image via Norfolk State Athletics
NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk State will enter the 2026 football season with two of its veteran linemen on the national radar.
Redshirt seniors Jaylen Williams and Ryan Nolan have been named to the 2026 Deacon Jones Player of the Year Watch List, announced by the Black College Football Hall of Fame on Aug. 18. The award recognizes the most outstanding football player at a Historically Black College or University, with the eventual winner receiving the prestigious Deacon Jones Trophy.
The Spartans are one of 24 HBCU programs represented on this year’s 52-player watch list, while the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference leads all conferences with 19 selections. Norfolk State is one of only two programs whose representatives are exclusively offensive and defensive linemen.
Williams Anchors the Defensive Front
Williams, a 6-foot-5, 240-pound defensive lineman from Ocala, Florida, made an immediate impact in his first season at Norfolk State.
He appeared in 11 games during the 2025 season and recorded 23 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks, along with a fumble recovery, quarterback hurry and two pass breakups. Williams recorded sacks against Towson, Delaware State and North Carolina Central, including a two-sack performance against NCCU.
Before arriving in Norfolk, Williams played at East Mississippi Community College, where he was a three-star recruit and ranked by 247Sports as the nation’s No. 8 junior college edge rusher.
Nolan Provides Experience Up Front
Nolan, a 6-foot-5, 325-pound offensive lineman and Portsmouth, Virginia, native, has been a key piece of Norfolk State’s offensive line.
He played in 10 games during the 2025 season, helping the Spartans produce 4,344 total yards and 235 first downs. With Nolan in the rotation, Norfolk State averaged 362.0 yards and 20.9 points per game, including 143.8 rushing yards and 218.2 passing yards per contest.
The recognition gives Norfolk State representation on both sides of the line of scrimmage as the Spartans prepare for the 2026 campaign.
A Prestigious HBCU Honor
The Deacon Jones Trophy is named after Pro Football Hall of Famer and Black College Football Hall of Fame inaugural inductee Deacon Jones, who played collegiately at South Carolina State and Mississippi Valley State.
The award’s previous winners include Shedeur Sanders, Chris Rowland, Aqeel Glass, Davius Richard, Jeremy Moussa, Jada Byers and 2025 recipient Curtis Allen.
The watch list is not final, as additional players can be added throughout the 2026 season. Following the season, four finalists will be selected, with the winner announced during halftime of the 2027 Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl, scheduled for Feb. 27, 2027, in Atlanta.
For Norfolk State, having Williams and Nolan on the list provides another early indication of the expectations surrounding the Spartans heading into the new season.
The Green and Gold will be looking for both veterans to turn preseason recognition into All-HBCU-caliber production when the 2026 season gets underway.
