Elijah Williams Earns Spot as Finalist for 2024 HBCU + Player of the Year

The postseason recognition continues to rain in for Morgan State football standout Elijah Williams. His impressive performance has not only garnered attention from fans and coaches but has also earned him a spot among the top talents in the game.

Williams is one of just ten finalists for the Urban Edge Network's inaugural HBCU+ National Player of the Year Award, a prestigious accolade that seeks to shine a spotlight on the exceptional athletes representing 21 Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the FCS college football landscape. This recognition not only highlights Williams' individual achievements but also underscores the rich tradition and talent present within HBCU football programs.

All positions are eligible for the award. The recipient, top be selected by an eight-voter panel involved in HBCU FCS coverage, will be announced on Dec. 9 and invited to the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Banquet on Jan. 4 in Frisco, Texas.

Full HBCU+ National Player of the Year Finalists here.

Williams, a First Team All-MEAC selection, was also named a finalist for the 2024 Buck Buchanan Award, announced by Stats Perform. The Award is annually presented to the national defensive player of the year in college football's Division I subdivision.

"Agent Zero" has truly emerged as a dynamic force on one of the nation's top defensive units this season (FCS ranked No. 21 in total defense). With his exceptional performance, he ranked No. 7 in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) with an impressive tally of 11.0 sacks. He also recorded 15.0 tackles for loss, placing him second in the MEAC and No. 20 in the nation.

In addition to his impressive sack and tackle for loss numbers, Williams contributed significantly in several other facets of the game, amassing 54 tackles (No. 14 in MEAC), with 32 being solo stops. His versatility was further highlighted by his ability to apply pressure on the quarterback, as evidenced by two QB hurries, and his knack for creating turnovers, including two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. To add to his contributions, he even showcased his athleticism by blocking a field goal against #20 North Carolina Central.

The Washington, D.C. product has etched his name into the annals of college football history, concluding his tenure at Morgan State with a remarkable legacy as the institution's all-time leader in both sacks and tackles for loss. With an impressive tally of 31 sacks and 52 tackles for loss, he not only distinguished himself as a formidable defensive presence but also set a benchmark for future generations of athletes at the university.

His remarkable contributions on the field have propelled him to a spot in the annals of the MEAC, where his career sack total ranks seventh all-time. Notably, he finds himself in close company with fellow Bear James Dozier, who holds the sixth position with his own impressive count of 31.5 sacks from 1987 to 1990.

ABOUT MORGAN

Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.