The 2025 HBCU football season will bring excitement, great games, rivalries and more. We’ll be tracking the season from start to finish below with scores from every FCS HBCU football game, plus the latest news.
You can click or tap each of the links below to jump ahead to a section:
👀 This week’s HBCU football schedule
See this week’s HBCU football results in the FCS below.
Click or tap any of the games below for live stats
Week 16 – South Carolina State wins the Celebration Bowl
Saturday, December 13
CLICK OR TAP HERE FOR A COMPLETE RECAP OF THE GAME
📰 HBCU football news and notes
Click or tap here to view the latest HBCU football standings in a new tab
Final HBCU Football Power Rankings
Celebration Bowl champion South Carolina State leads the final HBCU football power rankings of 2025. Here’s a glimpse of the top five
South Carolina State
Alabama State
Prairie View A&M
Jackson State
Delaware State
Click or tap here to see where all 21 FCS HBCU football teams landed
Postseason
Celebration Bowl set
The 2025 Celebration Bowl is set. MEAC Champion South Carolina State will take on SWAC Champion Prairie View A&M for HBCU football supremacy. The game will be on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025 at 12 p.m. ET on ABC.
CLICK OR TAP HERE FOR LIVE UPDATES OF THE GAME
Hampton hires new head coach
Hampton hired Van Malone as its 23rd head football coach. Malone joins Hampton from an assistant coach role at Kansas State. He was a second-round NFL draft pick in 1994 and was named college football’s 2017 National FBS Assistant Coach of the Year.
Click or tap here for more details.
Florida A&M fires head coach
Florida A&M fired head football coach James Colzie III. Colzie was fired after two years at the helm, finishing with a 12–12 record overall after a 5-7 finish this year.
MEAC announces players of the year
The MEAC announced that North Carolina Central quarterback Walker Harris and South Carolina State cornerback Jarrod Washington were named conference offensive and defensive players of the year, respectively. The announcement was made at the 67th Annual National Football Foundation (NFF) Hall of Fame Press Conference in Las Vegas.
Prairie View A&M wins the SWAC
Prairie View A&M won the 2025 SWAC Football Championship Game, defeating Jackson State 23-21 in Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Panthers won the SWAC title in head coach Tremaine Jackson’s first year and take home the conference title for the first time since 2009.
2025 All-HBCU team
2025 marks the fifth consecutive year of listing the top players in HBCU football. Here are the top players, by position, from the 2025 HBCU football season.
Click or tap here for the full list
Southern hires NFL Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk
Southern has officially hired Marshall Faulk as the 22nd head coach of the football team. Faulk joins Southern after previously serving as the running backs coach for Colorado under former Jackson State coach Deion Sanders.
Faulk was a three-time Heisman Trophy finalist, the No. 2 overall pick in the 1994 NFL Draft, 1994 Offensive Rookie of the Year Award and 2000 NFL MVP. Faulk played 12 seasons in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts and the St. Louis Rams, earning seven Pro Bowls, winning Super Bowl XXXIV. Faulk is a member of the 2011 Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The Marshall Faulk era is officially underway.#GoJags | #SouthernIsTheStandard | #ProwlOn | #WeAreSouthern pic.twitter.com/NRMhV0Neuk
— Southern University Jaguars (@SouthernUsports) December 2, 2025
MEAC and SWAC major Awards
SWAC
Coach of the Year: Tremaine Jackson, Prairie View A&M
Offensive Player of the Year: Andrew Body, Alabama State
Defensive Player of the Year: Quincy Ivory, Jackson State
Newcomer of the Year: Quincy Ivory, Jackson State
Freshman of the Year: Chase Bingmon, Prairie View A&M
MEAC
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Roger Smith, South Carolina State
Rookie of the Year: Raymond Moore III, Morgan State
Coach of the Year: Chennis Berry, South Carolina State
The MEAC’s Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year will be revealed during the National Football Foundation (NFF) Annual Awards Press Conference on Tuesday, Dec. 9,
All-Conference teams
The MEAC, SWAC, OVC-Big South and CAA have announced all-conference teams. Here are the players that made first and second teams.
