The preseason accolades keep coming for Alabama State football’s secondary after cornerback Twillie Lovette and safety Keane Lewis were named to the 4th Annual Aeneas Williams Award preseason watchlist on Wednesday.
The list includes 15 of the nation’s best defensive backs in HBCU’s Division I football and is selected by a screening committee in partnership with DraftHBCUPlayers and the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award.
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The list is not final because players who have outstanding performances during the season can be added to semifinalists and finalists lists as the year progresses.
This award was established in 2022 and serves as the first of its kind in HBCU history in honor of its namesake, Southern University walk-on and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Aeneas Williams.
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Alabama State Hornets cornerback Twillie Lovette (4) and safety Keane Lewis (23) celebrate Lewis’ scoop and score touchdown against Mississippi Valley State during their game on the ASU campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday October 12, 2024.
James Burgess Jr. became the first Alabama State and SWAC player to win the award in 2025.
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Lewis, who has been named to the All-SWAC preseason first team defense and the HBCU’s All-America team, adds another preseason watchlist to his name with the announcement. In 12 games last season, Lewis recorded 40 tackles including 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack. Lewis finished second on the team in interceptions with two while recovering two fumbles.
Lewis was named to the second team All-SWAC defense.
Lovette played in nine games for the Hornets in 2024, recording 15 tackles and one pass breakup and is expected to be a starter in 2025, filling the hole that Burgess left.
At 11 a.m. CT on Nov. 4, semifinalists will be announced while finalists will be announced at 11 a.m. Dec. 2 and the winner at 11 a.m. on Dec. 11. The award banquet will be Feb. 10 in Oklahoma City.
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For more information about the Aeneas Williams Award please visit: www.oklahomasportshalloffame.org.
2025 Aeneas Williams Award preseason watch list
Keane Lewis, Safety, Alabama State, Sr.Twillie Lovette, Cornerback, Alabama State, Sr.Diego Addison, Safety, South Carolina State, Jr.Herman Brister III, Safety, Southern, So.Jadon Carter, Cornerback, Morgan State, Sr.Blake Davis, Cornerback, Grambling State, Sr.Wayne Favors III, Cornerback, Delaware State, Jr.Aaron Harris, Cornerback, North Carolina A&T, Gr. Sr.Johnny Harris III, Cornerback, Bethune-Cookman, Sr.Shamar Hawkins, Cornerback, Jackson State, Sr.Kahleef Jimmison, Safety, Norfolk State, Gr. Sr.Horacio Johnson, Safety, Southern, Gr. Sr.Malcolm Reed, Cornerback, North Carolina Central, Jr.Jameel Sanders, Cornerback, Florida A&M, Sr.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Lewis and Lovette earn a spot on 2025 Aeneas Williams Award watchlist
