-MEAC, named Associated Press FCS All-American as a member of the Third Team, and announced to 11th annual BOXTOROW All-America Team, honoring the top 29 players in HBCU football. Reynolds tied for second in the nation (FCS) with a conference-high six interceptions for 141 return yards and a touchdown (31-yard TD), while also returning a fumble 85 yards for a touchdown (featured on ESPN Top-10 Plays). The safety tallied 54 tackles (35 solo), including 2.5 stops for a loss with a sack, along with a forced fumble and a pass break-up.
 
Out of Apex, North Carolina, Totten earned a spot on the All-MEAC Second Team as a redshirt freshman last season. He ranked fifth in MEAC with 65.3 rushing yards per game and third with an average of 5.7 yards per carry, totaling a team-high 718 rushing yards with five touchdowns.
 
A four-star running back out of Hillside High School (Durham, N.C.) who committed to the Oregon Ducks, Elliott was ranked as the No. 12 running back prospect in the nation and the 11th overall player in the state according to 247Sports.com. He graduated from Hillside and attended the University of Oregon in the spring semester before deciding to transfer.
 
The NCCU Eagles, under the direction of first-year head coach Granville Eastman, open the season on Sunday, Sept. 2 against Prairie View A&M in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Georgia State Stadium in Atlanta. The contest will be televised live on ESPN2 at 12 noon.
 
 
At a glance:
• Award is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player from a Historically Black College & University (HBCU).
• Watch List is composed of 52 players from 25 different HBCUs.
• Players per conference: MEAC (18), SWAC (15), CIAA (10), SIAC (8) and Independent (1).
 
ABOUT THE BLACK COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME
The Black College Football Hall of Fame was founded in 2009 by African-American pioneers, quarterbacks James Harris and Doug Williams to preserve the history and honor the greatest football players, coaches and contributors from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). There have been 77 Inductees since inception, including Mel Blount, James Harris, Willie Lanier, Art Shell and Doug Williams, who serve as Trustees. Its permanent home is currently being constructed at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. www.BlackCollegeFootballHOF.org
 
ABOUT DEACON JONES
David "Deacon" Jones played defensive end for South Carolina State University and Mississippi Valley State University from 1958 to 1960. Blessed with speed, agility, and quickness, the "Deacon" became one of the finest pass rushers in the business. He won unanimous All-NFL honors six straight years from 1965 through 1970 and was selected to eight Pro Bowls. Jones is an inaugural Black College Football Hall of Fame inductee (2010) and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.