BALTIMORE, Md. (July 29, 2025) – Morgan State secured the No. 10 spot in the 2025 Preseason HBCU FCS Coaches Poll, as announced by BOXTOROW on Tuesday.
In Damon Wilson's third season at the helm, Morgan State opened the 2024 campaign ranked No. 9 in the preseason poll and climbed as high as No. 8 by Week 11, following games played through November 9.
The Bears finished the 2024 season with a 6-6 overall record, going 3-2 in the tough Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). Offensively, they averaged 24.3 points per game — the third-best in the league — and accumulated 314.6 total yards per game, ranking fourth in the MEAC.
With the 2025 season on the horizon, expectations are rising for a Morgan State team led by experienced playmakers and a deep talent pool. Eleven Bears earned preseason All-MEAC recognition, highlighted by a sweep of the league's top individual honors. Star linebacker Erick Hunter was named Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, while explosive running back Jason Collins Jr. claimed Offensive Player of the Year accolades.
Morgan State's 2025 opponents ranked in the HBCU poll include No. 2 South Carolina State and No. 3 North Carolina Central. The Bears will also contend with Howard and Norfolk State, both of whom garnered votes.
The Preseason HBCU FCS Coaches Poll is administered by BOXTOROW, and in its 17th year, is voted on by the HBCU Football Championship Subdivision coaches.
Morgan State opens the 2025 campaign on 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.
2025 Preseason HBCU FCS Coaches Poll
| No. |
Team |
W-L |
Pts |
2024 Final Poll Rank |
| 1 |
Jackson State (16) |
12-2 |
176 |
1 |
| 2 |
South Carolina State (1) |
9-3 |
156 |
2 |
| 3 |
North Carolina Central |
8-3 |
130 |
4 |
| 4 |
Southern |
8-5 |
101 |
5 |
| 5 |
Tennessee State |
9-4 |
93 |
3 |
| 6 |
Florida A&M |
7-5 |
90 |
7 |
| 7 |
Alabama State |
7-5 |
83 |
6 |
| 8 |
Alabama A&M |
6-3 |
50 |
8 |
| 9 |
Alcorn State |
6-6 |
41 |
9 |
| 10 |
Morgan State |
6-6 |
28 |
10 |
Others receiving votes: Prairie View A&M (5-7) 18, Hampton (5-7) 13, Howard (4-8) 13, Texas Southern (1) (5-6) 10, Norfolk State (4-8) 2.
(1st place votes in parentheses)
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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.
