Florida A&M Are The 'Kings Of HBCU Football' In BOXTOROW's 2023 Final Rankings

Florida A&M University (12-1) has been crowned the 2023 HBCU National Football Champions by BOXTOROW coaches and media.

The BOXTOROW coaches and media have tallied the final ballots, and Florida A&M University (12-1) has been crowned the 2023 HBCU National Football Champions.  The Rattlers defeated the Howard Bison, 30-26, at the 2023 Cricket Celebration Bowl inside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 16. It was an outstanding season for head coach Willie Simmons (2023 HBCU Coach of the Year), quarterback Jeremy Moussa (2023 SWAC Offensive Player of the Year), and linebacker Isaiah Major (2023 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year) all won season-end superlatives. 

2023 HBCU COACHES POLL - TOP 10

1. Florida A&M (19) 12-1  
2. Howard 6-6  
3. North Carolina Central 9-3  
4. Alcorn State 7-4  
5. Prairie View A&M 6-6   
6. Jackson State 7-4 
7. Alabama State 7-4  
8. Tennessee State 6-5 
9. Southern 6-5 
10. Morgan State 4-6 

Dec. 16, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Florida A&M Head Coach Willie Simmons kneels on the ground after the Cricket Celebration Bowl game between Florida A&M University and Howard University at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. FAMU defeated Howard 30-26. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale-USA TODAY Network / Dec. 16, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Florida A&M Head Coach Willie Simmons kneels on the ground after the Cricket Celebration Bowl game between Florida A&M University and Howard University at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. FAMU defeated Howard 30-26. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale-USA TODAY Network

BOXTOROW HBCU National Football Champions (Coaches) Year-by-Year 

• 2023 Florida A&M
• 2022 North Carolina Central
• 2021 South Carolina State
• 2019 North Carolina A&T
• 2018 North Carolina A&T
• 2017 North Carolina A&T
• 2016 Grambling
• 2015 North Carolina A&T
• 2014 Alcorn State
• 2013 Bethune-Cookman
• 2012 Arkansas-Pine Bluff
• 2011 Norfolk State
• 2010 Bethune-Cookman
• 2009 South Carolina State

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Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers head coach Willie Simmons holds up the Celebration Bowl trophy after a victory against the Howard Bison at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

2023 HBCU MEDIA POLL - TOP 10

1. Florida A&M (20) 12-1
2. Benedict 11-1
3. North Carolina Central 9-3
4. Howard 6-6
5. Virginia Union 10-2
6. Prairie View A&M 6-6
7. Alcorn State 7-4
8. Jackson State 7-4
9. Alabama State 7-4
10. Virginia State 8-2
11. Fayetteville State 8-3

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers quarterback Jeremy Moussa (8) and head coach Willie Simmons celebrate after a victory against the Howard Bison in the Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

BOXTOROW HBCU National Football Champions (Media) Year-by-Year

• 2023 Florida A&M
• 2022 North Carolina Central
• 2021 Bowie State
• 2019 North Carolina A&T
• 2018 North Carolina A&T
• 2017 North Carolina A&T
• 2016 Grambling
• 2015 North Carolina A&T
• 2014 Alcorn State
• 2013 Bethune-Cookman
• 2012 Winston-Salem State
• 2011 Winston-Salem State
• 2010 Bethune-Cookman
• 2009 South Carolina State
• 2008 Grambling
• 2007 Tuskegee

Dec 16, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida A&M Rattlers linebacker Isaiah Major (0) holds up the defensive MVP trophy after a victory against the Howard Bison in the Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports