HBCU Preseason Media Poll.
boxtorow.com
After hearing from coaches from around the conferences, another key component of the preseason has become official as members of the media have announced their rankings for the 2024 preseason HBCU Football Media Poll presented by BOXTOROW.
As was expected, the defending HBCU national champion Florida A&M Rattlers are the preseason favorites to win the HBCU national championship again, coming out ahead with 16 first-place votes.
North Carolina Central placed second among the media with three first-place votes, followed by Howard at No. 3. The Bison did not receive any first place votes.
Alabama State received two first place votes and finished fourth while Virginia Union came in at No. 5.
James Colzie takes over the Florida A&M program from Willie Simmons who was named running backs coach at Duke in January. The Rattlers look to repeat as national champions, something that has not been done since North Carolina A&T won three-straight (2017-19).
The HBCU Media Poll is administered by BOXTOROW and in its 18th year, is voted on by media members around the country who cover HBCU football.
2024 Preseason HBCU Football Media Poll
| No. | Team | W-L | Pts | Final 2023 Poll |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida A&M(16) | 12-1 | 199 | 1 |
| 2 | North Carolina Central (3) | 9-2 | 183 | 3 |
| 3 | Howard | 6-6 | 103 | 4 |
| 4 | Alabama State (2) | 7-4 | 98 | NR |
| 5 | Virginia Union | 10-2 | 93 | 5 |
| 6 | Jackson State | 7-4 | 77 | 8 |
| 7 | Benedict | 11-1 | 69 | 2 |
| T-8 | Prairie View A&M | 6-6 | 67 | 6 |
| T-8 | Alcorn State | 7-4 | 67 | 7 |
| 10 | Virginia State | 8-2 | 47 | 9 |
Others receiving votes: Fayetteville State (8-3) 28, Tennessee State (6-5) 28, Albany State (6-5) 24, Morgan State (4-6) 16, Fort Valley State (8-3) 15, South Carolina State (5-6) 12, Grambling (5-6) 10, Tuskegee (7-4) 7, Hampton (5-6) 4, Southern (6-5) 4, Texas Southern (5-6) 2.
(1st place votes in parentheses)