The 2025 FCS football season is fast approaching, so we’re going inside each conference race. With Jackson State still leading the way, here’s our Southwestern Athletic Conference preview.
Jackson State didn’t just win the HBCU national title last year, it put an exclamation on the season.
Under coach T.C. Taylor, the Tigers (12-2) won their final 10 games, routed rival Alcorn State by 28 points in the regular season finale, hammered Southern by 28 in the SWAC championship game, then beat MEAC champion South Carolina State by 21 in the Celebration Bowl. That same bowl win and HBCU national title had been elusive to former coach Deion Sanders while he regenerated the program.
Jackson State could be even stronger this season with another star-studded lineup. The Tigers will hope to again host the SWAC championship game on Dec. 6 and head back to the Celebration Bowl, which is scheduled for Dec. 13 in Atlanta.
There are three new head coaches in the SWAC, which feels like stability after five of the 12 schools opened last season with a change, and that followed four changes to begin each of the two prior seasons.
Following is a preview of the upcoming SWAC football season:
Predicted Order of Finish
*-Celebration Bowl Qualifier; Ranking from Stats Perform FCS Preseason Top 25 Poll
East Division
1. *Jackson State (12-2, 8-0; Preseason No. 17) – The offense was stacked already with the return of quarterback JaCobian Morgan (27 total touchdowns) and other All-SWAC standouts such as all-purpose back Travis Terrell, wide receiver Joanes Fortilien and tackle D’Andre Townes-Blue, but it’s added WR Nate Rembert, who last season became the first Mississippi Valley State player with 1,000+ receiving yards since 2014. While Morgan was the offensive MVP of the Celebration Bowl, standout end Jeremiah Williams received the defensive award, and he finished as the team’s No. 2 tackler (58) behind linebacker Reid Pulliam (66).
Expected win-loss projections for SWAC football teams in the 2025 regular season, according to Opta Analyst advanced data. (Graphic by Graham Bell)2. Florida A&M (7-5, 5-3) – The Rattlers disappointed in coach James Colzie III’s first season, including a drop to fifth in SWAC total defense after being No. 1 in its 2023 conference championship season. This year’s unit appears to be improved with the return of SWAC preseason first-team selections Davion Westmoreland (defensive end), Nay’Ron Jenkins (linebacker) and TJ Huggins (defensive back) plus DE James Gardner Jr. (36 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss) set for a breakout. The offensive focus is on the QB competition between three transfers – RJ Johnson III (Toledo), lefty Tyler Jefferson (Central Michigan) and Jett Peddy (Long Beach City College). Wide receiver A’Ceon Cobb seeks a healthier season.
3. Alabama State (7-5, 5-3) – The Hornets ranked fourth among 129 FCS programs in allowing just 16.7 points per game, but their defense lost many key players. It’s retooled around safety Keane Lewis (four takeaways, blocked punt return for a touchdown). The strength on offense is up front with Desmond Daniels, who made the SWAC preseason first team, and Cameron Smith and Desmond Penn, who were on the second team. Jamarie Hostzclaw (472 yards in seven games) is the headliner in a rushing attack that averaged 169.0 yards per game; the veteran QBs unit returns Kareem Keye and Andrew Body.
4. Alabama A&M (6-6, 4-4) – New coach Sam Shade posted an 18-15 record while guiding Miles in the 2022-24 seasons. There’s experience behind center in Cornelious Brown IV, who begins his seventh collegiate season with 5,087 yards of total offense and 40 total TDs (Mekhi Hagens had transferred in from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, but was ruled academically ineligible in late July). Linebacker Dimitris Biamby was fourth on the team with 42 tackles, and Nick Glenn anchors the D-line.
5. Bethune-Cookman (2-10, 2-6) – The Wildcats have finished 2-6 in conference in each of their first four SWAC seasons. However, they were more competitive last season behind an influential transfer group, which included QB Cam Ransom (2,007 yards of total offense, 16 total TDs). He gets back top receiver Maleek Huggins. The defense still gave up too many yards (454.3) and points (34.1) on average, but there’s a returning standout in each unit with safety Antwone Watts, LB Malik Stinnett and DL Adrian Hall Jr.
6. Mississippi Valley State (1-11, 1-7) – First-time head coach Terrell Buckley has worked on the FBS level under Bobby Bowden, Jimbo Fisher, Terry Bowden, Bobby Petrino, Dan Mullen and Lane Kiffin. Buckley is tasked with rebuilding a program that last had a winning season in 2006 and was the only team without selection on the SWAC’s two preseason teams. Quarterback Ty’Jarian Williams was among those who left via a transfer, but there are key returnees in WR/RB DePhabian Fant and DB Kobe Byrd.
West Division
1. Southern (8-5, 7-1) – Defensive end Ckelby Givens (56 TFLs and 22.5 sacks in 36 career games) tied for sixth in the 2024 Buck Buchanan Award voting and seeks to lead the Jaguars back to the SWAC championship game, and beyond. Add in LB Vincent Paige Jr. (team-high 84 tackles) and DBs Horacio Johnson and Herman Brister III, and last year’s top four tacklers are back in the fold. Quarterback Cam’Ron McCoy has transferred over from Jackson State to battle Jalen Woods for the No. 1 job. SU succeeded last season despite averaging 20.9 points, which ranked 10th in the conference.
