We are a month away from the start of the HBCU football season, with the MEAC/SWAC Challenge set to kick off in 33 days.
The countdown to the start of the season continues with MEAC Media Day, the final conference media day before the year begins.
With coaching changes, roster turnaround, and top stars returning from injury, there is more excitement surrounding the MEAC than we have seen in a long time.
Here are the biggest storylines for each MEAC football team ahead of MEAC Media Day.
Delaware State: Can DeSean Jackson back up his proclamation?
Delaware State comes into the 2025 season after making the most shocking offseason move, hiring former NFL Pro Bowl wide receiver Desean Jackson as its next head football coach.
Since assuming the position of head coach at DSU, Jackson has been confident in turning around the struggling Hornets, proclaiming that it is a new day for the team in Dover.
During his introductory press conference, the former NFL wide receiver boldly claimed that “we ain’t waiting,” saying he wants to win the MEAC and take his team to the Celebration Bowl this year.
While Coach Jackson could have the ultimate confidence in himself as a coach and in his team to make this happen, most would call this a pipe dream based on the Hornets’ recent history.
Delaware State has finished with a combined record of 2-21 in the past two seasons, including a 12-game losing streak against the MEAC dating back to 2022.
Should the Hornets overcome overwhelming odds and take home the MEAC championship, it would be their first conference title since 2007.
With the hype surrounding Delaware State entering the season based on Jackson’s name, his championship proclamation will only add to the intrigue when he steps on the podium at MEAC Media Day.
Howard: One-year wonder or sleeping giant?
The 2024 season was a struggle for Howard following a dream 2023 campaign in which they claimed their first outright MEAC title since 1993.
The Bison finished 1-4 against the MEAC, marking their worst conference record since 2021, the last time they finished a season below .500 overall.
Many key players from Howard’s championship season did not return, including star running back Ian Wheeler, longtime quarterback Quinton Williams, and leading pass rusher Darrian Brokenburr.
This season will also bring about a significant transition for the Bison as secondary leader Kenny Gallop, leading rusher Jarett Hunter, and leading receiver Kasey Hawthorne have departed.
So, that begs the question: Can the Bison recapture the magic of their 2023 championship run, or were they just a one-year wonder?
That will be the question for Howard at MEAC Media Day and the 2025 football season.
Morgan State: What will Erick Hunter’s return mean?
While the 2024 season didn’t go as planned for Morgan State, which was hoping to take the next step toward championship contention following an improved 2023 campaign, star defensive lineman Elijah Williams made a name for himself with a dominant performance.
In addition to being named MEAC Defensive Player of the Year, leading the conference in sacks and tackles for loss, Williams became Morgan State’s career sacks leader.
Williams’ success came despite star linebacker Erick Hunter missing most of 2024 due to injury.
Hunter and Williams led the Bears as the top-scoring defense in the MEAC while allowing the fewest total yards per game.
Now that Williams is gone and Hunter is back for one more year, his impact on the team as its top defender will be the biggest story to watch.
Before his injury, Hunter would have been considered one of the top HBCU defensive players eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft.
While this could still be the case, a strong performance this upcoming year could leave no doubt about what kind of impact the Bears’ defender could make professionally.
Norfolk State: Is the Michael Vick effect real?
Delaware State was not the only team that made a big coaching hire in the offseason, bringing in a hometown legend in hopes of turning the team’s fortunes around.
Former NFL Pro Bowl quarterback Michael Vick was hired after Dawson, the previous head coach, was dismissed after four seasons.
Under Odums’ leadership, the Spartans finished 7-13 against the MEAC, the second-worst conference record among MEAC teams in that period.
Currently sporting the longest drought without a MEAC championship, the biggest question will be whether Vick is the right guy to end the Spartans’ suffering.
Norfolk State had one of its strongest offseasons, including adding former FBS quarterback Isreal Carter.
With all the hype surrounding NSU, there will be a growing interest in watching Vick’s coaching philosophy develop in real time.
North Carolina Central: Can Walker Harris have a breakout season?
For the second season, North Carolina Central fell one game short of the MEAC title, with its lone conference loss to South Carolina State being the deciding factor.
The Eagles hope to claim their first MEAC championship since 2022, but will move forward without many of their significant stars from last season.
Notable offseason losses include leading running back J’Mari Taylor, top wide receiver Joaquin Davis, and leading defenders Quantez Mansfield and Jaki Brevard.
With overwhelming roster changes, this puts an onus on quarterback Walker Harris to have a breakout performance.
Harris performed exceptionally in his first season as NCCU’s full-time starter, posting 1,882 passing yards and 18 touchdowns to just six interceptions.
This included a three-game stretch in which he recorded 216.3 passing yards per game on 69% completions, scoring nine touchdowns without an interception.
With reigning MEAC Player of the Year Eric Phoenix now gone, Harris enters the 2025 season as the undisputed top returning offensive player in the MEAC.
Consistent production like this for an entire season will guarantee him a MEAC Player of the Year award and be key to the Eagles’ championship aspirations.
South Carolina State: How will the Bulldogs handle being hunted?
South Carolina State defied expectations in their first season under head coach Chennis Berry last season, winning the MEAC title after being predicted to finish fourth in the preseason.
However, as the old saying goes, the Bulldogs have gone from being the hunter to the hunted. This begs the question: How will SCSU perform now that its circumstances have changed?
There has not been an outright repeat champion in the MEAC since North Carolina A&T did so in 2018 (it shared the 2019 championship with South Carolina State).
Like North Carolina Central, South Carolina State’s pursuit of a repeat championship will be done without many of its top stars from last year, putting added pressure on them entering the 2025 season.
In addition to star quarterback Phoenix, SCSU will be without top receiver Caden High and All-MEAC defenders Aaron Smith and Jayden Broughton.
Combined with the fact that they are no longer the underdog, the Bulldogs’ championship spirit will be tested and will be a topic of conversation.
