The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) has released its 2026 preseason football poll and preseason all-conference teams, with South Carolina State entering the season as the favorite to defend its conference crown.
The Bulldogs received 49 points and five first-place votes to claim the top spot in the preseason predicted order of finish. North Carolina Central finished second with 42 points and one first-place vote, while Delaware State garnered 40 points and two first-place votes, setting up what could be a tightly contested race atop the conference standings.
Morgan State was selected fourth with 25 points, followed by Norfolk State with 18 points and one first-place vote. Howard rounded out the poll with 15 points.
2026 MEAC Preseason Predicted Order of Finish
- South Carolina State – 49 points (5 first-place votes)
- North Carolina Central – 42 (1)
- Delaware State – 40 (2)
- Morgan State – 25
- Norfolk State – 18 (1)
- Howard – 15
Peterson, Franklin Earn Top Individual Honors
North Carolina Central wide receiver Chance Peterson was voted the 2026 MEAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year after emerging as one of the conference’s most dynamic offensive playmakers. The redshirt sophomore led the Eagles with 720 receiving yards and a touchdown on 48 receptions, with a season high being a 6 reception, 134 yard effort coming against Delaware State on October 25.
South Carolina State linebacker Jordan Franklin was named the MEAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, highlighting a Bulldogs defense that also placed multiple players on the preseason first team. Franklin paced the MEAC and national champion Bulldogs with 62 total tackles (42 solo, 20 assists) while adding 12 tackles for loss , 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
South Carolina State Dominates First Team
The Bulldogs led all programs with an impressive number of first-team selections, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. South Carolina State placed three defensive linemen—Joshua Barker, Ka’Von Chisolm, and Jordan Dollard—on the first team, while linebacker Jordan Franklin and defensive back Sharmari Reed also earned first-team recognition.
Offensively, the Bulldogs were represented by running back Tyler Smith, wide receiver Darius Thompson, center James Reddick II, and offensive lineman Moses Umoren.
North Carolina Central also featured prominently, led by preseason Offensive Player of the Year Chance Peterson, quarterback Josh Jones, linebacker Isaiah Lawson, offensive linemen AC McMoore, return specialist Mehki Wall, and several second-team honorees.
Howard’s Eden James earned first-team honors at running back, while the Bison also claimed both specialist spots with punter Liam Allen IV and kicker Matt Conord.
Morgan State’s Alex Simmons (tight end), Arturo Mattocks (linebacker), and Aki Harvey (defensive back) highlighted the Bears’ first-team selections, while Delaware State’s Diu Dau and Wayne Favors were recognized on the first team.
With four schools receiving first-place votes in the preseason poll, the 2026 MEAC season appears poised to deliver one of the conference’s most competitive championship races in recent memory.
