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NCCU Football has three players selected as All-Americans

Lawrence Davis III @LawDavis13 @SpecMagSports

DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University quarterback Davius Richard, offensive lineman Torricelli Simpkins III, and defensive back/specialist Brandon Codrington were all named to the 2023 Stats Perform FCS All-America Third Team, presented by FedEx Ground, on Tuesday, Dec. 19.

 

The trio helped lead the Eagles to a nine-win season and NCCU’s first selection into the FCS playoffs. Richard, Simpkins and Codrington were all tabbed to the 2023 HBCU College Football All-America Team presented by BOXTOROW one week earlier.

 

Davius Richard (QB, Sr., 6-3, 215, Belle Glade, Fla.) anchored the Eagles’ offense as NCCU reached new heights in the FCS rankings, climbing as high as No. 7 nationally. He was named the MEAC Offensive Player of the Year for a second straight season.

 

Richard finished the season leading the MEAC in total offense while ranking highly in numerous FCS statistical national rankings including total offense (313.0 total y/g – #3 FCS), scoring (18.0 ppg – #2 FCS), passing touchdowns (14), rushing touchdowns (18 – #6 FCS), completions per game (16.0 – #6 FCS), completion percentage (59.3%). He is a five-time selection as MEAC Offensive Player of the Week in 2023.

 

Richard, who was a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy®, finished the season with a conference-best 2,177 passing yards and 21 touchdown passes. He connected on 166 of 273 passes in 11 games and finished with a school-record completion percentage of 60.8 percent. He also led NC Central in rushing touchdowns with 18, breaking the school’s single-season record. Richard is only the second player in NC Central history to amass more than 10,000 yards of total offense. Has accounted for 117 career touchdowns (73 passing, 44 rushing), breaking the school record.

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NCCU quarterback Davius Richard (11) prepares to take a snap from center Torricelli Simpkins III (76). (Credit: Lawrence Davis III / Spectacular Magazine)

Torricelli Simpkins III (OL, Jr., 6-5, 320, Charlotte, N.C.) was selected the MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Year for an NCCU offense that led the MEAC in every team statistical category and ranked in the top-20 of the FCS in both scoring (27.0 PPG – #12 FCS) and total offense (330.0 y/g – #17 FCS).

 

Simpkins led a high-powered offense in pancake blocks and an offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks in the league. The center barely committed any penalties this season and Simpkins was tabbed MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week three times in 2023.

 

Brandon Codrington (DB, Sr., 5-9, 185, Raleigh, N.C.) earned his way onto the All-American list as the top return specialist in the MEAC. Codrington averaged 19.64 yards on 14 punt returns, including an 85-yard punt return against Howard University. The versatile specialist returned 20 kickoffs for an average of 17.90 yards, including a season-best 31-yard kickoff return also against the Bison.

 

Codrington, who totaled 25 tackles and five breakups as a defensive back, returned two punts for touchdowns. The four-time All-MEAC honoree had two punt returns over 80 yards this season, which ranks as the fourth and fifth longest in program history. Codrington was named MEAC Specialist of the Week once this season.