The Mid‑Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) released its 2026 preseason football honors on Monday, setting the stage for a competitive campaign that will open on August 29 with the annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta.
Player Awards Highlight Preseason Outlook
Among the individual accolades, North Carolina Central wide receiver Chance Peterson was selected as the 2026 MEAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Peterson posted 720 receiving yards and 48 catches last season, ranking fourth and fifth respectively in the conference.
South Carolina State linebacker Jordan Franklin earned the Defensive Player of the Year honor after leading the Bulldogs with 62 total tackles, including 42 solo stops and 20 assisted tackles.
The preseason all‑conference teams featured a record nine selections from South Carolina State, the most of any program, highlighting the Bulldogs’ strong contingent of returning talent.
Delaware State secured third place with 40 points and two first‑place votes, underscoring the depth of competition in the league’s early projections.
North Carolina Central followed with 42 points and a single top vote, while South Carolina State emerged as the clear favorite with 49 points and five first‑place ballots.
With the regular season slated to begin on Saturday, August 29, fans can look forward to the MEAC/SWAC Challenge as the opening marquee event, a game that traditionally pits MEAC and SWAC powerhouses against each other in a high‑profile showcase.