By: James Garcia, Sports Information Director
FUQUAY-VARINA, N.C. -- BOXTOROW, a nationally-syndicated radio program committed to the coverage of HBCU sports, released its annual HBCU college football All-America team on Monday afternoon. West Virginia State University's
Payton Lunsford (Hurricane, W.Va./Hurricane) was named an All-American linebacker in the yearly list of the nation's best HBCU college football players. BOXTOROW has named All-America teams since 2007 based on voting by national media who cover HBCU football.
Lunsford received All-American status after a 2021 season in which he earned the role of starting middle linebacker on the defense and made an instant impact. He was named First Team All-MEC after leading the conference in total tackles with 108 and solo tackles with 66 at year's end. He finished the season ranked 16th in NCAA Division II in total tackles and 10th in the nation in solo tackles.
2021 BOXTOROW HBCU college football All-America team
OFFENSE
QB: Aqeel Glass, Alabama A&M, Sr., St. Louis, Mo.
RB: Bishop Bonnett, Florida A&M, r-Sr., Jacksonville, Fla.
RB: Calil Wilkins, Bowie State, Sr., Temple Hills, Md.
OL: Keenan Forbes Florida A&M, Gr., Miami, Fla.
OL: Quindonte Bobo Bowie State, Jr., White Plains, Md.
OL: Johnathan Bishop, Southern, Sr., Birmingham, Ala.
OL: Robert Lacey, Tennessee State, Jr., Mobile, Ala.
OL: Matthew Derks, Delaware State, Gr., Brantford, Ontario
TE: Kemari Averett, Bethune-Cookman, Sr., Atlanta, Ga.
WR: Abdul-Fatai Ibrahim, Alabama A&M, Jr., Miramar, Fla.
WR: Odieu Hilaire, Alabama A&M, Jr., Belle Glade, Fla.
DEFENSE
DL: James Houston, Jackson State, Sr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
DL: Jason Dumas, Prairie View A&M, Sr., Vacherie, La.
DL: Antwan Owens, Jackson State, Sr., Tallahassee, Fla.
DL: Jonathan Ross, Bowie State, r-Soph., Waldorf, Md.
LB: Isaiah Land, Florida A&M, r-Jr., Buffalo, N.Y.
LB: Aubrey Miller, Jr., Jackson State, Sr., Memphis, Tenn.
LB: Payton Lunsford, West Virginia State, r-Jr., Hurricane, W. Va.
DB: Markquese Bell, Florida A&M, r-Sr., Bridgeton, N.J.
DB: Decobie Durant, South Carolina State, r-Sr., Lamar, S.C.
DB: BJ Bohler, Florida A&M, r-Jr., Ocoee, Fla.
DB: Drake Cheatum, Prairie View A&M, Sr., Mesquite, Texas *
DB: Joshua Williams, Fayetteville State, Sr., Fayetteville, N.C. *
SPECIALISTS
P: Matt Noll, Delaware State, Fr., Robesonia, Pa.
PK: Jose Romo-Martinez, Florida A&M, Gr., Banning, Calif.
PR: Brandon Codrington, North Carolina Central, Soph., Raleigh, N.C.
KR: Isaiah Bolden, Jackson State, Jr., Tampa, Fla.
RS: Imeek Watkins, Chowan, Sr., Wilmington, N.C.
Honorable Mention
QB: Juwan Carter, Norfolk State
RB: Brett Sylve, Kentucky State; Gary Quarles, Alabama A&M
OL: Colby Byrd, Norfolk State; Mark Evans, II, Arkansas-Pine Bluff; Miquail Harvey, Albany State; David Keck, Chowan; Jalen Powell, Norfolk State; Justin Redd, Norfolk State
TE: Anthony Williams, Norfolk State
WR: Trey Gross, Delaware State; Charles Hall, Virginia Union
DL: De'Shaan Dixon, Norfolk State; Jamal Holloway, Central State; Jeblonski Green, South Carolina State; Keyshawn James, Fayetteville State
LB: BJ Davis, South Carolina State; Chad Gilchrist, South Carolina State; Devon Hunt, Shaw; Untareo Johnson, Bethune-Cookman
DB: Omari Hill-Robinson, Bethune-Cookman; Brandon Barnes-Brown, Fayetteville State; Armani Maddox, Morehouse
P: Josh Sanchez, Arkansas-Pine Bluff; Jonatan Ward, Kentucky State
K: Adrian Olivo, North Carolina Central
RS: Imeek Watkins, Chowan
*Tie
