BALTIMORE, Md. – The North Carolina Central University football team has been picked to finish second in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) for the 2025 season, as the preseason rankings and all-conference teams were unveiled on Tuesday.
Quarterback Walker Harris led eight Eagles who were named Preseason First Team All-MEAC; five of those honorees were on offense, with the other three on defense and special teams.
The Eagles are coming into their sixth season under head coach Trei Oliver. NCCU went 8-3 in 2024, while recording a 4-1 conference record for the fourth consecutive seasons and finishing second in the league standings to South Carolina State.
The Eagles received 61 points and four first-place votes in a poll conducted by the MEAC's head coaches and sports information directors, placing them just behind preseason favorite South Carolina State, which garnered 63 points and five first-place votes. and five first-place votes.
Harris is the MEAC's top returning quarterback for 2025, coming off Second Team All-MEAC accolades last season. Joining Harris on the First Team offense are tight end Luke Bracey, center Noah McKinney and offensive lineman Trevon Humphrey.
Humphrey was a First Team All-MEAC honoree in 2024; he and McKinney were part of an Eagles offensive line that anchored the MEAC's best scoring offense (35.5 ppg) and rushing attack (180.8 ypg). Along with Harris, they also led an offense that racked up at least 350 yards of total offense seven times.
McKinney and Bracey were also Second Team honorees in 2024.
First Team honorees on defense include linebacker Max U'Ren, defensive back Malcolm Reed and defensive back Jelani Vassell. Reed was a First Team selection last season after ranking second in the MEAC in pass breakups and eighth in interceptions, and U'Ren earned Second Team honors in 2024.
On the Preseason All-MEAC Second Team were wide receiver Chance Peterson, defensive lineman Christian Smith and kicker Kaleb Robison.
MEAC Football Media Day was held at M&T Bank Stadium, home of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens.
The Eagles open the 2025 season on Saturday, Aug. 23, in the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge, squaring off against Southern live on ABC at 7:30 p.m.
For more information on NCCU athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.
