BALTIMORE (July 23, 2026) - The official football season begins in a little over a month and Howard University kicked off with the annual Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Football Media Day at M&T Bank Stadium, home of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens.
 
The members of the media gathered to discuss the upcoming season and the team's prospects.
 
NEW BEGINNINGS
 
The Bison, who are coming off a 5-7 season (2-3 MEAC), will be looking to improve under new head coach, Ted White. White was a former standout quarterback for Howard (1992-96) and led the team to a Black National Championship (1996). White brings a lot of experience to his alma mater, having played in the NFL and serving in various capacities as an assistant at a number of NCAA Division I programs. Last season, he worked with the top freshman quarterback in the country at Maryland, Malik Washington.
 
"Our mindset is focused on building this program through discipline and mental preparation," commented White. "We have a 12-game schedule and open camp on July 29 as we prepare for Alabama A&M.  From there, we will take it one game at a time. Our goal is to start and end in Atlanta."
 
THE SCHEDULE
 
The Bison have one of their more challenging schedules in recent memory.
 
Following the MEAC/SWAC Challenge versus Alabama A&M (August 29), Howard hosts perennial power Richmond at home (September 5). And then, it gets interesting, traveling to face defending NCAA National Champion, Indiana (September 12), followed by a trip to play another Big Ten and Bowl participant, Rutgers (September 19).
 
"It is certainly a challenge when you play teams of that caliber, but it is a great opportunity," said White. "Some of the players in the program have ambitions of playing at the next level and this will give them a chance to exhibit their skills to NFL executives, who are in attendance."
 
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS
 
Despite White's familiarity with the MEAC, there are obviously challenges for a first-year head coach.
 
Howard was picked to finish last in the league but veteran North Carolina Central head coach Tre Oliver cautions that the first-year label means little once the whistle blows.
 
"A year ago, Delaware State was picked to finish last in the conference preseason," Oliver said. "But their first-year head coach DeSean Jackson led his team to a second-place finish."
 
PRESEASON HONORS
 
In addition to the preseason predictions and coaches' interviews, the MEAC also announced its 2026 first and second all-conference offensive and defensive teams. For the Bison, graduate running back Eden James (Indianapolis) was selected first team offense while fellow classmate defensive back Kedrick Green (Winston-Salem, N.C.), sophomore punter Liam Allen IV (Sanford, Fla.) and junior placekicker Matt Conord (Lithia, Fla.) were voted to the Preseason All-MEAC First Team on defense.
 
Last season, James played in only two games due to injuries but had productive seasons between 2022-24 when he amassed almost 1,500 yards rushing for 5.0 yards per carry. A dual threat, James has grabbed 36 passes for seven TDs. He is one of the most dynamic running backs in the FCS when healthy.
 
"I am excited about the season," commented James. "After last season, I cannot wait to put on the helmet, shoulder pads, cleats and get out there again. This is my last season and it is a chance to finish strong to close out my career and journey here at Howard."
 
The Howard defense had an outstanding season and Green was one of the more consistent players on the unit, finishing as one of the top defensive players in the MEAC with a team-leading 60 tackles, 3.5 tackles for losses and two INTs.
 
"The atmosphere is definitely different," noted Green of the difference due to the coaching change. "Coach White and Coach Scott have different personalities and their approach to coaching, so we had to make the adjustment. I like what I have seen so far. We feel good about the season and cannot wait to get started."
 
Allen came on strong as a freshman a year ago, averaging almost 42.0 yards per punt, including nine inside the 20 and nine of 50 yards or more. His contributions were a key factor in the effectiveness of the defense as he consistently forced opponents to start their offense deep in their own territory.
 
A transfer from Division II Chowan, Conord converted on 7-of-13 field goals on the season, including a season-long 43-yarder. He hit the game-winner in the season-opening against Florida A&M.
 
Graduate quarterback Ja'Shawn Scroggins (Las Vegas) was selected to the Preseason All-MEAC Second Team.
 
ON THE HORIZON
 
Wednesday (July 29), practice officially begins with the opener a month away versus Alabama A&M in the Cricket SWAC/MEAC Challenge in Atlanta. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., and will be nationally televised on ABC.
 
The ESPN talent duo of Florida A&M alum Tiffany Greene (play-by-play) and Howard alum and former All-American Jay Walker (color commentary) will call all the action. Interestingly, Walker was the quarterback of the HU team which defeated Alabama A&M in 1992.
 
Bison fans can catch all the action on the Howard Sports Radio Network with Trevin A. Jones, Nathaniel Henry, Amir Walker and Casaya Achampong providing all the action.
 
Casaya Achampong, TV & Film Production major (c/o '28), and Ray T. Rogers, On-Air Personality, contributed to this story.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.