HBCU Football Top-5 Power Rankings in Week 1: Teams, Players, Coaches, Bands Rankings

HBCU football's top-five power rankings for teams, coaches, players, and bands in Week 1 action for the 2022 season.

HBCU Legends' top-five power rankings for teams, players, coaches, and marching bands in Week 1 of the 2022 HBCU football season. 

It's time to "put five on it" and give you the best of the week in the SWAC, MEAC, CIAA, SIAC, OVC, and CAA.

Jackson State Tigers Football Team
Sep 4, 2022; Miami, Florida, US; Jackson State Tigers linebacker Aubrey Miller Jr. (45) celebrates his touch down with team mates against the Florida A&M Rattlers during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports

HBCU POWER FIVE TEAMS: WEEK 1

  1. Jackson State (1-0, 1-0 SWAC)
  2. Alabama State (2-0, 1-0 SWAC)
  3. Bowie State (1-0, 0-0 MEAC)
  4. Albany State (1-0, 0-0 SIAC)
  5. Prairie View A&M (1-0, 1-0 SWAC)

Honorable Mention: Southern, NCCU

Sep 4, 2022; Miami, Florida, US; Jackson State Tigers head coach Deion Sanders receives the Orange Blossom Classic Trophy after beating Florida A&M Rattlers at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports

HBCU POWER FIVE COACHES: WEEK 1

  1. Deion Sanders - Jackson State
  2. Eddie Robinson Jr. - Alabama State 
  3. Eric Dooley - Southern
  4. Gabe Giardina - Albany State
  5. Bubba McDowell - Prairie View

Honorable Mention: Eddie George - Tennessee State; Trei Oliver - NCCU; Fred McNair - Alcorn State

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Sep 4, 2022; Miami, Florida, US; Jackson State Tigers quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) holds Orange Blossom Classic Trophy after a game against the Florida A&M Rattlers at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports

HBCU POWER FIVE OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: WEEK 1

  1. QB Shedeur Sanders - Jackson State: 29/33 passing, 323 yards, 5 TD, 220.10 rating
  2. RB Kayvon Britten - Arkansas-Pine Bluff: 237 yards, 3 TD
  3. RB Devon Starling - Tennessee State: 207 yards, 1 TD
  4. QB Dion Galatt Jr. - Bowie State: 16/29, 248 yards, 2 TD, 149.8 rating
  5. WR Brevin Caldwell - Johnson C. Smith: 11 receptions, 119 yards, 2 TD

Honorable Mention: WR Raequan Prince - Arkansas-Pine Bluff: 5 receptions, 86 yards, 2 TD; RB Jarveon Howard - Alcorn State: 194 yards, 1 TD; WR Ah'shaan Belcher - Shaw; 6 receptions, 143 yards

POTW_FB_Matthews
LB Lewis Matthews; SWAC Player of the Week; Credit: Grambling Athletics

HBCU POWER FIVE DEFENSIVE PLAYERS

  1. LB Lewis Matthews - Grambling State: 14 total tackles, 4TFL
  2. DB Isaiah Hamilton - Texas Southern: 2 INT, 1 TD
  3. DB Khalil Baker - NCCU: 5 tackles, 1 PBD
  4. DT Tahj Brown - Southern: 2 sacks
  5. DE Demontario Anderson - Texas Southern: 14 total tackles

Honorable Mention: DB Ke'Vric Wiggins Jr - Jackson State: 1 INT, 1 TD, ;Jaden Echols - Livingstone: 10 tackles

Maurice Lloyd UAPB
Maurice Lloyd; SWAC Player of the Week: Credit: UAPB Athletics

HBCU POWER FIVE SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYERS: WEEK 1

  1. KR Maurice Lloyd - Arkansas-Pine Bluff: 4 returns, 187 yards, 1 TD
  2. P Gilbert Brown - Albany State: 5 punts, 246 yards, 49.2 yards per punt.
  3. Jayden Flaker - NCCU: 1 blocked punt, 3 spec. teams tackles
  4. KR Larry Hackey - Virginia Union - 1 return, 70-yard TD
  5. Luke Jackson and Joshua Griffin = Perfect on extra point attempts; 13 kickoffs for 808 yards, 5 touchbacks.
JACKSON STATE DRUM MAJORS
JACKSON STATE'S SONIC BOOM OF THE SOUTH DRUM MAJORS

HBCU POWER FIVE MARCHING BANDS: WEEK 1

  • Jackson State's Sonic Boom of the South
  • Southern: Human Jukebox
  • Prairie View: Marching Storm
  • Florida A&M: Incomparable Marching 100
  • North Carolina A&T: Marching Machine

Published
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: