Black College Football Poll, All-American Teams Set to Launch in 2026

The Black College Football Poll and the Black College Football All-American teams will debut ahead of the 2026 college football season, officials announced Wednesday. The release came from the Southwestern Athletic Conference headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama.

The polls and teams have received official endorsement from the NCAA Division I conferences SWAC and MEAC, as well as the Division II conferences Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

The Black College Football Poll will be conducted weekly during the season, featuring a panel of head coaches and select media members. Voters will submit a Top 10 ranking, with points assigned from 10 for first place down to 1 for tenth.

In addition to weekly rankings, voters will select preseason and postseason Black College Football All-American teams, honoring the top HBCU student-athletes on first and second teams. Awards for Coach of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Freshman of the Year will also be presented.

Conference commissioners from the four HBCU leagues issued a joint statement emphasizing the significance of the new polls and teams. They described the initiative as a game changer for their leagues and a step toward unifying recognition of top Black College Football programs and athletes.

The first preseason poll and team announcements are scheduled for July 1. The polls will feature two divisions—NCAA Division I and Division II—and will highlight the top teams and players in HBCU football.

Fans are encouraged to follow Alcorn State Sports on Twitter (@BravesSports), Instagram (@AlcornSports), and YouTube (Braves Sports Network) for updates and behind-the-scenes coverage.

Source: Original Article