Jackson State and South Carolina State were picked to repeat last year’s matchup in the Celebration Bowl. But, surprise, surprise, there are rival HBCU football teams and players who are rewriting the storyline, with Atlanta as their targeted final destination.
The thick of conference play in the MEAC and SWAC is charging toward the season-endng Celebration Bowl, where the HBCU national champion will be crowned on Dec. 13 in Atlanta.
The picture is a lot different – at least for now – from original forecasts in the preseason.
There’s been some surprises, including teams that have outperformed the level of their recent seasons to players who have emerged on a national level to help their teams succeed.
We take a look at some of the more intriguing surprises of the 2025 HBCU football season.
HBCU Football Surprises: Three Teams
Delaware State (5-3, 1-0 MEAC)
When Delaware State hired former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson as its head coach, and he had no collegiate coaching experience, it was easy to dismiss the move as nothing more than a ploy to bring attention to the program. Well, not only has he brought attention, he’s brought wins. In fact, three more than in the 2023 and ’24 seasons combined.
The Hornets are surging thanks to an offense that ranks first in the FCS in both rushing yards per game (315.1) and yards per carry (7.0). Also, their 27 rushing touchdowns are tops in the MEAC by a wide margin.
Delaware State posted a 35-26 win at North Carolina Central to open its conference schedule. Up next is a matchup against Norfolk State and Michael Vick, Jackson’s old Eagles teammate. Down the line, well, the Hornets will host defending champion South Carolina State to close the regular season – maybe with a Celebration Bowl berth at stake.
Prairie View A&M (6-2, 4-0 SWAC)
Last season, PVAMU took a step back with 5-7 overall and 3-5 conference records. This season, the Panthers have already exceeded those win totals under first-year coach Tremaine Jackson.
The biggest change in 2025 is the rushing attack. Last year, the Panthers averaged 112.6 yards, which ranked ninth in the conference. This season, their 181.3 yards per game – nearly a 38% increase – has them fifth. Their 17 rushing touchdowns – tied for second in SWAC – are up from 11 all of last season.
With the West Division leader having opened the season with a win over second-place Texas Southern, PVAMU has an inside track to reaching the SWAC championship game on Dec. 6.
Bethune-Cookman (4-4, 3-1 SWAC)
With Jackson State suffering its first conference loss to Grambling State last Saturday, the SWAC East is, all of a sudden, wide open. The Tigers, Alabama State and Bethune-Cookman are tied for first place in the East Division.
The four wins are the most for the Wildcats since 2019 – the year prior to them missing the entire 2020 pandemic-delayed season. They’re also enjoying a turnaround behind their ground game: B-CU averaged only 105.4 rushing yards per game in 2024, but in 2025, it’s close to doubling the production to 192.9 per game.
Additionally, the Wildcats’ points per game have improved by nearly 10, total offense is up 144.3 yards and time of possession up nearly three minutes on average. Mix that with a 60.6-yard decrease in opponent rushing yards per game from the defense and you can easily recognize why third-year coach Raymond Woodie Jr.’s team is a factor in the SWAC East this season.
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Kaiden Bennett, QB, Delaware State
Nobody doubted Bennett could make an impact as a transfer from Sacramento State, but he’s helped Delaware State make an incredible leap this season.
Bennett, who ended the Hornets’ 11-game losing streak with a late touchdown against UAlbany, is the only true dual-threat quarterback among MEAC starters, and he ranks third in total offense with 1,369 yards (945 passing, 424 rushing). He also leads the conference with nine rushing touchdowns.
His threat to run makes it easier for the Hornets’ running backs to have success because defenses must dedicate a set of eyes to watching Bennett.
Thomas Johnson, DE, North Carolina Central
Johnson’s 2022 and ’23 seasons were light contributions at NCCU he tallied 33 tackles and 3.5 sacks. He was limited to three games by injury last season, so coming into this season, he was flying well under the radar.
This season, the 6-foot-3, 255-pound defensive end has been a major factor on the Eagles’ third-ranked scoring defense in the MEAC. He has 34 tackles, including 22 solos, and leads the conference with 6.5 sacks.
Johnson’s play down the stretch will be a deciding factor in whether NCCU can be a factor in the MEAC championship race.
Andrew Body, QB, Alabama State
Many people coming into the season thought Body would be solid, but nobody saw the performance coming.
As a transfer to Alabama State from Texas Southern before last season, he made the first start against Florida A&M, but injured his shoulder late in the game and missed the remainder of the season.
He’s returned in 2025, serving notice in the season opener at UAB, that he may be the best offensive weapon in all of HBCU football. He leads the SWAC in passing yards (1,691), completion percentage (70.6) and touchdown passes (20), and has thrown only one interception. Add in his 489 rushing yards, and he ranks fourth in the FCS with 311.4 yards of total offense per game.
Top photo, from left, via PVAMU Athletics, Romeo T. Guzman/B-CU Athletics and Delaware State Athletics. For more FCS football coverage, follow at X, Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky.
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