HAMPTON, Va. (July 28, 2025) … Hampton University running back Ja'Quan Snipes is among 20 named to the Watch List for the Stats Perform HBCU National Player of the Year Award. The award will honor the outstanding player from the 21 HBCU programs of the Division I subdivision in the CAA Football, Mid-Eastern Athletic, Southwestern Athletic, and OVC-Big South conferences.
 
Snipes overcame devastating injuries to become Hampton's lead running back last season. Highly-recruited out of high school, he suffered a pair of arm injuries, one requiring insertion of a 12-inch metal rod. Last year when injuries thinned Hampton's running backs corps, Snipes emerged and rushed for a team-best 531 yards and six touchdowns while starting just five games for the Pirates.
 
All positions are eligible for the award, and it was reflected in last season's 10 finalists: two running backs, two defensive backs, a linebacker, an offensive lineman, two defensive linemen and two quarterbacks.
 
A national panel involving HBCU/FCS coverage will select the award winner after the regular season. The recipient will be announced on Dec. 8, then honored at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Presentation on Jan. 3, 2026 in Nashville Tennessee.
 
In addition to the HBCU National Player of the Award, Stats Perform will present the Walter Payton Award (FCS Offensive Player of the Year), Buck Buchanan Award (FCS Defensive Player of the Year), Jerry Rice Award (FCS Freshman Player of the Year), Eddie Robinson Award (FCS Coach of the Year) and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award this season.