Tag: HBCU Football

2026 Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Ben L. Cavil Sr “Big Ben” Award candidates

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The Ben L. Cavil Sr “Big Ben” Award was established to recognizeand reconstruct the historical resistance of HBCUsby analyzing the cultural climate of HBCU athleticprogram by highlighting the sports career of BenL. Cavil Sr.  Cavil was an All-American fullback at Wiley College in the mid 1920s. Honorees of this prestigious award must embody the characteristics that defined Ben L. Cavil Sr – determination, diligence, teamwork, integrity, performance, fraternal and communal engagement.  Here are this year’s nominees for the “Big Ben” award.  Andrew Body | Alabama State | Corpus Christi, TX…

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Tennessee State football adds Matt Leone as Offensive Coordinator

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Courtesy of Tennessee State Athletics NASHVILLE — Matt Leone has joined the Tennessee State football coaching staff as offensive coordinator for the 2026 season, bringing a proven track record of developing high-powered offenses at the FCS and NAIA levels. Leone comes to TSU after serving as offensive coordinator at North Carolina Central University, where he helped engineer one of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference’s most productive offenses. During the 2025 campaign, the Eagles averaged 33.75 points and 420.9 total yards per game, scoring 30 or more points in eight contests. Quarterback Walker Harris flourished…

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Tennessee State lands former 3-star running back in transfer portal

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Former Minnesota running back Trey Berry has committed to Tennessee State, according to his social media.  Berry was a 3-star prospect coming out of Lanier High School (Montgomery, AL), where he ran for 1,962 yards and 19 touchdowns in 23 games. He was ranked the 55th-best prospect in the state of Alabama and the 127th-best running back in the country, per 247Sports.  He received offers from multiple schools including Middle Tennessee, Jacksonville State, UAB, Marshall, James Madison, Alabama State, Alcorn State, Georgia State, Jackson State, Western Illinois, Illinois State, Arkansas…

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Ahmad Miller commits to Syracuse 

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Former Jackson State running back Ahmad Miller is taking his talents to the ACC, as he has committed to Syracuse.  Miller led all SWAC running backs in yards (1,054), yards per carry (6.4), and yards per game (87.8). Miller topped the 100-yard mark five times on the season, with a high of 180 yards coming against Hampton on August 30. According to PFF, Miller forced 52 missed tackles and ran for 750 yards after contact.  Miller appeared in 25 games at Jackson State, rushing for 1,365 yards and 9 touchdowns…

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Isaiah Knowles commits to FAMU

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In a development that should surprise no one, former Albany State quarterback Isaiah Knowles has committed to Florida A&M.  Knowles announced his next collegiate landing spot in a post on X that was captioned “COMMITTED 🐍.” This season Knowles completed 177 of 286 passes for 2,151 yards 18 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. He helped guide the Golden Rams to a 12-2 overall record and an undefeated 8-0 run through the SIAC on the way to the program’s 16th SIAC championship. The back-to-back SIAC Offensive Player of the Year led an…

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Prairie View’s Sparks declares for NFL draft

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Prairie View defensive lineman Alajujuan Sparks has declared for the NFL Draft. Sparks began his collegiate career at Alabama as an offensive lineman, spending two seasons with the Crimson Tide before transferring to Valdosta State.  Sparks appeared in 28 games as a Blazer, recording 27 tackles ( 13 solo, 14, assisted ), 3 tackles for loss, and 3 passes defensed. His efforts helped Valdosta State advance to the NCAA Division II national championship game in 2024. After the season he followed Coach Tramaine Jackson, who left Valdosta State to become…

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Albany State names David Bowser new head football coach

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Courtesy of Albany State Athletics Albany, Ga. — Albany State University President, Dr. Robert Scott, and Director of Athletics, Dr. Kristene Kelly, announced Wednesday the appointment of David Bowser as the University’s next Head Football Coach, continuing the momentum of one of Division II’s most competitive football programs. “Albany State football has experienced tremendous momentum, and our focus is on sustaining that success while continuing to grow as an institution,” said Dr. Scott. “Coach Bowser brings the leadership, experience, and vision necessary to guide this program forward in alignment with the University’s…

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Clark-Atlanta and Teddy Keaton part ways after 2 seasons

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In a surprising move, Clark-Atlanta announced a parting of the ways with head football coach Teddy Keaton.  A statement from CAU Director of Athletics, Dr. Jerel Drew reads in part, “On behalf of Clark Atlanta University (CAU), I announce the departure of Coach Teddy Keaton, CAU Head Football Coach, who joined us in December 2023. His tenure included a remarkable 7-3-1 season in 2024, culminating in a championship appearance. We extend our gratitude to Coach Keaton for his leadership and contribution to our football program. We wish him the very…

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Dr Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Week 16 Major Division Top 7

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Week 16 of Dr. Cavil’s comes at the end of another spectacular season of HBCU football culminating in an exciting and unforgettable Celebration Bowl. No new teams joined the party and each of the top 7 held on to their respective seats.  7 Grambling State Tigers (7-5, 4-4)  Grambling stays at No.7 in the final rankings. The Tigers finished the season with a 7-5 mark, their best record since putting together a 6-5 campaign in the 2019 season. Grambling was able to place three players on the All-SWAC First Team…

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South Carolina State wins exciting Celebration Bowl in 4OT thriller

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40 Winner SCS 38 P V Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th OT OT OT OT F SCS 0 0 21 14 3 0 0 2 40 P V 7 14 7 7 3 0 0 0 38 The much-anticipated 2025 lived up to the hype and then some, (although it did not start off that way). It developed into a matchup chock-full of heart-stopping back and forth action as South Carolina State overcame a 21-0 deficit, as well as an injury to starting quarterback William Atkins IV,  to claim a 40-38 quadruple…

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