BALTIMORE, Md. (July 24, 2025) -- Morgan State University is celebrating a significant achievement, with 12 of its student-athletes earning spots on Phil Steele's 2025 Preseason All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Team, as announced Wednesday afternoon.
The Bears demonstrated impressive talent across multiple positions, especially on the All-Conference first team. Leading this elite group is top-talented linebacker Erick Hunter, who was joined by a strong lineup of teammates. Defensive lineman Dashawn Fields, fellow linebacker Arturo Mattocks, and defensive back Jadon Carter strengthened the defense. At the same time, the special teams unit also received notable recognition, with placekicker Sahr Gbundema, versatile punt returner and all-purpose specialist Malique Leatherbury, and long-snapper Griffin Dorman all earning first-team honors.
Taking home Second Team recognition were running back Jason Collins Jr., wide receiver Malique Leatherbury, offensive lineman Daniel Casillas, offensive lineman Kahari Finley, defensive lineman Jordan Jeudy, and punter Shane Messenger.
The recognition continues to pour in for star athletes Hunter and Collins, as they now proudly boast their third significant preseason honor, further cementing their elite status. Before this, both athletes had already secured highly coveted spots on the esteemed Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Team and were recently named the Preseason MEAC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year.
Morgan is set to open its 2025 football season on the road Saturday, August 30, with a challenging out-of-conference matchup against the University of South Alabama Jaguars. This highly anticipated season-opening showdown for Morgan will kick off at 7 p.m., taking place on the Jaguars' home turf at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
Season tickets for the 2025 campaign are now available. Click here to purchase.Â
For more information on MEAC football, visit MEACsports.com.Â
For the complete Phil Steele's MEAC 2025 Preseason All-Conference Team, click here.
Phil Steele's MEAC 2025 Preseason All-Conference Team
First Team
Second Team
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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.
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