HBCU Legends

HBCU Football Team Earns Coveted FCS Top 25 Vote

NCAA reporter and FCS analyst offers weekly transparency in his FCS Top 25 voting.

Kyle T. Mosley

Andrew Body runs his annual The Chosen 1 Flight Academy camp for high school football players on Tuesday, July, 30, 2024, in Taft, Texas.
Andrew Body runs his annual The Chosen 1 Flight Academy camp for high school football players on Tuesday, July, 30, 2024, in Taft, Texas. / Angela Piazza/Caller-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK
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NCAA analyst and reporter Stan Becton released his ballot for the 2024 FCS Top 25 Poll. In the first poll, Becton voted for the Alabama State Hornets at No. 25.

Here is Becton's rationale:
"Alabama State is my top team in HBCU football this year. Defensively, I think it can match up with any of the teams I picked it over for this final spot in my preseason top 25. Offensively, I think the addition of Andrew Body could be exactly what the Hornets have been missing during the Eddie Robinson Jr. era. With nonconference games against North Carolina Central and Samford in 2024, Alabama State will have chances to prove its worthiness of a spot in the top 25 throughout the season."

Becton follows suit with most early prognosticators about Alabama State's chances to ride through the season and claim the 2024 HBCU Football Division I National Championship at the 2024 Celebration Bowl in Atlanta, Georgia, on Dec. 14.

Andrew Body
Alabama State University quarterback Andrew Body (1) looks to pass during the Black and Gold Spring Game at ASU Stadium on the ASU campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday April 6, 2024. / Mickey Welsh / Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK

For the record, two NCAA transfers for Coach Eddie Robinson, Jr., have gone under the radar. Acquiring Andrew Body as his starting quarterback and replacing Colton Adams's (graduated) loss of production with former UAPB tackling machine Rico Dozier are huge.

The Hornets have a challenging schedule coming out of the gate. First, they may preview the Celebration Bowl as the NCCU Eagles clash with Bama State at the 2024 Orange Blossom Classic. After games against a pesky Miles College and Samford, two SWAC East battles loom.

In the fourth game, be wary. Bethune-Cookman is no longer an automatic win for any SWAC team. Next up is Florida A&M at home on Oct. 5. After Mississippi Valley State, it's a murderous row of SWAC teams on the slate.

Eddie Robinson Jr.
Alabama State Hornets head coach Eddie Robinson Jr. takes the field against Tuskegee for the Turkey Day Classic on the ASU campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday November 23, 2023. / Mickey Welsh / Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK

It won't be easy on Oct. 26 vs. Alabama A&M. The following week, the Hornets host Alcorn State at Ladd-Peoples and then travel to Grambling to face Tigers signal-caller Myles Crawley on Nov. 9.

Fortunately, ASU returns home for three straight games to close the 2024 season. On Nov. 16, there's a meaningful game against a dangerous Jackson State team, followed by a showdown against Prairie View. The season finale will be at the Turkey Day Classic versus Tuskegee.

Will the Hornets go through the trials and tribulations of the 2024 HBCU football season relatively unscathed?

We shall see.

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Kyle T. Mosley

KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

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