The Deacon Jones Trophy race is well underway as we approach Week 4 of the college football season.
If last night’s SWAC matchup is any indicator, competition for the annual accolade will start to heat up once we get to a full slate of conference games.
After amassing 511 yards of total offense in their 39-38 shootout win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff, it will be tough to supplant Braves QB Felix Harper (368 YDS, 3 TDS, INT), RB Niko Duffy (23 CAR, 142 YDS, 2 TDS), WR LeCharles Pringle (4 REC, 126 YDS, 2 TDS), and WR CJ Bolar (5 REC, 151 YDS, TD) from this week’s contenders list.
However, there are a few players that have a chance of making headway into my Week 4 list of frontrunners for the Jones Award race.
Here’s a list of games and players to keep an eye on this weekend.
Howard at Robert Morris
Saturday, September 25, Noon (ESPN+)
Even in their 48-32 loss to Hampton, Bison QB Quinton Williams (357 Pass Yds, 3 TDs, 2 Ints) had an impressive outing. I look for the junior, who is playing under his second head coach in as many years, to take advantage of a Colonial defense that allowed 515 total yards of offense and 4 pass touchdowns last week.
Delta State at Jackson State
Saturday, September 25, 3:00PM
The Jackson State defense has been dominant this fall, and I expect them to play that way again against a DII opponent. LB Aubrey Miller has been outstanding, averaging 11.7 total tackles and a sack per game so far this season, which includes a 16 total tackle performance in last week’s 12-7 loss to FBS Louisiana-Monroe.
Grambling State at Prairie View A&M
Saturday, September 25, 5:00PM
Even though the Tigers are currently allowing 175 yards in the air per game, PVAM QB Jawon Pass is averaging 299 yards and 2 pass touchdowns, including two games where he has tallied at least 350 yards and 2 TDs.
Tuskegee at Alabama A&M
Saturday, September 25, 5:00PM
Bulldog QB Aqeel Glass would be the easy choice on who to keep an eye on (and you should follow the pro prospect) but DII Tuskegee allows 135 yards rushing per game. Paging AAMU RB Gary Quarles, who put up 147 yards of total offense and a touchdown in last week’s win over Bethune-Cookman.
Bethune-Cookman at Alabama State
Saturday, September 25, 6:00 PM (ESPN+)
Both defenses have allowed a combined 1,237 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground in 5 total games this season. Look for Wildcat RB Que’Shaun Byrd (Last Week: 21 CAR, 132 YDS, 2 TDS) and the SWAC’s leading rusher Hornet RB Ezra Gray to take advantage.
North Carolina Central at North Carolina A&T
Saturday, September 25, 6:00 PM (ESPN+)
Familiarity can be a remedy for a player who is in a rut. Not only will NCAT RB Jah-Maine Martin be playing at home for the first time this season, but he’ll be also facing an Eagle defense that has allowed him to average 8.2 yards per carry and score 3 touchdowns in 2 games against them.
In case you missed them, here are my top five contenders from the previous three weeks.
Week 3 Contenders List
Jada Byers, RB, Virginia Union
Week 3 stats: 15 CAR, 201 YDS, 2 TDS (vs. Virginia Lynchburg, 49-7)
Byers has been impressive over a two-week span, compiling 437 yards of total offense (36 Car, 308 Yds) and 3 touchdowns.
Markquese Bell, DB, Florida A&M
Week 3 stats: 15 TOT TKLS, SK, FF (vs. South Florida, L 38-17)
Juwan Carter, QB, Norfolk State
Week 3 stats: 23/30, 379 TOT YDS, 5 TDS (vs. Elizabeth City State, W, 63-26)
Corey Fields, Jr., QB, South Carolina State
Week 3 stats: 30/47, 352 YDS, 4 TDS, 3 INTS (vs. New Mexico State, L, 43-35)
Ivonte Patterson, RB, Tuskegee
Week 3 stats: 30 CAR, 145 YDS, 3 TDS (vs. Edward Waters, W 23-6)
Week 2 Contenders List
Ike Brown, RB, Lane
Week 2 stats: 25 CAR, 121 YDS, 3 TDS (vs. Clark Atlanta, W 35-26)
James Houston, LB, Jackson State
Week 2 stats: 10 TOT TKLS, 5.0 TFL, 4.5 SKS (vs. Tennessee State, W 38-16)
Eric Phoenix, QB, Benedict
Week 2 stats: 11/18, 292 YDS, 4 TDS (vs. Edward Waters, W 44-3)
Shedeur Sanders, QB, Jackson State
Week 2 stats: 30/40, 362 YDS, 3 TDS (vs. Tennessee State, W 38-16)
Wesley Wolfolk, WR, Morgan State
Week 2 stats: 6 REC, 110 YDS, 2 TDS (vs. Tulane, L 69-20)
Week 1 Contenders List
Elijah Burris, RB, Hampton
Week 1 stats: 194 ALL-PURPOSE YDS, 3 TDS (vs. Virginia Union, W 42-28)
Aqeel Glass, QB, Alabama A&M
Week 1 stats: 28/49, 426 YDS, 5 TOT TDS (vs. South Carolina State, W 42-41)
Jailon Howard, WR, Prairie View A&M
Week 1 stats: 4 REC, 136 YDS, 2 TDS (vs. Texas Southern, 40-17)
Ron Hunt, WR, North Carolina A&T
Week 1 stats: 5 REC, 146 YDS, 2 TDS (vs. Furman, L, 29-18)
Keyshawn James, DL, Fayetteville State
Week 1 stats: 11 TOT TKLS, 3.5 SKS (vs. Elizabeth City State, W 47-6)
