There is continuous discussion and debate amongst MEAC and SWAC fans as to which conference is the best. Below are player and team leaders in key categories. (Note: Tennessee State,  an HBCU with membership in the Ohio Valley Conference, is included in the stats where applicable)


As of 1/7/2017 (source: NCAA.com)

Top HBCU's with receiving votes in the STATS FCS Poll:

1- Grambling State (#16 in STATS FCS Poll)
2- NC A&T (#20 in STATS FCS Poll)
3- NC Central (#22 in STATS FCS Poll)
4- Southern (#40)
​5- Tennessee State (#42)

Top 5 HBCU's in Rushing (FCS ranking)

1-  Southern- Sr. RB, Lenard Tillery- 1,665 yds (#3)
2- NC A&T- Sr. RB, Tarik Cohen-  1,588 yds (#4)
3-  Howard- Jr. RB, Anthony Philyaw- 1,230 yds (#12)
4-  Alabama State- Sr. RB, Khalid Thomas- 1,182 yds (#13)
5- Grambling- Sr. RB, Martez Carter- 906 yds (#34)

Top 5 HBCU's in Passing (FCS ranking)

1-  Grambling- Jr. QB, Devante Kincade- 2,996 yds (#13)
2- Southern- Jr. QB, Austin Howard- 2,650 yds. (#24)
3-  NC Central- Sr. QB, Malcolm Bell- 2,431 yds (#35)
4-  Hampton- Sr. QB, Jaylian Williamson- 2,290 yds (#44)
5-  Arkansas-Pine Bluff- Jr.QB, Brandon Duncan- 2,240 yds (#46)

Top 5 HBCU's in Defense (yds per game allowed) (FCS ranking)

1-  Grambling State- 327.2 yds (#20)
2-  SC State- 338.4 yds (#23)
3-  Hampton- 340.5 yds. (#24)
4-  NC A&T-  342.8 yds (#27)
5-  NC Central- 344 yds (#28)