OKLAHOMA CITY – North Carolina Central University junior cornerback Jakarri Martin II has been named to the Aeneas Williams Award Preseason Watch List, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame announced on Wednesday.

Martin played in seven games for the Eagles last season after transferring in from Div. II Catawba College. He recorded 14 tackles on the season (nine solo). His season high of four tackles came against East Texas A&M, and he had three stops apiece against South Carolina State and Morgan State.

He also forced a fumble in the East Texas A&M game.

In 2024, Martin had six tackles for Catawba in a game against Barton College.

The watch list includes 16 of the best defensive players representing HBCUs at the NCAA Div. I level. The Aeneas Williams Award was instituted in 2022. The official presentation of the award will take place in Oklahoma City on Feb. 9, 2027, in conjunction with the annual Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet.

The Eagles will open the 2026 season on the road on Saturday, Aug. 29, when they take on Texas Southern. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET, and the game will air live on HBCUGo.

For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.