Chance Peterson, Jordan Franklin lead 2026 MEAC Preseason Honors

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Chance Peterson, Jordan Franklin lead 2026 MEAC Preseason Honors

Randall Barnes, ClutchPoints · ClutchPoints

Tue, Jul 21, 2026 ·

4 min read

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Ahead of 2026 MEAC Football Media Day , the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference announced its preseason individual awards and preseason All-MEAC teams, recognizing many of the league's top returning players entering the upcoming season. South Carolina State linebacker Jordan Franklin was named the 2026 MEAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, while North Carolina Central wide receiver Chance Peterson earned Preseason Offensive Player of the Year honors.

Franklin enters the season as one of the anchors of a Bulldogs defense looking to help South Carolina State capture a third consecutive MEAC championship. During the 2025 season, Franklin totaled 55 tackles, including 37 solo stops, while adding two sacks for 26 yards, two interceptions, two pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

He also played a pivotal role in South Carolina State's dramatic Celebration Bowl victory over Prairie View A&M . In the Bulldogs' 40-38, four-overtime comeback victory, Franklin finished with seven tackles, including five solo tackles and two tackles for loss totaling eight yards. His performance helped South Carolina State erase a 21-point halftime deficit to secure another HBCU national championship.

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With head coach Chennis Berry still undefeated in MEAC play entering his third season, Franklin is expected to once again be one of the conference's premier defensive playmakers.

On the offensive side, Peterson gives North Carolina Central one of the league's most dynamic receiving threats. The Eagles standout is coming off a 2025 campaign in which he hauled in 48 receptions for 720 yards and one touchdown.

Peterson also contributed on special teams, recording three kickoff returns for 64 yards and three punt returns for 10 yards. His ability to stretch the field was on display throughout the season. Peterson recorded two 100-yard receiving performances in 2025, including an eight-catch, 104-yard outing against Florida A&M.

He also totaled six receptions for 134 yards against Delaware State, showcasing the explosive playmaking ability that made him the conference's preseason Offensive Player of the Year. With Peterson leading the offense and Franklin anchoring the defense for South Carolina State, both players are expected to play major roles in what could once again be a tightly contested MEAC championship race.

The complete 2026 Preseason All-MEAC teams are listed below.

First Team Offense

Position	Player	School
QB	Josh Jones	North Carolina Central
RB	Eden James	Howard
RB	Tyler Smith	South Carolina State
WR	Chance Peterson	North Carolina Central
WR	Darius Thompson	South Carolina State
TE	Alex Simmons	Morgan State
C	James Reddick II	South Carolina State
OL	Moses Umoren	South Carolina State
OL	AC McMoore	North Carolina Central
OL	Ryan Nolan	Norfolk State
OL	Diu Dau	Delaware State

First Team Defense

Position	Player	School
DL	Joshua Barker	South Carolina State
DL	Ka'Von Chisolm	South Carolina State
DL	Jordan Dollard	South Carolina State
DL	Jaylen Williams	Norfolk State
LB	Jordan Franklin	South Carolina State
LB	Isaiah Lawson	North Carolina Central
LB	Arturo Mattocks	Morgan State
DB	Kedrick Green	Howard
DB	Wayne Favors	Delaware State
DB	Sharmari Reed	South Carolina State
DB	Aki Harvey	Morgan State
P	Liam Allen IV	Howard
K	Matt Conord	Howard
RS	Mehki Wall	North Carolina Central

Second Team Offense

Position	Player	School
QB	Ja'Shawn Scroggins	Howard
RB	Josh Shaw	South Carolina State
RB	Keith Jenkins Jr.	Morgan State
WR	Justin Perry	Morgan State
WR	Nate Stewart	Delaware State
TE	Rodney Lesane	North Carolina Central
C	Holly Saint-Melus**	North Carolina Central
C	Jack Smoot**	Norfolk State
OL	Kiande Marsh	South Carolina State
OL	Tyler Leinberger	Norfolk State
OL	Taron Williams	North Carolina Central
OL	Victor Goree	North Carolina Central

Second Team Defense

Position	Player	School
DL	Quoy Rainey	Delaware State
DL	Miguel Rijo	Norfolk State
DL	Justin Dutton	Morgan State
DL	Kristopher Boyd	Morgan State
LB	Kaleb Broadbent	Norfolk State
LB	Roderick Kelly	South Carolina State
LB	Quentin Johnson	Delaware State
DB	Kwantre Harry	South Carolina State
DB	Nasir Bashir	Norfolk State
DB	Jakarri Martin	North Carolina Central
DB	Stephon Hall	Norfolk State
P	Shane Messenger	Morgan State
K	Jake Walker	Norfolk State
RS	Malique Leatherbury	Morgan State

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