Jackson State dominated Southern to win the program’s third SWAC title in four years. The Tigers earned the program’s fourth Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) national championship, first since 1996, with a victory over South Carolina State in the Celebration Bowl. The Tigers will be loaded once again in 2025 for a repeat.

Unfortunately, we were only able to schedule interviews with Prairie View A&M, Texas Southern, Grambling, and Alabama A&M for this year’s summer magazine, so they are the only programs reflected in the notes.

Note: These interviews were conducted before the transfer portal window closed, and some players mentioned may have entered the portal.

Alabama A&M

Offense

• First-year AAMU head coach Sam Shade said that the Bulldogs' offensive line has the ability, size, and experience, which he hopes will translate to success.
• Cornelius “Quad” Brown IV will be the starting quarterback in 2025. Shade said Brown has the ability to make every throw, but, more importantly, “he’s a leader and he has the entire team behind him.”
• Shade said AAMU has solid wide receiver and tight end rooms. He expects big things from Travaunta Abner. Abner was an all-conference player under Shade’s tutelage at Miles last season and transferred to AAMU after Shade was named head coach.
• Expect to see AAMU sign multiple running backs before fall camp, with Shade identifying that position group as the one with holes to fill.

Defense

• The entire Bulldogs defense is young and inexperienced heading into the summer. Shade noted the defensive line as a prime example, with most starters in spring practice being true or redshirt freshmen. Jamarion “JT” Ellis will be counted on to lead the young position group this year.
• Shade said the defensive secondary is the strongest area after spring practice, led by a couple of more transfers from Miles. Jeremiah Hudson-Davis was an all-conference selection at Miles and is expected to start at safety. 
• Jayden Chambers is another transfer from Miles that Shade is counting on at cornerback. Shade also said freshman Therman-Deon Moore will have an opportunity to contribute at cornerback in 2025.

Grambling

Offense

• Grambling brought in two transfer quarterbacks who are competing for the starting job. Head coach Mickey Joseph said East Mississippi CC transfer Ty Keyes and Southern transfer C’Zavian Teasett give the Tigers two experienced options this year.
• Joseph said the Tigers will run the ball, and is excited about the future for sophomores Andre Crews and Tony Phillips. He believes both players will receive interest from Power Four programs next year and hopes he can keep them on his roster.
• Joseph noted he has a solid wide receiver room for the offense he plans to run this year, which he said will be based on his coaching days at Nebraska.

Defense

• The transfer portal hit Grambling’s defense hard, losing three players to FBS programs, including Andrew Jones to Ole Miss and Michael Garner to Wisconsin. The Tigers' defense took more hits during the spring window with Jaden Hardy entering.
• Joseph said the Tigers focused on getting bigger along the offensive line by adding Hutchinson CC transfer Adam Lamar and Nevada transfer Ikemefuna Nnakenyi, who will team with returning starter Bryce “Butch” Cage.
• Grambling took fewer players in the portal after redshirting 23 players last year. Jamal Jordan, who registered 31 tackles in 10 games last season, is expected to lead the linebacker corps.
• Blake Davis returns to lead the secondary after recording 41 tackles, two sacks, four pass breakups, and three interceptions in 2024. 

Prairie View A&M

Offense

• Head coach Tremaine Jackson said the offense's strength is at the offensive line and tight end. He said the interior of the offensive line - both guards and center - had a great spring. The Panthers added Valdosta transfer Ty Brown to the interior during the offseason. However, Jackson noted the Panthers are seeking to add an offensive tackle or two before fall camp.
• Jackson said the wide receiver room will be completely overhauled. “If there’s a receiver (in the portal) that can walk, talk, and chew bubble gum at the same time, then we’re going to take him.” He noted he’s looking for bigger wide receivers who can block on the outside.
• Jackson hopes only to use one quarterback this year and wants to avoid rotating quarterbacks should the starter sustain an injury. Lucas Coley is the favorite, but will battle with Cameron Peters through fall camp to determine the starter.
• Returning running back, Lamagea McDowell, will shoulder the load of the rushing attack. Jackson said the Panthers want to pride themselves on running the ball, and noted McDowell is a hard runner with solid size (6-foot-2, 220 pounds).

Defense

• Jackson said the Panthers have a couple of good, young cornerbacks in Baylor transfer Tay’Shawn Wilson and returner Eric Zachery. Louisiana-Monroe transfer Travor Randle had an excellent spring.
• Sterling Roberts transferred to PVAMU after playing for Jackson at Valdosta State and has earned the starting mike linebacker position.
• The most significant issue facing the Panthers entering the summer is depth along the defensive line. “If I had 10 scholarships to use this summer, I would use eight of them on the defensive line,” Jackson said. 

Texas Southern

Offense

• Kenneth “KJ” Cooper and Independence CC transfer Cameron McCalister are battling to be named the starting quarterback. Head coach Cris Dishman said the battle will continue throughout fall camp.
• The Tigers used the transfer portal to solidify their offensive line in 2025 while the younger players they’ve recruited are developing. Dishman noted TSU is bigger across the line this year, and will average around 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds.
• Dishman said wide receivers Trenton Leary and Kerien Charlo have taken on a leadership role in the offense and will be huge assets for whoever wins the quarterback battle.

Defense

• The most significant boost for the TSU defense is the return of linebackers Jacob Williams and Isaiah Bogerty from injury during the opening week of the season. Dishman noted the Tigers have increased their depth at linebacker for 2025.
• According to Dishman, multiple defensive linemen, including returner Thurman Rayborn, had a tremendous spring. However, the depth took a hit in the spring transfer portal when Syncere Massey entered.
• Daylan Booker was solid in spring practice and will be counted on to lead the defensive backfield in his sophomore season after MJ Hinson entered the portal during the spring window.
  https://www.texasfootball.com/articles/article/default.aspx?url=2024/08/29/former-oilers-defensive-backs-to-reunite-in-the-labor-day-classic