Here's a recap of the 2026 MEAC Football Media Day

The 2026 MEAC Football Media Day brought the conference’s six football programs 

together at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore to officially preview the upcoming season. Head coaches and selected players discussed their programs, while The Pivot, featuring Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder and Fred Taylor, hosted the ESPN+ coverage.

South Carolina State entered Media Day as the team to beat. The Bulldogs have won 

back-to-back MEAC championships and were selected to finish first in the preseason poll with five first-place votes. North Carolina Central was picked second, followed closely by Delaware State, which is looking to build on a strong first season under head coach DeSean Jackson. Morgan State was selected fourth as the 

Bears attempt to return to championship contention. Norfolk State was picked fifth 

entering Michael Vick’s second season, but the Spartans received encouraging preseason recognition with nine players selected to the All-MEAC teams. Howard was selected sixth as former Bison quarterback Ted White begins a new era as head coach.

North Carolina Central wide receiver Chance Peterson was named the MEAC Preseason 

Offensive Player of the Year, while South Carolina State linebacker Jordan Franklin 

earned Preseason Defensive Player of the Year honors. Their selections highlighted a preseason team featuring several experienced players expected to lead the conference in 2026.

Overall, MEAC Media Day established South Carolina State as the favorite while showing that North Carolina Central and Delaware State could provide serious competition. Morgan State and Norfolk State are attempting to take major steps forward, while 

Howard begins a rebuilding process under new leadership. With coaching personalities 

such as Chennis Berry, DeSean Jackson and Michael Vick, the 2026 MEAC season should feature one of the conference’s most interesting championship races in recent  years.