Randall Barnes Articles - Page 19

The world of HBCU football is rich with history and tradition. As fans, we often debate and chronicle the greatest programs in our own ways. This offseason, a recurring conversation has revolved around creating tiers for the blue bloods of college football. While I’ve always been consistent in my sports fandom, I typically avoid making […]

Kim Mulkey and the LSU Lady Tigers have prioritized playing HBCU teams over the past few seasons, and this tradition will continue in the upcoming season, with four Black college basketball programs on their schedule. Langston University, Alcorn State, Alabama State, and Morgan State are scheduled to face off against LSU this season, receiving a […]

Mickey Joseph has added a recruiting wizard to his Grambling State squad that is also set to fortify his team during the season. Wyatt Anderson announced officially on his X account that he has joined the Tigers, with FCS Central Reporter Zach McKinnell reporting that he has been named tight end coach. Anderson previously served […]

Chennis Berry and South Carolina State made history in July by hiring Tess Abbott as the director of recruiting. Abbott is the first woman in program history to join the football staff. In her role, she will oversee every aspect of the Bulldogs’ recruiting strategy, including planning and managing official and unofficial visits, evaluating talent, […]

An HBCU alumna saw herself competing against the best in the track & field circuit, even beating out Olympian Sha’Carri Richardson. North Carolina A&T alumna Kayla White set a personal best of 10.89 to win her heat, surpassing Sha’Carri Richardson’s time of 11.07. Richardson delivered her strongest performance of the season, but White ultimately emerged […]

Fresh off of a huge Canadian Open win, tennis phenom Coco Gauff is debuting a new U.S. Open Collection with New Balance. The sportswear giant’s new line, revealed on Friday, features three Gauff-inspired tennis shoes that celebrate her recent triumphs and her journey to the top of the sport. The collection includes the Coco CG2 […]

Simone Biles reaffirmed her amazing legacy during the 2024 Paris Olympics, claiming gold and representing the country with excellence. But she went through a rigorous process to prepare for the global sports competition, according to her comments in an exclusive interview with Olympics.com’s Scott Bregman. The article detailed the sacrifices that she made leading to […]

Teddy Keaton and his Clark Atlanta Panthers secured a huge win recently as they returned a star reciever to their SIAC Championship contending team. Per a report by HBCU Gameday, WR Armone Harris has rejoined the team after entering the transfer portal. He initially committed to Johnson C. Smith University, announcing his commitment to the […]

As the football season rolls in, twenty HBCU players have been named to the HBCU+ Player of the Year watchlist. The award, developed through a collaboration between Stats Perform and Urban Edge Network (parent company of HBCU+), aims to recognize the top player from the 21 HBCU programs in the Division I subdivision. This includes […]

Ahead of the football season, four of the HBCU conferences (the SWAC, MEAC, CIAA, and SIAC) have announced a strategic partnership. According to a joint statement from all four conferences, they have agreed to collaborate more closely to enhance the value of HBCU conferences and strengthen the HBCU brand. While recognizing differences in division, size, […]

With football season just around the corner, three standout HBCU players have earned spots on the preseason watchlist for the Buck Buchanan Award. Southern University defensive lineman Ckelby Givens, Morgan State linebacker Erick Hunter, and North Carolina Central defensive back Malcolm Reed are representing black college football this season. One of them could follow in […]

Following the announcement of his departure from ESPN, Shannon Sharpe has broken his silence. On the Wednesday evening edition of the Nightcap podcast, Sharpe spoke about the news, particularly focusing on the timing of the announcement of him not returning to ESPN and it potentially clashing with the enshrinement of his brother Sterling Sharpe in the Pro […]

In a shocking move, Alabama A&M has removed Mekhi Hagens from its roster, per a report by Stats Perform’s Craig Haley. “#FCS Alabama A&M has removed QB transfer Mekhi Hagens from its roster, due to academics, a source close to the team confirmed,” he posted on Wednesday evening. Hagins joined the Bulldogs after playing at […]

For years, South Carolina State head coach Chennis Berry has been one of the most interesting stories in HBCU football. After a 5-5 season with Benedict College in 2021, his first season with the program, he turned the Tigers into a perennial Division II superpower. They won back-to-back SIAC Championships and ranked at the top […]

The East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 list featured several HBCU stars who are predicted to have huge seasons this Fall. Per their website, the Shrine Bowl 1000 list looks insight into their scouting process while providing an early look at college players eligible for the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl and the 2026 NFL Draft. Howard University […]

Ahead of the football season, the John Madden Foundation has announced a major HBCU partnership with the Black College Alumni Hall of Fame, according to a statement by both organizations on Tuesday afternoon. The foundation is now an Official Partner of the Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl, offering essential support to HBCU students. The John Madden […]

Michael Vick and Norfolk State have a player who is expected to have a standout season on the gridiron. Spartan running back Kevon King has been named to the Walter Payton Award watch list, appearing amongst several other FCS stars. King is one of the players who are returning to the Spartans from Dawson Odoms’s […]

With the football season weeks away, the SIAC has announced its ESPN football schedule for the season. The lineup features several of the conference’s most notable programs, highly anticipated classics, as well as the conference’s football championship that will be held in Atlanta, Georgia.  “Our relationship with ESPN remains steadfast as we continue our mission […]

Only days after announcing his transfer from Delaware State, Marqui Adams has drawn significant interest from both Jackson State and Southern University as a quarterback option leading into the start of the season in August. Adams announced he received offers from both programs on his social media accounts, the only offers he posted since July […]

Following Deion Sanders’ admission that he had bladder cancer, Good Morning America and Fox NFL Kickoff host Michael Strahan posted a heartfelt post to his social media account in support of the football star turned college football coach.Strahan and Sanders are close, both being former standout defensive players in the NFL during the same era, […]

