Pittman’s Pocket: 1st Team HBCU True Freshman All-Americans

Defensive Line (DL)

Joshua Jackson – Livingstone (Saint Michaels HS, Ruther Glen, VA) – 24 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 3 sacks, 5 QBH, 1 blocked kick. Quick, disruptive edge defender.

Jaylen Bell – Edward Waters (SFA Academy, Tampa, FL) – 66 tackles, 7 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 FR, 1 INT. High-motor interior DL, ball-hawk instincts.

Mathias Davis – Central State (Southfield A&T HS, Southfield, MI) – 48 tackles, 14 TFL, 10 sacks, 5 QBH. Explosive backfield disruptor.

Fernando Jeanty – Florida Memorial (North Miami Beach HS, North Miami, FL) – 59 tackles, 11.5 TFL, 5 sacks, 2 BRK. Active against run and pass.

Sidiq Cabaniss-Ali – NC A&T (Independence HS, Charlotte, NC) – 30 tackles, 3 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 QBH. Versatile backfield presence.

Caleb Gervais-Lynch – Elizabeth City State (Raleigh, NC) – 16 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 1 QBH. Promising penetration skills.

Jaylen Jarrett – Alabama State (Pike Road HS, Pike, AL) – 32 tackles, 3 TFL, 0.5 sack, 5 QBH, 1 blocked kick. Active, versatile DL.

Vaughn Highland – UAPB (Pennsville, NJ) – 38 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 0.5 sack, 1 FF, 1 QBH. Strong, consistent interior presence.

Bryce Gray – Tennessee State (Belleville, IL) – 25 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 sacks. Power-focused interior disruptor.

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Linebackers (LB)

Mathew Wilson – Tennessee State (Middleton HS, Tampa, FL) – 18 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks. Disruptive, versatile, and instinctive.

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Defensive Backs (DB)

Malachi Adkins – Livingstone (Clayton HS, Clayton, NC) – 31 tackles, 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 BRK, 1 blocked kick. Playmaker, versatile.

Ben Chandler – Howard (Bishop McNamara HS, Washington, D.C.) – 40 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 QBH, 2 BRK. Reliable in coverage and run support.

Curtis Bryant – Miles College (Miami, FL) – 27 tackles, 2 INT, 1 FR, 1 BRK. Ball-hawking presence.

Tyler Howard – NC A&T (Lincoln HS, Tallahassee, FL) – 33 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 FF, 2 INT. Playmaking DB.

Azayvonne Stribling – UAPB (Miles HS, Pine Bluff, AR) – 22 tackles, 1 TFL, 3 INT, 1 BRK, 1 FR. Turnover specialist.

Sean Worthy – Elizabeth City State (Wilmington, NC) – 20 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 2 INT, 4 BRK. Coverage and turnover threat.

Anthony Herbert – Delaware State – 40 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 1 FF, 1 BRK. Versatile and reliable.

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Offensive Line (OL)

Brian Williams Jr – Jackson State (Creekside HS, Atlanta, GA) – Anchor with size and leverage.

Elijah Walker – Alabama State (Mainland HS, Daytona, FL) – Started 8+ games as a freshman, strong and physical.

Veguer Jean-Jumean – Tennessee State (Hillsboro HS, Murfreesboro, TN) – Played 12 games, foundational lineman with length.

Noah Okoye – NC A&T (Archbishop Carroll HS, Bowie, MD) – Promising technique and size.

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Quarterbacks (QB)

Rahsaan Mathews Jr – Virginia State (Howard HS, Wilmington, DE) – 2,361 passing yards, 20 TD, 8 INT; 439 rushing yards, 3 TD. Dual-threat leader.

Hayden Benoit – Grambling State (Loreauville, LA) – 674 passing yards, 6 TD, 3 INT. Developing dual-threat QB.

Jared Lockhart – Jackson State (Porter Ridge HS, Charlotte, NC) – 1,187 passing yards, 8 TD. Poised and accurate.

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Running Backs (RB)

Chase Bingmon – Prairie View (Terrell HS, Terrell, TX) – 154 carries, 880 yards, 8 TD. Explosive, versatile back.

Khamani Robinson – Bethune-Cookman (Seminole HS, Sanford, FL) – 92 carries, 544 yards, 5 TD; 5 receptions, 44 yards. Dual-threat.

Grace Goldsmith – Hampton (Hamilton HS, Hamilton, OH) – 322 yards, 6 TD; 11 receptions, 69 yards, 1 TD. Reliable and versatile.

Ri’Jon Hammond – Virginia State (Newport News, VA) – 103 carries, 526 yards, 6 TD. Durable and explosive.

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Wide Receivers (WR) / Tight Ends (TE)

Antonio Hunter – Howard (Princeton HS, Cincinnati, OH) – 26 receptions, 290 yards, 211 PR yards. All-purpose playmaker.

Reginald Daniel – Johnson C. Smith (Charlotte, NC) – 18 receptions, 345 yards, 6 TD. Deep-threat specialist.

Ellis Stewart – UAPB (Cecila HS, Breaux Bridge, LA) – 29 receptions, 339 yards, 6 TD. Red-zone weapon.

Joe Griffin – Elizabeth City State (Durham, NC) – 12 receptions, 194 yards, 5 TD. Reliable TE with versatility.

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Conclusion

The 2025 HBCU freshman class features immediate contributors across every position, from disruptive defensive linemen and turnover-creating DBs to dual-threat QBs, explosive RBs, and big-play receivers. Many freshmen earned starting roles, showing readiness and impact potential, establishing themselves as the next wave of HBCU stars.