NORFOLK — Before each season, Howard University defensive back Kenny Gallop Jr. puts together a checklist of things that he wants to accomplish.
“I always have like a goal list that motivates me,” said Gallop, who starred at Churchland High in Portsmouth. “I have some on my phone when I wake up. I have some in my locker. So it’s always there as motivation.”
Last season, Gallop accomplished everything on his wish list and more.
He was the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year, just the fourth Bison player to receive the award since 1971. He also was the recipient of the Aeneas Williams Award, given to the nation’s best defensive back in HBCU Division I football.
Gallop made three All-America teams, and was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the most outstanding defensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision.
And this season has gotten off to a great start as he was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Preseason Defensive Player of the Year on Tuesday at the league’s annual media day.
“It’s a great feeling, but I also know that preseason doesn’t mean much,” said Gallop, who also was named a first-team Preseason All-American by FCS Football Central. “It’s not how you start, but how you finish. It feels amazing to get recognized, but you know, I’m more of a guy who cares about accolades after the season.”
Coming home for media day was a big deal for Gallop. He got to show teammates and coaches where it all started for him, including the 15-minute drive to his high school.
“It feels good, you know, just being close to home,” he said. “You know, showing my teammates around the area I grew up in. It’s just always exciting to show guys my background and where I come from.”
Going back to Churchland also is a reminder to Gallop of how far he’s come. He wasn’t highly sought as a high school player. But he went to Howard University and worked hard to become one of the top defensive backs in the country.
“At one time in my life, I didn’t have any scholarships. I used to think I wasn’t going to go to college,” said Gallop, 6 feet and 215 pounds. “So I never get complacent and also always enjoy the moment. I’m excited about my accolades because I know the work I’ve put in. But I want some more, I’m still hungry.”
Last season, he helped lead Howard to its first Celebration Bowl appearance.
Teammate Darius Fox knows they’ll need another big season from Gallop to be successful.
“He will be extremely critical to our team’s success on defense. On defense, we’ll go as far as he goes,” he said. “With him on the field, the sky’s the limit. He’s a key part to our defense. He’s one of those field generals that takes control on the field.”
Howard coach Larry Scott called Gallop the “rock” of the team.
“He’s the epitome of what you want in your program. He’s a guy who does it right every day,” he said. “Hopefully, a lot of the other younger players can see through the example that he provides each and every day, how valuable just being consistent is.”
Gallop returned to Howard to pursue his graduate degree. It also gave him a chance to play alongside his brother, Kaleb, and improve his chances of getting drafted.
For the second time in three seasons, no HBCU football players were selected in this year’s NFL draft. Only Jackson State cornerback Isaiah Bolden, who was drafted in 2023, has been selected in the past three years.
And the last Bison to be drafted was former Denbigh High star Antoine Bethea, who went in the sixth round to the Indianapolis Colts in 2006.
“It was definitely frustrating because there were a lot of talented guys,” he said. “I feel like the 2024 draft class was one of the most talented draft classes.”
Gallop, a two-time HBCU All-American, wants to change that. He has been selected to the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000, which is a best-in-class all-star event that will take place Feb. 1 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Players who are selected will be coached by NFL coaches in an NFL facility while having access to NFL-level resources, facilities, player-friendly schedules and opportunities at the highest level.
“That’s my main goal is to get drafted,” he said. “That was kind of like a big motivation thing for me. I want to show that I’m capable of going to the NFL from Howard University.”
