Vick, Jackson Debut as HBCU Head Coaches

The 2025 college football season features major storylines, most notably the head coaching debuts of former NFL stars Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson in HBCU football, as they work to revitalize their programs. Jackson State is set to defend its Celebration Bowl title, while North Carolina A&T aims to rebound in the CAA. Key quarterback transfers include Mark Gronowski at Iowa, Preston Stone at Northwestern, Braylon Braxton at Southern Miss, and Blake Horvath at Navy, all expected to boost their respective teams. Texas A&M’s playoff aspirations hinge on the development of sophomore Marcel Reed and improvements to their defense. Off the field, Colorado coach Deion Sanders has been declared cured of bladder cancer after surgery and will return to coach, maintaining his characteristic optimism. The season is also marked by increased parity and unpredictability in major conferences.