The defending MEAC Champion Norfolk State has been tabbed to win the conference once again as they tallied 11 first place votes and 454 points, while South Carolina State has been selected to finish second with four first place votes and 432 points.
FAMU had five Rattlers to earn first team preseason All-MEAC honors with four of them being from Tallahassee and one Rattler to earn second team All- MEAC honors.
Leading the Tallahassee connection is senior offensive lineman Steven Robinson, who started in 11 games at right guard for the Rattlers last season. Joining him on the first team is senior defensive lineman Padric Scott, who finished last season with 21 tackles and five tackles for loss.
Rounding out the cast of Tallahassee natives are defensive backs John Oye Ojo and Devontae Terry Johnson. Senior safety Ojo finished last season as the team's fifth-leading tackler with 38 and snagged four interceptions on the year, while sophomore cornerback Johnson finished last season with four interceptions to lead the Rattler secondary as he tallied 31 tackles on the season.
Jacksonville, Fla., native senior punter Brandon Holdren, who finished the last season with 2,331 yards on 58 boots to averaging 40.2 yard per punt, also made the first team. His fellow Jacksonville native sophomore quarterback Damien Fleming earned second team preseason All-MEAC honors. Flemin stepped in and took over as the starting quarterback for FAMU in the fifth game of the season. Fleming finished last season with 1,335 yards passing as he completed 110 passes in 180 attempts with nine TDs and two interceptions.
Accompanied by captains Fleming and Hepburn, Head Coach Joe Taylor said he has a good feeling about this years team. Speaking from the full contingency of MEAC head football coaches, who sat at the head table during the press luncheon, Taylor expressed his confidence in his players.
"We all agree up here that this will likely be the most competitive year in the history of MEAC football. We look forward to a very competitive year. We've got some great coaches up here," Taylor said.