The 2024 HBCU football season is almost finished, but talented players shined throughout the FCS season. A select group of players stood out among their peers thanks to on-field performances. Here are the top players, by position, from the 2024 HBCU football season.
To make this All-HBCU list, a player must've made their all-conference team. This list has more than the traditional 22 players plus specialists. On offense, the list features an extra, third wide receiver and an all-purpose back to showcase the increase in spread offenses throughout college football. On defense, the list features both four defensive linemen and four linebackers since teams play both a 4-3 and 3-4 defense. With the rise of nickel packages, the list also features an additional defensive back. In total, there are 30 players.
MORE: What happened in the 2024 HBCU football season
Overall, the SWAC and the MEAC are tied at 12 players each landing on this list. However, the MEAC leads the SWAC when it comes to players on the list per conference team.
Top 2024 HBCU football players, by position
Offense
- QB - Eric Phoenix | South Carolina State
- RB - Irv Mulligan | Jackson State
- RB - J'Mari Taylor | North Carolina Central
- WR - JaVonnie Gibson | Arkansas-Pine Bluff
- WR - Nathan Rembert | Mississippi Valley State
- WR - Caden High | South Carolina State
- TE - Keshawn Toney | South Carolina State
- OL - Nick Taiste | South Carolina State
- OL - Darius Fox | Howard
- OL - Carson Vinson | Alabama A&M
- OL - Ashton Grable | Florida A&M
- OL - Connor Meadows | Tennessee State
- AP - Jaden Sutton | Delaware State
About the offense
We'll start with the quarterback, Eric Phoenix. He was the best quarterback in HBCU football this season, moving up from the Division II level to lead South Carolina State to a MEAC title. At the running back position, Irv Mulligan and J'Mari Taylor lead the way as two of the most imposing backs in HBCU football. Jaden Sutton grabs the all-purpose back spot after rushing for over 1,200 yards.
JaVonnie Gibson was one of the best receivers in the entire FCS this year, winning the SWAC triple crown with 70 receptions for 1,215 yards and nine touchdowns. Nathan Rembert was another 1,000+ yard receiver to make the cut. The trenches also have plenty of talent as Nick Taiste earned MEAC offensive lineman of the year honors and Carson Vinson is one of the best NFL draft prospects in HBCU football.
Defense
- DL - Elijah Williams | Morgan State
- DL - Treqwan Thomas | Alabama State
- DL - Ckelby Givens | Southern
- DL - Ashaad Hall | South Carolina State
- LB - Andrew Jones | Grambling State
- LB - Rico Dozier | Alabama State
- LB - AJ Richardson | Norfolk State
- LB - Aaron Smith | South Carolina State
- S - Kenny Gallop | Howard
- S - Amon Scarbrough | Alabama State
- CB - James Burgess | Alabama State
- CB - MJ Hinson Jr. | Texas Southern
- DB - Boogie Trotter | Tennessee State
About the defense
The defensive line in HBCU football was elite again in 2024. Elijah Williams is the best defensive player from the MEAC and was a force to be reckoned with even in a loaded defensive unit. Ckelby Givens is the co-Defensive Player of the Year in the SWAC after leading the conference in tackles for loss while Treqwan Thomas led the SWAC in sacks. Rounding out the defensive front is Ashaad Hall, who finished with 11 sacks and 14 tackles for loss to lead the MEAC.
SWAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year Andrew Jones leads the linebackers and Rico Dozier and AJ Richardson join him after each made 100 tackles. Aaron Smith grabs the final linebacker spot.
2024 Games: MEAC/SWAC Challenge
The secondary had some easy picks at safety with Kenny Gallop and Amon Scarbrough as the best two safeties in the MEAC and SWAC, respectively. James Burgess is my No. 1 cornerback in HBCU football from 2024, while Boogie Trotter was excellent from his nickel position. There were plenty of candidates for the second cornerback spot, but MJ Hinson gets the nod after making four interceptions as the top defender on the backend of Texas Southern's defense.
Specialists
- K - Guillermo Garcia Rodriguez | Prairie View A&M
- P - Anthony Frederique | Mississippi Valley State
- RS - Travis Terrell Jr. | Jackson State
- LS - Avery Salerno | Jackson State
About the specialists
Guillermo Garcia Rodriguez is the top HBCU kicker after making 20 of 26 field goals with a long of 54 yards — the longest in HBCU football this year. Anthony Frederique landed an impressive 25 punts inside the 20 to just four touchbacks. The SWAC was the only HBCU conference to name a long snapper all-conference so Avery Salerno gets the nod there.
The return specialist spot had plenty of contenders, but I went with Travis Terrell because he returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in two different games and had multiple field-flipping returns on punts.
🐐: The greatest individual seasons in HBCU football history
Top players breakdown
| 6 | South Carolina State |
| 4 | Alabama State |
| 3 | Jackson State |
| 2 | Howard, Mississippi Valley State, Tennessee State |
| 1 | Alabama A&M, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Delaware State, Florida A&M, Grambling State, Morgan State, North Carolina Central, Norfolk State, Prairie View A&M, Southern, Texas Southern |
| 0 | Alcorn State, Bethune-Cookman, Hampton, North Carolina A&T |
Past All-HBCU teams: 2023 | 2022 | 2021
Just Missed
Here are the players who just missed out on this All-HBCU team:
- QB Draylen Ellis | Tennessee State
- WR Jamari Gassett | Florida A&M
- OL Arelious Dunn | Alabama State
- OL D'Andre Townes-Blue | Jackson State
- DL Malachi Bailey | Alcorn State
- CB Ke'Vric Wiggins Jr. | Jackson State
- CB Carlvainsky Decius | Morgan State
- RS CJ Evans | Tennessee State
- RS Darnell Deas | Bethune-Cookman
🏈: Live updates of the 2024 HBCU football season | 2024 Homecoming/Classic schedule
📲 B/R:
📚 Football History: Top MEAC/SWAC Challenge moments | Individual stars | | Recapping 2022 | Recapping 2021
Championships: FAMU wins Celebration Bowl | Tennessee State, NC Central win tennis title | Football title history | Track champions
🏟 Classics: Every HBCU Football Classic's history | Florida Classic | Bayou Classic | Can't miss atmospheres
🏀 HBCU hoops: Pac-12/SWAC series |1980s Alcorn State | NBA draft picks | Hall of Famers
👀 March Madness: Men's history | Women's history | Two HBCU wins in 2021 | HBCU vs. HBCU | Tournament upsets
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