NORFOLK, Va. – Ten North Carolina Central University Eagles have been voted to the Preseason All-MEAC Football Teams and NCCU has been picked to repeat as conference champions, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference announced Friday during its annual football press luncheon in Norfolk, Virginia.
 
Earning All-MEAC First Team honors for NCCU are junior running back Ramone Simpson (Wilmington, N.C.), sophomore offensive lineman Nick Leverett (Concord, N.C.), senior defensive lineman Ja'Quan Smith (Miramar, Fla.), senior defensive lineman Antonio Brown (Jacksonville, Fla.), senior linebacker Reggie Hunter (Henderson, N.C.), junior defensive back Alden McClellon (Lake Butler, Fla.) and senior punter Nathaniel Tilque (Charlotte, N.C.).
 
Receiving All-MEAC Third Team recognition are junior running back Dorrel McClain (Cary, N.C.), junior wide receiver Jalen Wilkes (Greenville, S.C.) and junior defensive back Davanta Reynolds (Tucker, Ga.).
 
In a vote by the league's head football coaches and sports information directors, NCCU sits atop the predicted order of finish. The Eagles received 13 first-place votes and 430 total points to narrowly finish ahead of rival North Carolina A&T State, who finished with 10 first-place votes and 417 points. South Carolina State was projected to finish third, while Bethune-Cookman was picked fourth. Hampton was tabbed to finish fifth followed by Florida A&M, Norfolk State, Morgan State, Howard, Savannah State and Delaware State.
 
1. North Carolina Central (13)
2. North Carolina A&T State (5)
3. South Carolina State
4. Bethune-Cookman
5. Hampton (1)
6. Florida A&M
7. Norfolk State
8. Morgan State
9. Howard
10. Savannah State
11. Delaware State (1).
 
For a complete listing of the Preseason All-MEAC Football Teams, visit MEACsports.com.