The Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-American team is in and HBCU football players are among the field, particularly on defense.
Two defenders from the MEAC – linebacker Eric Hunter of Morgan State and Kenny Gallop Jr. of Howard University – both made the first team on defense.
Two defenders from the SWAC – defensive lineman Ckelby Givens of Southern and Kendall Bohler of Florida A&M – both made the second-team on defense.
The third-team featured the lone HBCU offensive selection in South Carolina State offensive lineman Nick Taiste. Defensive linemen Malachi Bailey of Alcorn State and Elijah Williams of Morgan State were both selected to the third team.
A pair of Alabama State players – linebacker Rico Dozier and punt returner Robert McMinn – round out the list of HBCU players on the STATS FCS Perform All-American team.
STATS PERFORM FCS Preseason All-American HBCU football players
First team
LB — Erick Hunter, Morgan State, Sr., 6-4, 210
DB — Kenny Gallop Jr., Howard, Grad, 6-0, 214
Second team
DL — Ckelby Givens, Southern, Jr., 6-2, 230
DB — Kendall Bohler, Florida A&M, R-Sr., 6-0, 193
Third team
OL — Nick Taiste, South Carolina State, R-Sr., 6-2, 300
DL — Malachi Bailey, Alcorn State, Sr., 6-2, 260
DL — Elijah Williams, Morgan State, Sr., 6-3, 270
LB — Rico Dozier, Alabama State, Sr., 6-0, 221
PR — Robert McMinn, Alabama State, Jr., 5-9, 176