By Chris Stevns
HBCU Sports
https://hbcusports.com/
The 2025 HBCU season was an exciting one from start to finish, and the HBCU Sports’ final Ultimate Division I football poll reflects the best of the best.
So without further delay, here is the last top 10 for 2025.
1. South Carolina State (10-3)
Last Week: Defeated Prairie View A&M 40-38 in the Cricket Celebration Bowl
Controversial Celebration Bowl ruling aside, South Carolina State quietly put together another championship season with a hard-hitting defense and a liberal offensive strategy, all led by a man who got that “big game” albatross off his back.
It feels like as long as Chennis Berry is at South Carolina State, the Bulldogs will go 1-0 every week more often than not and stay in top 10 polls across the country.
2. Prairie View A&M (10-4)
Last Week: Lost to South Carolina State 40-38 in the Cricket Celebration Bowl
The best season in generations came to a heartbreaking end for the Panthers, but Tremaine Jackson’s one-season turnaround has made believers out of many.
Look for PV to be in the SWAC title chase once again in 2026.
3. Jackson State (9-3)
The Tigers were stunned at home by PV in the SWAC championship game, but they were still among the three best programs in HBCU football this season.
Even with some key pieces hitting the transfer portal, don’t expect a drop off from JSU anytime soon.
4. Alabama State (10-2)
Consolation prizes are not the goal for Eddie Robinson Jr. or his Hornets, but the program’s first 10-win season in 21 years is a good place to begin preparations for a 2026 takeover of the SWAC East.
ASU will have some holes to fill on offense and defense, but there’s reason to believe they’ll be in the mix for the SWAC title once again next year.
5. Delaware State (8-4)
The biggest story in HBCU football outside of Prairie View is DeSean Jackson turning a sorry Hornet football program into MEAC contenders in his first season.
Now the question is will his first full recruiting cycle provide the players needed to overtake South Carolina State or North Carolina Central in the MEAC?
6. North Carolina Central (8-4)
An 8-4 season is a dream for many teams (such as Delaware State), but for North Carolina Central, 2025 fell below expectations.
And with a lot of players graduating, Trei Oliver and his staff will have some work to do get back in the MEAC title chase in 2026.
7. Grambling (7-5)
A baffling loss to Southern in the Bayou Classic put a damper on what appeared to be a rebound season for the G-Men.
With the university silent on the status of head coach Mickey Joseph, it feels like GSU’s first winning season since 2019 might be a mirage.
8. Texas Southern (6-5)
Cris Dishman’s second season in Houston provided the Tigers with a winning record, a rarity for the program.
Dishman’s next task is to compete for a SWAC West title, which starts and ends with the Labor Day Classic against Prairie View.
9. Bethune-Cookman (6-6)
The Wildcats ended 2025 on a sweet note, beating bitter rival Florida A&M in the Florida Classic on a last-minute pass.
Raymond Woodie has built a competitive team in Daytona. Can they compete with Jackson State and Alabama State in the SWAC East? Time will tell.
10. Howard (5-7)
The Bison had memorable wins against Florida A&M and Hampton but struggled elsewhere in 2025.
2026 will be an important season for Howard as the MEAC seems to be getting stronger across the board.
Can the 2023 conference champs regain their form? We’ll have to tune in beginning in late August for that answer, as well as for every other HBCU Football team this season.
Chris Stevens, an HBCU Sports contributing writer, is a Delaware State University graduate and sportswriter with 21 years of experience. You can follow him on Twitter at CJWritesNThangs.
