Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina-Another preseason football honor has come in for Savannah State junior defensive lineman Xavier Esquillen. It was announced early Tuesday morning that he was selected as an Honorable Mention HBCU College Football Preseason All-American from BOXTOROW.

After collecting just 22 tackles and five tackles for loss as a freshman, the Charlotte, North Carolina native had a breakout season in 2024 by leading the SIAC in sacks with 9.5. He also had 32 tackles (26 solo), 11.5 tackles for loss, six quarterback hurries, two pass breakups and two forced fumbles.

Esquillen turned in a season-high five tackles against Lincoln California, Lane, and Albany State and four tackles for loss and four sacks against Lane. He also had a forced a fumble against Clark Atlanta and Albany State.

Esquillen also adds this honor to his 2024 SIAC Second Team All-Conference and 2025 SIAC Preseason First Team All-Conference awards.

BOXTOROW, hosted by veteran radio broadcaster Donal Ware and is also celebrating its 20th Anniversary, airs on Satellite Radio on SiriusXM College Sports, Fridays 6p ET/5p CT/3p PT, and on SiriusXM Channel 142, H.B.C.U., on Saturday 9a ET/8a CT/6a PT.

The 2025 BOXTOROW HBCU College Football Preseason All-America Team

OFFENSE
QB: Jacobian Morgan, Jackson State, Gr., Canton, Miss.
RB: Thad Franklin, Jr., Florida A&M, Gr., West Palm Beach, Fla.#
RB: Kevon King, Norfolk State, Sr., Chesapeake, Va.
RB: Jacorian Sewell, Alcorn State, Gr. Natchez, Miss.#
OL: Charles Davis, Florida A&M, r-Sr., Marianna, Fla.#
OL: Ashton Grable, Florida A&M, r-Jr., Gordon, Ga.
OL: Trevon Humphrey, North Carolina Central r-Jr. Greensboro, N.C.*
OL: Noah McKinney, North Carolina Central, Sr., Duncan, S.C.#
OL: Korion Sharpe, North Carolina A&T, Sr., Charlotte, N.C.#
OL: D'Andre Townes-Blue, Jackson State Sr. Willow Grove, Pa.*
TE: Marvin Landy, Jackson State, Gr., Lakeland, Fla.
WR: Brevin Caldwell, Johnson C. Smith, Sr., Charlotte, N.C.
WR: Nathan Rembert, Jackson State, Jr., Eustis, Fla.

DEFENSE
DL: Bryce Cage, Grambling State, r-Sr., Baton Rouge, La.
DL: Ckelby Givens, Southern, Sr., Shreveport, La.*
DL: Davion Westmoreland, Florida A&M, Gr., Griffin, Ga.
DL: Jeremiah Williams, Jackson State, r-Sr., Lexington, Miss.
LB: Stemarion Edwards, Alcorn State, Gr., Hollandale, Miss.
LB: Erick Hunter, Morgan State, Sr. Capitol Heights, Md.
LB: Max U'Ren, North Carolina Central, r-Sr., Winston-Salem, N.C.
DB: Camani Cobbs, Tennessee State, r-Soph., McDonough, Ga.#
DB: William Davis, Virginia Union, Jr. South Boston, Va.#
DB: TJ Huggins, Florida A&M , r-Sr., Miami, Fla.
DB: Michael King Jr. Tuskegee Sr. Tuskegee, Ala.#
DB: Keane Lewis Alabama State Sr. Miami, Fla.#
DB: Malcolm Reed, North Carolina Central, Sr., Raleigh, N.C.
DB: Jarod Washington, South Carolina State r-Sr. Fredericksburg, Va.*

SPECIALISTS
P: Gerardo Baeza, Jackson State, Gr., Boaz, Ala.
PK: Johnny Schifano, Grambling State, Gr., Arlington, Texas
PR: Travis Terrell Jackson State Soph. Atlanta, Ga.*
KR: Travis Terrell Jackson State Soph. Atlanta, Ga.*

Honorable Mention
TE: Luke Bracey, North Carolina Central
OL: Tim Artis, Jr., Howard; Desmond Daniels, Alabama State
WR: Joanes Fortilien, Jackson State
DL: Ishaun Abdul-Ali, Howard; Cameron Davis, Virginia State; Xavier Esquillen, Savannah State; Dashawn Fields, Morgan State; Nay'Ron Jenkins Florida A&M; Daylan Long, Norfolk State; KJ McNeil Virginia State; Noah Miles, Howard; Israel Nwokocha, Benedict
LB: Vincent Paige, Southern
DB: ; Jadon Carter, Morgan State; Horacio, Johnson Southern; Antwone Watts, Bethune-Cookman
P: Mark Shenouda, Tennessee State
KR: Jaxon Williams, Benedict
PR: Malique Leatherbury, Morgan State

*Tie
#2024 HBCU All-American

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