OKLAHOMA CITY (December 2, 2025) – The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) and Jim Thorpe Association uncovered its finalists for the 2025 Aeneas Williams Award, presented by the Chickasaw Nation, where Howard University redshirt freshman defensive back Zuri Watson (St. Petersburg, Fla.) was among the three nominees. The announcement came Tuesday.
 
On the season, the All-MEAC Second Team recipient finished with 34 total tackles (25 solos), including two tackles for loss, eight pass breakups and an INT.
 
In 2023, Kenny Gallop Jr. (Portsmouth, Va.) became the first Bison in program history to win the illustrious award after taking home MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Defensive Player of the Year.
 
The other two finalists are Bethune-Cookman redshirt senior Johnny Harris III and South Carolina State senior Jarod Washington.
 
This list includes the nation's three best defensive backs in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Division I football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character.
 
The award recipient is selected from the three finalists by a nationwide selection committee, boasting selective members of the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, former Aeneas Williams Award recipients, HBCU sportswriters and HBCU college football journalists throughout the country.
 
The winner will be announced Friday (Dec. 11) at noon (ET) and the official presentation of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award and Aeneas Williams Award takes place in Oklahoma City. The current winner and all former winners of each award are invited each year to celebrate. Over 600 supporters attend the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet each year, including many celebrities and dignitaries.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com or the Aeneas Williams Award website at www.oklahomasportshalloffame.org.