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
- Jackson State – 126 points (16)
- Florida A&M – 99 points (3)
- Alabama State – 91 points (2)
- Alabama A&M – 62 points
- Bethune-Cookman – 45 points (1)
- Mississippi Valley State – 24 points
SWAC West
- Southern – 120 points (17)
- Alcorn State – 90 points (2)
- Prairie View A&M – 72 points (1)
- Texas Southern – 60 points
- Grambling State – 55 points
- 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