Albany, Ga. — Albany State Football enters the 2026 season with national recognition and high expectations as the Golden Rams have been ranked No. 3 in the inaugural Black College Football Poll, a first-of-its-kind national ranking dedicated to Historically Black Colleges and Universities competing at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and NCAA Division II levels.
The poll is formally endorsed and sanctioned by the four NCAA conferences that sponsor HBCU football—the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).
The Black College Football Poll ranks NCAA Division I FCS and Division II HBCU programs, providing a consistent national benchmark throughout the season. Starting with preseason rankings, it is updated weekly and includes all NCAA-supported HBCU programs. Rankings are based on votes from 57 head coaches and media members, using a 10-point scoring system where first place receives 10 points and tenth place gets one point.
The preseason ranking reflects the continued prominence of the Golden Rams program following one of the most successful seasons in school history and marks the beginning of a new era under first-year head coach David Bowser.
"This recognition reflects the standard at Albany State," Bowser said. "It's an honor to be among the top HBCU football programs, but we focus on the hard work ahead to prepare our student-athletes for competition. We embrace the expectations that come with wearing the Albany State uniform."
The Golden Rams enter the season after capturing the 2025 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Football Championship, earning HBCU Division II National Champion honors and advancing to the NCAA Division II Quarterfinals. Albany State also returns a strong nucleus of veteran talent, including 42 returning players and 25 returning starters, while welcoming 29 transfers and 55 newcomers to the roster.
Albany State's roster features several nationally recognized playmakers, including Second Team All-American and D2Football.com Elite 100 selection
Derrick Drayton, who anchors one of the SIAC's top defensive units. The Golden Rams also return key contributors on both sides of the football and on special teams as they pursue another conference championship.
As preseason camp approaches, the Golden Rams will look to build on last year's championship momentum while embracing the opportunities that come with a new season and new leadership.
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ABOUT ALBANY STATE ATHLETICS
Albany State University is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II-level intercollegiate athletic program. The university currently fields teams in 12 sports: women's volleyball, women's tennis, women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, softball, men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field, baseball, and football, with all teams competing in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).
