HBCU Legends

2024 Black College Football Player Of The Year: Virginia Union Running Back Jada Byers

The Panthers running back caps off his 2,000+ yards season with the Deacon Jones Award.
Kyle Mosley|
Jada Byers - Deacon Jones Trophy
Jada Byers - Deacon Jones Trophy | CREDIT: Black College Football Hall Of Fame

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Grambling State Tigers

Jada Byers, the record-setting running back from Virginia Union University, has been named the 2024 recipient of the Deacon Jones Award Trophy. This honor is presented annually by the Black College Football Hall of Fame to the most outstanding player in HBCU football.

He is the first player since 2018 from a Division II school to win the Deacon Jones Trophy.

Friday night, Doug Williams and James "Shack" Harris presented Byers with the award during the HBCU Legacy Bowl festivities at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Downtown New Orleans. Byers had a historic collegiate career that redefined excellence at the Division II level.  

Record-Breaking Achievements

Byers cemented his legacy with a 2,061-yard rushing season in 2024, setting Virginia Union's single-season record while scoring 27 touchdowns for the Panthers.  

Jada Byers' Oct. 26 performance against Bowie State featured:

  • 324 rushing yards (school single-game record)
  • 6 rushing touchdowns (breaking a 93-year-old program mark)
Jada Byers
Virginia Union running back Jada Byers breaks the tackle of Morehouse's Cameron Selders as he runs for a first-half touchdown in the Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic, Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023, in Canton. | Kevin Whitlock / Massillon Independent / USA TODAY NETWORK

He also became the Panthers' all-time leading rusher that day, surpassing Andre Braxton's school record with 5,311 rushing yards and 70 touchdowns.

The Bridgeton, NJ native earned back-to-back CIAA Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2024,

The Deacon Jones Trophy Legacy

The Black College Football Hall of Fame named the award after Pro Football Hall of Famer Deacon Jones, who exemplified dominance and leadership as a collegiate and professional football player. Jones played for two HBCUs, South Carolina State and Mississippi Valley State, before being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1961 NFL Draft.

Byers joins previous winners Tarik Cohen (2016), Amir Hall (2017,2018), Chris Roland (2019),
Aqeel Glass (2020-2021), Shedeur Sanders (2022) and co-recipients Davius Richard and Jeremy Mousa (2023). He and Cohen stand out as only non-quarterbacks to win the honor.

Impact Beyond Stats

  • Led Virginia Union to consecutive CIAA championships (2023-2024) and a Division II playoff regional final
  • Coaches and teammates praise him for leadership on and off the gridiron
  • Attracted NFL scouts despite Division II status, with standout performances at the 2025 HBCU Combine

The award cements Byers' status among HBCU legends, demonstrating that elite talent flourishes at every level of collegiate athletics.

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Kyle T. Mosley
KYLE MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

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