Not only are the Jackson State Tigers defending HBCU national champions, but the Tigers have been voted the preseason favorites in the HBCU FCS Coaches Poll. The 2025 HBCU college football Preseason All-America team presented by BOXTOROW, released on Tuesday, is reflective of the success of the Tigers last season and what the team returns as seven different players (eight positions) were named to the preseason team.
Two of the JSU players, offensive lineman D’Andre Townes-Blue and return specialist Travis Terrell, were part of the 2024 HBCU college football America team. Additionally, North Carolina Central offensive lineman Trevon Humphrey, Southern defensive end Ckelby Givens, and South Carolina State defensive back Jarod Washington were also voted to last year’s team.
Florida A&M had the next most players with five, while North Carolina Central had four.
One of the other many highlights of the team is Jackson State wide receiver Nathan Rembert, who played for Mississippi Valley State in 2024. Rembert received the most votes of the non-holdovers from 2024. He tied for the lead in the SWAC in receptions (70), finished second in receiving yards, averaged 14.8 yards per receptions, caught four touchdown passes, and had five games of 100 or more yards receiving.
Another highlight to the team is Givens, a junior from Shreveport, La., Last year’s Willie Davis Defensive Player of the Year led FCS in tackles for loss (27.5), and tied for the lead in the SWAC and tied for third in FCS in sacks (12). He recorded 73 tackles (42 solo) and tied for second in the SWAC and tied for 5th in FCS in forced fumbles (3).
In total, 14 programs are represented of the 30 selections.
BOXTOROW has named All-America teams since 2007 based on voting by national media who cover HBCU football.
The 2025 HBCU college football Preseason All-America team
OFFENSE
QB: Jacobian Morgan, Jackson State, Gr., Canton, Miss.
RB: Thad Franklin, Jr., Florida A&M, Gr., West Palm Beach, Fla.#
RB: Kevon King, Norfolk State, Sr., Chesapeake, Va.
RB: Jacorian Sewell, Alcorn State, Gr. Natchez, Miss.#
OL: Charles Davis, Florida A&M, r-Sr., Marianna, Fla.#
OL: Ashton Grable, Florida A&M, r-Jr., Gordon, Ga.
OL: Trevon Humphrey, North Carolina Central r-Jr. Greensboro, N.C.*
OL: Noah McKinney, North Carolina Central, Sr., Duncan, S.C.#
OL: Korion Sharpe, North Carolina A&T, Sr., Charlotte, N.C.#
OL: D’Andre Townes-Blue, Jackson State Sr. Willow Grove, Pa.*
TE: Marvin Landy, Jackson State, Gr., Lakeland, Fla.
WR: Brevin Caldwell, Johnson C. Smith, Sr., Charlotte, N.C.
WR: Nathan Rembert, Jackson State, Jr., Eustis, Fla.
DEFENSE
DL: Bryce Cage, Grambling State, r-Sr., Baton Rouge, La.
DL: Ckelby Givens, Southern, Sr., Shreveport, La.*
DL: Davion Westmoreland, Florida A&M, Gr., Griffin, Ga.
DL: Jeremiah Williams, Jackson State, r-Sr., Lexington, Miss.
LB: Stemarion Edwards, Alcorn State, Gr., Hollandale, Miss.
LB: Erick Hunter, Morgan State, Sr., Capitol Heights, Md.
LB: Max U’Ren, North Carolina Central, r-Sr., Winston-Salem, N.C.
DB: Camani Cobbs, Tennessee State, r-Soph., McDonough, Ga.#
DB: TJ Huggins, Florida A&M , r-Sr., Miami, Fla.
DB: Michael King Jr. Tuskegee Sr. Tuskegee, Ala.#
DB: Keane Lewis Alabama State Sr. Miami, Fla.#
DB: Malcolm Reed, North Carolina Central, Sr., Raleigh, N.C.
DB: Jarod Washington, South Carolina State, r-Sr., Fredericksburg, Va.*
SPECIALISTS
P: Gerardo Baeza, Jackson State, Gr., Boaz, Ala.
PK: Johnny Schifano, Grambling State, Gr., Arlington, Texas
PR: Travis Terrell, Jackson State, Soph., Atlanta, Ga.*
KR: Travis Terrell, Jackson, State Soph., Atlanta, Ga.*
Honorable Mention
TE: Luke Bracey, North Carolina Central
OL: Tim Artis Jr., Howard; Desmond Daniels, Alabama State
WR: Joanes Fortilien, Jackson State
DL: Ishaun Abdul-Ali, Howard; Cameron Davis, Virginia State; Xavier Esquillen, Savannah State; Dashawn Fields, Morgan State; Nay’Ron Jenkins Florida A&M; Daylan Long, Norfolk State; KJ McNeil Virginia State; Noah Miles, Howard; Israel Nwokocha, Benedict
LB: Vincent Paige, Southern
DB: Jadon Carter, Morgan State; Horacio Johnson, Southern; Antwone Watts, Bethune-Cookman
P: Mark Shenouda, Tennessee State
KR: Jaxon Williams, Benedict
PR: Malique Leatherbury, Morgan State
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