NCCU return specialist Brandon Codrington named All-American
DURHAM, N.C. (BVM) — Two North Carolina Central University football stars have been named to the 2021 BOXTOROW HBCU college football All-American team including defensive back Brandon Codrington. The Raleigh, North Carolina native had a highlight season that led to him to be ranked No. 3 in Division I football as a punt returner and the No. 2 leading kickoff returner. Codrington was named to the All-American team as a punt returner with an astounding 15-yard punt return average for the season.
Codrington started his career at NCCU with a standout year as a true freshman in 2019 where he played in all 12 games. His notable season was highlighted by a game-winning, 75-yard kickoff return in the final minute of play against Delaware State. That stelar performance earned him the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Specialist of the Week award.聽聽
Throughout his freshman season, Codrington continued to stand out.聽 He averaged 7.8 yards on punt returns with a season long of 32 yards, which ranked him No. 3 in the MEAC. He also recorded six tackles as a defensive back. Two of those tackles came during an early season game against Elizabeth City State. These accomplishments helped land him an All-Conference third team mention as a return specialist.聽
Like many college sports teams across the country, the NCCU football team saw their 2020 season canceled. That cancellation left athletes like Codrington without a playing season and doubts about their futures. But Codrington picked up right where he left off as soon as play resumed in 2021.
Codrington opened the season with a 77-yard punt return and helped secure the first win in almost two years for the Eagles. This was his longest punt return of the year and only touchdown.聽聽
In addition to his exceptional punt returns, Codrington also averaged 22.5 yards per kickoff return, with his longest reaching 61 yards. As a defensive back, he recorded a career high 43 tackles this past season with 31 solo tackles. Codrington forced one fumble against Mississippi Valley State and recovered one fumble for 29 yards the next week against Tennessee Tech.聽
Codrington bookended his season with a pair of game winning performances. In the Eagles final game against Delaware State, Codrington recorded five tackles, two kick returns and four punt returns with a final return for 25 yards to set up the go ahead touchdown for the Eagles. Most notably, he blocked Delaware State鈥檚 field goal attempt to give the Eagles the ball back for a game winning touchdown.聽
Being part of the All-American team is not the end of the honors Codrington has received this season. He was also recently named to the Phil Steele FCS All-MEAC list in four different positions. He received first team honors as a punt returner, third team as a kickoff returner and all-purpose player, and fourth team as a defensive back.聽
