SWAC Football Media Day Shocker: Unexpected Stars and Surprising Absences Unveiled!

Bethune-Cookman WildcatsAfter Jackson State University’s electrifying Celebration Bowl triumph last December — a run that crowned them HBCU National Champions — the Tiger spotlight is brighter than ever. With the addition of explosive talents like Nate Rembert from Mississippi Valley State, they’re set to strike hard again. Meanwhile, traditional powerhouses Florida A&M and Alabama State will be strategizing how to bounce back after narrowly missing out in their quest for the SWAC East title. Over in the West, fresh leadership under Terrell Buckley at Mississippi Valley State and Sam Shade at Alabama A&M adds layers of intrigue. And we can’t overlook Prairie View A&M’s new era under Tremaine Jackson, whose Division II success could shake things up big time.Jackson State TigersIt’s the kind of build-up that keeps me hooked – anticipating battles, breakthrough players, and coaching chess matches that make SWAC football compelling year after year. Dig into the full rundown and get to know the players stepping into the spotlight this season.Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions

List of Student Athlete Attendees

Prairie View A&M Panthers

• ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0″>Cornelious Brown IV (Quarterback)
• ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0″>Dimitris Biamby (Linebacker)

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• ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0″>Keane Lewis (Safety)
• ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0″>Cameron Smith (Linebacker)

Southern Jaguars

• ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0″>Jacorian Sewell (Wide Receiver)
• ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0″>Gideon Spottsville (Defensive Line)

The Southwestern Athletic Conference has revealed the student-athletes set to represent their teams at the 2025 SWAC Football Media Day. The event will take place on July 16 at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel in Birmingham, Alabama and will be viewed on ESPN+. Each of the conference’s 12 teams will be represented by two student-athletes and their coaches, who will speak with various media outlets about the upcoming season. The annual SWAC preseason poll will also be released.

• ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0″>AJ Hall (Defensive Line)
• ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0″>Maleek Huggins (Wide Receiver)

Florida A&M Rattlers

• ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0″>Ashton Grable (Offensive Line)
• ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0″>Davion Westmoreland (Defensive End)

Article Continues BelowAlcorn State Braves

• ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0″>Nick Howard (Wide Receiver)
• ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0″>Blake Davis (Defensive Back)

This season’s SWAC Media Day follows Jackson State University’s historic victory in the Celebration Bowl last December after an incredible run in their bid as HBCU National Champions. With key additions such as Mississippi Valley State star Nate Rembert, the Tigers are in prime position to repeat and run the gambit in the conference.

• ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0″>Jacobian Morgan (Quarterback)
• ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0″>Jeremiah Williams (Defensive Line)

Alabama State Hornets

• ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0″>Dephabian Fant (Running Back)
• ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0″>Kobe Byrd (Defensive Line)

a]:text-link [&_>a]:underline”>Randall Barnes is ClutchPoints’ Head of HBCU (Historically Black College or University) content and the founder of HBCU Pulse, a multimedia outlet with the mission to tell the authentic stories of HBCU Life via traditional, digital and social media outlets.

• ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0″>Travon Jones (Tight End)
• ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0″>Jamal Marshall (Defensive Line)

Meanwhile, Florida A&M and Alabama State look to regroup as they found themselves in contention for the SWAC East crown but ultimately fell out of real contention. Mississippi Valley State is now led by Florida State legend Terrell Buckley, but will he be able to lead the Delta Devils back to prominence. Meanwhile, Sam Shade now leads the Alabama A&M Bulldogs and he looks to find similar success in the SWAC as he did in the SIAC with Miles College last season.

• ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0″>Darren Morris (Wide Receiver)
• ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0″>Ckelby Givens (Defensive Line)

Texas Southern Tigers

• ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0″>Kenneth Cooper Jr. (Quarterback)
• ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0″>Damarcus Thompson (Offensive Lineman)

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July 16 is shaping up to be quite the day for SWAC football fans, as excitement builds ahead of the 2025 SWAC Football Media Day in Birmingham, Alabama. This year, each of the conference’s 12 teams will send two standout student-athletes, alongside their coaches, to the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel — ready to dive into the narratives that will define the upcoming season. Broadcast live on ESPN+, the event promises to serve up insider perspectives, fresh storylines, and the eagerly awaited SWAC preseason poll that could tip the scales on which teams are primed to dominate.