MEAC 2023 Preseason Awards, Predicted Order Of Finish
NORFOLK, Va. — North Carolina Central swept the Preseason Player of the Year Awards as quarterback Davius Richard was picked to repeat as Offensive Player of the Year. Also, NCCU defensive back Khalil Baker is the preseason favorite to win a second consecutive Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Richard, a finalist for the Walter Payton Award for the best offensive player in the FCS, led an Eagle offense that was first in the MEAC in scoring (38.6 PPG) and total offense (445.3 YPG). The rising senior also was 10th in the nation in total offense (287.4 YPG) and 15th in passing touchdowns (25).
Baker, a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award for the best defensive player in the FCS, recorded four interceptions (second-most in the MEAC) and five pass breakups last season. He also recorded 61 total tackles, which tied for most on the team and 10th-most in the conference.
The reigning HBCU National Champions from NCCU are predicted to win the MEAC in 2023. Nine of the twelve first-place votes went to Norther Carolina Central. The Eagles shared the 2022 MEAC football championship with Howard University, which has been predicted to come in second place in the conference.
2023 MEAC Football Predicted Order of Finish
School (First-Place Votes), Points
- North Carolina Central (9), 124
- Howard (1), 98
- South Carolina State, 74
- Morgan State (1), 68
- Norfolk State, 40
- Delaware State (1), 28
The MEAC also announced its football preseason All-MEAC Honors, and North Carolina Central leads with seven first-team selections.
First Team Selections
| Position | Name | Class | School | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
QB | Davius Richard | Senior | North Carolina Central | Belle Glade, Fla. |
RB | Marquis Gillis | R-So | Delaware State | Milford, Del. |
RB | Latrell Collier | R-Sr | North Carolina Central | Bluefield, W.Va. |
WR | Devin Smith | Junior | North Carolina Central | Durham, N.C. |
WR | Kasey Hawthorne | Senior | Howard | Sebring, Fla. |
TE | Brennan Brown | Senior | Howard | Dallas, Tex. |
C | Torricelli Simpkins III | Junior | North Carolina Central | Charlotte, N.C. |
OL | Darius Fox | Junior | Howard | Washington, D.C. |
OL | Sam Pearson | Senior | Delaware State | Washington, D.C. |
OL | Anim Dankwah | Graduate Student | Howard | Accra, Ghana |
OL | Nick Taiste | Junior | South Carolina State | West Columbia, S.C. |
DL | Patrick Godbolt | Senior | South Carolina State | Blythewood, S.C. |
DL | Jevin Jackson | Graduate Student | Howard | Lawrenceville, Ga. |
DL | Darrian Brokenburr | Graduate Student | Howard | Manassas, Va. |
DL | Elijah Williams | Junior | Morgan State | Jersey City, N.J. |
LB | Lawrence Richardson | Senior | Morgan State | Philadelphia, Pa. |
LB | Aaron Smith | Junior | South Carolina State | Manning, S.C. |
LB | Jaki Brevard | Junior | North Carolina Central | Durham, N.C. |
DB | Khalil Baker | Senior | North Carolina Central | Winston-Salem, N.C. |
DB | Romell Harris-Freeman | R-Sr | Delaware State | Rockville, Md. |
DB | Kenny Gallop Jr. | Senior | Howard | Portsmouth, Va. |
DB | Jae'Veyon Morton | Senior | Morgan State | Detroit, Mich. |
P | Dyson Roberts | Junior | South Carolina State | Sumter, S.C. |
PK | Adrian Olivo | Senior | North Carolina Central | Plant City, Fla. |
RS | Keith Jenkins Jr. | Sophomore | Morgan State | Gainesville, Va. |
Second Team Selections
| Position | Name | Class | School | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
QB | Quinton Williams | Graduate Student | Howard | Upper Malboro, Md. |
RB | Jarrett Hunter | Senior | Howard | Mineral, Va. |
RB | J'Mari Taylor | Junior | North Carolina Central | Charlotte, N.C. |
WR | Andrew Smith | Junior | North Carolina Central | Cary, N.C. |
WR | Quentin McCall* | Junior | North Carolina Central | Charlotte, N.C. |
WR | Richie Ilarazza | Junior | Howard | Clearwater, Fla. |
TE | Khalil Ellis | R-Sr | South Carolina State | Rock Hill, S.C. |
C | Deshawn Ingram | Graduate Student | Howard | Detroit, Mich. |
OL | Isaiah Cook | Junior | Delaware State | Willingboro, N.J. |
OL | Marvin Atuatasi | Senior | Morgan State | Leone, American Samoa |
OL | Cam Johnson | R-Jr | South Carolina State | Irmo, S.C. |
OL | Vincent Byrd Jr. | Sophomore | Norfolk State | Stafford, Va. |
DL | Anthony Blume | R-Jr | Norfolk State | Edgewood, Md. |
DL | Jared Kirksey | Junior | South Carolina State | Clemson, S.C. |
DL | Jaden Taylor | R-Jr | North Carolina Central | Durham, N.C.. |
DL | Octaveon Minter | Junior | South Carolina State | Chester, S.C. |
LB | Erick Hunter | Junior | Morgan State | Capitol Heights, Md. |
LB | Maurio Goings | R-Jr | Delaware State | New Market, Md. |
LB | Christian White | Senior | Howard | Highland Springs, Va. |
DB | Manny Smith | R-Sr | North Carolina Central | Laurel HIll, N.C. |
DB | Joseph White | R-Sr | Norfolk State | Virginia Beach, Va. |
DB | Robert Jones III | Junior | Howard | Fairwood, Md. |
DB | R.J. Coles | R-Sr | Norfolk State | Richmond, Va. |
P | Juan Velarde | Junior | North Carolina Central | Anderson, S.C. |
PK | Nathan Wilson | Sophomore | Delaware State | Salem, N.J. |
RS | Ian Wheeler | Graduate Student | Howard | Houston, Tex. |