20th Anniversary of the BOXTOROW HBCU Football Preseason Poll
The BOXTOROW Top 10 HBCU college football preseason poll celebrates its 20th edition, underscoring two decades of spotlighting historically Black college and university programs across the nation.
South Carolina State enters the rankings at the pinnacle, securing nearly unanimous first‑place votes and positioning itself as the team to beat heading into the upcoming season.
Prairie View A&M follows in second place, having earned a single first‑place vote, while Alabama State occupies the third spot after garnering two first‑place ballots.
Johnson C. Smith, the defending CIAA champions, climbs to eighth position with one first‑place vote, reflecting the competitive depth within the Mid‑Eastern Athletic Conference.
The poll also acknowledges a host of other programs receiving votes, including Grambling State, Bethune‑Cookman, Florida A&M, Texas Southern, Edward Waters, Kentucky State, Alcorn State and Southern, highlighting the breadth of talent across the HBCU landscape.
Implications for the upcoming season
Analysts suggest that the early rankings could influence scheduling decisions, conference matchups and recruiting strategies as teams aim to translate preseason expectations into on‑field performance.
With the 20th anniversary adding a narrative of tradition and growth, the poll serves both as a historical marker and a predictive tool for fans, coaches and stakeholders invested in HBCU football.