Tremaine Jackson and Prairie View A&M secured a huge recruiting win, landing one of the best running backs in the class of 2026. Aldine Davis High School star  Nicholas Tramble has committed to the Panthers, choosing to attend the Texas-based, FCS competing HBCU over several major FBS programs such as UNLV, Kansas State, Texas State, […]

Baltimore Ravens rookie Carson Vinson is adjusting well to the NFL as the preseason approaches. He’s joining a team that is poised to be a Super Bowl contender, with his role on the offensive line being arguably the most important: protecting Lamar Jackson and opening up running lanes for Derrick Henry. Vinson also has the […]

Tennessee State recently announced the hire of former Duke standout Nolan Smith as the next men’s basketball head coach. But, per a report by Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, Smith was far from the only big name considered for the position. Tennessee State Athletics has been making big moves in recent years, first hiring Eddie George […]

Actress Keisha Knight Pulliam paid tribute to former The Cosby Show star Malcolm-Jamal Warner in an emotional post on her social media account on Sunday evening. The post featured Warner playing the guitar at a concert. “A week ago I lost my big brother but I gained an angel… I love you… I miss you… We […]

With only weeks until the start of the season, DeSean Jackson’s Delaware State Hornets lost a major offensive weapon. Quarterback Marqui Adams, one of the remaining members of the Hornets pre-Jackson, has entered the transfer portal. He announced his move on his social media accounts on Friday afternoon. “Thank you Delaware state ! Entering the […]

During the Bill Dooley Pigskin Preview in Raleigh, North Carolina, North Carolina Central coach Trei Oliver made an astounding claim that perfectly illustrates the post-transfer portal and NIL era of college football. While addressing attendees, Oliver alleged that a Virginia Tech coach recruited one of his players on the sideline during the North Carolina Central […]

Arthur Blank and the Atlanta Falcons are making another big move in support of HBCUs. In a collaboration with the Arthur M. Blank Foundation, the team is donating new, state-of-the-art football helmets to Clark Atlanta and Morehouse College ahead of the 2025 football season. Chris Millman, AMB Sports and Entertainment Senior Vice President of Community […]

The HBCU football season is just around the corner, and this year truly has the potential to be special. The addition of Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson as HBCU coaches will undoubtedly add a new level of intrigue to the MEAC and potentially the Celebration Bowl. With an array of amazing coaches, intriguing out-of-conference matchups, […]

Former Black-ish star Marsai Martin is bringing a super exciting Labor Day weekend event to Texas Southern University. The Sai Summer Cookout, organized by Martin, is an annual event designed to bring the community together in a fun and meaningful way. This year, it will be held at Texas Southern on August 31st. The event […]

Weeks before the start of the football season, Southern University has landed a record-setting running back that could improve its fortunes in the SWAC. Former LSU running back Trey Holly was spotted at the Jaguars’ Tuesday practice, causing wide speculation that he had indeed joined the team. Southern University head coach Terrence Graves eventually confirmed […]

President Donald Trump signed an executive order intended to address various challenges in the NIL era. The Executive Order aims to protect and enhance opportunities for student-athletes, particularly in women’s and non-revenue sports, while preserving the unique structure of college athletics. It prohibits pay-for-play schemes but allows fair-market-value compensation, ensures revenue-sharing doesn’t harm non-revenue sports, […]

Shannon Harris is set to be pulling double duty in football over the next few months. After being announced as offensive coordinator for Tennessee State under Reggie Barlow, he was also announced as the DC Defenders head coach on Wednesday afternoon. Harris led the team as interim head coach after Barlow stepped down to lead […]

Following an underwhelming season in 2024, North Carolina A&T was dealt a crushing blow during CAA Football Media Day. The Aggies are expected to finish last in the conference this season, behind Bryant, the University of Albany, and fellow HBCU Hampton. The ranking comes as no surprise, with the team struggling mightily under former head […]

Atlanta Dream star Allisha Gray has enjoyed an incredible season, earning her a spot in last week’s All-Star Game, a special moment she shared with her sister. Gray’s sister Ashley was among several other members of Allisha’s family to travel to Indianapolis to see her partake in the All-Star festivities. Via her father and sister, […]

Only a couple of months into his new position, Charlie Ward finds Florida A&M in play for a four-star recruit who is ranked as the number one player in Tennessee. Providence Christian Academy forward Christopher Washington Jr. included the Rattlers in his top seven schools that he’s considering committing to, per a graphic posted to […]

Today, Keke Palmer and Shady McCoy found themselves at the center of a larger, ongoing debate about journalism. Both had recent media moments that left many viewers unsatisfied. Keke Palmer’s interview with Olandria Carthen and Chelley Bissainthe about their Love Island experience, taped immediately after their time in the villa, drew criticism. Meanwhile, Shady McCoy, […]

While DeSean Jackson’s appointment as coach of Delaware State has provided a lot of positive momentum for the team, the MEAC’s predicted order of finish certainly put things into perspective. Despite the monumental hire, the Hornets are expected to finish sixth in the conference. Howard University, who made the MEAC Championship in 2023, and Michael […]

Following the cancellation of FS1’s The Facility, LeSean “Shady” McCoy made one of his first media appearances as a host for ESPN+ MEAC Media Day broadcast. Although he interviewed his former teammates Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson, perhaps the most headline-grabbing moment occurred during his interview with current Howard University head coach Larry Scott. Shady you […]

Reggie Barlow and Tennessee State are looking to make a statement in upcoming games against the SEC. According to Mike Organ of The Tennesseean, the Tigers are scheduled to face Georgia in 2026. In 2027, they are tentatively set to play Tennessee at Neyland Stadium, though Allen is advocating for the game to be moved […]