Courtesy of Derek W. Bryant, Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations & Sports Information
As the Howard University football team prepares for the upcoming season, the preseason accolades continue to roll in with graduate defensive back Kenny Gallop Jr. (Portsmouth, Va.) being selected to the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000. The announcement came Tuesday.
Last week (July 15), the 2023 Aeneas Williams Award winner was named to the FCS Football Central Preseason All-American Team. During the league’s annual football media day, he was selected 2024 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
A year ago, the Virginia native took home 2023 MEAC Defensive Player of the Year while receiving several awards, including All-American honors from BOXTOROW, FCS Football Central and Phil Steele.
In the regular season, the Buck Buchanan Award finalist produced 65 total tackles (42 solos) with six tackles for loss, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and two quarterback hurries. In the homecoming victory over Norfolk State (Oct. 21, 2023), Gallop recorded a season-high 11 total tackles and the game-clinching interception. For his efforts, he was named FCS National Defensive Player of the Week.
The East-West Shrine Bowl is a best-in-class all-star event that will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas Saturday, Feb. 1, 2024. Players who are selected will be coached by NFL coaches in an NFL facility while having access to NFL-level resources, facilities, player-friendly schedules and opportunities at the highest level.
The East West Shrine Bowl is also the longest-running college all-star football game in the nation, having started in 1925.
Howard opens the 2024 campaign at Rutgers Thursday (Aug. 29), live on the Big Ten Network. Kickoff at 6 p.m., inside SHI Stadium.
