The first ever Preseason Black College Football Poll has just been released, placing the Alabama State Hornets at No. 4 nationally. The ranking comes from a nationwide panel of HBCU head coaches and media members, underscoring the growing visibility of historically Black college programs.
A milestone for HBCU football
The poll is sanctioned by the Southwestern Athletic Conference, the Mid‑Eastern Athletic Conference, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association, collectively giving the rankings a broad institutional backing.
Alabama State’s 2025 campaign ended with a 10‑2 overall record and a 7‑1 mark within the SWAC, a performance that earned the team 149 votes, including six first‑place ballots. That tally placed them behind only the top three programs in the preseason assessment.
Eddie Robinson Jr., who took the helm of the Hornets program, expressed pride in the recognition but cautioned that the season is still ahead. ‘We respect the voters, but our focus is on translating that confidence into wins on the field,’ he said.
The Hornets will open their 2026‑27 schedule against non‑conference opponents before diving into SWAC play, a slate that could further influence their national standing as the poll’s final version arrives later in the summer.