The Division II Football Championship field has been announced and it features a historic five HBCU teams, including the two major Division II HBCU conference champions.
This marks the most HBCU selections in the history of the Division II football tournament, having never surpassed three before this year.
Here is every HBCU football team that was selected to the Division II Football Playoffs.
Super Region 1
Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls
Last Appearance: Never
For the first time in school history, the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls will play for a Division II Football Championship, hosting a first-round matchup against Frostburg State as a two-seed in Super Region One.
Johnson C. Smith made it into the Division II Playoffs after beating Virginia Union 45-21 to claim its first CIAA championship since 1969 (second in school history).
The win also improved the Golden Bulls’ overall record to 10-1, marking the team’s first-ever 10-win season.
The Golden Bulls will face a Frostburg State team that is also making its first Division II Playoff appearance in school history after claiming its first-ever Mountain East Conference championship.
Having joined the Division II ranks after 41 years in Division III, Frostburg State has posted a winning record in each of its first seven seasons as a DII program, including a 9-2 overall record this year.
Virginia Union Panthers
Last Appearance: 2024
For the fourth straight season, the Virginia Union Panthers will compete in the Division II Playoffs, this time as a three-seed hosting California (PA) in the first round.
Virginia Union is one of only five Division II programs selected to the DII championship field each of the past four years.
The Panthers advanced to their third straight CIAA championship game after finishing with a 9-1 record in the regular season. However, they fell short of the vaunted three-peat, losing to Johnson C. Smith in the title game.
California (PA) is making its second straight appearance in the Division II Playoffs, entering with a 9-3 overall record.
Last season, California posted its deepest playoff run in 15 years, advancing to the Regional Final after wins over East Stroudsburg and Ashland in the first two rounds.
The #D2FB bracket is officially here! 🏈 🏆#MakeItYours | https://t.co/9ZvdkIwAfH pic.twitter.com/WcDq5GBO3h
— NCAA Division II (@NCAADII) November 16, 2025
Super Region 2
Albany State Golden Rams
Last Appearance: 2021
Super Region 2 will go through the Albany State Golden Rams, being selected as the number-one seed in the region. This marks the third time in the past four seasons a member of the SIAC has fielded the number-one seed in the playoffs (Benedict, 2022 and 2023).
Albany State enters the Division II Playoffs with a 10-1 overall record, including a perfect 10-0 record against Division II opponents.
They claimed their first SIAC championship since 2021 after beating Benedict 22-16 in the title game.
In the first round, the Golden Rams will host a Valdosta State that completed a miraculous turnaround to secure a berth in the playoffs.
Beginning the season with a 2-4 record, Valdosta State won its last six contests, including a win over West Florida in its season-finale, to win the Gulf South championship.
This win enabled Albany State to secure the region’s number one seed as West Florida entered the week ranked first in Super Region 2.
Benedict
Last Appearance: 2023
For the third time in the last four years, the Benedict Tigers will compete in the playoffs, going on the road to face Wingate in the first round.
The last time Benedict played against Wingate in the DII playoffs, they were ousted in the second round in a 23-6 loss.
The Tigers make it to the playoffs after finishing the regular season with a 9-1 record, clinching a spot in the SIAC championship game in the final week.
On the other hand, Wingate makes its second straight appearance in the tournament, boasting a 9-2 overall record.
Last season, Wingate was knocked out of the first round of the playoffs by Virginia Union in a 34-31 overtime loss.
Kentucky State
Last Appearance: Never
Kentucky State is postseason-bound for the first time in school history, rounding out the most selections the SIAC has fielded in a single playoff.
The Thorobreds enter the DII tournament having won their last eight games, capped by a 35-7 win over Shorter on Saturday.
They enter the tournament with a 9-2 record, marking the most wins they’ve had in a season since 1935.
Kentucky State starts its playoff journey on the road against South Atlantic Conference (SAC) champion Newberry.
Newberry took down Carson-Newman 28-21 to claim its third SAC championship in the past five seasons and clinch an automatic berth in the DII playoffs.
