Virginia Union University’s Jada Byers became the first player in history to earn the Willie Lanier Award twice in a college career on Friday, December 13.
Byers, who also won the award in 2022, finished the 2024 season with 2,061 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns. The senior from Bridgeton, N.J., finished his career with a school-record 6,080 yards and 77 rushing touchdowns.
The Willie Lanier Award is given to the top football player in the state of Virginia at the D-II, D-III and NAIA level by the Touchdown Club of Richmond.
“I just want to give thanks to the man above for allowing me an opportunity to showcase my talent,” Byers said. “I also want to give a shout out to my mom, my dad and my two kids who motivated me. Everything went right for us this year, and (VUU Head Football Coach Alvin Parker) put us in place to showcase out talent on both offense and defense. The community really had our back and was always there to cheer us on every day of the week and every step of the way.”
Byers led the Panthers to a 10-4 record as the Panthers notched the first two wins in VUU’s history in the NCAA Division II Football Playoffs.
“We wanted, of course, to win the national championship,” said Byers. “That was our goal from day one, even before we started summer workouts and winter workouts. What we did this was something no other Union team has done. That one loss (to Valdosta State) doesn’t define who we are. We one two games in the playoffs, back-to-back, something no other team has done, so we were glad to be there.”
Source: Virginia Union University Athletics/vuusports.com