Ten defensive backs remain in the running for the title of best in HBCU Division I football. The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame released the semifinalist list for the 2026 Aeneas Williams Award on Tuesday, and the group spans eight SWAC programs, NC Central and Tennessee State.
A screening committee picked the semifinalists in partnership with DraftHBCUPlayers and the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award. Players are judged on on-field performance, athletic ability, and character. The list is not locked in, either. A player left off can still play his way into one of the three finalist spots with strong performances the rest of the way. The Chickasaw Athletic Award will name finalists later in the regular season.
The Chickasaw Nation presents the award, established in 2022 as the first of its kind in HBCU history. It is named for Aeneas Williams, who walked on at Southern University and later entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The 10 semifinalists by the numbers
- Justin Bostic, Florida A&M: 32 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions (9 games)
- Herman Brister III, Southern: 34 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions (9 games)
- Keon Handley Jr., Alabama A&M: 12 tackles, 1 sack (9 games)
- Michael Henderson, Arkansas-Pine Bluff: 27 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception (8 games)
- Jalen LaBranche, Tennessee State: 24 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery (9 games)
- Naim Lassiter, Bethune-Cookman: 50 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sack (9 games)
- Kam Sallis, Jackson State: 27 tackles, 1 interception (8 games)
- Amari Sifford, NC Central: 14 tackles, 4 interceptions (9 games)
- Ta’Shaun Sims, Alabama State: 33 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery (8 games)
- Eric Zachery, Prairie View A&M: 32 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sack (9 games)
Full stats are on the 2026 football season dashboard.
Meet the semifinalists
Justin Bostic, Florida A&M
Bostic, a junior defensive back, has been one of the most opportunistic players in the HBCU ranks. His 3 interceptions are tied for the third-highest total among Division I HBCU players. He has added 32 tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss across nine games for the Rattlers, who are 2-7.
Herman Brister III, Southern
Brister brings a fitting connection to the award, playing safety at the same school where Aeneas Williams began his career as a walk-on. The junior has 34 tackles, 2 tackles for loss and 2 interceptions in nine games for the Jaguars, who are 4-5.
Keon Handley Jr., Alabama A&M
Handley, a graduate defensive back, plays for one of the winningest teams on this list. Alabama A&M is 7-2. Handley has 12 tackles and a sack through nine games.
Michael Henderson, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Henderson, a junior defensive back, has 27 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss and an interception in eight games. The Golden Lions are 5-3.
Jalen LaBranche, Tennessee State
LaBranche, a sophomore cornerback, is one of two semifinalists from outside the SWAC. He has 24 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, an interception and a fumble recovery in nine games for the Tigers, who are 2-7.
Naim Lassiter, Bethune-Cookman
No semifinalist has made more stops than Lassiter. The senior safety has 50 tackles, 16 more than anyone else on the list, along with 1.5 tackles for loss and half a sack. Bethune-Cookman is 5-4.
Kam Sallis, Jackson State
Sallis, a senior defensive back, has 27 tackles and an interception in eight games. He plays on one of the best teams in the group, as Jackson State is 6-2.
Amari Sifford, NC Central
Sifford is the only freshman among the semifinalists, and he has made a fast impression. His 4 interceptions tie Bethune-Cookman’s Jaden Davis for the most among Division I HBCU players. He also has 14 tackles in nine games for the Eagles, who are 4-5. Sifford is the lone MEAC player on the list.
Ta’Shaun Sims, Alabama State
Sims has done a little of everything. The junior safety has 33 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, an interception and a fumble recovery in eight games. The Hornets are 4-4.
Eric Zachery, Prairie View A&M
Zachery, a junior defensive back, has been active near the line of scrimmage. He has 32 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and half a sack in nine games for the Panthers, who are 4-5.
