NORFOLK, Va. — The warmth of summer time continues to be rising, and fall soccer is simply across the nook. The Mid-Japanese Athletic Convention (MEAC) stoked the flames of anticipation by unveiling its 2025 preseason soccer honors dwell on ESPN+ in the course of the annual MEAC Soccer Media Day. If there’s one factor certain, HBCU soccer is able to reclaim the highlight.
Defending champions South Carolina State had been picked to repeat. The Bulldogs earned 63 factors and 5 first-place votes within the coaches and SIDs ballot. However don’t anticipate them to cruise. North Carolina Central — coming off a robust marketing campaign of its personal — was proper on their heels with 61 factors and 4 first-place nods.
Morgan State, Norfolk State, Howard, and Delaware State rounded out the anticipated order of end. With every college incomes no less than one first-place vote, it’s a testomony to how broad open this 12 months’s MEAC title race may very well be.
Nevertheless, with regards to particular person honors, Morgan State stole the present.
Collins Jr. and Hunter Lead the Cost
Morgan State sophomore working again Jason Collins Jr. was named the 2025 MEAC Preseason Offensive Participant of the 12 months. The Washington, D.C., native torched defenses in 2024 with 634 dashing yards and eight touchdowns, and confirmed he wasn’t only a one-dimensional again, including 17 catches for 143 receiving yards.
His signature second? A 152-yard efficiency in opposition to Delaware State, highlighted by a 75-yard landing run that left defenders within the mud. He completed fifth within the MEAC in dashing and was a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, given to the FCS’s high freshman. Now, he’s set to construct on that begin in 2025.
On the opposite aspect, Morgan’s veteran linebacker Erick Hunter earned Preseason Defensive Participant of the 12 months honors. After lacking most of 2024, he returned with authority within the closing two video games, together with a disruptive outing in opposition to Howard. Already ninth on Morgan’s all-time tackles record (196), Hunter’s résumé speaks volumes. He was the 2023 BOXTOROW Impression Participant of the 12 months, an FCS All-American, and a Buck Buchanan Award finalist. His management may very well be the x-factor in a Morgan State title run.
First-Crew Firepower Throughout the Board
North Carolina Central led all applications with eight student-athletes named to the All-MEAC First Crew. The Eagles are evenly balanced throughout offense and protection. That features quarterback Walker Harris, tight finish Luke Bracey, and offensive lineman Noah McKinney, every anticipated to anchor a high-octane Eagles offense.
Morgan State wasn’t far behind with six first-teamers. Defensive lineman Dashawn Fields, a sophomore seeking to make a serious leap, and return specialist Malique Leatherbury, who additionally earned second-team broad receiver honors.
Different standouts embrace Norfolk State wideout Kam’Ryn Thomas, Howard’s defensive lineman duo of Noah Miles and Ishaun Abdul-Ali, and Delaware State’s relentless cross rusher Marquise Brunson.
Countdown to Kickoff: The MEAC/SWAC Showdown
Circle your calendars: the MEAC season formally begins on Saturday, August 23, when North Carolina Central faces Southern College within the 2025 MEAC/SWAC Problem at Heart Parc Stadium in Atlanta. Kickoff is ready for 7:30 p.m. on ABC — prime time for a first-rate HBCU soccer showcase.
With expertise stacked throughout each roster, a wide-open race for the title, and younger stars able to ascend, the MEAC’s 2025 season is shaping as much as be some of the aggressive and compelling in HBCU soccer.
2025 MEAC Predicted Order of End
South Carolina State (5) – 63 pts
North Carolina Central (4) – 61 pts
Morgan State – 39 pts
Norfolk State (1) – 36 pts
Howard (1) – 33 pts
Delaware State (1) – 20 pts