MEAC
First Team
QB – Walker Harris, North Carolina Central
RB – Marquis Gillis, Delaware State
RB – James Jones, Delaware State
WR – Chauncey Spikes, North Carolina Central
WR – Jordan Smith, South Carolina State
TE – Luke Bracey, North Carolina Central
C /OL – Jestus Johnson, Delaware State
OL – Isaiah Cook, Delaware State
OL – Roger Smith, South Carolina State
OL – Trevon Humphrey, North Carolina Central
DL – Michael Lunz II, South Carolina State
DL – Thomas Johnson, North Carolina Central
DL – Blanche Gold, Morgan State
DL – Noah Miles, Howard
LB – Erick Hunter, Morgan State
LB – Brian Bates, Delaware State
LB – Jordan Franklin, South Carolina State
DB – Jarod Washington, South Carolina State
DB – Jelani Vassell, North Carolina Central
DB – Kedrick Green, Howard
DB – Tomondrey Braxton, North Carolina Central
P – Brandon Bowman, North Carolina Central
K – Kaleb Robison, North Carolina Central
RS – Mehki Wall, North Carolina Central
Second Team
QB – William Atkins IV, South Carolina State
RB – Chris Mosely, North Carolina Central
RB – Anthony Reagan Jr., Howard
WR – Chance Peterson, North Carolina Central
WR – Nyghee Jolly, Delaware State
WR – Justin Perry, Morgan State
TE – Cyrus Ellison, South Carolina State
C – James Reddick II, South Carolina State
OL – A.C. McMoore, North Carolina Central
OL – Chevy Trask Jr., South Carolina State
OL – Ja’Quan Sprinkle, North Carolina Central
OL – Moses Umoren, South Carolina State
DL – Joshua Barker, South Carolina State
DL – Donquarius Parker, North Carolina Central
DL – David Ojiegbe, Norfolk State
DL – Lance Byndon, Morgan State
LB – Terique Miles, Norfolk State
LB – Max U’Ren, North Carolina Central
LB – Isaiah Lawson, North Carolina Central
DB – Jadon Carter, Morgan State
DB – Hiroshi Carr, Morgan State
DB – Zuri Watson, Howard
DB – Wayne Favors, Delaware State
P – Eliott Janish, South Carolina State
P – Liam Allen IV, Howard
K – Nico Cavanillas-Alti, South Carolina State
RS – Jaylen White, Norfolk State
SWAC
First Team
QB – Andrew Body, Alabama State
RB – Ahmad Miller, Jackson State
RB – Jaylen Jennings, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
WR – Jalen Jones, Alabama State
WR – Jyzaiah Rockwell, Prairie View A&M
TE – Travaunta Abner, Alabama A&M
OL – Cameron Smith, Alabama State
OL – D’Andre Townes-Blue, Jackson State
OL – Elijah Baker, Alabama State
OL – Brian Williams Jr., Jackson State
OL – Calvin McMillian, Prairie View A&M
DL – Quincy Ivory, Jackson State
DL – Ckelby Givens, Southern
DL – Warren Robinson, Grambling State
DL – Bryce Cage, Grambling State
LB – Stemarion Edwards, Alcorn State
LB – Danarius Hilliard, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
LB – Reid Pulliam, Jackson State
DB – Travor Randle, Prairie View A&M
DB – Ta’Shaun Sims, Alabama State
DB – Antwone Watts, Bethune-Cookman
DB – Markel Linzer, Grambling State
K – Daniel Porto, Florida A&M
P – Max Tulen, Bethune-Cookman
RS – Javon Ross, Bethune-Cookman
LS – Cole Hash, Bethune-Cookman
Second Team
QB – JaCobian Morgan, Jackson State
RB – Reggie Davis, Alcorn State
RB – Chase Bingmon, Prairie View A&M
WR – Maleek Huggins, Bethune-Cookman
WR – Nate Rembert, Jackson State
TE – Travon Jones, Prairie View A&M
OL – Quaveon Davis, Jackson State
OL – Jeremiah Frazier, Alabama State
OL – Christian Loving, Bethune-Cookman
OL – Cameran Rogers, Alcorn State
OL – Ashton Grable, Florida A&M
DL -Malik Gucake, Prairie View A&M
DL – Jeremiah Williams, Jackson State
DL – Michael Akins, Texas Southern
DL – Eric Thomas Jr., Alcorn State
LB – Jason Riles Jr., Florida A&M
LB – Isaiah Bogerty, Texas Southern
LB – Jalil Lenore, Alabama State
DB – Keane Lewis, Alabama State
DB – Kam Sallis, Jackson State
DB – Eric Zachery, Prairie View A&M
DB – Deontre Morris, Alabama State
K – Marko Jovisic, Mississippi Valley State
P – Demetrion Duvall, Alcorn State
RS – Nehemiah Hixon, Alabama State
LS – Garrett Wilemon, Alabama State
OVC-Big South
First Team
DL – James Stewart, Tennessee State
CAA
First Team
PR – Elijah Kennedy, North Carolina A&T
Second Team
DL – Marquis Hood, North Carolina A&T
LB – Harold O’Neal, III, Hampton
K – Andrew Brown, North Carolina A&T
Third Team
OL – Korion Sharpe, North Carolina A&T
CB – Aaron Harris, North Carolina A&T
S – Will Hicks, Hampton
KR – Elijah Kennedy, North Carolina A&T
Week 14
Hampton fires head coach
Hampton and head coach Trenton Boykin are parting ways. Hampton finished 2-10 this year after a 5-7 season during the first year of Boykin’s tenure. Hampton only had one Division I win this year.
Hampton joins Southern as the two HBCUs to fire head football coaches this cycle.
FCS regular season attendance leaders
HBCUs again set the pace in FCS attendance, with Jackson State’s average of 28,733 fans leading the FCS. Alabama State and Missisippi Valley State still have one more home game to add to their total. See where every team ranked nationally via average fans per game in the list below.
1. Jackson State — 28,733
3. Southern — 22,051
5. Norfolk State — 21,212
7. Alabama State — 19,959
11. Alabama A&M — 14,111
12. Florida A&M — 14,093
15. South Carolina State — 12,702
18. North Carolina A&T — 12,282
36. North Carolina Central — 8,262
38. Grambling State — 8,002
40. Alcorn State — 7,724
42. Texas Southern — 7,481
51. Prairie View A&M — 6,672
52. Arkansas-Pine Bluff — 6,657
53. Bethune-Cookman — 6,640
54. Howard — 6,538
55. Tennessee State — 6,224
67. Hampton — 5,245
76. Mississippi Valley State — 4,822
88. Morgan State — 4,119
102. Delaware State — 3,389
Last Week’s Players of the Week
Stats Perform HBCU FCS National Player of the Week: QB Jared Lockhart, Jackson State
Stats Perform HBCU FCS National Team of the Week: South Carolina State
MEAC Offensive Player of the Week: RB Anthony Reagan Jr., Howard
MEAC Defensive Player of the Week: DB Jalen Levine, South Carolina State
MEAC Rookie of the Week: QB Raymond Moore III, Morgan State
MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week: OL Roger Smith, South Carolina State
MEAC Specialist of the Week: P Elliott Janish, South Carolina State
Week 13
Jackson State wins the SWAC East, SWAC Championship game set
Jackson State batted down a Hail Mary attempt from Alcorn State to defeat the Braves 27-21. The win clinches a SWAC East title for the Tigers, it’s second straight and fourth in the last five years.
