Football | 8/13/2025 9:30:00 AM

GREENSBORO – Aaron Harris and Korion Sharpe received additional good preseason news when they combined to secure two additional preseason honors for the North Carolina A&T football program.

In July, Sharpe, who has played most right guard during his career, captured preseason All-Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) recognition. BOXTOROW also delivered Sharpe a preseason honor when they named him a preseason HBCU All-American. Meanwhile, Harris made the 4th Annual Aeneas Williams Award Preseason Watch List.

Sharpe has played more than 1,600 snaps during his career. Sharpe enters the 2025 season as a four-year starter. Sharpe missed time in 2023. He returned strong during the 2024 season by starting all 12 games. He routinely grades out between 83-87 percent. At the end of the 2024 season, he was named honorable mention All-CAA. In 2022, he earned first-team All-Big South Conference accolades. 

In total, 15 programs are represented of the 31 selections. BOXTOROW has named All-America teams since 2007 based on voting by national media who cover HBCU football.

The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame recently released the Aeneas Williams list, with Harris included among the 15 Historically Black Colleges and or Universities defensive back honorees. A screening committee, in partnership with DraftHBCUPlayers and Paycom Jim Thorp, selects the preseason watch list. The list is not final.

Players having outstanding 2025 seasons could get added to the semifinalist and finalist lists as the season progresses.

Harris is one of the most dynamic players in HBCU football because he doubles as a fantastic kickoff returner. A year ago, he returned a kickoff and an interception for touchdowns. Harris made 30 tackles during the 2024 season, including two tackles for loss. He also had nine pass defenses last season.

In July, he was selected as a preseason honorable mention All-CAA as a returner. He was also an honorable mention All-CAA as a returner following the 2024 season. For his career, he has 17 passes defended, five interceptions and 65 tackles.

The Aeneas Williams Award is presented by the Chickasaw Nation and awarded to the best defensive back in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Division I college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character.

This award was established in 2022 and serves as the first of its kind in HBCU history in honor of its namesake, Southern University walk-on and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Aeneas Williams. The contribution of HBCUs to the landscape of college football and the NFL has forever left an impact on the game. HBCUs hold a rich athletic tradition, tied to the game of football, that continues to exemplify the culture of these schools for over the past century.

A&T opens the season in Nashville, Tenn. The Aggies face Tennessee State, Saturday, Aug. 30, from Nissan Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. EST at Nissan Stadium.

The official presentation of the Aeneas Williams Award takes place in Oklahoma City, in conjunction with the annual Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet. The current winner and former winners are invited each year to celebrate. Over 600 supporters attend this joint award banquet each year, including many celebrities and dignitaries.

 2025 Aeneas Williams Award Preseason Watch List
Diego Addison, Safety, South Carolina State, Jr.         
Herman Brister III, Safety, Southern, So.
Jadon Carter, Cornerback, Morgan State, Sr.   
Blake Davis, Cornerback, Grambling State, Sr.
Wayne Favors III, Cornerback, Delaware State, Jr.     
Aaron Harris, Cornerback, North Carolina A&T, Gr. Sr.           
Johnny Harris III, Cornerback, Bethune-Cookman, Sr.
Shamar Hawkins, Cornerback, Jackson State, Sr.       
Kahleef Jimmison, Safety, Norfolk State, Gr. Sr.          
Horacio Johnson, Safety, Southern, Gr. Sr.       
Keane Lewis, Safety, Alabama State, Sr.           
Twillie Lovette, Cornerback, Alabama State, Sr.           
Malcolm Reed, Cornerback, North Carolina Central, Jr.          
Jameel Sanders, Cornerback, Florida A&M, Sr.
Jarod Washington, Cornerback, South Carolina State, Sr.

Aeneas Williams Award Important Dates
Tue., Nov. 4: Semifinalists Announced at 11 a.m. CT/noon ET
Tue., Dec. 2: Finalists Announced at 11 a.m. CT/noon ET
Thurs., Dec. 11: Winner Announced at 11 a.m. CT/noon ET
Tue., Feb. 10, 2026: Aeneas Williams Award Banquet Honoring the 2025 Winner in Oklahoma City

The 2025 HBCU college football Preseason All-America team
OFFENSE
QB: Jacobian Morgan, Jackson State, Gr., Canton, Miss.
RB: Thad Franklin, Jr., Florida A&M, Gr., West Palm Beach, Fla.#
RB: Kevon King, Norfolk State, Sr., Chesapeake, Va.
RB: Jacorian Sewell, Alcorn State, Gr. Natchez, Miss.#
OL: Charles Davis, Florida A&M, r-Sr., Marianna, Fla.#
OL: Ashton Grable, Florida A&M, r-Jr., Gordon, Ga.
OL: Trevon Humphrey, North Carolina Central r-Jr. Greensboro, N.C.*
OL: Noah McKinney, North Carolina Central, Sr., Duncan, S.C.#
OL: Korion Sharpe, North Carolina A&T, Sr., Charlotte, N.C.#
OL: D'Andre Townes-Blue, Jackson State Sr. Willow Grove, Pa.*
TE: Marvin Landy, Jackson State, Gr., Lakeland, Fla.
WR: Brevin Caldwell, Johnson C. Smith, Sr., Charlotte, N.C.
WR: Nathan Rembert, Jackson State, Jr., Eustis, Fla.

DEFENSE
DL: Bryce Cage, Grambling State, r-Sr., Baton Rouge, La.
DL: Ckelby Givens, Southern, Sr., Shreveport, La.*
DL: Davion Westmoreland, Florida A&M, Gr., Griffin, Ga.
DL: Jeremiah Williams, Jackson State, r-Sr., Lexington, Miss.
LB: Stemarion Edwards, Alcorn State, Gr., Hollandale, Miss.
LB: Erick Hunter, Morgan State, Sr. Capitol Heights, Md.
LB: Max U'Ren, North Carolina Central, r-Sr., Winston-Salem, N.C.
DB: Camani Cobbs, Tennessee State, r-Soph., McDonough, Ga.#
DB: William Davis, Virginia Union, Jr. South Boston, Va.#
DB: TJ Huggins, Florida A&M , r-Sr., Miami, Fla.
DB: Michael King Jr. Tuskegee Sr. Tuskegee, Ala.#
DB: Keane Lewis Alabama State Sr. Miami, Fla.#
DB: Malcolm Reed, North Carolina Central, Sr., Raleigh, N.C.
DB: Jarod Washington, South Carolina State r-Sr. Fredericksburg, Va.*

SPECIALISTS
P: Gerardo Baeza, Jackson State, Gr., Boaz, Ala.
PK: Johnny Schifano, Grambling State, Gr., Arlington, Texas
PR: Travis Terrell Jackson State Soph. Atlanta, Ga.*
KR: Travis Terrell Jackson State Soph. Atlanta, Ga.*

*Tie
#2024 HBCU All-American