OKLAHOMA CITY | Jackson State defensive back Kam Sallis was named a semifinalist for the Aeneas Williams Award presented by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame on Tuesday morning.

This list includes ten of the nation's best defensive backs in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Division I college football. The semifinalists are selected by a screening committee in partnership with DraftHBCUPlayers and the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, based on performance on the field, athletic ability, and character. This list is not final, and unlisted players who continually have outstanding performances as the season progresses may be recognized as one of the three finalists.

This season, Sallis is third on the team in tackles with 31, including 15 solo stops. He has recorded 0.5 tackles for loss, an interception, and a pass breakup for Jackson State (6-2, 3-2 SWAC) through the first eight games this season.

The list includes Justin Bostic (Florida A&M), Herman Brister III (Southern), Keon Handley Jr. (Alabama A&M), Michael Henderson (Arkansas-Pine Bluff), Jalen LaBranche (Tennessee State), Naim Lassiter (Bethune-Cookman), Sallis, Amari Sifford (North Carolina Central), Ta'Shaun Sims (Alabama State), and Eric Zachery (Prairie View A&M).

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 an incredibly rich athletic tradition, tied to the game of football, that continues to exemplify the culture of these schools for over the past century.

Follow Jackson State Athletics
For complete coverage of Jackson State athletics, follow the Tigers on social media at @GoJSUTigers (Instagram and Twitter), Jackson State Tigers (Facebook), or visit the official home of Jackson State athletics at GoJSUTigers.com.