With the win, Jackson State will host Prairie View A&M in the SWAC title game on Dec. 6, 2025.
South Carolina State wins the MEAC
South Carolina State won the MEAC with a 28-17 win over Delaware State on the road. The win gives the Bulldogs back-to-back undefeated seasons in conference play and consecutive Celebration Bowl berths. South Carolina State is the first repeat MEAC Champion since North Carolina A&T won three straight from 2017-19.
Postseason Clinching scenarios
We’ll know who wins the MEAC and SWAC East after Week 13. See the scenarios below.
MEAC
The winner of Week 13’s South Carolina State at Delaware State game will determine this year’s MEAC champion.
SWAC East
Jackson State can clinch the SWAC East title in Week 13 if the following happens:
Jackson State beats Alcorn State
OR Alabama State loses to Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Alabama State can clinch the SWAC East title in Week 13 if the following happens:
Alabama State beats Arkansas-Pine Bluff
AND Jackson State beats Alcorn State
Last Week’s Players of the Week
Stats Perform HBCU FCS National Player of the Week: LB Stemarion Edwards, Alcorn State
Stats Perform HBCU FCS National Team of the Week: Prairie View A&M
MEAC Offensive Player of the Week: QB William Atkins IV, South Carolina State
MEAC Defensive Player of the Week: DB Wayne Favors III, Delaware State
MEAC Rookie of the Week: QB Raymond Moore III, Morgan State
MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week: OL James Reddick, South Carolina State
MEAC Specialist of the Week: K Nico Cavanillas Alti, South Carolina State
SWAC Co-Offensive Player of the Week: QB KJ Cooper, Texas Southern
SWAC Co-Offensive Player of the Week: QB RJ Johnson, Florida A&M
SWAC Co-Defensive Player of the Week: DB B.J. Washington, Jackson State
SWAC Co-Defensive Player of the Week: LB Charles George, Texas Southern
SWAC Newcomer of the Week: QB Te’Sean Smoot, Alabama State
SWAC Specialist of the Week: P Kye Collins, Jackson State
This week’s HBCU Football Power Rankings
Week 12
Prairie View A&M wins SWAC West
Prairie View A&M secured its spot in the SWAC title game with its win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday.
Last Week’s Players of the Week
Stats Perform HBCU FCS National Defensive Player of the Week: DB Jarod Washington, South Carolina State
Stats Perform HBCU FCS National Player of the Week: QB Cameron Peters, Prairie View A&M
Stats Perform HBCU FCS National Team of the Week: Florida A&M
MEAC Offensive Player of the Week: QB Walker Harris, North Carolina Central
MEAC Defensive Player of the Week: DB Jarod Washington, South Carolina State
MEAC Rookie of the Week: RB Randall Hauden, Morgan State
MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week: OL Roger Smith, South Carolina State
MEAC Specialist of the Week: P/K Kaleb Robinson, North Carolina Central
SWAC Offensive Player of the Week: QB Cameron Peters, Prairie View A&M
SWAC Defensive Player of the Week: LB Marcellius Johnson, Grambling State
SWAC Newcomer of the Week: QB Hayden Benoit, Grambling State
SWAC Specialist of the Week: WR Nehemiah Hixon, Alabama State
This week’s HBCU Football Power Rankings
Week 11
Jackson State legend wins coaching award
Legendary Jackson State coach W.C. Gorden was named the American Football Coaches Association’s recipient of the 2025 Trailblazer Award. The AFCA Trailblazer Award honors leaders in the football coaching profession who coached at HBCUs. The award will be presented posthumously to Gorden during the 2026 AFCA Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Last Week’s Players of the Week
Stats Perform HBCU FCS National Player of the Week: WR Chauncey Spikes, North Carolina Central
Stats Perform HBCU FCS National Team of the Week: Bethune-Cookman
MEAC Offensive Player of the Week: WR Chauncey Spikes, North Carolina Central
MEAC Defensive Player of the Week: DB Kedrick Green, Howard
MEAC Rookie of the Week: QB Raymond Moore III, Morgan State
MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week: OL Trevon Humphrey, North Carolina Central
MEAC Specialist of the Week: P Liam Allen IV, Howard
SWAC Offensive Player of the Week: RB Ahmad Miller, Jackson State
SWAC Co-Defensive Player of the Week: S Antwone Watts, Bethune-Cookman
SWAC Co-Defensive Player of the Week: LB Denzel Johnson, Alabama State
SWAC Newcomer of the Week: QB Jaylon Tolbert
SWAC Co-Specialist of the Week: WR Javon Ross, Bethune-Cookman
SWAC Co-Specialist of the Week: DB Delano Franklin, Grambling State
This week’s HBCU Football Power Rankings
Week 10
ESPN’s First Take visits Delaware State
The hit daily sports talk show “First Take” visited its third HBCU football game this season, hitting Delaware State ahead of DSU’s matchup with Norfolk State in Philadelphia. That game will be played in Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles, the same place Norfolk State head coach Michael Vick and Delaware State head coach DeSean Jackson starred during their NFL careers.
