Shamar Hawkins named to Aeneas Williams Award Preseason Watch List

OKLAHOMA CITY, Ok (THN News)- The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) released the fourth annual Aeneas Williams Award Preseason Watch List that includes Jackson State senior defensive back Shamar Hawkins and 14 other of the nation's best defensive backs in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Division I football.

The preseason watch list is selected by a screening committee in partnership with DraftHBCUPlayers and the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award. This list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons may be added to the semifinalists and finalists lists as the the season progresses.

He was named to the list after a season in which he played in 14 games with five starts in the defensive backfield. The senior finished the year with 49 tackles, including 33 solo stops, while also recording 4.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. Hawkins intercepted a pair of passes and recorded one pass breakup. The senior recorded six or more tackles four times, including a career-high eight against UAPB (Nov. 2). 

The list includes Diego Addison (South Carolina State), Herman Brister III (Southern), Jadon Carter (Morgan State), Blake Davis (Grambling State), Wayne Favors III (Delaware State), Aaron Harris, (North Carolina A&T), Johnny Harris III (Bethune-Cookman), Hawkins, Kahleef Jimmison (Norfolk State), Horacio Johnson (Southern), Keane Lewis (Alabama State), Twillie Lovette (Alabama State), Malcolm Reed (North Carolina Central), Jameel Sanders (Florida A&M), and Jarod Washington (South Carolina State).

The Aeneas Williams Award is presented by the Chickasaw Nation and awarded to the best defensive back in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Division I college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character.

This award was established in 2022 and serves as the first of its kind in HBCU history in honor of its namesake, Southern University walk-on and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Aeneas Williams. The contribution of HBCUs to the landscape of college football and the NFL has forever left an impact on the game. HBCUs hold an incredibly rich athletic tradition, tied to the game of football, that continues to exemplify the culture of these schools for over the past century.

Jackson State opens the season at home against Hampton on Aug. 30.