(Source: Staff Reports and NCCUEaglePride.com) – The reigning HBCU national champions will begin the 2023 season ranked among the best FCS teams in the nation.
North Carolina Central football came in at No. 19 in the Stats Perform FCS Preseason Top 25 Poll, released earlier this week. A national media panel votes on the poll.
The Eagles are coming off a 10-win season, which included the school’s MEAC football title since 2016. The stellar campaign culminated in a 41-34 Celebration Bowl victory over Jackson State, giving the program the crown of HBCU champs – the fourth such title for NCCU football overall (1954, 2005 and 2006).
The 2022 NCCU Eagles became just the third team in school history to win 10 games in a season and earned the program’s highest FCS national ranking at No. 17 in the final American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Coaches’ Poll.
Under the direction of 2022 MEAC Coach of the Year Trei Oliver, the Eagles celebrated non-conference FCS triumphs over North Carolina A&T, Tennessee Tech, No. 25 New Hampshire, and No. 5 Jackson State.
For the upcoming 2023 season, NC Central football returns 12 All-MEAC performers, including five first team all-conference honorees. Headlining the group are senior quarterback Davius Richard, the 2022 MEAC Offensive Player of the Year, and senior defensive back Khalil Baker, the 2022 MEAC Defensive Player of the Year. Both have been tabbed preseason All-Americans by various outlets.
NCCU’s other All-MEAC returners are senior running back Latrell Collier, junior center Torricelli Simpkins III, senior kicker Adrian Olivo, junior receiver Devin Smith, junior defensive lineman Jaden Taylor, junior linebacker Jaki Brevard, senior defensive back Manny Smith, junior running back J’Mari Taylor, junior defensive lineman Christian Smith, and senior return specialist/defensive back Brandon Codrington.
HERO Sports has NCCU ranked 13th in its FCS Preseason Top 25, while the Eagles are 24th in Athlon Sports’ preseason poll.
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com or download the NCCU Eagles Athletics app.
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