First Take previously visited Norfolk State and the Magic City Classic. Checkout some clips from the show below.
Delaware State is ROCKING for today’s episode 🙌 pic.twitter.com/65pG1r1Lnv
— First Take (@FirstTake) October 29, 2025
DeSean Jackson talks about going up against his former teammate Michael Vick 👏 pic.twitter.com/lhpCRtKiVh
— First Take (@FirstTake) October 29, 2025
“How we’re changing this culture, how we’re changing DSU, wasn’t about money for nobody on this staff.”
Delaware State RB coach @TheRealC_Portis says caring about what’s best for your players is how you bring the best out of them 💪 pic.twitter.com/Ys3hguysnn
— First Take (@FirstTake) October 29, 2025
Last Week’s Players of the Week
Stats Perform HBCU FCS National Player of the Week: QB William Atkins IV, South Carolina State
Stats Perform HBCU FCS National Team of the Week: Grambling State
Stats Perform FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week: WR Elijah Kennedy, North Carolina A&T
CAA Football Special Teams Player of the Week: WR Elijah Kennedy, North Carolina A&T
MEAC Offensive Player of the Week: QB William Atkins IV, South Carolina State
MEAC Defensive Player of the Week: DE Jordan Dollard, South Carolina State
MEAC Rookie of the Week: QB Raymond Moore II, Morgan State
MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week: OL Chevez Trask Jr., South Carolina State
MEAC Specialist of the Week: K Nico Cavanillas Alti, South Carolina State
SWAC Co-Offensive Player of the Week: QB C’Zavian Teasett, Grambling State
SWAC Co-Offensive Player of the Week: QB Andrew Body, Alabama State
SWAC Co-Defensive Player of the Week: LB Jaylen Lewis, Bethune-Cookman
SWAC Co-Defensive Player of the Week: LB Jalil Lenore, Alabama State
SWAC Newcomer of the Week: RB Jamal Hailey, Florida A&M
SWAC Co-Specialist of the Week: K Daniel Porto, Florida A&M
SWAC Co-Specialist of the Week: K Josh McCormick, Grambling State
This week’s HBCU Football Power Rankings
Week 9
ESPN’s First Take visits Magic City Classic
The hit daily sports talk show “First Take” visited its second HBCU football game this season, hitting the Magic City Classic in Birmingham, AL featuring Alabama A&M and Alabama State. First Take previously visited Norfolk State. Checkout some clips from the show below.
WE OUT HERE AT THE MAGIC CITY CLASSIC 🔥
Watch First Take now on ESPN and the ESPN App 🍿 pic.twitter.com/aW9I3n8yuL
— First Take (@FirstTake) October 24, 2025
That Bama State Spirit hits different — just ask Stephen A 👀🐝💛🖤#SWARMAS1 pic.twitter.com/yIJ7tuLGVo
— Bama State Athletics (@BamaStateSports) October 24, 2025
Anyone watching Cam Newton get into it with the Alabama A&M Mascot? pic.twitter.com/0fA6l2FFJO
— Legend 🦁 (@Legendkilla691) October 24, 2025
One HBCU player makes Jerry Rice Award watch list
Alabama A&M quarterback Eric Handley is the lone HBCU football representative on the 22-player Jerry Rice Award watch list. Handley has taken over as the starting quarterback for the Bulldogs after Quad Brown got injured.
The Jerry Rice Award is in its 15th year, named after HBCU and Mississippi Valley State great Jerry Rice. The 2025 winner will be announced on December 3.
Southern fires head coach
The Southern Jaguars have fired head football coach Terrence Graves. Graves most recently lost in blowout fashion on homecoming, dropping Southern’s 2025 record to 1-6. Graves won the 2024 SWAC West title last season with an 8-5 record, going 7-1 in SWAC play. He first took over as Southern’s interim head coach in 2023, leading the Jaguars to a win in the 50th Bayou Classic.
Fred McNair wil take over as interim head coach this year. McNair was the co-offensive coordinator under Graves, where Southern had the worst scoring offense and total offense in SWAC. McNair was the head coach of Alcorn State from 2016-2023.
Last Week’s Players of the Week
Stats Perform HBCU FCS National Player of the Week: RB Tre Bradford, Grambling State
Stats Perform HBCU FCS National Team of the Week: Tennessee State
CAA Football Co-Special Teams Player of the Week: K Andrew Brown, North Carolina A&T
MEAC Offensive Player of the Week: N/A
MEAC Defensive Player of the Week: LB Judah McJimpsey, Howard
MEAC Rookie of the Week: DB Ben Chandler, Howard
MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week: N/A
MEAC Specialist of the Week: P Liam Allen IV, Howard
SWAC Offensive Player of the Week: RB Tre Bradford, Grambling State
SWAC Defensive Player of the Week: DB Markel Linzer, Grambling State
SWAC Co-Newcomer of the Week: S Travor Randle, Prairie View A&M
SWAC Co-Newcomer of the Week: QB RJ Johnson III, Florida A&M
SWAC Specialist of the Week: K Daniel Porto, Florida A&M
This week’s HBCU Football Power Rankings
Week 8
Best Players in the FCS at the midseason mark
Southern defensive end Ckelby Givens was named one of the top edge rushers in the FCS at the midseason mark. Click or tap here for the full list.
