BALTIMORE — North Carolina Central wide receiver Chance Peterson was voted the 2026 MEAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while South Carolina State linebacker Jordan Franklin earned 2026 MEAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Peterson, a product of Wake Forest, N.C., ranked fourth in the MEAC in receiving yards (720) and fifth in receptions (48) and yards per game (60.0) last season en route to garnering Second Team All-MEAC honors.

Franklin, a native of Waynesboro, Ga., paced the Bulldogs with 62 total tackles, including 42 solo stops and 20 assisted tackles a season ago. He also led the team with 12.0 tackles for loss totaling 52 yards while adding 2.0 sacks for 26 yards. The 2025 First Team All-MEAC selection tied for the team lead with two interceptions, recorded four pass breakups, forced one fumble and recovered one fumble a season ago.

South Carolina State led all programs with nine student-athletes named to the Preseason All-MEAC First Team across offense and defense. North Carolina Central and Howard followed with four first-team selections each, while Morgan State earned three selections. Norfolk State and Delaware State rounded out the list with two first-team honorees apiece.

The 2026 MEAC football season officially kicks off on Saturday, Aug. 29, with the annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta. The matchup between Howard and Alabama A&M will air live on ABC at 7:30 p.m. ET.