Naim Lassiter, a redshirt senior cornerback for Bethune‑Cookman University, has been named to the 2026 Aeneas Williams Award Preseason Watch List, a honor that spotlights the premier defensive backs in HBCU Division I football.
Award heritage and purpose
Established in 2022, the Aeneas Williams Award celebrates defensive excellence while paying tribute to the Pro Football Hall of Famer who starred at Southern University before a 14‑year NFL career marked by eight Pro Bowl selections and four All‑Pro honors.
Selection and scope
The watch list, curated by a committee in partnership with DraftHBCUPlayers and the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, includes 16 defensive backs from across the HBCU landscape, reflecting a blend of on‑field production, athletic ability and character.
Lassiter’s 2025 season featured 56 tackles, a tackle for loss, an interception, three pass breakups, a quarterback hurry, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries, underscoring his impact on the Wildcats’ secondary.
Looking ahead
Semifinalists and finalists will be revealed later in 2026, with the award recipient to be announced on Dec. 10, 2026, and honored in Oklahoma City on Feb. 9, 2027. The preseason list remains fluid, allowing emerging performances to shape the final slate.