Last Week’s Players of the Week
Stats Perform HBCU FCS National Player of the Week: LB Jordan Franklin, South Carolina State
Stats Perform HBCU FCS National Team of the Week: Texas Southern
CAA Football Co-Special Teams Player of the Week: K Andrew Brown, North Carolina A&RT
MEAC Offensive Player of the Week: QB Walker Harris, North Carolina Central
MEAC Defensive Player of the Week: LB Jordan Franklin, South Carolina State
MEAC Rookie of the Week: QB Raymond Moore III, Morgan State
MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week: OL Ja’Quan Sprinkle, North Carolina Central
MEAC Specialist of the Week: K Noah Tracey, Norfolk State
SWAC Co-Offensive Player of the Week: QB JaCobian Morgan, Jackson State
SWAC Co-Offensive Player of the Week: RB Athean Renfro, Texas Southern
SWAC Co-Defensive Player of the Week: CB Edric Whitley, Texas Southern
SWAC Co-Defensive/Newcomer of the Week: DL Quincy Ivory, Jackson State
SWAC Co-Newcomer of the Week: RB Karl Ligon,Alabama State
SWAC Specialist of the Week: P Jeremy Ramirez, Texas Southern
This week’s HBCU Football Power Rankings
Week 7
Superlatives
Delaware State’s run game earned the Top Team Unit superlative and Alabama State quarterback Andrew Body earned the Bounceback Player superlative in the 2025 FCS football midseason superlatives from Stan Becton.
Last Week’s Players of the Week
Stats Perform HBCU FCS National Player of the Week: QB JaCobian Morgan, Jackson State
Stats Perform HBCU FCS National Team of the Week: Hampton
CAA Football Rookie of the Week: DB Andre Jackson Jr., Hampton
MEAC Offensive Player of the Week: WR Darius Thompson, South Carolina State
MEAC Defensive Player of the Week: LB Erick Hunter, Morgan State
MEAC Rookie of the Week: WR Justin Perry, Morgan State
MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week: OL Roger Smith, South Carolina State
MEAC Specialist of the Week: DL Rasheen Duncan, Morgan State
SWAC Offensive Player of the Week: QB JaCobian Morgan, Jackson State
SWAC Co-Defensive Player of the Week: S Ta’Shaun Sims, Alabama State
SWAC Co-Newcomer of the Week: DL Quincy Ivory, Jackson State
SWAC Co-Newcomer of the Week: RB Karl Ligon,Alabama State
SWAC Specialist of the Week: K Christian Avelar, Texas Southern
This week’s HBCU Football Power Rankings
Week 6
Georgia Football Classic canceled
The Georgia Football Classic is no more. The game that was going to feature Mississippi Valley State and Florida A&M will no longer be played in Atlanta, Georgia’s Mercedez-Benz Stadium — home of the Atlanta Falcons and Celebration Bowl. Instead the game between MVSU and FAMU will be pushed back to November 29, after the regular season concludes for most FCS teams.
Click or tap here for more information from Mississippi Valley State and/or Florida A&M
Top HBCU football players after one month
NCAA Digital’s Stan Becton ranked the top HBCU football players in the FCS after one month. View the top-10 below and click or tap here for more info.
RB Chris Mosley, North Carolina Central
QB Andrew Body, Alabama State
DE Ckelby Givens, Southern
LB Erick Hunter, Morgan State
DL Quincy Ivory, Jackson State
QB Walker Harris, North Carolina Central
QB Kaiden Bennett, Delaware State
DL Thomas Johnson, North Carolina Central
CB Tyrell Raby, Grambling State
WR Jalen Jones, Alabama State
Last Week’s Players of the Week
Stats Perform HBCU FCS National Player of the Week: DE Michael Akins, Texas Southern
Stats Perform HBCU FCS National Team of the Week: Jackson State
MEAC Offensive Player of the Week: QB Walker Harris, North Carolina Central
MEAC Defensive Player of the Week: DB Corey Chapman, Norfolk State
MEAC Rookie of the Week: QB Raymond Moore III, Morgan State
MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week: OL Ja’Quan Sprinkle, North Carolina Central
MEAC Specialist of the Week: DB Jadon Carter, Morgan State
SWAC Offensive Player of the Week: QB JaCobian Morgan, Jackson State
SWAC Co-Defensive Player of the Week: DE Michael Akins, Texas Southern
SWAC Co-Defensive Player of the Week: S Antwone Watts, Bethune-Cookman
SWAC Newcomer of the Week: QB Christian Peters, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
SWAC Specialist of the Week: RB Chaunzavia Lewis, Texas Southern
This week’s HBCU Football Power Rankings
Week 5
Last Week’s Players of the Week
Stats Perform HBCU FCS National Player of the Week: RB Chris Mosley, North Carolina Central
Stats Perform HBCU FCS National Team of the Week: Howard
MEAC Offensive Player of the Week: RB Chris Mosley, North Carolina Central
MEAC Defensive Player of the Week: LB Ja’Quavion Smith, Howard
MEAC Rookie of the Week: RB Randall Nauden, Morgan State
MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week: OL Trevon Humphrey, North Carolina Central
MEAC Specialist of the Week: K/P Kaleb Robison, North Carolina Central
SWAC Offensive Player of the Week: WR Maleek Huggins, Bethune-Cookman
SWAC Defensive Player of the Week: DB Trevor Randle, Prairie View A&M
SWAC Newcomer of the Week: RB Khamani Robinson, Bethune-Cookman
SWAC Specialist of the Week: P/K Max Tulen, Bethune-Cookman
This week’s HBCU Football Power Rankings
Week 4
Last Week’s Players of the Week
The following players earned player of the week honors after their Week 3 performances:
Stats Perform HBCU FCS National Player of the Week: QB Walker Harris, North Carolina Central
Stats Perform HBCU FCS National Team of the Week: North Carolina A&T
MEAC Offensive Player of the Week: QB Walker Harris, North Carolina Central
MEAC Defensive Player of the Week: DL Thomas Johnson, North Carolina Central
MEAC Rookie of the Week: RB Mason Pickett-Hicks, South Carolina State
MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week: OL Roger Smith, South Carolina State
MEAC Specialist of the Week: K Nico Cavanillas Alti, South Carolina State
SWAC Co-Offensive Player of the Week: QB Cornelious Brown IV, Alabama A&M
SWAC Co-Offensive Player of the Week: QB Andrew Body, Alabama State
SWAC Defensive Player of the Week: DB Jameel Sanders, Florida A&M
SWAC Co-Newcomer of the Week: QB Jared Lockhart, Jackson State
SWAC Co-Newcomer of the Week: RB Jaylen Jennings, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
SWAC Specialist of the Week: K Victor Barbosa, Alabama A&M
This week’s HBCU Football Power Rankings
Week 3
Game update
The Tampa Bay Football Classic is no more. Bethune-Cookman announced Monday that the Tampa Bay Football Classic is canceled and the game against Southern is back to Daytona Beach.
