BALTIMORE, Md. (Nov. 26, 2024) — Morgan State football running back Jason Collins Jr. was named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year, announced today by the conference.
Senior defensive end Elijah Williams was selected to the All-MEAC First Team, along with sophomore return specialist Malique Leatherbury and senior defensive back Carlvainsky Decius. Sophomore defensive back Ja'son Prevard were named to the Second Team.
Collins came on strong in his first season on the field for the Bears, eventually leading the backfield with 634 rushing yards this season. His 5.6 yards on the ground ranked 8th among all freshman in the country this season.
Collins made his collegiate debut in the season-opener against Hampton, running seven times for 55 yards while scoring on a 41-yard run for his first collegiate touchdown.
The Washington, D.C. native broke out against Delaware State with a 24-carries for a career-high 152-yard effort, including a TD on the road against the Hornets. He is just the third Morgan freshman since at least 2013 to eclipse 100 yards on the ground in a game.
Collins went on to make his first career start when the Bears played in a drama-filled game against Norfolk State, amassing 44 yards on 15 carries, including a touchdown in Morgan's 38-37 overtime win at Hughes Stadium.
Collins' recognition as the MEAC Rookie of the Year marks a significant milestone in the conference's history, ending a lengthy 21-year drought since the last time a player captured this award. The distinction brings to mind the impressive legacy of Bear quarterback Bradshaw "The Big Show" Littlejohn, who dazzled fans with his talent and charisma back in 2002.
Williams, a Buck Buchanan Award finalist, has been a leading force on one of the nation's best defenses. He finished the regular season ranked No. 7 in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) with an impressive tally of 11.0 sacks. He also recorded 15.0 tackles for loss, placing him second in the MEAC and No. 20 in the nation. In addition to his impressive sack and tackle for loss numbers, Williams contributed significantly in several other facets of the game, amassing 54 tackles (No. 14 in MEAC), with 32 being solo stops.
Leatherbury finished as one of the top return specialists in the nation, completing the 2024 season averaging 17.9 yards per punt return (No. 2 in FCS). He helped spark the Bears to close the gap when he returned a punt 63-yards during Morgan's come-from-behind overtime thrilling win against Norfolk State on Nov. 2.
Decius continued to be a playmaker for the Morgan defense as one of the best corners in the league. He started in every game (12) and his season totals include 43 tackles (27 solo), 6 pass breakups (No. 2 in MEAC), 3.0 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble and fumble recovery. Decius also recorded three picks for a Bears defense which currently stands tall as the nation's 14th-best unit in terms of passing yards allowed, limiting teams to an average of just 170.8 yards per game.
Prevard had another solid campaign as one of the conference's premier cornerbacks. The sophomore finished with 19 total tackles, five pass breakups and an interception. He also had a fumble recovery and a tackle for loss.
Morgan was picked to finish third (3rd) in the MEAC preseason head football coaches and sports information directors, and with a 3-2 record in league play, the Bears firmly secured their spot in third place—just as predicted. Morgan wrapped up the 2024 season in style, finishing with a 6-6 record—marking the most wins for the program since their 7-6 season in 2014, during which they earned the title of MEAC Co-Champions.
For full 2024 All-MEAC Team click here.
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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.
