The countdown to Birmingham is on — here’s what to keep an eye on before the SWAC unveils its 2026 season outlook
Ten days out from SWAC Football Media Day, the conference is already setting the stage for what should be one of the more compelling storylines in HBCU football this offseason. All 12 head coaches and 24 student-athletes — including seven starting quarterbacks — will take over the Sheraton-Birmingham on July 15 to kick off the road to the 2026 season. Here’s what’s worth watching before the cameras start rolling.
1. Can Alabama State and Jackson State Both Repeat as East Champs?
Last season ended in a rare shared crown, with Alabama State and Jackson State splitting the SWAC East at identical 7-1 conference records. That kind of parity doesn’t usually last, and Media Day will be the first chance to gauge which program has the edge heading into fall camp. Expect both coaching staffs to lean into that rivalry storyline hard. Jackson State won the tie breaker by defeating Alabama State during the season in Jackson.
2. Andrew Body’s Return Changes Alabama State’s Ceiling
Quarterback Andrew Body’s brief stint in the transfer portal had Hornets fans nervous, but his return to Montgomery instantly raises expectations. A quarterback who already has SWAC championship-level production under his belt walking back into the building is the kind of storyline that tends to dominate a Media Day stage.
3. Prairie View A&M Enters as the Defending West Champ
The Panthers ran away with the West at 7-1 in conference play and 10-4 overall, and first-year head coach Tremaine Jackson delivered a championship in his debut season. The question now is whether that success was a launching pad or a peak — and Media Day will be the first real test of how the rest of the West responds.
4. Quinn Gray Sr. Makes His SWAC Debut — With FAMU Ties
New Florida A&M head coach Quinn Gray Sr., a former Rattlers quarterback himself, steps onto the SWAC Media Day stage for the first time after building a strong track record at Albany State. A homecoming hire always draws extra attention, and Gray’s first public remarks as FAMU’s coach will be worth paying close attention to.
5. Seven Quarterbacks, One Stage
With seven starting quarterbacks in the room, this Media Day could double as a quarterback showcase for the entire conference. How each signal-caller carries himself in that setting often previews how their offense approaches the season — confidence, chemistry, and swagger included.
The SWAC will also unveil its 2026 Predicted Order of Finish at the event, which should immediately reshape a few of these storylines. GoGetItSportz will have full Media Day coverage once the conference arrives in Birmingham on July 15.