TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida A&M senior cornerback Jameel Sanders has been named to the 2025 Aeneas Williams Award Preseason Watch List, placing him among the nation's top defensive backs in HBCU Division I football.

The award, presented by the Chickasaw Nation and administered by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, honors the best defensive back in HBCU football based on on-field performance, athletic ability, and character. It is named after Pro Football Hall of Famer Aeneas Williams, a Southern University walk-on who became one of the NFL's all-time greats.

Sanders' recognition comes after a standout 2024 season in which he emerged as one of the Rattlers' most reliable defenders. Known for his tight coverage, quick instincts, and ability to make plays in critical moments, Sanders was a key part of a Florida A&M secondary that consistently ranked among the best in the SWAC.

The Aeneas Williams Award is entering its fourth year and has quickly become one of the most prestigious honors in HBCU football. The preseason watch list includes only 15 players nationwide, highlighting Sanders' impact and national respect among his peers.

Important dates for the award include the announcement of semifinalists on Nov. 4, finalists on Dec. 2, and the winner on Dec. 11. The award will be officially presented at the Aeneas Williams Award Banquet in Oklahoma City on Feb. 10, 2026, in conjunction with the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet.

For Sanders, this preseason nod is both a personal honor and a reflection of Florida A&M's continued tradition of producing elite defensive talent. If his senior season matches the level of play he's shown throughout his career, he could very well find himself in Oklahoma City accepting the trophy.