COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) has announced the 2025 Watch List for the Black College Football Player of the Year Award, which includes a pair of Benedict College standouts.
 
Linebacker Ty'Metrius Patterson, the SIAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, and linebacker Isaiah Stephens were both named to the watch list.
 
The Award is presented annually to the most outstanding football player from a Historically Black College & University. Virginia Union running back Jada Byers was the recipient in 2024. The watch list is composed of 50 players from different HBCUs. Patterson and Stephens are among 10 players selected from the SIAC.
 
Patterson is coming off a tremendous 2024 season, when he recorded 53 total tackles, including 13 tackles for loss (-39 yards) and three sacks (-17 yards), three quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles. He earned first-team All-SIAC honors in 2024.
 
Stephens led the Tigers in total tackles in 2024 (68 total tackles – 41 solo and 27 assisted), which ranked sixth-best in the SIAC. He also recorded 6.5 tackles for loss (-18 yards), 0.5 sacks (-1 yard), and two pass breakups.
 
Four finalists will be unveiled after the season. The winner of the Black College Football Player of the Year Award, which will be announced during halftime of the 2026 Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl, will be presented with the Deacon Jones Trophy. The Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl takes place on Saturday, February 21, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The game will be broadcast live on NFL Network.
 
"The Black College Football Player of the Year Award honors the talent, dedication, and spirit of today's HBCU football players," said Doug Williams, BCFHOF Co-Founder and 2011 Inductee. "These young men uphold a proud legacy and inspire future generations to dream bigger and to always aspire for greatness."
 
The Watch List candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential. Additions to the list will be made as the 2025 season progresses. The finalists and the winner will be chosen by a Selection Committee.
 
"In HBCU football, no accolade carries greater meaning than the Deacon Jones Trophy," said BCFHOF Co-Founder and 2012 Inductee James Harris. "Deacon's greatness wasn't just in his dominance on the field, but in the way he inspired others through his leadership, integrity, and unwavering commitment to excellence. His legacy continues to set the standard for what Black College Football represents."
 
The complete list is available here.