HBCU football: MEAC announces preseason 2021 all-conference teams

One week after the SWAC announced its preseason all-conference teams and their predicted order of finish, the MEAC has now followed suit in preparation for the kickoff of their 2021 season.

The offensive team is headlined by Norfolk State Spartans quarterback Juwan Carter who has also been selected as the MEAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.

The senior quarterback will return to the field coming off a 2019 season in which he led the conference in total passing yards (2,631), tied for the most passing touchdowns (23) and had second-highest pass efficiency rating (146.5).

The Spartans have the most players featured on the Preseason All-Conference teams with 14 players total selected including 12 selected to the offensive and defensive first teams respectively.

On the defensive end, South Carolina State defensive back Decobie Durant was selected MEAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. In four spring games, he finished with four interceptions and five pass breakups including a game in which he recorded three interceptions against the SWAC champion Alabama A&M Bulldogs.

In 2019, the senior led the MEAC in passes defended (15) and was in a three-way tied for second in interceptions (3).

The South Carolina State Bulldogs had the second-most players selected to the preseason all-conference teams with 10 players total including three offensive first team and two defensive first team selections.

In addition, the MEAC also released its predicted order of finish with votes coming from conference head coaches and sports information directors.

The South Carolina State Bulldogs were picked to finish first in the MEAC followed by the Norfolk State Spartans, North Carolina Central Eagles, Delaware State Hornets, Morgan State Bears and Howard Bison in that order.

The 2021 MEAC football season will begin on Aug. 28 when the North Carolina Central Eagles face off against the Alcorn State Braves in the MEAC/SWAC challenge.