NORFOLK, Va. – Key members of a talented Norfolk State secondary, Devon Allen and Terron Mallory have landed on the Aeneas Williams Award Preseason Watch List, announced by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame on Wednesday afternoon.
 
The Aeneas Williams Award is presented by the Chickasaw Nation and awarded to the best defensive back in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Division I college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability, and character.
 
The award was established in 2022 and serves as the first of its kind in HBCU history in honor of its namesake, Southern University walk-on and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Aeneas Williams. A screening committee in partnership with the organization DraftHBCUPlayers and the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award selected the preseason watch list.
 
Norfolk State, Morgan State, Howard, Jackson State, Alabama A&M, and Florida A&M each earned two student-athletes on the list, while Hampton, Grambling State, Southern, North Carolina A&T, Texas Southern, and Alcorn State landed one student-athlete each.
 
Mallory played his way into an Aeneas Williams Award semifinalist nod last year, leading the MEAC with four interceptions. In a breakthrough performance against Delaware State, Mallory became the first Norfolk State player in the program's Division I history to intercept three passes in a single game.
 
Despite playing just seven games due to a season-ending hand injury, Allen earned All-MEAC second team accolades in 2023, leading the conference with 10 pass breakups. He opened the season with a career-high six tackles against Virginia State, adding two breakups and one forced fumble.
 
The Spartans open the 2024 campaign in Atlanta, Ga. against Florida A&M for the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. Televised by ABC, the matchup is slated for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24.
 
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