BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – As the 2026 Football season continues brewing for new beginnings, The Southwestern Athletic Conference was represented with 11 outstanding players being named to the Stats Perform HBCU Player of the Year Watch List.
The third-year award honors the outstanding player from the 21 HBCU programs of Division I FCS in the Mid-Eastern, SWAC, CAA, Ohio Valley Conferences. Alabama State Quarterback, Andrew Body was voted the 2025 HBCU National Player of the Year and is the lone returning finalist this year. A national panel involving the HBCU/FCS coverage will select the winner following the regular season, with the recipient being announced in December. Click
here to view the full list. In addition to the HBCU National Player of the Award, Stats Perform will present the Walter Payton Award (FCS Offensive Player of the Year), Buck Buchanan Award (FCS Defensive Player of the Year), Jerry Rice Award (FCS Freshman Player of the Year), Eddie Robinson Award (FCS Coach of the Year) and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award this season.
SWAC Football Players Named to the HBCU Player of the Year Watch List
Elijah Baker, Alabama State, OL, R-Sr., 6-4, 323
Baker sets the standard up front for Alabama State, which had the SWAC’s top offense last season. A proven powerhouse in the trenches, he was a first-team All-SWAC selection, adding the same honor in the preseason this year.
Andrew Body, Alabama State, QB, R-Sr., 6-0, 205
As one of the more dynamic playmakers at the position in the FCS, Body leads the Alabama State offense. The 2025 Stats Perform HBCU Player of the Year and recipient of the SWAC’s top offensive honor accounted for 2,288 offensive yards and 24 total touchdowns with just one interception in eight games.
Herman Brister III, Southern, DB, R-Jr., 6-2, 205
Long and athletic, Brister has been one of the best tacklers among SWAC defensive backs for two seasons, totaling 62 stops in 2024 and following it up with 76 more last season. He also had 1.5 TFLs, five passes defended and a forced fumble while making the All-SWAC first team, and he’s back there this season.
Cornelious Brown IV, Alabama A&M, QB, Grad, 6-5, 220
Brown was named SWAC offensive player of the week twice last year before he suffered a season-ending lower leg injury (he had a strong 152.9 pass efficiency rating in four games). Named to the Shriners Children’s East-West Bowl 1,000 Watch List, he has 5,593 passing yards across three schools.
Quaveon Davis, Jackson State, OL, Sr., 6-8, 330
Davis is a mountain on the O-line, helping Jackson State’s offense to consistently be one of the best in the SWAC. He enters the 2026 season on the conference’s preseason first team and the Stats Perform Preseason All-America third team.
Danarius Hilliard, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, LB, Sr., 5-11, 210
Hilliard racked up 90 tackles and 8.5 TFLs in 11 games, with his 8.2 per-game average the highest in the SWAC. He made the all-conference first team, and is back this year with the same preseason honor.
Jaylen Jennings, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, RB, Jr., 5-10, 195
The All-SWAC first-teamer was a workhorse while leading the conference in carries (182) and finishing second in rushing yards (936) and rushing touchdowns (11). He enters the 2026 season back on the SWAC preseason first team.
RJ Johnson III, Grambling State QB, R-Jr., 6-2, 210
Johnson made a transfer to Grambling this year after starring in the SWAC at Florida A&M last season. His 2,597 passing yards ranked second in the conference, but he was first in passing yards per game (236.1) and completions (215). He also was third in touchdown passes (18).
Calvin McMillian, Prairie View A&M, OL, Grad, 6-5, 328
The massive offensive lineman’s play up front was one of the reasons PVAMU averaged 435.1 yards and 31.6 points while winning 2025 SWAC title. He was named to the all-conference first team and is back there this preseason.
Kam Sallis, Jackson State, DB, R-Jr., 6-1, 222
Sallis was one of the anchors of a JSU defense that allowed under 19 points a game in 2025. He was in on 53 tackles with two interceptions and two forced fumbles, garnering All-SWAC second-team honors. Heading into the 2026 season, the dynamic defensive back has earned SWAC preseason defensive player of the year.
Ta’Shaun Sims, Alabama State, DB, Jr., 6-0, 188
Sims was a first-team All-SWAC performer in 2025 after tying for the conference high with five interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, and he added in a fumble recovery. This preseason, he’s back on the SWAC preseason first team plus the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List.
About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.
Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field and Tennis.
Women’s competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball.
Follow the SWAC
For complete coverage of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, please follow the SWAC on social media at @TheSWAC (Twitter), @TheSWAC (Facebook), and @TheSWAC (Instagram) or visit the official home of the Southwestern Athletic Conference at
www.swac.org.