These HBCU pig skin gamers have the expertise to go away their mark on the contest this stretch
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The 2026 HBCU pig skin stretch is loaded with returning manufacturing throughout the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).
Alabama A&M will face Howard on Saturday on the MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Atlanta to kick off the Black faculty pig skin stretch. The contest marks the debut of Howard head leader and alumnus Ted White, whereas Alabama A&M leader Sam Shade begins his second stretch following a 4-8 marketing campaign final yr.
Those groups are among the many many traditionally Black schools and universities beginning their pig skin seasons this week, and each contender has a competitor able to altering the trajectory of a contest. Here are MEAC and SWAC gamers you must know as HBCU pig skin begins, in addition to two names to recollect from the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA).
Eden James, Howard, working again
Eden James, son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Edgerrin James, has quietly developed into one of many MEAC’s grittiest working backs. He has registered 1,488 speeding yards and 7 speeding touchdowns throughout his first 4 years at Howard.
The Bison wish to flip the web page after a disappointing 2025 stretch by which they completed 5-7 general (2-3 MEAC), putting fourth within the convention. Under new head leader Ted White, Howard is targeted on establishing a brand new tradition, and James may very well be the muse of that transformation.
“Quad” Brown, Alabama A&M, quarterback
After taking part in seven seasons of school pig skin, Cornelious “Quad” Brown IV enters this yr as one of the skilled quarterbacks in HBCU pig skin. Despite competing in solely 4 video games final stretch as a consequence of setback, Brown threw for 1,060 yards and 7 touchdowns for the Bulldogs.
He earned a pair of SWAC Offensive Player of the Week honors and helped Alabama A&M begin 3-1. The NCAA granted Brown a medical redshirt, giving him an eighth stretch of eligibility. Now, the previous Georgia State and UT-Martin quarterback has one other alternative to show that his expertise and accuracy — plus his potential to make performs along with his legs — might help Alabama A&M return to competition within the SWAC.
Chance Peterson, North Carolina Central, large receiver
The MEAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, North Carolina Central large receiver Chance Peterson had 48 catches for 720 yards and one landing final stretch, rating fourth within the convention in receiving yards. His potential to create explosive performs ought to make him one of many MEAC’s most efficient receivers once more.
Peterson would be the high goal for brand spanking new beginning quarterback Joshua Jones, and constructing chemistry between the duo early can be important.
Jordan Franklin, South Carolina State, linebacker
No defender is beginning the stretch with an even bigger goal on his again than South Carolina State linebacker Jordan Franklin. Voted the MEAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, Franklin recorded 62 complete tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss and two interceptions final stretch.
He leads one of many convention’s stingiest defenses, which has ranked within the high two in complete protection for the previous two seasons. Franklin’s manufacturing can be central to the Bulldogs’ pursuit of defending their Celebration Bowl chip.
Jordan Barnett, Morgan State, working again
After a breakout stretch at Division II Shepherd University in West Virginia, working again Jordan Barnett is predicted to be an impactful switch for Morgan State this stretch. He ran for 1,209 yards and a conference-leading 17 touchdowns final yr, ending twenty second within the nation in all-purpose yards. Barnett joins a Bears offense that ranked second within the MEAC in speeding yards in 2025.
Nate Rembert, Jackson State, large receiver
There will not be a extra harmful deep risk in HBCU pig skin than Jackson State large receiver Nate Rembert. After an eligibility dispute ultimately settled in Rembert’s favor by way of injunction, one of many Tigers’ most explosive offensive weapons is returning for one more stretch after accruing 750 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns in 2025.
Whether stretching the sphere vertically or turning brief receptions into large positive factors, Rembert has persistently demonstrated a capability to alter video games. With Jackson State once more anticipated to compete for a SWAC chip, Rembert’s manufacturing doubtless will decide simply how explosive the Tigers’ offense could be.
Andrew Body, Alabama State, quarterback
Last stretch, Alabama State quarterback Andrew Body remodeled the Hornets into the SWAC’s finest scoring offense, which led the convention in complete touchdowns (67). Body is the SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, and his decision-making and talent to increase performs outdoors the pocket make him one of many convention’s premier quarterbacks.
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Despite being restricted to eight video games final stretch as a consequence of setback, Body threw for 1,770 yards, 20 touchdowns and one interception, whereas including 500 speeding yards and 4 TDs on the bottom. Entering one other stretch underneath middle, if Body can keep wholesome, he offers Alabama State authentic chip aspirations.
Trey Holly, Southern, working again
After transferring to Southern a stretch in the past from LSU, working again Trey Holly reminded everybody why he stays one of the naturally gifted rushers in HBCU pig skin. In his first contest with the Jaguars, on the 2025 MEAC/SWAC Challenge, he rushed for 119 yards. Holly ended final stretch ranked No. 3 within the SWAC with 869 speeding yards, including 9 touchdowns. The junior’s mixture of imaginative and prescient, burst and pace offers the Jaguars a competitor able to altering video games, whereas first-year head leader Marshall Faulk‘s background as one of the greatest running backs in NFL history could further elevate Holly’s improvement.
After ending final stretch 2-10, Southern is in search of a recent begin underneath Faulk. Holly is predicted to be the centerpiece of that resurgence alongside defensive finish Ckelby Givens, who’s eligible for a fifth stretch due to a current court docket ruling.
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Eric Zachery, Prairie View A&M, defensive again
Prairie View A&M defensive again Eric Zachery has developed into one of many premier ballhawks in HBCU pig skin, anchoring a Panthers protection that allowed the fewest factors within the SWAC. He completed the 2025 stretch ranked No. 2 within the convention in go breakups (13) and had two interceptions. Zachery’s instincts, physicality and flexibility helped set up Prairie View A&M’s secondary. The Panthers enter this stretch trying to repeat as SWAC champions and safe a second Celebration Bowl berth.
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Elijah Kennedy, North Carolina A&T, large receiver
At 5-foot-11, North Carolina A&T’s Elijah Kennedy isn’t the most important competitor on the sphere, however his quickness, lateral agility and talent to make defenders miss in open house make him one of the harmful all-purpose threats within the CAA.
Whether he’s lining up at large receiver, fielding punts or returning kickoffs, Kennedy has a knack for flipping discipline place and creating momentum-changing performs. He totaled 979 yards and three touchdowns between his kick return and punt return duties final stretch.
North Carolina A&T begins its second stretch underneath head leader Shawn Gibbs trying to construct on final stretch’s progress regardless of a 2-10 end. Gibbs has emphasised establishing a harder, extra aggressive tradition, and Kennedy embodies that imaginative and prescient.
Korede Sogbesan, Hampton, defensive lineman
Hampton didn’t must look far to seek out one of many CAA’s high defensive playmakers. After transferring from Monmouth, linebacker Korede Sogbesan instantly established himself as one of many convention’s premier defenders final stretch, registering 62 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and three quarterback hurries.
The Pirates, who went 2-10 final stretch, are starting a rebuild underneath first-year head leader Van Malone. However, they have already got one of many convention’s most completed defensive leaders in Sogbesan, who earned preseason All-CAA honors.
Mia Berry is the senior HBCU author for Andscape and covers all the pieces from sports activities to student-led protests. She is a Detroit native (What up Doe!), long-suffering Detroit sports activities fan and Notre Dame alumna who randomly shouts, “Go Irish.”
