Aggies Face Uphill Battle: CAA Predicts Last Place Finish for North Carolina A&T
In a sobering but not entirely surprising preseason projection, North Carolina A&T State University has been ranked last in the Colonial Athletic Association’s (CAA) predicted order of finish. The announcement, made at the annual CAA Football Media Day, comes on the heels of a tumultuous 2024 season that saw the Aggies finish with a dismal 2–9 overall record, including a 1–7 mark in conference play.
For a program once hailed as a powerhouse in the MEAC and early contenders during their Big South stint, the bottom rung of the CAA ladder is unfamiliar—and unwelcome—territory. The Aggies joined the CAA in 2023 with expectations of elevating their recruiting pipeline and strengthening their national profile, but the transition has proven more brutal than anticipated.
“You don’t just walk into the CAA and expect to dominate,” said head coach Vincent Brown, who enters his second year leading the program. “This is a league stacked with tradition, physicality, and depth. We took our lumps last year. We own that. But don’t count us out yet.”
The 2024 campaign was marred by injuries to key players, inconsistent quarterback play, and a defense that struggled mightily in containing the run. The Aggies allowed an average of 36 points per game, ranking them second-to-last in the conference. On offense, a rotating cast under center combined with an underperforming offensive line led to the fewest points scored by an A&T team in nearly a decade.
Despite the gloomy forecast, signs of potential can be found among the rubble. The Aggies return 13 starters this season, including sophomore linebacker Kendall Frazier, who led the team with 91 tackles and earned All-CAA Honorable Mention. On the offensive side, junior wide receiver Tariq Holloway brings breakaway speed and a knack for creating space downfield. If the Aggies can find stability at quarterback—whether it’s redshirt freshman Brandon McCall or JUCO transfer Damien Price—there is room to upset expectations.
Still, the road ahead is steep. The CAA features perennial powerhouses such as Delaware, William & Mary, and Villanova—all ranked nationally in the FCS Top 25. A&T opens the season with a grueling three-game stretch, including an early trip to Newark to face the Blue Hens under the lights.
Athletic Director Earl Hilton III remains resolute. “This ranking doesn’t define us,” Hilton said. “It fuels us. We’ve got work to do, and we’re going to do it the Aggie way—blue-collar, proud, and relentless.”
While a last-place projection stings, it may also serve as the spark A&T needs. Stranger things have happened in college football. In a conference where chaos often reigns, a motivated team with a chip on its shoulder can flip the script quickly.
For now, the Aggies are keeping their heads down, grinding through summer camp, and preparing to rewrite the narrative. Because in the CAA, there’s no hiding from the challenge—and no better place to earn respect than from the bottom up.
