Miles running back Justin Hardy has been named to the 2018 Watch List for the Black College Football Player of the Year Award, announced today by the Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF).

The Watch List is comprised of 52 student-athletes from various a Historically Black College and Universities. Inclusion to the list is based on past performance and future potential, and additional names may be added throughout the season. Hardy has shown, though, that he belongs among this initial group.

"It's an honor for me to be selected," Hardy said. "It means a lot to me and my team. But I'm really just focusing on this year and ready to take it game-by-game."

Hardy, a redshirt junior from Homewood, Ala., was selected All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Preseason First Team and was named Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Last season, he led the SIAC in total rushing yards (1,197), yards per game (119.7), rushing touchdowns (12), total touchdowns (13), and scoring (78 points). He was among the top-20 in Division II in rushing yards, had six 100-yard games and four games with more than 165 yards, including a 210-yard, three-touchdown effort against Central State. Hardy had eight plays of more than 50 yards and three touchdowns runs of longer than 80 yards, including an SIAC-long 86-yard touchdown run against Clark Atlanta that helped him win a slew of awards, including SIAC Most Valuable Player and All-Super Two Region and All-American honors.

The winner of the 2018 Black College Football Player of the Year Award will be honored with the Deacon Jones Trophy during the Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, which takes place on Feb. 16, 2019 in Atlanta. Four finalists will be unveiled on Nov.  29.

"The Deacon Jones Trophy is the most prestigious football award for HBCUs," said BCFHOF co-founder and 2012 inductee James Harris. "Deacon Jones was a pioneer and an icon, and still to this day represents the very best of Black College Football."

The Award is presented annually to the most outstanding HBCU football player from a Former North Carolina A&T, and current Chicago Bears running back Tarik Cohen was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Award in 2016; and Bowie State sophomore quarterback Amir Hall was the 2017 recipient.

"HBCU football has outstanding talent, as evidenced in this year's NFL Draft," said Super Bowl MVP quarterback Doug Williams, a BCFHOF co-founder and 2011 inductee. "This Award is a way that the Black College Football Hall of Fame is able to recognize these talented student-athletes."

Hardy and the Golden Bears open the 2018 season on Sept. 1 when they travel to take on Alabama A&M.