A Statement from Bethune-Cookman Athletics.#𝙃𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙨 | #𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙮𝙏𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 pic.twitter.com/6ID4HNrwqq
— 🏈 Bethune-Cookman Football (@BCUGridiron) September 8, 2025
Last Week’s Players of the Week
The following players earned player of the week honors after their Week 2 performances:
Stats Perform HBCU FCS National Player of the Week: QB Cornelious Brown IV, Alabama A&M
Stats Perform HBCU FCS National Team of the Week: Delaware State
MEAC Offensive Player of the Week: QB Kaiden Bennett, Delaware State
MEAC Defensive Player of the Week: DL CJ Wesley, Howard
MEAC Rookie of the Week: WR Maxim Copeland, Morgan State
MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week: OL Daniel Casillas Jr., Morgan State
MEAC Specialist of the Week: K Evan Helfrich, Norfolk State
SWAC Offensive Player of the Week: QB Cornelious Brown IV, Alabama A&M
SWAC Co-Defensive Player of the Week: LB Lenore Jalil, Alabama State
SWAC Co-Defensive Player: LB Matthew Cooks, Texas Southern
SWAC Newcomer of the Week: DL Quincy Ivory, Jackson State
SWAC Specialist of the Week: K Gerardo Baeza, Jackson State
This week’s HBCU Football Power Rankings
Week 2
Last Week’s Players of the Week
The following players earned player of the week honors after their Week 1 performances:
Stats Perform HBCU FCS National Player of the Week: QB Andrew Body, Alabama State
Stats Perform HBCU FCS National Team of the Week: Prairie View A&M
OVC-BigSouth Football Freshman of the Week: WR DeVaughn Slaughter, Tennessee State
CAA Defensive Player of the Week: LB Joshua Iseah, North Carolina A&T
MEAC Offensive Player of the Week: RB Marquis Gillis, Delaware State
MEAC Defensive Player of the Week: LB Quentin Johnson, Delaware State
MEAC Rookie of the Week: RB Randall Nauden, Morgan State
MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week: OL Jerrod Burrell, Morgan State
MEAC Specialist of the Week: K Matt Conord, Howard
SWAC Co-Offensive Player of the Week: QB Andrew Body, Alabama State
SWAC Co-Offensive Player of the Week: RB Ahmad Miller, Jackson State
SWAC Defensive Player & Newcomer of the Week: DL Quincy Ivory, Jackson State
SWAC Specialist of the Week: P Donovan Warren, Jackson State
This week’s HBCU Football Power Rankings
Week 1
First Take visits Norfolk State
The hit daily sports talk show “First Take” visited the campus of Norfolk State ahead of NSU’s season-opener against Towson. Checkout some clips from the show below.
Norfolk State showed up and showed out for First Take’s HBCU tour 😤@CameronNewton | @stephenasmith | @MollyQerim pic.twitter.com/6v1NJ3ULHP
— First Take (@FirstTake) August 28, 2025
“To help these young men … understand what greatness looks like, understand what success looks like, understanding what being men of character looks like, that means more to me than anything.”
—@MichaelVick on coaching at an HBCU 💪 pic.twitter.com/xGxKonX6Mk
— First Take (@FirstTake) August 28, 2025
Preseason news
Before the season, we looked at some of the top storylines and players to follow for 2025. Click or tap the links below for more.
The preseason is here, conferences are announcing their all-conference teams and predicted orders of finishes. Here’s where HBCU programs landed.
MEAC
South Carolina State (5 first-place vote) — 63 points
North Carolina Central (4) — 61 points
Morgan State — 39 points
Norfolk State (1) — 36 points
Howard (1) — 33 points
Delaware State (1) — 20 points
Click or tap here to see the full MEAC preseason all-conference teams.
