The Quarter Phi Back Awards created by The MENT.O.R.S. Foundation, Inc. (Jacksonville, FL) released its inaugural “watch list” of quarterbacks for the 2022 season. The organization will monitor and track the performances of quarterbacks in four different levels to determine which player will be nominated for the Annual BIP Memorial Trophy. Originally set to recognize the most outstanding quarterback from a HBCU, it will now include the top Black quarterback in high school to receive the award at the interscholastic levels throughout the United States.
The levels will include High School, HBCU (Historical Black Colleges and Universities), College Freshmen (Division 1 & 2), and Upperclassmen (Division 1&2). The Quarter Phi Back Advisory Council will review all nominees and make the selections for this year’s winners. Additional awards will also include the Ring of Honor and Distinguished Honoree for nominees.
The “watch list” will be updated and released bi-weekly, which allows for performances and statistics to be compiled with a more significant focus by council members. There are 46 players on the inaugural watch list of high school players; however, there will be other names added to a complete list of all players from around the country during the 2022 season.
“After researching and preparing the list of players who comprise the total contingency of quarterbacks in high schools, we just feel it was important to have a high school version of the award. With the award being named after former all-state performer Oliver Joyce, it makes sense and helps provide a stronger platform to honor these young men.” said organization and awards founder W. Earl Kitchings. “We anticipate the inclusion and honoring of high school players to spark a lot of enthusiasm about the event.”
The Annual “Quarter Phi Back” Awards event and release of the Class of 2022 is projected to be held in Orlando, Florida in February of 2023.
The MENT.O.R.S. Foundation, Inc. (Jacksonville, FL) is a non-profit 501c3 organization that established the “Quarter Phi Back”, organization and awards event to preserve the legacies of Black quarterbacks and recognize the accomplishments of past and current Black quarterbacks who have played American football since 1900.
- Earl Kitchings, founder, and chairman of “The MENT.O.R.S. Foundation” said, “the history of the hundreds of Black football players who have played the position of quarterback must be recognized because of the significant value their contributions have made to this great sport of American football for over a century.”
2022 WATCH LIST FOR HIGH SCHOOL
NAME HIGH SCHOOL / STATE
Malachi Nelson, Los Alamtos HS / CA
Nicholaus Iameleava, Poly-Tech HS / Long Beach, CA
Dante Moore, Martin Luther King HS / MI
Jaden Ras-hada, Pit-tssburgh HS / Pittsburg, CA
Rickie Collins, Woodlawn HS / Baton Rouge, LA
Malachi Sin-gleton, North Cobb HS / Kennesaw, GA
Pierce Clark-son, St. John Bosco HS / Bellflower, CA
Gabarri John-son, Lincoln HS / Tacoma, WA
Marcel Reed, Montgomery Bell HS / Nashville, TN
Chris Parson, Ravenwood HS / Brentwood, TN
Kenny Minchey, Pope John Paul II HS / Hendersonville, TN
Aidan Chiles, Downey HS / Downey, CA
Javance Tupouata-Johnson, Chaminade HS / West Hills, CA
Jacobe Robinson, Henderson HS / Henderson, TX
Braylen Ragland, Bartlett HS / Memphis, TN
Samuel Cooper, University City HS / San Diego, CA
Raheim Jeter, Spartanburg HS / Duncan, SC
Lanorris Sellers, South Florence HS / Florence, SC
Darius Cowens, Warren HS / Downey, CA
Israel Carter, Centennial HS / Corona, CA
William Watson, III, Springfield Central HS / Springfield, MA
Vic Sutton, Madison Central HS / Madison, MS
Devon Dampier, Saguaro Hs / Scottsdale, Az
Giovanni Lopez, James Clemens HS / Madison, AL
Marquis Roby, Jr., Desert Pines HS / Las Vegas, NV
Dejay Bailey, Petal HS / Biloxi, MS
Keldric Luster, McKinney HS / McKinney, TX
Jaylen Abston, Lebanon HS / Lebanon, TN
Jacob Jones, West Messamine HS / Lexington, KY
Ahmad Haston, Palm Beach Central HS / West Palm Beach, FL
Ethan Crawford, Hillcrest HS / Tuscaloosa, AL
Taron Dickens, Northwestern HS / Miami, FL
Jalen Woods, Woodward Academy HS / Atlanta, GA
Indiana Wijay, Pasadena HS / Pasadena, CA
John Keawe-Sagapolutele, Punahou HS / Honolulu, HI
Mason Kidd, Mountain View Hs / Lawrenceville, GA