NORFOLK, Va. – Thirteen North Carolina Central University Eagles have been announced as members of the 2023 All-MEAC Football Teams, including junior center Torricelli Simpkins III as the 2023 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year. In addition, Trei Oliver was chosen as the MEAC Coach of the Year for a second straight season as announced by the conference office on Tuesday, Nov. 21.
 
A total of 10 Eagles were voted to the All-MEAC First Team while three more garnered All-MEAC Second Team accolades.
 
Simpkins is joined by senior quarterback Davius Richard, senior running back Latrell Collier, junior wide receiver Devin Smith and junior offensive lineman Da'Quan Thomas on First Team Offense.
 
Another handful of players were selected First Team Defense in junior defensive lineman Jaden Taylor, sophomore linebacker Jayden Flaker, sophomore defensive back Jason Chambers, senior placekicker Adrian Olivo and senior right safety Brandon Codrington.
 
All-MEAC Second Team honors were presented to freshman offensive lineman Trevon Humphrey, junior defensive lineman Trey Middleton and junior defensive back Kole Jones.
 
All awards and honors were voted on by the league's head football coaches and sports information directors.
 
Richard, Olivo and Codrington were selected All-MEAC for a third consecutive season while Collier, Smith, Simpkins and Taylor all claimed All-MEAC recognition for a second straight year.
 
In partnership with the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame, the MEAC will announce its Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year as part of the festivities surrounding the 65th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
 
Simpkins, a 6-5, 320-pound native of Charlotte, North Carolina, anchors an offensive line for the seventh-ranked scoring offense in the nation (FCS) as NCCU is averaging 36.6 points per game. Simpkins is leading the high-powered offense in pancake blocks. The Eagles also rank 14th nationally in sacks allowed per game (1.09) with Simpkins at center while barely committing any penalties all season. Simpkins was tabbed MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week three times this season.
 
Oliver has kept NCCU in the national top-25 polls all season, including its highest FCS national ranking in program history (7th), on the way to being tabbed MEAC Coach of the Year again. The Eagles finished the regular season at 9-2 overall, earning the programs first at large bid to the NCAA Division I FCS Playoffs in program history. The Eagles went 4-1 in league play, tying for the best record in the conference, and finished a perfect 5-0 at home. NCCU also had the most non-conference wins out of MEAC-member institutions, including wins against rival North Carolina A&T, a top-25 road win at Elon, a win in the Circle City Classic against Mississippi Valley State and an overtime win against Campbell.
 
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