FAMU HBCU national champions.
boxtorow.com
The final HBCU Coaches and Media Polls are here, fresh off of Florida A&M’s win over Howard in the Celebration Bowl. There was not much drama as the Rattlers are crowned HBCU national champions, finishing No. 1 in both polls. This is the first HBCU national championship for FAMU since AURN (American Urban Radio Networks) named the Rattlers champions in 1998.
“Extremely excited, it’s still kind of surreal,” said FAMU sixth-year head coach Willie Simmons. “It’s a great feeling. They showed why they are one of the most mentally tough teams that I have ever coached. I’m happy for our administration, coaches, support staff, and Rattler nation. We’re excited to bring the title home to Tallahassee.”
The vote was unanimous in both polls. Last year’s champion, the North Carolina Central Eagles who were No. 1 most of the season, finished No. 3 amongst the coaches. Howard finished No. 2, and Alcorn State and Prairie View A&M rounded out the top five.
In the media poll, No. 2 Benedict finished with its highest ranking ever, while the Eagles finished No. 3, the Bison No. 4 and Virginia Union rounded out the top five.
The HBCU FCS coaches and HBCU media polls are administered by BOXTOROW. The coaches poll, in its 15th year is voted on by the HBCU Football Championship Subdivision coaches and the media poll, in its 17th year, is voted on by media members around the country who cover HBCU football.
BOXTOROW HBCU National Football Champions (Coaches) Year-by-Year
2023 Florida A&M
2022 North Carolina Central
2021 South Carolina State
2019 North Carolina A&T
2018 North Carolina A&T
2017 North Carolina A&T
2016 Grambling
2015 North Carolina A&T
2014 Alcorn State
2013 Bethune-Cookman
2012 Arkansas-Pine Bluff
2011 Norfolk State
2010 Bethune-Cookman
2009 South Carolina State
BOXTOROW HBCU National Football Champions (Media) Year-by-Year
2023 Florida A&M
2022 North Carolina Central
2021 Bowie State
2019 North Carolina A&T
2018 North Carolina A&T
2017 North Carolina A&T
2016 Grambling
2015 North Carolina A&T
2014 Alcorn State
2013 Bethune-Cookman
2012 Winston-Salem State
2011 Winston-Salem State
2010 Bethune-Cookman
2009 South Carolina State
2008 Grambling
2007 Tuskegee
2023 BOXTOROW HBCU FCS Coaches Poll
Final
(Records through December 16, 2023)
| No. | Team | W-L | Pts | Last Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida A&M (19) | 12-1 | 190 | 1 |
| 2 | Howard | 6-6 | 158 | 2 |
| 3 | North Carolina Central | 9-3 | 156 | 3 |
| 4 | Alcorn State | 7-4 | 133 | 4 |
| 5 | Prairie View A&M | 6-6 | 111 | 5 |
| 6 | Jackson State | 7-4 | 97 | 6 |
| 7 | Alabama State | 7-4 | 77 | 7 |
| 8 | Tennessee State | 6-5 | 56 | 8 |
| 9 | Southern | 6-5 | 40 | 9 |
| 10 | Morgan State | 4-6 | 11 | 10 |
Others receiving votes: South Carolina State (5-6) 9, Alabama A&M (5-6) 3, Hampton (5-6) 3, Grambling (5-6) 1.
(1st place votes in parentheses)
2023 HBCU Football Media Top 10 Poll
Final
(Records through December 16, 2023)
| No. | Team | W-L | Pts | Last Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida A&M (20) | 12-1 | 200 | 1 |
| 2 | Benedict | 11-1 | 173 | 2 |
| 3 | North Carolina Central | 9-3 | 152 | 3 |
| 4 | Howard | 6-6 | 146 | 4 |
| 5 | Virginia Union | 10-2 | 117 | 5 |
| 6 | Prairie View A&M | 6-6 | 87 | 7 |
| 7 | Alcorn State | 7-4 | 61 | 6 |
| 8 | Jackson State | 7-4 | 53 | 9 |
| 9 | Virginia State | 8-2 | 38 | 8 |
| 10 | Fayetteville State | 8-3 | 29 | T-10 |
Others receiving votes: Alabama State (7-4) 26, Tennessee State (6-5) 10, Fort Valley State (8-3) 4, Miles (7-3) 3, Tuskegee (7-4) 2, Johnson C. Smith (7-4) 1.
(1st place votes in parentheses)
FAMU HBCU national champions.