South Carolina State University is charting a distinct path in college football, emphasizing relationships rather than the transactional model that increasingly defines the sport.
Cultivating Championship People
Head coach Chennis Berry repeatedly stresses that building genuine connections with players and preparing them for life beyond the gridiron is the program’s cornerstone.
The Bulldogs have translated that philosophy into results, capturing back‑to‑back MEAC championships and securing the 2025 Celebration Bowl title.
Balancing the use of the transfer portal with a steadfast culture, the team added 41 newcomers in February — 21 transfers and 20 high‑school signees — while maintaining its identity.
Berry described the upcoming 2026 signing class as being about “championship people” rather than hype, signaling a focus on character and long‑term fit.
In today’s era of third‑party NIL agreements, Berry acknowledges the financial realities but argues that relationships remain the program’s enduring edge.
Linebacker Jordan Franklin epitomizes this approach; arriving as a freshman behind Aaron "Bull" Smith, he earned a starting role and led the team with 62 tackles and 12 tackles for loss in 2025.
His performance earned him the MEAC’s 2026 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year honor, and the Bulldogs entered the season as the conference’s preseason favorite, boasting nine first‑team all‑conference selections.
Berry believes the personal connections he cultivates will continue to give South Carolina State a competitive advantage in a sport where money and movement often dominate the conversation.