Jackson State and Southern picked to win their divisions at SWAC Media Day

By:  Itoro Umontuen

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) concluded its annual media day, which featured all twelve member schools. It was announced that the Jackson State Tigers and the Southern Jaguars would finish first in their respective divisions. The Southern Jaguars had the most first-place votes with seventeen.

2025 SWAC Football Predicted Order of Finish

SWAC East

1. Jackson State – 126 points (16)
2. Florida A&M – 99 points (3)
3. Alabama State – 91 points (2)
4. Alabama A&M – 62 points
5. Bethune-Cookman – 45 points (1)
6. Mississippi Valley State – 24 points

SWAC West

1. Southern – 120 points (17)
2. Alcorn State – 90 points (2)
3. Prairie View A&M – 72 points (1)
4. Texas Southern – 60 points
5. Grambling State – 55 points
6. Arkansas-Pine Bluff – 28 points (1)

*First place votes listed in parenthesis ( )

Preseason Football Selections

Jackson State quarterback JaCobian Morgan was named to the Preseason All-SWAC Team and is the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Morgan finished off the 2024 campaign by winning the HBCU National Championship and securing MVP honors in the Celebration Bowl. Conversely, Ckelby Givens, a defensive end from Southern, was named the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Givens finished the 2024 season by leading the nation in tackles for loss with 27½ and was third with 12 sacks. Given’s efforts helped Southern to an 8-5 record and secured the SWAC West Division title. Givens also had 12 sacks, 13 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles, and a pass breakup.

All-SWAC First Team Offense

Quarterback: Jacobian Morgan, Jackson State

Running Back: Jacorian Sewell, Alcorn State

Running Back: Thad Franklin Jr., Florida A&M

Offensive Lineman: D’Andre Townes-Blue, Jackson State

Offensive Lineman: Charles Davis, Florida A&M

Offensive Lineman: Ashton Grable, Florida A&M

Offensive Lineman: Ronald Brown, Alcorn State

Offensive Lineman: Desmond Daniels, Alabama State

Wide Receiver: Nate Rembert, Jackson State

Wide Receiver: Joanes Fortilien, Jackson State

Tight End: Marvin Landy, Jackson State

All-SWAC First Team Defense

Defensive Lineman: Ckelby Givens, Southern

Defensive Lineman: Jeremiah Williams, Jackson State

Defensive Lineman: Bryce Cage, Grambling State

Defensive Lineman: Davion Westmoreland, Florida A&M

Linebacker: Stemarion Edwards, Alcorn State

Linebacker: Vincent Paige Jr., Southern

Linebacker: Nay’Ron Jenkins, Florida A&M

Defensive Back: Keane Lewis, Alabama State

Defensive Back: Antwone Watts, Bethune-Cookman

Defensive Back: TJ Huggins, Florida A&M

Defensive Back: Horacio Johnson, Southern

All-SWAC First Team Specialist

Place Kicker: Gerardo Baeza, Jackson State

Punter: Johnny Schifano, Grambling State

Return Specialist: Travis Terrell Jr., Jackson State

All-SWAC Second Team Offense

Quarterback: Cam Ransom, Bethune-Cookman

Running Back: Lamagea McDowell, Prairie View A&M

Running Back: BJ Curry, Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Offensive Lineman: Quaveon Davis, Jackson State

Offensive Lineman: Cameron Smith, Alabama State

Offensive Lineman: Tahj Martin, Grambling State

Offensive Lineman: Dezmond Penn, Alabama State

Offensive Lineman: Tyrell Lawrence, Alabama A&M

Wide Receiver: Maleek Huggins, Bethune-Cookman

Wide Receiver: Trenton Leary, Texas Southern

Tight End: Dupree Fuller, Southern

All-SWAC Second Team Defense

Defensive Lineman: Damarcus Thompson, Texas Southern

Defensive Lineman: Adrian Hall, Bethune-Cookman

Defensive Lineman: James Gardner Jr., Florida A&M

Defensive Lineman: Nick Glenn, Alabama A&M

Linebacker: Reid Pulliam, Jackson State

Linebacker: Ashton Taylor, Jackson State

Linebacker: Malik Stinnett, Bethune-Cookman

Defensive Back: Shamar Hawkins, Jackson State

Defensive Back: Blake Davis, Grambling State

Defensive Back: Herman Brister III, Southern

Defensive Back: Jameel Sanders, Florida A&M

All-SWAC Second Team Specialist

Place Kicker: Trey Glymph, Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Punter: Jeremy Ramirez, Texas Southern