ATLANTA  – Morehouse College star running back, Santo Dunn, and quarterback, Michael Sims, have been named to the 2021 Black College Football Player of The Year Award watch list as announced today by the Black College Football Hall of Fame.
 
Dunn was recently named to the All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) pre-season first team. In 2019 the dual threat player out of Miami, Fla. led the Maroon Tigers in rushing with 590 yards and five touchdowns. Dunn also did it receiving the ball catching 40 passes which put him second on the team for 243 yards and another two touchdowns. Dunn finished 4th in the conference with 1204 all-purpose yards an average of 120.4 per game earning him All-SIAC second team honors. 

Joining Dunn on the 2021 list is Michael Sims who last month was named to the All-SIAC pre-season first team at quarterback. In 2019 Sims finished 4th in the conference in passing yards with 1454 and 5th in passing touchdowns with 11. He also had a passing efficiency of 124.6.
 
Four finalists will be unveiled on November 30, 2021. The winner of the Black College Football Player of the Year Award, which will be announced during halftime of the Inaugural  HBCU Legacy Bowl, will be honored with the Deacon Jones Trophy. The HBCU Legacy Bowl takes place on Saturday, February 19, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The game will be broadcast live on NFL Network. 

"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 prestigious football award for HBCUs," said BCFHOF co-founder and 2012 inductee James Harris. "Deacon Jones was a pioneer and an icon, and still to this day represents the very best of Black College Football."

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.

ABOUT THE HBCU LEGACY BOWL 

The HBCU Legacy Bowl, presented by the Black College Football Hall of Fame is a postseason all-star game that will showcase the top 100 NFL draft-eligible football players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The game will be played on the Saturday, February 19, 2022 (Yulman Stadium at Tulane University), and broadcast live on NFL Network. More than a football game, the week-long celebration of Black culture and history will provide invaluable exposure for HBCU students. HBCU Legacy Bowl founding partners include the NFL, adidas, Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and his 15 and the Mahomies Foundation, Seattle Seahawks LB Bobby Wagner, Sugar Bowl, Pro Football Hall of Fame, Riddell and Tulane University. 

Follow us at www.HBCULegacyBowl.com and on social media via @HBCULegacyBowl. 

ABOUT THE 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 90 Inductees since inception, including Mel Blount, James Harris, Willie Lanier, Art Shell and Doug Williams, who serve as Trustees.

Morehouse opens the 2021 season on the road as they travel to Livingston, Ala. to take on the University of West Alabama on September 4. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CST

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