From Morehouse Athletics:
ATLANTA – Morehouse College star running back, Santo Dunn, and quarterback, Michael Sims, have been named to the 2019 Black College Football Player of The Year Award watch list as announced today by the Black College Football Hall of Fame.
Dunn who was recently named Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) pre-season Player of the Year was the first Maroon Tiger to earn the SIAC Offensive Player of the Year honor since former Morehouse standout, David Carter, won the award in 2010 and 2011. In 2018 the Miami, FL native led the SIAC in rushing yards (875), scoring (8.4 points per game), and touchdowns with 14. Dunn also ranked nationally in rushing yards at No. 38, tied for No. 25 in scoring and No. 17 in total touchdowns. He earned BOXTOROW National Player of the Week honors after his performance versus Tuskegee University where he ran for a game-high 125 yards and three touchdowns in the upset victory. The same week Dunn was added to the Black College Hall of Fame Player of the Year watch list. Dunn also earned SIAC Offensive Player of the Week once this season.
Joining Dunn on the 2019 list is Michael Sims who just last month was named to the All-SIAC pre-season first team at quarterback. Sims finished the 2018 campaign as the SIAC’s fourth leading passer. Sims threw for 1,826 yards and 14 touchdowns with only four interceptions. Sims earned BOXTOROW National Player of the Week honors after his five touchdown performance versus Lane College in the Marron Tigers 42-20 victory. He also was named SIAC Offensive Player of the Week twice this season.
The winner of the 2019 Black College Football Player of the Year Award will be honored with the Deacon Jones Trophy during the Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, which takes place on February 15, 2020 in Atlanta. Four finalists will be unveiled on December 3, 2019.
“There are many gifted football players competing at Historically Black Colleges and Universities right now,” said Super Bowl XXII MVP and BCFHOF co-founder Doug Williams. “This Award is a way for the Black College Football Hall of Fame to recognize these talented student-athletes.”
“The Deacon Jones Trophy is the most coveted individual award a football player from an HBCU can receive,” said BCFHOF co-founder and 2012 inductee James Harris. “I enjoy monitoring the progress of these young men throughout the season.” The Watch List candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential. Additions to the list may be made as the 2019 season progresses. The finalists and the winner will be chosen by a Selection Committee.
About Black College Football Hall of Fame
The Black College Football Hall of Fame was established in October of 2009 by African-American pioneers and quarterbacks, Pro Bowl MVP James “Shack” Harris and Super Bowl MVP Doug Williams, to preserve the history and honor the greatest football players, coaches and contributors from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). There have been 77 Inductees since inception, including Mel Blount, James Harris, Willie Lanier, Art Shell and Doug Williams, who serve as Trustees.
About Deacon Jones
David “Deacon” Jones played defensive end for South Carolina State University and Mississippi Valley State University from 1958 to 1960. Blessed with speed, agility, and quickness, the “Deacon” became one of the finest pass rushers in the business. He won unanimous All-NFL honors six straight years from 1965 through 1970 and was selected to eight Pro Bowls. Jones is an inaugural Black College Football Hall of Fame inductee (2010) and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Morehouse opens the 2019 season September 1 in the inaugural Black College Hall of Fame Classic versus Alabama A&M University at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.
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