HAMPTON, VA- Hampton football's senior wide receiver Jadakis Bonds and sophomore running back Elijah Burris were named to the Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) 2022 Watch List announced today.

The Bonds and Burris dynamic duo are expected to be a force to reckon with for the Hampton offensive unit this season.

Bonds has already etched his name in the Hampton football history books when he captured the single-season record and all-time record for touchdown receptions. As a sophomore Bonds recorded 943 yards on 70 receptions, highlighted by a Hampton high of 15 touchdown catches. Bonds left his mark on the Hampton era of Big South football last season earning first-team all conference honors after amassing 773 yards on 54 receptions. Bonds has been named to a handful of preseason watch list and honors in anticipation of his senior season.

Burris had an explosive rookie season last year earning him the Big South Offensive Freshman Player of the Year honor. The Gastonia, NC native led the Pirates in rushing yards with 640 yards on 139 attempts.

The Award is presented annually to the most outstanding football player from a Historically Black College & University. 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; and former Alabama A&M QB Aqeel Glass was the recipient of the Spring 2021 and 2021 Fall award.  

Four finalists will be unveiled after the season. The winner of the Black College Football Player of the Year Award, which will be announced during halftime of the 2023 HBCU Legacy Bowl and will be honored with the Deacon Jones Trophy. The HBCU Legacy Bowl takes place on Saturday, February 25, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The game will be broadcast live on NFL Network.  

"Black College Football has outstanding talent, as evidenced by the Inaugural HBCU Legacy Bowl," said Super Bowl XXII MVP and BCFHOF co-founder Doug Williams. 

"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." 

The Watch List candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential. Additions to the list may be made as the 2022 season progresses. The finalists and the winner will be chosen by a Selection Committee. 

2022 Black College Football Player of the Year Award Watch List 

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 25, 2023 (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 Founding Partners for the HBCU Legacy Bowl include the National Football League, adidas, Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and his 15 and the Mahomies Foundation, Coca-Cola, Coors Light, New Orleans Saints, Riddell, State Farm, Sugar Bowl, Tulane University, Zebra Technologies, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

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 over 100 Inductees since inception, including Mel Blount, James Harris, Willie Lanier, Art Shell and Doug Williams, who serve as Trustees.For more information about Hampton University athletics, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5757 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com