Tag: SWAC Football

Kelby Givens Returns to Southern for Final Season Following NCAA Eligibility Ruling

Brandon King

Southern University received one of the biggest offseason boosts in the FCS as All-American defensive end Kelby Givens announced he will return to the Jaguars for one final season after a federal court ruling granted an additional year of eligibility to athletes from the high school class of 2022. The decision keeps one of the nation’s premier defensive playmakers in Baton Rouge and immediately strengthens a Southern defense expected to contend for a SWAC championship. Since arriving on campus, Givens has built one of the most impressive résumés in the…

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Alcorn State’s Demetrion Duvall Named to FCS Punter of the Year Preseason Watch List

Brandon King

LORMAN, Miss. — Alcorn State punter Demetrion Duvall is receiving national recognition heading into the 2026 football season. Duvall has been named to the 2026 FCS Punter of the Year Preseason Watch List, becoming one of just 14 punters from across the Football Championship Subdivision under consideration for the prestigious award. The junior from Akron, Ohio, established himself as one of the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s top specialists during the 2025 season. Duvall averaged 42.7 yards on 49 punts, totaling 2,093 yards. He recorded a career-long 63-yard punt against Florida A&M…

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Alcorn State’s Eric Thomas Jr., Demetrion Duvall Named to BOXTOROW HBCU Preseason All-America Team

Brandon King

Image via Alcorn State Football Alcorn State is represented by two Braves on the 2026 BOXTOROW HBCU Preseason All-America Team. Defensive lineman Eric Thomas Jr. and specialist Demetrion Duvall were recognized Monday as part of the preseason squad, giving Alcorn State additional national recognition heading into the 2026 football season. Thomas Jr. returns as a key piece of the Braves’ defensive front. The 6-foot-3 defensive lineman appeared in 11 games during the 2025 season and recorded 23 tackles, four tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. (Alabama State University Athletics⁠) Duvall…

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FAMU names Isaiah Knowles starting QB for Week 0 after decorated Albany State career

Brandon King

Florida A&M has officially found its leader under center for the start of the 2026 season. The Rattlers announced Monday that transfer quarterback Isaiah Knowles will open the season as the team’s starting quarterback for its Week 0 matchup, ending any speculation surrounding the position heading into the season opener. Knowles arrives in Tallahassee after an outstanding career at Albany State, where he established himself as one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in Division II and HBCU football. During his time with the Golden Rams, he earned SIAC Offensive Player…

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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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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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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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