ATLANTA, Ga. | The Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) announced the 2026 Watch List for the Black College Football Player of the Year Award, with four players from Jackson State making the list.

The Award is presented annually to the most outstanding football player from a Historically Black College & University. Jackson State was represented by a pair of wide receivers Nate Rembert and Jonas Fortilien, offensive lineman Quaveon Davis, and defensive back Kam Sallis.

Rembert played in 12 games with 11 starts last season, recording a team-high 45 receptions for 750 yards. He averaged 16.7 yards per reception, scored seven touchdowns, and averaged 62.5 yards per game. He also ran the ball six times for 74 yards, averaged 12.3 yards per carry, and scored one rushing touchdown while also returning five kicks (four punts and one kickoff). He caught a season-high six passes twice against Mississippi Valley State and Alcorn State, caught five passes against Southern, while catching four against Hampton and Prairie View A&M. He recorded a season-high 100 yards receiving against Alcorn State and 97 yards receiving against Mississippi Valley State. He hauled in two touchdowns against Mississippi Valley State and ran for a season-high 40 yards and a touchdown against Florida A&M.  

Meanwhile, Fortilien played in just two games last season before suffering a season-ending injury. He finished last season recording five receptions for 43 yards in those two games. In 2024, Fortilien played in 13 games, recorded 37 receptions for 565 yards, and recorded a team-high 11 touchdowns. He also recorded a season-long 70-yard reception and recorded a reception in each of the 13 games. He recorded three or more receptions eight times, and recorded a season-high six receptions against Alabama A&M for 83 yards and a pair of touchdowns

Davis played on an offensive line that helped pave the way for three running backs to go over 500 yards rushing, including a 1,000-yard rusher. He helped lead an offense that finished the regular season ranked second in rushing offense, second in fourth down conversion percentage, fourth in total offense, fifth in third down conversion percentage, 11th in first down offense, 13th in sacks allowed, and 18th in scoring offense nationally. The senior averaged a grade of 88 percent, while recording 27 pancakes/knockdowns and allowing just 1.5 sacks. 

Meanwhile, Sallis played in 11 games, starting all 11 at defensive back in 2025. He recorded 53 tackles, including 27 solo stops, finished with two interceptions and two pass breakups while also forcing a pair of fumbles. He recorded a career-high 12 tackles against Prairie View A&M, including a career-high eight solo tackles in the same game. He also recorded seven tackles against Southern Miss and recorded a tackle in all 11 games played. Sallis was named an Aeneas Williams Award Semifinalist and was named Second-Team All-Conference at the conclusion of last season.

Jackson State opens the season on the road against Tennessee State on Aug. 29.

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About Deacon Jones
David "Deacon" Jones played defensive end for South Carolina State University and Mississippi Valley State University from 1958 to 1960. Blessed with speed, agility, and quickness, the "Deacon" became one of the finest pass rushers in the business. He won unanimous All-NFL honors six straight years from 1965 through 1970 and was selected to eight Pro Bowls. Jones is an inaugural Black College Football Hall of Fame inductee (2010) and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

About the Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl
The Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl, presented by the Black College Football Hall of Fame, is a postseason all-star game that showcases the top 100 NFL draft-eligible football players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The game will be played on Saturday, February 27, 2027 (Atlanta, Georgia) and broadcast live on NFL Network. More than a football game, the week-long celebration of Black culture and history provides invaluable exposure for HBCU students, and includes the largest HBCU Career Fair in the country.

Follow at www.HBCULegacyBowl.com and on social media via @HBCULegacyBowl.

About the Black College Football Hall of Fame
The Black College Football Hall of Fame, a non-profit, tax-exempt organization located at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, was founded in 2009 by African American pioneers, quarterbacks James Harris and Doug Williams, to preserve the history and honor the greatest football players, coaches and contributors from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. There are 130 Inductees, including Mel Blount, James Harris, Willie Lanier, Art Shell and Doug Williams, who serve as Trustees. The Black College Football Hall of Fame has awarded over $500,000 in direct support to HBCUs and HBCU scholarships since inception. Other major initiatives include the Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl, the Ozzie Newsome GM & Quarterback Summit (in partnership with the NFL), as well as the Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic (in partnership with the Pro Football Hall of Fame).