ORANGEBURG, S.C. — Five South Carolina State football players have been named to the BOXTOROW 2026 HBCU College Football Preseason All-America Team, tying Prairie View A&M for the most selections among all programs.
Running back Tyler Smith and center
James Reddick II were selected to the offensive team, while defensive tackles Joshua Barker and
Ka'Von Chisolm, along with inside linebacker
Jordan Franklin, earned spots on the defensive team.
The recognition adds to the preseason accolades for the defending MEAC and HBCU national champion Bulldogs, who have been picked by BOXTOROW media members to repeat as national champions in 2026.
South Carolina State's five selections come after another championship season under third-year head coach
Chennis Berry. The Bulldogs captured their second consecutive MEAC championship in 2025 before claiming the HBCU national championship.
Bulldogs Named Preseason All-Americans
Offense
Defense
South Carolina State's defensive selections played a key role in a unit that ranked 29th nationally in total defense among FCS programs last season.
Barker and Chisolm combined for 63 tackles, including 44 solo stops, 21 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks.
Franklin was among the highest vote-getters of all players selected to the preseason team. He finished the 2025 campaign with 62 tackles, including 42 solo stops, 12 tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions and four pass breakups.
Smith and Reddick II represent the Bulldogs on offense. Smith returns as one of SC State's top offensive weapons, while Reddick anchors an offensive line expected to play a major role in the Bulldogs' pursuit of another conference and national championship.
Alabama State quarterback Andrew Body, the 2025 BOXTOROW National HBCU Offensive Player of the Year, was selected as the preseason quarterback. Prairie View A&M defensive lineman Malik Gucake and defensive back Eric Zachery were also among the top vote-getters.
Alabama State placed four players on the team, while Jackson State had three selections. Alcorn State and Johnson C. Smith each had two players selected.
A total of 15 programs are represented among the 30 preseason selections.
This marks the 20th season BOXTOROW has produced its HBCU College Football Preseason All-America Team. The team is selected by media members who cover HBCU football. BOXTOROW has recognized HBCU All-America teams since 2007.
The 2026 HBCU college football Preseason All-America team
OFFENSE
QB: Andrew Body, Alabama State, r-Sr., Corpus Christi, Texas$!
RB: Tyler Smith, South Carolina State, r-Sr., Gaffney, S.C.
RB: Chase Bingmon, Prairie View A&M, r-Soph., Terrell Texas
OL: Elijah Baker, Alabama State, r-Sr., Phoenix, Ariz.$
OL: Jamari Mason, Johnson C. Smith, Sr., Carrollton, Ga.$
OL: Calvin McMillian, Prairie View A&M, Gr., Houston, Miss.$
OL: James Reddick II, South Carolina State, Gr., Fort Valley, Ga.
OL: Quaveon Davis, Jackson State, St., Port St. Lucie, Fla.*
OL: Christian Loving, Bethune-Cookman, r-Sr., Hamilton, Ala.*
TE: Travon Jones, Prairie View A&M, Gr. Miami, Fla.
WR: Nate Rembert, Jackson State, Gr., Wildwood, Fla.
WR: Darius Cyprian, Kentucky State Sr. Baton Rouge, La.*
WR: Chance Peterson, North Carolina Central, r-Soph, Wake Forest, N.C.*
DEFENSE
DL: Joshua Barker, South Carolina State, Sr., Kennesaw, Ga.
DL: Malik Gucake, Prairie View A&M, Sr., Sacramento, Calif.
DL: Ka'Von Chisolm, South Carolina State, r-Soph., Estill, S.C.*
DL: Derrick Drayton, Albany State r-Sr. College Park, Ga.*
DL: Eric Thomas Jr., Alcorn State, Jr., Columbus, Miss.*
LB: Danarius Hilliard, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Sr., Hazlehurst, Miss.$
LB: Jordan Franklin, South Carolina State r-Jr. Waynesboro, Ga.
LB: Vincent Hill, Johnson C. Smith, r-Sr., Atlanta, Ga.
DB: Ta'Shaun Sims, Alabama State, Jr., Chipley, Fla.$
DB: Eric Zachery, Prairie View A&M, Jr., Dallas, Texas
DB: Wayne Favors, Delaware State, r-Sr., Miami, Fla.
DB: Kam Sallis, Jackson State, r-Jr., Pickens, Miss.
SPECIALISTS
P: Demetrion Duvall, Alcorn State, Jr., Akron, Ohio
PK: David Faulk, Alabama A&M, Soph., Madison, Ala.
PR: Zaire Tart, Virginia Union, Sr., Camden, N.J.$
KR: Nehemiah Hixon, Alabama State, Soph., Spanish Fort, Ala.
RS: Elijah Kennedy, North Carolina A&T, Sr., High Point, N.C.$
*Tie
$2025 HBCU All-American
!2025 BOXTOROW HBCU National Offensive Player of the Year