SWAC East
Jackson State (16) —126 points
Florida A&M (3) — 99 points
Alabama State (2) — 91 points
Alabama A&M — 62 points
Bethune-Cookman (1) — 45 points
Mississippi Valley State — 24 points
SWAC West
Southern (17) — 120 points
Alcorn State (2) — 90 points
Prairie View A&M (1) — 72 points
Texas Southern — 60 points
Grambling State — 55 points
Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1) — 28 points
Click or tap here to see the full SWAC preseason all-conference teams.
Other HBCUs
Preseason players of the year
MEAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year – Running back Jason Collins Jr., Morgan State
MEAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year – Linebacker Erick Hunter, Morgan State
SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year – Quarterback Jacobian Morgan, Jackson State
SWAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year – Defensive lineman Ckelby Givens, Southern
Defending Champs entering 2025
The defending Celebration Bowl champion is Jackson State. The Tigers also won the SWAC after previously winning the SWAC East division.
South Carolina State won the MEAC in 2024.
The defending SWAC West division champion is Southern.
Click or tap here for a complete HBCU football championship history
📝 Key dates for the 2025 HBCU football season
Here are some key dates for the 2025 HBCU football season.
Key dates
NCAA.com’s Preseason HBCU football power rankings will release on Friday, Aug. 1.
The 2025 HBCU football season begins with the MEAC/SWAC Challenge on Saturday, Aug. 23.
The 2025 FCS Playoffs start on the weekend of Saturday, Nov. 29.
The 2025 SWAC Football Championship Game is on Saturday, Dec. 6.
The 2025 HBCU football season concludes with the Celebration Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 13.
🗓 Full HBCU football schedule and results
See a week-by-week HBCU football schedule in the FCS below. Stay tuned for HBCU football power rankings each week.
All time Eastern | Click or tap any of the games below for live stats | Click or tap here for a live scoreboard
Week 0 — Preseason power rankings
Saturday, August 23
The moments after North Carolina Central won the 2025 MEAC/SWAC Challenge
Week 1 — Preseason power rankings
Thursday, August 28
Friday, August 29
Saturday, August 30
Jackson State 28, Hampton 14
Howard 10, Florida A&M 9 (Orange Blossom Classic in Miami, Florida)
Arkansas 52, Alabama A&M 7
Tennessee State 24, North Carolina A&T 21
Southern 34, Mississippi Valley State 29
South Carolina State 16, Wofford 15
New Hampshire 27, North Carolina Central 10
South Alabama 38, Morgan State 21
Texas Tech 67, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 7
Grambling State 55, Langston 7 (in Shreveport, Louisiana)
Prairie View A&M 22, Texas Southern 21
Week 2 — Week 2 power rankings
Saturday, September 6
Delaware State 37, UAlbany 32
Temple 55, Howard 7
North Dakota State 59, Tennessee State 3
Ohio State 70, Grambling State 0
Southern Miss 38, Jackson State 20
Old Dominion 54, North Carolina Central 6
California 35, Texas Southern 3
FAU 56, Florida A&M 14
Hampton 27, Elizabeth City State 20
Norfolk State 34, Virginia State 31 (OT)
Miami (FL) 45, Bethune-Cookman 3
South Carolina 38, South Carolina State 10
Alabama A&M 41, Alcorn State 31
Tarleton State 59, Mississippi Valley State 3
Central Arkansas 41, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 17
Alabama State 30, Southern 7
UTRGV 27, Prairie View A&M 21
Towson 27, Morgan State 22
UCF 68, North Carolina A&T 7
Week 3 — Week 3 power rankings
Saturday, September 13
Howard 38, Morehouse 10
Delaware State 36, Bowie State 14
Jackson State 30, Tuskegee 0
Rutgers 60, Norfolk State 10
Toledo 60, Morgan State 0
Alabama A&M 23, Tennessee State 21
Alabama State 37, Miles 9
South Carolina State 55, Bethune-Cookman 41
North Carolina Central 49, Fayetteville State 19
Mississippi State 63, Alcorn State 0
Grambling State 37, Kentucky State 31
Lamar 31, Texas Southern 7
Arkansas-Pine Bluff 34, Lincoln 8
Florida A&M 33, Albany State 25
North Carolina A&T 33, Hampton 30
Rice 38, Prairie View 17
Southeastern Louisiana 56, Mississippi Valley State 3
Fresno State 56, Southern 7
Week 4 — Week 4 power rankings
Saturday, September 20
Morgan State 27, Central State 0
South Florida 63, South Carolina State 14
Delaware State 33, Saint Francis (PA) 10
Bethune-Cookman 35, Edward Waters 9
Howard 34, Hampton 7 (Truth & Service Classic in Washington, DC)
Sacred Heart 31, Norfolk State 28
North Carolina Central 62, North Carolina A&T 20 (Aggie-Eagle Classic)
Alabama A&M 49, Lane 7
Grambling State 31, East Texas A&M 28
Prairie View A&M 27, Northwestern State 24
Week 5 — Week 5 Power Rankings
Saturday, September 27
Sacred Heart 35, Delaware State 31
Wagner 18, Norfolk State 13
Elon 41, Hampton 20
Morgan State 24, Miles 17 (Circle City Classic in Indianapolis, IN)
Richmond 13, Howard 12
Alabama State 42, Florida A&M 14
Bethune-Cookman 41, Alabama A&M 34
Maine 37, North Carolina A&T 30
