After defeating the Jackson State Tigers 41-34 in the 2022 Cricket Celebration Bowl in an overtime classic, preventing them from going undefeated, North Carolina Central’s head coach Trei Oliver couldn’t help but take one more shot at then-Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders.

"I will say this right here, Colorado probably could have got me for half the price," he quipped. "So, I don't know if the ink is dry on the contract, because I know they had to wait after the game, but Colorado, if you're having any second thoughts, contact my agent."

If all goes as planned this season, coach Oliver’s agent might be the one on the receiving end of calls from other college football teams at season's end.

The NCCU Eagles are primed to win the Celebration Bowl again this season, in doing so, they would become the first team to win consecutive HBCU National Championships since North Carolina A&T won three in row from 2017-19.

One of the biggest reasons is because of their senior quarterback Davius Richard, who was the Celebration Bowl MVP. Richard returns as the reigning MEAC Offensive Player of the Year and was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, given annually to the best offensive player at the FCS level. He led the MEAC in with 2,661 passing yards, 25 touchdown passes, and 15 rushing touchdowns.

“Right now, he's definitely number one amongst HBCUs. I think he's one of the best in the FCS (Football Subdivision),” said Steven J. Gaither, founder of HBCU Gameday. “He’s definitely a pro prospect. He’s got good size. 6-4, dual threat, turnovers weren’t terribly high. They just trust him to win the game when it was on the line.”

Richard has the best chance to become the first HBCU quarterback drafted into the NFL since former Alabama State standout Tarvaris Jackson was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He’s best opportunity to impress NFL scouts will be on September 16 at UCLA.

“If he can go into that game and put on a good show, and if his offensive line can give him time to pass, and he can show that he can pass and run the ball, I think that that will open up some scouts’ eyes, give him some film against Power Five level competition,” Gaither said. “I think he’s definitely got a shot.”

Richard isn’t the only impact player to keep an eye on in the offense. Redshirt Senior running back Latrel Collier rushed for 979 yards last season which were the second-most in the MEAC.

Defensively, Khalil Baker roams the secondary as he was named to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) FCS Coaches’ All-America Team and the Associated Press FCS All-America Team. The Eagles leading tackler last season was also named as the 2022 MEAC Defensive Player of the Year.

The toughest challenger to the throne in the MEAC will be the Howard Bisons who went 4-1 in conference play and are led by senior quarterback Quinton Williams. In the SWAC, Gaither sees Florida A&M and, yes, Jackson State as the top contenders to be in the Celebration Bowl. Either way, the road to the HBCU National Championship will once again go through Durham, North Carolina.

“I think the MEAC is consistently a very tough league to win. You know, there'll be some tough battles. But, if they can continue to keep their heads down, I think, until somebody else beats them, I think you got to consider them a favorite,” Gaither said.

Justin Adams is an Emmy nominated News and Sports Anchor/Reporter for CBS News Colorado in Denver. He is also a Play by Play Announcer for the Pac-12 Network and Mountain West Network and has appeared on FOX Sports Radio.