FAMU tops preseason poll.
boxtorow.com
The defending HBCU national champion Florida A&M Rattlers are in the same position entering the 2024 season as they were at the end of the 2023 season: at the top of HBCU football as the HBCU FCS Coaches poll powered by BOXTOROW was released on Thursday.
The Rattlers have some questions to answer coming into the season. James Colzie is in his first season as head coach, taking over for Willie Simmons who took the running backs coach position at Duke in the offseason. First team All-SWAC quarterback Jeremy Moussa exhausted his eligibility and the Rattlers will be looking to replace the two-year starter. But the cupboard is not totally bare, particularly on defense as the Rattlers return HBCU All-American defensive back Kendall Bohler, who was recently named to the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch list.
The Rattlers received 11 of the 18 first place votes.
Having won the MEAC and having been HBCU national champions in 2022, the North Carolina Central Eagles begin the season at No. 2. The Eagles will have similar questions at the quarterback position with the loss of the HBCU Offensive Player of the Year Davius Richard. Walker Harris has been named the starter coming into the season, and did play in all 12 games last year -albeit sparingly – throwing five touchdown passes and no interceptions. NCCU received two first place votes.
The Howard Bison, the defending MEAC champions, who finished No. 2 in last year’s final poll, enter the season at No. 3, followed by the Alcorn State Braves at No. 4, and the Alabama State Hornets rounding out the top five. All three teams received one first place vote.
The Preseason HBCU FCS Coaches Poll is administered by BOXTOROW, and in its 16th year, is voted on by the HBCU Football Championship Subdivision coaches.
2024 Preseason HBCU FCS Coaches Poll
| No. | Team | W-L | Pts | 2023 Final Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida A&M (11) | 12-1 | 158 | 1 |
| 2 | North Carolina Central (2) | 9-3 | 143 | 3 |
| 3 | Howard (1) | 6-6 | 140 | 2 |
| 4 | Alcorn State (1) | 7-4 | 126 | 4 |
| 5 | Alabama State (1) | 7-4 | 90 | 7 |
| 6 | Prairie View A&M | 6-6 | 80 | 5 |
| 7 | Jackson State | 7-4 | 79 | 6 |
| 8 | Tennessee State (1) | 6-5 | 43 | 8 |
| 9 | Morgan State | 4-6 | 40 | 10 |
| 10 | Southern | 6-5 | 39 | 9 |
Others receiving votes: South Carolina State (5-6) 24, Alabama A&M (5-6) (1) 11 , Grambling (5-6) 11, Norfolk State (3-8) 5, Hampton (5-6) 3.
(1st place votes in parentheses)
FAMU tops preseason poll.