OKLAHOMA CITY (August 7, 2024) – The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) uncovered its third annual Aeneas Williams Award Preseason Watch List where Howard University saw a pair of Bison on the list. The announcement came Wednesday afternoon.
 
Graduate Kenny Gallop Jr. (Portsmouth, Va.) and fifth-year senior Carson Hinton (Detroit) were acknowledged as among the nation's best defensive backs in HBCU Division I college football. In 2023, the Bison duo helped HU top the FCS in pass defense, allowing only 129.1 pass yards per game during the regular season.
 
This offseason, Gallop, the 2023 Aeneas Williams Award winner, has been selected to four Preseason All-America Teams while being named to the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 list. A year ago, the Virginia native produced 65 total tackles (42 solos) with six tackles for loss, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and two quarterback hurries.
 
Hinton, a 2023 All-MEAC Second Team selection, also has received multiple preseason accolades, including Phil Steele Preseason All-Conference Team. Last season, the Detroit product played in all 12 games while registering 50 total tackles (36 solos), including 4.5 tackles for loss, and two pass deflections.
 
The preseason watch list is selected by a screening committee and in partnership with the organization DraftHBCUPlayers and the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award. This list is not final and players who have outstanding seasons may be added to the semifinalists and finalists lists as the season progresses.
 
Howard opens the 2024 campaign at Rutgers Thursday (Aug. 29), live on the Big Ten Network. Kickoff at 6 p.m., inside SHI Stadium.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com or the Aeneas Williams Award website at www.oklahomasportshalloffame.org.