National Champions At No. 1 In 2023 HBCU Preseason Coaches Poll

The HBCU head coaches cast their votes for the preseason's top-ten teams in the nation.

The Preseason BOXTOROW HBCU FCS Coaches Poll has the defending 2022 HBCU Football Champions, North Carolina Central, at No. 1.  All but two coaches did not vote for the Eagles at the top spot in the poll.  NCCU head coach Trei Oliver has what most HBCU teams desire in 2023 — a championship quarterback. 

Eagles starting quarterback Davius Richard hopes to return to the 2023 Celebration for a chance to repeat as national champions.  The senior signal-caller was named the 2022 BOXTOROW Impact Player of the Year and this summer was listed among Reese's Senior Bowl players to watch.  Richard completed 199-of-311 passes for 2,661 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in his 2022 campaign.  He was 15-of-20 for 175 yards and a touchdown in the win against Jackson State at the 2022 Celebration Bowl.

NCCU Eagles quarterback Davius Richard; Credit: Doug Burt, NCCU Athletics

Florida A&M is No. 2 in the poll, followed by Jackson State, North Carolina A&T, and Southern to round out the top-five teams.  FAMU Rattlers' head coach Willie Simmons will enter his sixth season in Tallahassee sporting a (33-12, 25-5) record.  Simmons told HBCU Legends at Bubba McDowell's Mega Camp, "We've had three really good years now with nine wins.  I just want them to take that next step."  2023 looks to be the year Coach Simmons and the Rattlers can catapult to the top of the SWAC East Division following the departure of Jackson State's head coach Deion Sanders.  The Rattlers have quarterback Jeremy Moussa returning for his senior season.  However, Florida A&M will have to contend with JSU and Alabama State and Alabama A&M for an opportunity to play for the 2023 SWAC Championship.

Credit: © Gerald Thomas / USA TODAY NETWORK

TC Taylor Announced as Head Football Coach at Jackson State; Credit: THEE PREGAME SHOW

Prairie View A&M; Credit: PVAMU Athletics

April 15, 2023; Head coach Clarence McKinney overlooking his Teas Southern Tigers team after the 2023 Texas Southern Spring Game in Houston, TX. Credit: Kyle T. Mosley, HBCU Legends

No. 3 Jackson State's new leader is first-year head coach T.C. Taylor.  Without Sanders' recruiting efforts, the Tigers hauled in an impressive class of freshmen and transfer-portal players.  At No. 5 Southern, head coach Eric Dooley prepares his Jaguars team to repeat as SWAC West Champions.  It will be challenging with Prairie View and Texas Southern nipping at the Jags' heels as they did last season.  TSU will have the most senior quarterback in the conference, with Andrew Body under center.  The junior brings stability and excitement to head coach Clarence McKinney's team. Prairie View's only question will be at quarterback.  Who will Bubba McDowell choose to run his offense heading into the Labor Day Classic clash with Texas Southern at Shell Energy Stadium on Sept. 2?

North Carolina A&T is No. 4, with new head coach Vincent Brown taking over for the Aggies.  A promising recruiting class will help to support Brown's first season in Greensboro.

2023 BOXTOROW PRESEASON HBCU FCS COACHES POLL

1. North Carolina Central, (16) 10-2 195
2. Florida A&M, 9-2, 172 
3. Jackson State (3), 12-1, 150 
4. North Carolina A&T, 7-4, 126 
5. Southern, 7-5, 119  
6. Prairie View A&M 6-5, 85 
7. Howard, 5-6, 80 
8. Alabama State, 6-5, 62 
9. Alcorn State (1), 5-6, 45 
10. Texas Southern, 5-6, 26 

Others receiving votes: Alabama A&M (4-7) 15, Delaware State (5-6) 7, Morgan State (4-7) 7, South Carolina State (3-8) 7, Norfolk State (2-9) 3, Grambling (3-8) 1.  (1st place votes in parentheses)

The BOXTOROW HBCU FCS Coaches Poll is managed by FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW and is now in its 15th year.  This poll is voted on by coaches in the HBCU Football Championship Subdivision.