Change has been constant within the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in recent years.
For the fifth consecutive season, the league has gone without a repeat champion. And, for the first time, the MEAC representative in the Cricket Celebration Bowl has fallen short to its SWAC counterpart in back-to-back seasons with Jackson State’s 28-7 trouncing of South Carolina State in 2024. 2025 also welcomes at least one new head coach to the six-team conference. This time, these two coaches have a combined 28 years of pro player experience and 7 Pro Bowl appearances.
Another never-changing theme within the MEAC is that the league’s head coaches and sports information directors predict the previous year’s champion to return to Atlanta in December. Can South Carolina State become the first team to repeat as champions since North Carolina A&T did it from 2017-2019 and win their seventh Black College Football National Title, or will the current streak of a different champion extend to a sixth year?
Here’s a look ahead at the top returning players and our predicted order of finish.
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Returning All-Conference Players
From last season’s All-MEAC Teams
North Carolina Central – 7: TE Luke Bracey (1st Team), QB Walker Harris (1st Team), OL Trevon Humphrey (1st Team), C Noah McKinney (1st Team), OL AC McMoore (1st Team), DB Malcolm Reed (1st Team), LB Max U’Ren (1st Team)
Norfolk State – 4: OL Vincent Byrd Jr. (1st Team), LB Jaden Kelly (2nd Team All-SWAC, Arkansas-Pine Bluff transfer), RB Kevon King (1st Team), RS Jaylen White (1st Team)
Howard – 3: OL Tim Artis Jr. (1st Team), DL Noah Miles (1st Team), RS Anthony Reagan Jr. (2nd Team)
Morgan State – 1: RS Malique Leatherbury (1st Team)
South Carolina State – 1: DB Jarod Washington (1st Team)
Teams With the Most D1 Transfers
Norfolk State — 25 (7 FCS, 18 FCS)
South Carolina State – 15 (9 FBS, 6 FCS)
Delaware State – 9 (6 FBS, 3 FCS)
Morgan State – 8 (5 FBS, 3 FCS)
Names To Know
PRESEASON OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Walker Harris, North Carolina Central QB — Second Team All-MEAC running back Jason Collins out of Morgan State was named Offensive Preseason Player of the Year by the coaches, but keep an eye out for Harris. The redshirt-junior threw 1,882 yards and 18 touchdowns while leading the Eagles to the tenth-best scoring offense in the nation (35.5) in 2024.
Other players to watch: RB Jason Collins (Morgan State), RB Marquis Gillis (Delaware State), RB Kevon King (Norfolk State), WR NyGhee Lolley (Delaware State), QB Ja’Shawn Scroggins (Howard)
PRESEASON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Erick Hunter, Morgan State LB — Arguably the best defensive prospect in the MEAC, Hunter had 9.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks, and two forced fumbles while leading the league in tackles per game (7.5) in 2023. Despite missing most of the 2024 season, the linebacker from Capitol Heights, MD compiled seven tackles and a sack in the Bears’ final game of the year against Howard.
Other players to watch: DL Marquise Brunson (Delaware State), LB Daylan Long (Norfolk State), DB Max U’Ren (North Carolina Central), DB Jarod Washington (South Carolina State)
THE NFL PROSPECT: Noah Miles, Howard DL — A disruptive presence in the interior, the 6’4″ 250 lb. prospect finished fourth in the MEAC in tackles for a loss (11.5), and total sacks (8) while amassing 35 total tackles, a forced fumble, and a blocked kick for the Bison last year. With his measurables, Miles could be kicked outside to defensive end on the next level.
Other Players to Watch: RB Eden James (Howard), RB Kevon King (Norfolk State), LB Erick Hunter (Morgan State), DB Malcom Reed (North Carolina Central)
HERO Sports’ Predicted Order of Finish
1. North Carolina Central
2. South Carolina State
3. Morgan State
4. Norfolk State
5. Howard
6. Delaware State
When two teams have a combined record of 10-36 over the past two seasons, you’d anticipate them entering 2025 with new leadership. Well, Delaware State and Norfolk State have chosen to introduce former NFL Pro Bowlers DeSean Jackson and Michael Vick to their respective fan bases with hopes of turning around their perennial underachieving programs. But I don’t anticipate that turnaround to happen in 2025 for either team.
After leading the Bison to their first Celebration Bowl appearance in 2023, Coach Larry Scott’s team finished 2024 1-5 in their last six games on their way to a 4-8 record. The MEAC will test Scott’s ability to reload and rebound this year. Losing all-conference performers running back Jarett Hunter and defensive back Kenny Gallop Jr., HU opens the season facing Division I out-of-conference opponents Florida A&M, Temple, Hampton, and Richmond.
Coach Damon Wilson has work to do to move Morgan State to the top of the conference. Over the past few seasons, the Bears’ only league losses have been to North Carolina Central (twice), and that year’s conference champion – Howard in ’23, South Carolina State in ’24. LB Hunter returns to a defense that took a step back last year, giving up 31.2 points against MEAC opponents. Hopefully, Morgan State will be able to produce competent quarterback play to go alongside RB Collins if they hope to improve offensively.
South Carolina State’s attempt to repeat as league champs won’t be easy with the Bulldogs losing 14 all-conference players from ’24. However, coach Chennis Berry is confident that one of the nation’s best defenses from a year ago will continue to be anchored by mainstays Jarod Washington, Josh Baker, Marcus Samuels, and Tulane transfer Michael Lunz. However, the offense has a few question marks. Eight starters, including the Offensive Player and Lineman of the Year, have departed, while running Backs KZ Adams and Tyler Smith will return to the MEAC’s best total offense. After playing seven games last season, quarterback Ryan Stubblefield is likely the frontrunner to be the new starting signal-caller, but James Madison transfer Bill Atkins could compete for snaps.
With ten starters named to the preseason all-conference team, North Carolina Central is poised once again to be a strong contender for the MEAC crown. Under coach Trei Oliver, the Eagles have won 27 games since 2022, the best three-year stretch since becoming an FCS program.
Quarterback Walker Harris (1,882 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, six interceptions) returns after leading NCCU to the nation’s tenth-best scoring offense (35.5). A talented group of receivers that includes Chance Peterson and tight end Luke Bracey will support Harris. Running backs Chris Mosley (10.9 yards per carry) and Arthur Rodgers Jr. (8.4 yards per carry) look to lead a backfield by committee.
Although the defense has a new coordinator in Jesse Thompson, concerns about this group that allowed just over 18 points per contest in ’24 are minuscule. Defensive lineman Christian Smith and linebacker Max U’Ren will lead the way for this talented unit. Defensive backs Malcolm Reed and Jelani Vassell return to lead the MEAC’s best pass defense.
Central’s biggest conference contest, a Nov. 14 matchup against South Carolina State on ESPN, will take place in O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium—a place where the Eagles are 16-3 since 2021. However, Coach Oliver has a 1-4 record against the Bulldogs, including a 24-21 road loss last October.
