After watching a lot of HBCU football over the last six weeks, I give you my annual top five best players at the midway point. Generally as is the case and this year being no different, these five players don’t mirror my top 5 players to watch coming into the season. There are easily two or three players that didn’t make the list that should have. Let me know your thoughts on Twitter.

T-1 Jah’Maine Martin, North Carolina A&T, Running Back, Redshirt-Junior, Conway, S.C.
Aggie fans and the MEAC knew that Martin could play. He shared time with running back Marquell Cartwright last year who rushed for over 1,000 yards. Martin rushed for 656 yards, averaged 6.7 yards per carry and seven touchdowns last year. This year, Cartwright leads FCS in rushing yards per game (148.4) is second amongst HBCU running backs in rushing yards (742) has rushed for 11 touchdowns and all of that In five games. He rushed for a 66-yard touchdown against Duke, and 84-yard and 76-yard touchdown against Charleston Southern, four touchdowns against Delaware State, and 67-yard and 68-yard touchdowns run against Norfolk State. Martin is sort of a mix between former A&T star, now Chicago Bears running back Tarik Cohen with tremendous speed and Cartwright who had power. He is on track rush for over 1,000 yards which would make the seventh straight season A&T would have a back rush for over 1,000 yards. Martin has had a 299-yard rushing game (Charleston Southern) and a 199-yard rushing game (Norfolk State).

T-1 Chris Rowland, Tennessee State, Wide Receiver/Return Specialist, Senior, Nolensville, Tenn.
Rowland has been the offensive star of the OVC. He leads FCS in all-purpose yards (206.8), receptions (56), receiving yards (875), is averaging 15.6 yards per reception and has caught five touchdown passes. He has also lined up in the backfield, rushing for 108 yards, 7.7 yards per carry and has scored a touchdown. Rowland has returned five punts for 83 yards and is averaging 35 yards per kick return with one touchdown.

3. Prairie View A&M Running Back Dawonya Tucker, Sr., Terrell, Texas
Tucker came into 2019 with a chip on his should to prove that he is the best running back in the SWAC. So far he has done that. He has 81 carries for 662 yards and seven rushing touchdowns. In the opening game of the season for Texas Southern, he rushed for 188 yards and three touchdowns. Against Grambling, he rushed for 263 yards and two touchdowns. Tucker leads the SWAC in rushing yards and yards per carry (8.2).

4. Aqeel Glass, Alabama A&M, Quarterback, Junior, St. Louis, Mo.
Glass leads the SWAC in passing yards (1,837), passing touchdowns (18), completion percentage (67%) and is averaging 306.2 yards passing per game. Glass has passed for over 300 yards in four of his six games, including 377 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions against Texas Southern.

5. Emanuel Wilson, Johnson C. Smith, Running Back, Sophomore, Roanoke, Va.
Wilson has been a pleasant surprise for the Golden Bulls this season. He has rushed for at least 100 yards in the last four games. He rushed for 265 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries against Benedict. Wilson leads all HBCU players in rushing yards (749), is averaging 8.2 yards per carry, has rushed for seven touchdowns, and is averaging 150 yards rushing per game.