2. Alcorn State (6-6, 5-3) – The Braves are still chasing their first return to the SWAC championship game since 2019 – the completion of six straight appearances, including four titles. There’s a two-headed monster at running back in Jacorian Sewell (804 yards, six TDs) and Chattanooga transfer Reggie Davis (850 yards, five TDs). Former Howard QB Jaylan Tolbert (820 passing yards in five games) is another key transfer. Defensively, the leader is LB Stemarion Edwards (91 tackles, 13.5 TFLs, three forced fumbles), who made the HBCU National Player of the Year Award preseason watch list.
3. Prairie View A&M (5-7, 3-5) – New coach Tremaine Jackson guided Valdosta State to a 2024 Division II runner-up finish while going 30-9 over three seasons. His teams were strong offensively, which is welcomes news to QB Cameron Peters and RB Lamagea McDowell (482 yards, seven TDs). Additionally, Northwestern transfer tight end Travon Jones is a nice addition to the offense. Linebackers Jayven Jackson (47) and Jeremiah Harris II (36), S Cameron Franklin (34) and DT Jamal Marshall (32) are the team’s top-returning tacklers. The schedule is manageable, avoiding Jackson State and FAMU in crossover matchups.
4. Texas Southern (5-6, 4-4) – Second-year coach Chris Dishman is trying to get TSU over the top – the Tigers last had a winning season on the field in 2010 (although the wins were later vacated by NCAA sanctions). They’re getting back two key players from injury in LB Jacob Williams (53 tackles, 11.5 TFLs and 5.5 sacks in 2023) and QB KJ Cooper (led season-opening win over Prairie View A&M). Wide receiver Trenton Leary (41 receptions) and RB Athean Renfro are keys offensively, while Damarcus Thompson moves to the edge and with Michael Akins part of the depth at linebacker.
5. Grambling State (5-7, 2-6) – Since their 2017 SWAC title, the G-Men have been mediocre, going a combined 31-36 overall and 21-25 in conference over the last six fall seasons. Still their win over Jackson State last year (it counted as a nonconference matchup) indicated just how good they can be when it goes right. Former Southern QB Czavian Teasett hopes to put the Tigers in West title contention. They have strength in the trenches with DE Bryce Cage (49 tackles, 11.0 TFLs) and OL Tahj Martin. Cornerback Blake Davis is a playmaker, contributing three interceptions, a fumble recovery and a blocked field goal as a junior.
6. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (3-9, 2-6) – UAPB is a combined 5-18 (3-13 SWAC) in coach Alonzo Hampton’s first two seasons. With QB Mekhi Hagens and WR Javonnie Gibson having departed as transfers, the offense will revolve around RB BJ Curry (509 yards, four TDs), who represented the Golden Lions on the SWAC preseason second team along with kicker Trey Glymph. DJ Stevenson seeks a breakout after being the backup QB last season. Cornerback Amyrion Dingo had three interceptions as a freshman.
How SWAC Football Predicted the Race
The SWAC has announced the creation of SWAC TV, an exclusive streaming platform that will deliver content across all 18 conference-sponsored sports. It will include 45 football games in the 2025 season. pic.twitter.com/yZvsn0c07X
— FCS Football (@OptaAnalystFCS) July 16, 2025Five Players to Watch
Ckelby Givens, DE, Southern (Buck Buchanan Award preseason nominee) – The SWAC’s preseason defensive player of the year had a strong second half last season, collecting a sack in his final seven games and 10 of his 12 overall. Ashton Grable, OL, Florida A&M – The anchor of a strong Rattlers’ O-line was named to the 2025 Stats Perform Preseason All-America third team and HBCU National Player of the Year preseason watch list. JaCobian Morgan, QB, Jackson State (Walter Payton Award preseason nominee) – The SWAC’s preseason offensive player of the year has a 3-to-1 ratio on TD passes (33) to interceptions (11) in his career. Jacorian Sewell, RB, Alcorn State – Sewell had 100+ rushing yards plus a touchdown in four games last season, including three wins. Travis Terrell Jr., RB, Jackson State (Walter Payton Award preseason nominee) – Catch him if you can. The 2024 Jerry Rice Award finalist averaged 6.1 yards per carry and 108.1 all-purpose yards per game.Must-See Matchups
SWAC: Jackson State at Florida A&M (Nov. 1) – The last four SWAC titles have been won by JSU (three times) and FAMU (once). Nonconference: North Carolina Central vs. Southern (Aug. 23 in Atlanta) – The SWAC has a three-game winning streak in the MEAC-SWAC Challenge, although it trails 11-7 in the series. FBS: Florida A&M at FAU and Jackson State at Southern Miss (Sept. 6) – Take your pick, this day may end with the SWAC’s first FBS win since Grambling State beat Oregon State on Sept. 28, 1985.SWAC Football Fast Fact
The SWAC has led FCS conferences in attendance average in 46 of the Division I subdivision’s first 47 seasons. The highest-attended games last season were the Magic City Classic between Alabama A&M and Alabama State (69,125 at Legion Field in Birmingham) and the Bayou Classic between Grambling State and Southern (63,207 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans).
(Here’s an index page to the 2025 FCS Conference Previews)
Graphic by Matt Sisneros.Top photo, from left, from Southern, Florida A&M and Jackson State Athletics.
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SWAC Football Predictions: Jackson State Seeks to Keep the ‘Celebration’ Going Opta Analyst.
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