The 2021 season ended with a surprise Celebration Bowl result and a new HBCU champion crowned from a familiar conference. This fall is expected to be just as competitive. Here is the Ultimate HBCU Sports Division I preseason Top 10 football poll.
Previous rankings and records are based on the final Ultimate HBCU Sports Football Poll.
| Rank | Team | 2021 Rank | 2021 Record |
| 1 | Jackson State | 2 | 11-2 |
| 2 | Florida A&M | 3 | 9-3 |
| 3 | South Carolina State | 1 | 8-5 |
| 4 | North Carolina A&T | 21 | 5-6 |
| 5 | Southern | 23 | 4-6 |
| 6 | Alabama A&M | 5 | 7-3 |
| 7 | North Carolina Central | 11 | 6-5 |
| 8 | Tennesse State | 20 | 5-6 |
| 9 | Alcorn State | 12 | 6-4 |
| 10 | Norfolk State | 15 | 6-5 |
Grambling might be a sleeper this year.