Football 7/20/2026 3:05:00 PM MSU Athletics Communications

Eight Bears Earn Preseason All-MEAC Honors Ahead of MEAC Football Media Day

Morgan State is predicted to finish fourth in the MEAC standings.

BALTIMORE, Md. (July 20, 2026) -- Morgan State had eight (8) players earn Preseason All-MEAC honors as the conference unveiled its preseason awards and predicted order of finish Monday ahead of its annual Football Media Day.

The Bears placed eight student-athletes on the 2026 Preseason All-MEAC Team, as selected by the conference's head coaches and sports information directors.

Leading the way were three first-team selections: tight end Alex Simmons, linebacker Arturo Mattocks, and defensive back Aki Harvey.

The Bears also had five second-team honorees, including running back Keith Jenkins Jr., wide receiver Justin Perry, defensive lineman Justin Dutton, punter Shane Messenger, and return specialist Malique Leatherbury.

The 2026 MEAC Football Media Day will be held Tuesday at M&T Bank Stadium, home of the Baltimore Ravens. The event will be streamed live on ESPN+ beginning at noon.

Morgan State, entering its fifth season under head coach Damon Wilson, was picked to finish fourth in the MEAC preseason poll, which was voted on by the conference's head coaches and sports information directors.

Listed below is the 2026 MEAC Preseason Predicted Order of Finish.

For complete 2026 Preseason All-MEAC teams, click here.

Predicted Order of Finish

School (First-Place Votes)	Points
1. South Carolina State (5)	49
2. North Carolina Central (1)	42
3. Delaware State (2)	40
4. Morgan State	25
5. Norfolk State (1)	18
6. Howard	15

2026 Preseason All-MEAC Team
First Team

Position	Name	Hometown
TE	Alex Simmons	Brooklyn, N.Y.
LB	Arturo Mattocks	Montgomery Village, Md.
DB	Aki Harvey	Columbia, Md.

Second Team

Position	Name	Hometown
RB	Keith Jenkins Jr.	Gainesville, Va.
WR	Justin Perry	Amelia, Va.
DL	Justin Dutton	Baltimore, Md.
P	Shane Messenger	Alexandria, Va.
RS	Malique Leatherbury	Salisbury, Md.

The Bears open the 2026 season on Saturday, Aug. 29, with a road matchup against North Carolina A&T. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Truist Stadium in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Season tickets for the 2026 campaign are now available. Click here to purchase.

For additional information on MEAC football, visit MEACSports.com.

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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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Players Mentioned

#44 Justin Dutton: DL; 6' 4"; Redshirt Sophomore

#85 Shane Messenger: P; 6' 0"; Junior

#1 Keith Jenkins Jr.: RB; 6' 1"; Redshirt Junior

#12 Malique Leatherbury: WR; 5' 9"; Redshirt Sophomore

#0 Arturo Mattocks: LB; 6' 1"; Senior

#15 Justin Perry: WR; 6' 0"; Freshman

#13 Aki Harvey: DB; 6' 4"; Junior

#9 Alex Simmons: TE; 6' 4"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#44 Justin Dutton
: 6' 4"; Redshirt Sophomore
: DL

#85 Shane Messenger
: 6' 0"; Junior
: P

#1 Keith Jenkins Jr.
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Junior
: RB

#12 Malique Leatherbury
: 5' 9"; Redshirt Sophomore
: WR

#0 Arturo Mattocks
: 6' 1"; Senior
: LB

#15 Justin Perry
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: WR

#13 Aki Harvey
: 6' 4"; Junior
: DB

#9 Alex Simmons
: 6' 4"; Sophomore
: TE