News/Commentary

MEAC Preseason Poll, All-Conference Team

July 23, 2023 by MEACSPorts.com

North Carolina Central quarterback Davius Richard and North Carolina Central defensive back Khalil Baker have been named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Offensive and Defensive Preseason Players of the Year, presented by The Home Depot.

Additionally, the defending co-champion Eagles are the preseason favorite to win the MEAC this season, racking up 124 points and nine out of a possible 12 first-place votes in a poll conducted by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors.

2022 co-champion Howard (one first-place vote) was picked to finish second, while South Carolina State came in the third spot. Rounding out the predicted order of finish, also presented by The Home Depot, were Morgan State (one first-place vote), Norfolk State and Delaware State (one first-place vote).

Richard was the 2022 MEAC Offensive Player of the Year and a finalist for the Walter Payton Award (given to the top offensive player in all of FCS) after leading the Eagles to a 10-win season, MEAC championship and an overtime win over Jackson State in the Cricket Celebration Bowl. He ranked 10th in the nation in total offense (287.4 ypg), 15th in passing touchdowns (25) and 28th in passing yards (2,661/221.8 ypg).

With Richard behind center, the Eagles led the MEAC in both scoring offense (38.6 ppg) and total offense (445.3 ypg).

Baker was the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, and he was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, given out to the nation’s top FCS defensive player. He tallied four interceptions and five pass break-ups last season, and he returned one of those picks for a touchdown in a win over nationally-ranked New Hampshire. He tied for the team lead with 61 total tackles, including two for a loss and a fumble recovery.

Baker led an Eagles defense that ranked second in the MEAC in scoring (21.5 ppg) and total defense (333.7 ypg).

Joining Richard on the Preseason First Team offense are Delaware State running back Marquis Gillis (the 2022 MEAC Rookie of the Year); North Carolina Central running back Latrell Collier; North Carolina Central wide receiver Devin Smith; Howard University wide receiver Kasey Hawthorne; Howard University tight end Brennan Brown; North Carolina Central center Torricelli Simpkins III; Howard University offensive linemen Darius Fox and Anim Dankwah; Delaware State offensive lineman Sam Pearson; and South Carolina State offensive lineman Nick Taiste.

Baker is joined on the Preseason First Team defense by South Carolina State defensive lineman Patrick Godbolt; Howard University defensive linemen Jevin Jackson and Darrian Brokenburr; Morgan State defensive lineman Elijah Williams; Morgan State linebacker Lawrence Richardson; South Carolina State linebacker Aaron Smith; North Carolina Central linebacker Jaki Brevard; Delaware State defensive back Romell Harris-Freeman; Howard University defensive back Kenny Gallop, Jr.; and Morgan State defensive back Jae’Veyon Morton.

On special teams, the Preseason First Team consists of South Carolina State punter Dyson Roberts; North Carolina Central kicker Adrian Olivo; and Morgan State return specialist Keith Jenkins, Jr.

2023 Predicted Order of Finish

As voted on by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors  

School (First-Place Votes) Points
1. North Carolina Central (9) 124
2. Howard (1) 98
3. South Carolina State 74
4. Morgan State (1) 68
5. Norfolk State 40
6. Delaware State (1) 28

 2023 Preseason All-MEAC Honors

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Davius Richard, North Carolina Central
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Khalil Baker, North Carolina Central

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
Pos. Name Cl. School Hometown
QB Davius Richard Sr. North Carolina Central Belle Glade, Fla.
RB Marquis Gillis r-So. Delaware State Milford, Del.
RB Latrell Collier r-Sr. North Carolina Central Bluefield, W.Va.
WR Devin Smith Jr. North Carolina Central Durham, N.C.
WR Kasey Hawthorne Sr. Howard Sebring, Fla.
TE Brennan Brown Sr. Howard Dallas, Texas
C Torricelli Simpkins III Jr. North Carolina Central Charlotte, N.C.
OL Darius Fox Jr. Howard Washington, D.C.
OL Sam Pearson Sr. Delaware State Washington, D.C.
OL Anim Dankwah Gr. Howard Accra, Ghana
OL Nick Taiste Jr. South Carolina State West Columbia, S.C.
 
First Team Defense
Pos. Name Cl. School Hometown
DL Patrick Godbolt Sr. South Carolina State Blythewood, S.C.
DL Jevin Jackson Gr. Howard Lawrenceville, Ga.
DL Darrian Brokenburr Gr. Howard Manassas, Va.
DL Elijah Williams Jr. Morgan State Jersey City, N.J.
LB Lawrence Richardson Sr. Morgan State Philadelphia, Pa.
LB Aaron Smith Jr. South Carolina State Manning, S.C.
LB Jaki Brevard Jr. North Carolina Central Durham, N.C.
DB Khalil Baker Sr. North Carolina Central Winston-Salem, N.C.
DB Romell Harris-Freeman r-Sr. Delaware State Rockville, Md.
DB Kenny Gallop, Jr. Sr. Howard Portsmouth, Va.
DB Jae’Veyon Morton Sr. Morgan State Detroit, Mich.
P Dyson Roberts Jr. South Carolina State Sumter, S.C.
PK Adrian Olivo Sr. North Carolina Central Plant City, Fla.
RS Keith Jenkins, Jr. So. Morgan State Gainesville, Va.

About the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) is in its 53rd year of intercollegiate competition with the 2023-24 academic school year. Located in Norfolk, Va., the MEAC is made up of eight outstanding historically black institutions across the Atlantic coastline: Coppin State University, Delaware State University, Howard University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina Central University and South Carolina State University. For more information about the MEAC, visit www.MEACSports.com.