Preseason HBCU Coaches Poll.
boxtorow.com
North Carolina Central staked claim to its first HBCU national championship since 2006 last year by virtue of the Eagle victory over Jackson State in the Celebration Bowl. Can the Eagles make it two in a row? NCCU is at least the early favorite according to the coaches with the release of the preseason BOXTOROW HBCU FCS coaches poll.
NCCU starts the college football season No. 1, receiving all but two first place votes. With its success, the Eagles lost a couple of key players to the transfer portal, as well as to graduation. But the cupboard isn’t bare as 2022 BOXTOROW Impact Player of the Year quarterback Davis Richard returns. One of the most dynamic quarterbacks in college football, Richard completed 15-of-20 passes for 175 yards, no interceptions and rushed for 97 yards and two touchdowns in the victory over JSU. Richard finished the season sixth in FCS in points responsible for per game (20.3), 10th in FCS in total offense (287.4), and was 13th in FCS in pass efficiency.
Having knocked on the door in the SWAC for the last several years, No. 2 Florida A&M will have something to say about this year title. The Rattlers received three first place votes. Two-time defending SWAC champion Jackson State Tigers begin the season at No. 3, while North Carolina A&T, who moves into the CAA this year is No.4, and Southern rounds out the top five.
The BOXTOROW HBCU FCS Coaches Poll is administered by FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW, and in its 15th year, is voted on by the HBCU Football Championship Subdivision coaches.
2023 BOXTOROW Preseason HBCU FCS Coaches Poll
| No. | Team | W-L | Pts | 2022 Final Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Carolina Central (16) | 10-2 | 195 | 1 |
| 2 | Florida A&M (3) | 9-2 | 172 | 3 |
| 3 | Jackson State | 12-1 | 150 | 2 |
| 4 | North Carolina A&T | 7-4 | 126 | 4 |
| 5 | Southern | 7-5 | 119 | 5 |
| 6 | Prairie View A&M | 6-5 | 85 | 6 |
| 7 | Howard | 5-6 | 80 | 7 |
| 8 | Alabama State | 6-5 | 62 | 7 |
| 9 | Alcorn State (1) | 5-6 | 45 | 10 |
| 10 | Texas Southern | 5-6 | 26 | 9 |
Others receiving votes: Alabama A&M (4-7) 15, Delaware State (5-6) 7, Morgan State (4-7) 7, South Carolina State (3-8) 7, Norfolk State (2-9) 3, Grambling (3-8) 1.
(1st place votes in parentheses)