Three Tuskegee players selected to the Black College Football Player of the Year Award Watchlist
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Posted By: S. Moore on August 17, 2023 Zelly Aldridge (Defensive Back), Jeremy Dees (Defensive Lineman), and Ryan Duff (Punter) were all named to the Black College Football Player of the Year Award Watchlist. The award is presented each year to one player from a Historically Black College & University. Named a First Team All-SIAC selection as he played in all 11 games of his first season at Tuskegee after transferring from the University of North Alabama, Aldridge finished the season fourth on the team with 50 tackles (34 solo, 16 assist), which included 1.0 tackles for loss, to go along with a team-best two interceptions, while adding seven pass breakups and forced fumble on the year. The safety also earned SIAC Defensive Player of the Week honors during week three in a win over West Alabama. Dees finished third on the team in total tackles with 53, including 26 solos and 27 assisted. The defensive lineman also accounted for 9.0 tackles for loss, four sacks, a pair of quarterback hurries and a forced fumble as a junior in 2022. The senior was also listed as a preseason First Team All-SIAC defender last month. Duff, a third-year starter as a punter, boasted numbers of 42.9-yard average on 41 kicks for 1,760 yards in 2022 to rank first in yards per punt in the SIAC. The specialist also had 14 punts of 50+ yards, including a long of 61 and accumulated five games of over 150 yards punting on the year. Duff was also named a Preseason First Team All-SIAC member along with being named a BOXTOROW Preseason All-American. The Watch List candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential. Additions to the list may be made as the 2023 season progresses. The finalists and the winner will be chosen by a Selection Committee. The BCHOF panel will announce four finalists after the 2023 season. The Black College Football Player of the Year Award winner will receive the Deacon Jones Trophy during halftime of the 2024 Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl. The Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 24 in New Orleans, LA and will be broadcast live on NFL Network. Former North Carolina A&T and NFL running back Tarik Cohen was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Award in 2016; Bowie State quarterback Amir Hall was the 2017 and 2018 recipient; former Tennessee State and NFL WR Chris Rowland was the 2019 recipient; former Alabama A&M QB Aqeel Glass was the recipient of the Spring 2021 and 2021 Fall award; and former Jackson State QB Shedeur Sanders was the recipient in 2022. SOURCE Tuskegee Athletics If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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