Jackson State Tops 2025 HBCU, FCS Preseason Polls

Jackson State Tigers enter the 2025 college football season as the defending HBCU football national champions and preseason favorites, topping both the HBCU FCS Coaches Poll and the Stats Perform Preseason FCS Football poll. The team boasts several standout players, including quarterback JaCobian Morgan, who was named Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, and wide receiver Nate Rembert, a top returning player known for his significant receiving stats. Defensive end Ckelby Givens from Southern University, the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, leads the conference with impressive defensive stats. Jackson State's dominance is reflected in their strong preseason rankings and the recognition of seven players on the 2025 HBCU College Football Preseason All-America team by BOXTOROW. The Tigers' continuity and strong offseason acquisitions position them as favorites to capture another SWAC title and represent the conference in the 2025 Celebration Bowl. Other HBCU programs like Southern, South Carolina State, Tennessee State, and North Carolina Central also feature prominently in preseason discussions and polls, highlighting a competitive landscape within HBCU football.