HBCU Football: 2024 All-MEAC and Predicted Order of Finish

Courtesy of MEAC Sports

NORFOLK, Va. – Howard running back Jarett Hunter and defensive back Kenny Gallop Jr. were named Mid–Eastern Athletic Conference’ s (MEAC) Offensive and Defensive Preseason Players of the Year, presented by Towne Bank.
The 2022 MEAC Champions and HBCU National Champions North Carolina Central were selected as the preseason favorite for the second straight season. The Eagles racked up 110 points in a poll conducted by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors with four first-place votes in the 2024 Predicted Order of Finish.

The Howard Bison, the reigning 2023 MEAC champions, were picked to finish second, as they tied N.C. Central with four first-place votes. Rounding out the predicted order of finish, also presented by Towne Bank were Morgan State (1), S.C. State (2), Norfolk State (1), and Delaware State.

Hunter earned MEAC second-team all-conference after the 2023 HBCU football season, where he ranked second in the MEAC with nine rushing touchdowns. Ranked second in the MEAC standings of returning running backs with 626 yards, including nine rushing touchdowns.  On the receiving end, Hunter collected 257 yards, averaging 9.9 yards per catch with two touchdowns.

Gallop Jr. was selected as the 2023 MEAC Defensive Player of the Year after helping Howard win the MEAC Regular Season title.  In addition to being awarded MEAC first-team all-conference team, he earned his second All-American honor after being named to the HBCU All-America Team.  The Bison went 4-1 in conference play with a marquee win over then-ranked No. 7 N.C. Central. Gallop, Jr. was named FCS National Defensive Player of the Week while also garnering MEAC Defensive Player of the Week honors twice in HBCU football. He produced 61 total tackles (40 solo) with six tackles for loss, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and two quarterback hurries. Gallop, Jr. recorded a season-high 11 tackles and an interception against Norfolk State. He also registered eight tackles, seven solo, and forced and recovered a fumble against fellow HBCU Hampton.

The MEAC Preseason Order of Finish:
Predicted Order of Finish
School (1 ^st Place Votes)Points
N.C. Central (4)                                     110
Howard (4)                                             92
Morgan State (1)                                    80
S.C. State (2)                                         78
Norfolk State (1)                                     50
Delaware State                                      22

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year – Jarett Hunter, Howard
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year – Kenny Gallop, Jr., Howard

First Team Offense

First Team Defense

Second Team Offense

Second Team Defense

* Indicates tie

The post HBCU Football: 2024 All-MEAC and Predicted Order of Finish appeared first on HBCU Gameday .