Category: Black College Football

The John A. Merritt Classic moved to FirstBank Stadium

Staff

Courtesy of Courtesy of Tennessee State Athletics NASHVILLE — Tennessee State and Jackson State will renew one of HBCU football’s most storied rivalries at Vanderbilt University’s FirstBank Stadium when the teams meet in the 2026 John A. Merritt Classic, presented by the Tennessee Titans and ONE Community, on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 7:30 p.m. Tennessee State 2026 single-game tickets, including the John A. Merritt Classic, will go on sale Monday, June 15, at 9 a.m. CT. The game will be played at FirstBank Stadium due to NFL scheduling, which has the Tennessee Titans…

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Tennessee State Alum Shannon Harris Continues Elevating HBCU Coaching Legacy With DC Defenders

Brandon King

Image via the DC Defenders The impact of HBCUs on professional football extends far beyond the players on the field. Tennessee State University alumnus and DC Defenders head coach Shannon Harris is proving that point in a major way. Harris has guided the Defenders to the UFL Championship Game for the second consecutive season, further solidifying his reputation as one of professional football’s rising coaching stars. His success represents not only a personal achievement but also another significant milestone for Tennessee State and the HBCU football community. A former quarterback…

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HBCU Legacy Bowl Headed To Atlanta In 2027

Brandon King

The HBCU Legacy Bowl is set for a major move in 2027, as the premier postseason showcase for NFL draft-eligible HBCU talent heads to Atlanta, Georgia. Organizers announced that the 2027 HBCU Legacy Bowl will take place at Center Parc Stadium, bringing one of Black college football’s most important events to one of the nation’s most influential Black cultural and sports markets. In addition to the all-star game, the event will feature its annual Career Fair on February 26, 2027, followed by the HBCU Legacy Bowl on February 27, 2027.…

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Tennessee State Flips 3-Star Defensive Back Rymen Mosley From Rice

Brandon King

Tennessee State continues to make noise on the recruiting trail. The Tigers have secured a commitment from 2026 three-star defensive back Rymen Mosley, who announced his pledge to TSU after previously being committed to Rice Owls. Mosley, a standout from Cardinal Mooney High School, brings athleticism, versatility, and playmaking ability to Tennessee State’s secondary. Coming out of Cardinal Mooney ( Sarasota, FL) Mosley was scouted as a player that is “quick and instinctive” and plays “much bigger than his 5-10 frame.” “I feel like with me being undersized it’s a…

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Former Alabama A&M Receiver Franck Pierre Commits To Alabama State

Brandon King

Alabama State has added another experienced playmaker to its receiving corps, as former Alabama A&M wide receiver Franck Pierre announced his commitment to the Hornets via social media. Pierre arrives in Montgomery after a productive season with the Bulldogs, where he recorded 33 receptions for 548 yards and five touchdowns. His ability to stretch the field and create explosive plays gives Alabama State another weapon as the program looks to build on its recent success and compete for a SWAC championship in 2026. The move is particularly noteworthy because it…

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Bethune-Cookman’s Patrick Brown Earns NFL Bill Walsh Fellowship With Houston Texans

Brandon King

Bethune-Cookman continues to make noise beyond the field as one of its rising staff members earns a coveted NFL opportunity. HBCU coach headed to the league stage Bethune-Cookman special teams coordinator and running backs coach Patrick Brown has been selected for the NFL Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship, where he will join the Houston Texans during their offseason program. For Brown, the opportunity represents more than a résumé boost—it’s a chance to step directly into the NFL environment, absorb professional-level coaching operations, and learn things he can take back to…

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2026 MEAC/SWAC Challenge Between Howard and Alabama A&M To Air Nationally on ABC

Brandon King

The 2026 Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge between Howard University and Alabama A&M University will officially air nationally on ABC on Saturday, August 29 at 7:30 PM ET from Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta.   The announcement continues the MEAC/SWAC Challenge’s role as one of the premier showcases in HBCU football, giving both programs a major national platform to open the 2026 college football season.   This year’s matchup also carries added intrigue:

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Former UCLA quarterback Parker Mcquarrie commits to JSCU

Brandon King

Johnson C. Smith University has added a notable name to its quarterback room, as former 4-star signal caller Parker McQuarrie announced his commitment to the Golden Bulls. McQuarrie brings a unique football journey to Charlotte. Coming out of high school, he was rated a 4-star prospect by Rivals coming out of St. Paul’s (Concord, N.H), where he led the Pelicans to consecutive state titles in his first two seasons. He was regarded as one of the more highly touted quarterback prospects in his class and originally signed with UCLA as…

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HBCU GO Unveils 2026 Televised Football Lineup Featuring 13 National Broadcast Games

Brandon King

HBCU Gp announced their televised slated of football games for the 2026 season. The 13-game lineup, running from August 29 through November 21, continues HBCU GO’s mission of elevating HBCU athletics on a national stage through free streaming and broadcast distribution across multiple platforms. 🏈 Full 2026 HBCU GO TV Schedule Week 1 – Aug. 29North Carolina Central vs. Texas Southern Week 2 – Sept. 5Edward Waters vs. Jackson State Week 3 – Sept. 12Alcorn State vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff Week 4 – Sept. 19Tennessee State vs. Florida A&M Week 5…

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SWAC Programs Hit with Postseason Bans Amid APR Violations

Brandon King

The Southwestern Athletic Conference is dealing with a major postseason shake-up after multiple programs were handed NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) penalties, placing their football seasons in limbo before a snap is even taken. Three SWAC programs—Alabama A&M Bulldogs, Florida A&M Rattlers, and Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils—have been flagged for Level Two APR sanctions, which include postseason bans and competitive restrictions for the upcoming cycle. 📉 The Schools Impacted All three programs fell below the NCAA’s academic performance threshold, triggering postseason ineligibility tied to multi-year academic outcomes. 📊 Reported…

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