DURHAM, N.C. – Coming off a 10-win campaign that included two top-25 victories and an HBCU national championship, North Carolina Central University is ranked 13th in the 2023 HERO Sports FCS Preseason Top 25.

In 2022, NCCU won its first MEAC football championship since 2016, and defeated No. 5 Jackson State University, 41-34, in an overtime thriller in the Cricket Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The victory delivered the university's fourth HBCU national championship title, joining the company of those captured in 1954, 2005 and 2006.

The 2022 NCCU Eagles became just the third team in school history to win 10 games in a season and earned the program's highest NCAA Division I-FCS national ranking at No. 17 in the final American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Coaches' Poll.

Under the direction of 2022 MEAC Coach of the Year Trei Oliver, the Eagles celebrated non-conference FCS triumphs over North Carolina A&T, Tennessee Tech, No. 25 New Hampshire, and No. 5 Jackson State.

For the upcoming 2023 season, NCCU is projected to return 12 All-MEAC performers, including five first team all-conference honorees. Headlining the group are senior quarterback Davius Richard, the 2022 MEAC Offensive Player of the Year, and senior defensive back Khalil Baker, the 2022 MEAC Defensive Player of the Year.

NCCU's other All-MEAC returners are senior running back Latrell Collier, junior center Torricelli Simpkins III, senior kicker Adrian Olivo, junior receiver Devin Smith, junior defensive lineman Jaden Taylor, junior linebacker Jaki Brevard, senior defensive back Manny Smith, junior running back J'Mari Taylor, junior defensive lineman Christian Smith, and senior return specialist/defensive back Brandon Codrington.

In the Athlon Sports' FCS Preseason Top 25, NCCU is ranked 24th.

For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com or download the NCCU Eagles Athletics app.