As the start of the 2026 college football season is weeks away, only one HBCU is ranked in a national FCS poll.

To the surprise of no one, it’s the HBCU national champions; South Carolina State is ranked No. 24 by Stats Perform in the FCS preseason Top 25 poll.

The Bulldogs went 10-3 in 2025, winning the MEAC title with another unbeaten conference regular season total.

SC State went on to pick up their second Celebration Bowl victory with a four-overtime win over SWAC champion Prairie View A&M.

Other HBCUs earning votes were Alabama State (59 votes), Jackson State (48), Prairie View (25) and Delaware State (7) to round out the poll.