Category: Black College Football

Tennessee State Athletics Inks Deal With Nike

Brandon King

Tennessee State University Athletics is entering a new chapter after securing a partnership with Nike, one of the most recognizable brands in sports. The agreement makes Nike the official athletic apparel, footwear, accessory, and equipment provider for Tennessee State’s athletic programs. The partnership was made possible through BSN SPORTS and provides the Tigers with access to Nike products across all of TSU’s sports programs.  For a program with one of the richest history of any in the HBCU sporting diaspora, the partnership represents another step toward strengthening the Tennessee State…

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Tennessee State Football Places Seven on OVC Preseason Defensive Players to Watch List

Brandon King

The Tennessee State Tigers continue to receive preseason recognition heading into the 2026 football season, with seven players earning spots on the Ohio Valley Conference Preseason Defensive Players to Watch list. Under head coach Reggie Barlow, who enters his second season leading the Tigers, Tennessee State’s defense is expected to be a key factor as the program looks to build momentum in the OVC. The Tigers were represented across multiple defensive and special teams categories, highlighting the team’s depth and versatility. 🏈 Tennessee State Defensive Players to Watch Defensive Line…

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Virginia Union Picked to Win CIAA as Conference Unveils 2026 Football Predicted Order of Finish and Preseason All-CIAA Team

Brandon King

irginia Union enters the 2026 football season as the team to beat after being voted the preseason favorite in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Predicted Order of Finish, announced during CIAA Football Media Day. The Panthers edged defending CIAA champion Johnson C. Smith for the top spot in voting conducted by the CIAA Sports Information Directors Association. Fayetteville State was picked to finish third, followed by Virginia State and Winston-Salem State to round out the top five.  2026 CIAA Predicted Order of Finish Johnson C. Smith led all programs…

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2026 SWAC Football Predicted Order of Finish Released: Alabama State, Prairie View A&M Picked as Division Favorites

Brandon King

The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) has released its 2026 football predicted order of finish, with Alabama State and Prairie View A&M earning the top spots in their respective divisions following voting from conference coaches and media. East Division Predicted Finish Rank Team Points First-Place Votes 1 Alabama State 131 16 2 Jackson State 122 7 3 Bethune-Cookman 71 — 4 Florida A&M 70 — 5 Alabama A&M 66 1 6 Mississippi Valley State 29 — Alabama State enters the 2026 season as the favorite in the East Division after receiving…

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How an NCAA Technicality Could End Victory Vaka’s College Football Career

Brandon King

This is one of the more troubling college football stories to emerge this offseason. According to CBS Sports, former Texas Southern defensive tackle Victory Vaka left Western Kentucky after his mother unexpectedly passed away in April. He attended her funeral on May 9 and believed he had approval from the program to remain home before returning in June. However, on May 27, WKU informed him that his scholarship had been canceled.   The biggest issue isn’t just losing his scholarship—it’s how the school processed his departure. Western Kentucky reportedly classified…

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Alabama A&M Athletics Announces 2026 Hall of Fame Class

Brandon King

Alabama A&M Athletics has officially unveiled its 2026 Athletics Hall of Fame Class, recognizing nine Bulldogs whose excellence as student-athletes, coaches, and ambassadors has left a lasting impact on the university’s rich athletic tradition. The class spans multiple sports and eras, celebrating championship success, individual accomplishments, academic excellence, and professional achievements that continue to reflect positively on Alabama A&M. 2026 Alabama A&M Athletics Hall of Fame Class Alexandria Brazelton Boyd | Volleyball (2002–2005) A cornerstone of the most successful era in Alabama A&M volleyball history, Alexandria Brazelton Boyd helped lead…

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South Carolina State, Johnson C. Smith Headline Inaugural 2026 Preseason Black College Football Poll

Brandon King

Defending HBCU champions South Carolina State and Johnson C. Smith have been voted No. 1 in the inaugural 2026 Preseason Black College Football Poll, making history as the first programs to top the newly established national rankings. The poll, which is endorsed by the MEAC, SWAC, CIAA and SIAC, provides an official weekly ranking of HBCU football programs across NCAA Division I (FCS) and Division II. The rankings are determined by a panel of HBCU head coaches and media members and are designed to become the definitive benchmark for Black…

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SWAC Announces 2026 Football Preseason Awards: Andrew Body, Kam Sallis Earn Top Honors

Brandon King

The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) has officially unveiled its 2026 Football Preseason Awards and All-SWAC teams, with Alabama State quarterback Andrew Body and Jackson State defensive back Kam Sallis earning the league’s top individual honors. Body was voted the 2026 SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year after leading one of the conference’s most dynamic offenses last season. The Hornets signal-caller also earned First Team All-SWAC honors at quarterback. In just eight games during the 2025 campaign, Body completed 113 of 160 passes (70.6%) for 1,770 yards, 20 touchdowns, and…

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SWAC Announces 2026 Football Media Day Attendees

Brandon King

The Southwestern Athletic Conference has officially released the list of head coaches and student-athletes who will represent each program at the 2026 SWAC Football Media Day, set for July 15 in Birmingham, Alabama. The annual event serves as the unofficial kickoff to the SWAC football season, featuring preseason storylines, player availability, and the release of the predicted order of finish. Each of the 12 member institutions will be represented by its head coach along with two student-athletes. 🏈 2026 SWAC Football Media Day Attendees Alabama A&M Alabama State Alcorn State…

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Toyota Joins Celebration Bowl and MEAC/SWAC Challenge as Official Band of the Year Partner

Staff

The pageantry and tradition of HBCU marching bands will receive an even bigger spotlight as Toyota has been announced as the new presenting partner of the Official Fan Page Band of the Year competition for both the Cricket Celebration Bowl and the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. The partnership further strengthens Toyota’s longstanding commitment to HBCUs, student-athletes, and the rich culture surrounding Black college football. Through its support of the Band of the Year competition, Toyota will help celebrate the talented musicians, dancers, and directors who play a vital role in making HBCU…

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