The Dallas Cowboys had added pass rusher James Houston IV with little attention from fans, yet he turned into one of the Cowboys' most impactful defensive playmakers during the 2025 campaign. 

He earned the NFLPA Black College Pro Football Player of the Year award for his standout collegiate career at Jackson State University and impactful season in 2025 with the Cowboys. 

The prestigious award is presented annually to the most outstanding football player from a Historically Black College & University (HBCU) by the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) and the Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCHOF).

"Being selected as this year's NFLPA Black College Football Pro Player of the Year means a lot to me," Houston said, per Patrick Walker of DallasCowboys.com. "My time at Jackson State made me into the man and player I am today, and I'm proud to be a part of the legacy that HBCU players have built and will continue to build on and off the field."

Houston posted 70 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, and one interception in 2021 with the Jackson State Tigers, earning first-team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference honors.

Award winners are chosen by a five-member selection committee, which is composed of BCHOF founders James Harris and Doug Williams, Sheridan Broadcast Network’s Director of Sports, Ty Miller, and ESPN College Football Analyst, Jay Walker, per the BCHOF official website. 

The NFLPA and its Social Justice Task Force presented a $5,000 donation to Jackson State's athletic department in recognition of Houston's award.

Houston was also honored alongside this year's Black College Football Hall of Fame class, which included fellow Jackson State alum Jimmy Smith, Eddie Robinson Jr., Nick Collins, Tyrone Poole, Rudy Hubbard, and Steve Wyche, per NFLPA.com

Furthermore, James Houston's foundation is set to host its third annual youth football camp following the Cowboys' offseason program.

Houston's Impact Extends Beyond the Field

Houston's charity, The Problem Solved Foundation, recently teamed with Dallas ISD (Independent School District) to host its 3rd annual youth football camp on June 13, before the mandatory minicamp begins on June 16.

"Me and my team, we got together, and we do a camp every year," Houston said, per DallasCowboys.com. "This will be the third annual camp, and we're just trying to help the kids. We're trying to show them the way, how to practice and how to have the right attitude and character to get far in life."

The annual camp is a free, non-contact camp for youth aged 5-17. It aims to provide a positive and memorable football experience for the children attending the one-day event.

While Houston's production earned him recognition in the NFL, his commitment to mentoring young athletes is helping extend his impact beyond football.

What are your thoughts on Houston?

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi