The National Alliance of African American Athletes is proud to announce the six members of the Franklin D. Watkins Memorial Award Class of 2022. These high school seniors will be honored at the Watkins Award Presentation on Saturday, March 13 in Bethesda, Maryland, where one student-athlete will be named the standard bearer for this year’s class as the nation’s top African American male high school scholar athlete.
“What an amazing group of young men, who have demonstrated their leadership skills in the classroom, in athletics and in their community. They will certainly represent the Watkins Award family with class and integrity,” said J. Everette Pearsall, Executive Director of the Alliance. “We look forward to recognizing these talented young men as the premier African American Scholar-Athletes in the United States.”
Each member of the Watkins Class of 2020 will receive an award, ring and dinner in his hometown. Sponsors of the Watkins Award include Major Sponsor Under Armour; JMA Solutions; Peoples Financial Services; Wal-Mart; Dell Giving; Nash Management Group; ProFusion; Gary McPherson Financial; Adventus Veritas; Rep1 Sports; and Jostens Corporation, manufacturer of the Watkins Award trophy and rings.
Selected based on their unweighted grade-point average, personal statements, extracurricular activities, community service and letters of recommendation, the six finalists are:
- Tyler Booker, New Haven, Connecticut, 3.6 GPA
- Braden Davis, Middletown, Delaware, 4.2 GPA
- Elijah Green, Orlando, Florida, 4.1 GPA
- Harold Perkins, Cypress, Texas, 4.9 GPA
- Brenen Thompson, Spearman, Texas, 4.2 GPA
- Wesley Williams, Gainesville, Virginia, 4.2 GPA
An offensive tackle who graduated high school early and enrolled at the University of Alabama, Tyler Booker was a dedicated volunteer in the community. He volunteered for Black Couples United, the Community Baptist Church and Dominate the Day Camp. Tyler also mentored students at St. Luke’s School and the West Haven Seahawks youth football team and was a motivational speaker for Connecticut Youth. On the field, he was an Under Armour and MaxPreps All-American. He has a 3.6 GPA.
A strong-armed quarterback who is elusive with his feet, Braden Davis graduated high school early and enrolled at the University of South Carolina. A member of the National Honor Society and the Middletown High School high honor roll, Braden also was a member of the Middletown Athletic Leadership Committee. He gathered donations and sent these to troops overseas as part of Stockings for Soldiers, and also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, Adopt-a-Highway cleanup, Parent’s Night Out and Trunk or Treat. On the field, Braden led Middletown to the Delaware 3A championship this past season and was named the Gatorade Delaware Player of the Year. He has a 4.2 GPA.
An elite hitter, fielder and baserunner, Elijah Green has accepted a scholarship to play baseball for the University of Miami and is one of the top prospects for the 2022 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft. Elijah has been a member of the MLB Baseball Development Program since his freshman year. He has volunteered as a youth baseball mentor and worked to spearhead diversity initiatives in baseball. Also volunteered raising money for St. Jude Children’s Hospital. He has a 4.1 GPA.
A standout running back and linebacker, Harold Perkins has accepted a scholarship offer to play football at Louisiana State University. His goal is to be the first in his family to earn a college degree. He is a four-year member of the Cypress Park High School honor roll and mentors middle school students. On the field, he was first-team all-district on offense and defense, was named the Houston Touchdown Club Offensive Player of the Year and and was named an Under Armour All-American. He has a 4.9 GPA.
A standout wide receiver in football and sprinter in track, Brenen Thompson has accepted a scholarship offer to play football at the University of Texas. Thompson has been a dedicated volunteer throughout high school, dedicating himself with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Spearman Chamber of Commerce and the Ark Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Shelter. Brenen was a four-time academic all-district honoree and a member of the National Honor Society. He also has a strong work ethic, having worked as a shop hand and farm hand. He has a 4.2 GPA.
A star defensive end who also played high school basketball, Wesley Williams has accepted a scholarship offer to play football for Duke University. A four-year starter on the Battlefield High School football team, Wesley also immersed himself in other activities in and out of school. He participated in the DECA Inclusivity Project, was a member of the National Honor Society, participated in the Buddy Club to help students with special needs and mentored youth football players. He has a 4.2 GPA.