Tennessee Tech 35, Tennessee State 8
Texas Southern 23, Mississippi Valley State 20
Charleston Southern 31, South Carolina State 24
Prairie View A&M 38, Grambling State 13
Jackson State 38, Southern 13
Arkansas-Pine Bluff 24, Alcorn State 20
North Carolina Central 50, East Texas A&M 42
Week 6 — Week 6 Power Rankings
Saturday, October 4
Monmouth 49, Delaware State 38
Georgetown 27, Morgan State 24
South Carolina State 49, Savannah State 6
Alabama State 52, Bethune-Cookman 35
Eastern Illinois 31, Tennessee State 7
William & Mary 38, North Carolina A&T 34
Hampton 41, Norfolk State 34 (Battle of the Bay)
Prairie View A&M 13, Alcorn State 12
Jackson State 57, Alabama A&M 24
Texas Southern, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 7
Week 7 — Week 7 Power Rankings
Saturday, October 11
Delaware State 70, Southern Connecticut State 23
South Carolina State 22, North Carolina A&T 16
Morgan State 44, Virginia-Lynchburg 6
Sacred Heart 32, Howard 14
Wofford 31, Norfolk State 14
Campbell 38, Hampton 21
North Carolina Central 45, Florida A&M 7
Arkansas-Pine Bluff 79, Westgate 10
Alabama A&M 45, Mississippi Valley State 25
Alcorn State 42, Lincoln (CA) 0
Jackson State 38, Alabama State 34
Bethune-Cookman 45, Southern 14
Southeast Missouri State 28, Tennessee State 12
Texas Southern 21, Grambling State 20
Week 8 — Week 8 Power Rankings
Saturday, October 18
Week 9 — Week 9 Power Rankings
Saturday, October 25
North Carolina A&T 28, Campbell 24
Delaware State 35, North Carolina Central 26
South Carolina State 51, Norfolk State 20
Monmouth 28, Hampton 10
Western Illinois 17, Tennessee State 16
Alcorn State 32, Mississippi Valley State 10
Bethune-Cookman 31, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 14
Prairie View A&M 38, Lincoln (CA) 0
Howard 33, Morgan State 27 (OT)
Alabama State 56, vs. Alabama A&M 13 (Magic City Classic in Birmingham, AL)
Florida A&M 43, Southern 35
Grambling State 26, Jackson State 24 (Las Vegas HBCU Classic in Las Vegas, NV)
Week 10 — Week 10 Power Rankings
Thursday, October 30
Saturday, November 1
Towson 62, North Carolina A&T 9
South Carolina State 36, Morgan State 30
Alcorn State 33, Texas Southern 14
Bethune-Cookman 42, Mississippi Valley State 34
Arkansas-Pine Bluff 40, Southern 21
Grambling State 13, Alabama A&M 10
Alabama State 31, Prairie View A&M 28
North Carolina Central 35, Howard 14
Lindenwood 35, Tennessee State 13
Jackson State 41, Florida A&M 16
Week 11 — Week 11 Power Rankings
Friday, November 7
Saturday, November 8
Stony Brook 38, North Carolina A&T 12
Maine 35, Hampton 7
South Carolina State 42, Howard 12
North Carolina Central 31, Norfolk State 24
UT Martin 26, Tennessee State 7
Florida A&M 31, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 28
Jackson State 42, Mississippi Valley State 3
Grambling State 31, Bethune-Cookman 23
Prairie View A&M 48, at Alabama A&M 5
Alabama State 42, Texas Southern 24
Alcorn State 35, Southern 17
Week 12 — Week 12 Power Rankings
Friday, November 14
Saturday, November 15
Monmouth 63, North Carolina A&T 19
Morgan State 35, Norfolk State 28
Delaware State 26, Howard 13
William & Mary 55, Hampton 14
Jackson State 28, Bethune-Cookman 13
Gardner-Webb 30, Tennessee State 14
Alcorn State 27, Grambling State 16
Florida A&M 26, Alabama A&M 23
Texas Southern 35, Southern 30
Prairie View A&M 56, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 9
Alabama State 41, Mississippi Valley State 0
Week 13 — Week 13 Power Rankings
Saturday, November 22
North Carolina Central 33, Morgan State 14
Alabama State 44, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 14
Rhode Island 38, Hampton 10
South Carolina State 28, Delaware State 17
Charleston Southern 7, Tennessee State 6
Elon 55, North Carolina A&T 17
Prairie View A&M 59, Mississippi Valley State 6
Texas Southern 24, Alabama A&M 7
Jackson State 27, Alcorn State 21
Bethune-Cookman 38, Florida A&M 34 (Florida Classic in Orlando, FL) | ESPN+
Howard 44, Norfolk State 15
Week 14
Thursday, November 27
Saturday, November 29
Week 15 – Conference Championships
Saturday, December 6
Week 16 – Celebration Bowl — FINAL POWER RANKINGS
Saturday, December 13
📚 HBCU Football Basics
There are 21 football programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) at the FCS level. FCS HBCU football programs primarily play in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) or the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).
Below are all the HBCU football programs and the conference they will play in for the 2024 season.
MEAC
Delaware State
Howard
Morgan State
Norfolk State
North Carolina Central
South Carolina State
SWAC
East Division
Alabama A&M
Alabama State
Bethune-Cookman
Florida A&M
Jackson State
Mississippi Valley State
West Division
Alcorn State
Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Grambling State
Prairie View A&M
Southern
Texas Southern
CAA*
Hampton
North Carolina A&T
OVC-Big South Football Association*
*The CAA and Ohio Valley are not “HBCU conferences”