Jackson State was chosen to finish second in the Southwestern Athletic Conference East Division during SWAC Media Days on Wednesday morning. The two-time defending division champion received 122 total points and seven first-place votes, trailing Alabama State, which had 131 points and 16 first-place votes.
Other teams in the division include Bethune-Cookman with 71 points, Florida A&M with 70 points, Alabama A&M with 66 points and one first-place vote, and Mississippi Valley State with 29 points.
In the West Division, defending conference champion Prairie View A&M was selected to win, earning 130 points and 19 first-place votes. Grambling State received 93 points and two first-place votes, followed by Alcorn State with 90 points, Texas Southern with 79 points, Southern with 65 points, and Arkansas-Pine Bluff with 32 points.
Jackson State opens the 2026 season on the road against Tennessee State in the John Merritt Classic on Aug. 29. Fans can follow Jackson State athletics on social media at @GoJSUTigers (Instagram and Twitter) or Jackson State Tigers (Facebook), or visit GoJSUTigers.com for more information.
