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2025 Rankings
Performances are judged on an individual basis, with judges giving scores for specific areas only. Bands are encouraged to submit a performance to be judged monthly. The committee is co-chaired by Jackson State Director of Bands Emeritus, Professor Dowell Taylor, and Dr. Julian E. White, FAMU Director of Bands Emeritus.
The first Committee ranking will be released in mid-September and will feature the top 15 bands. A second ranking, announced in late October, will narrow the field to the top 10 bands in each division, followed by a November ranking to identify the top five. From the cumulative ranking, all bands are considered equally, the Committee will select the top two bands in each division to compete for the Red Lobster Band of the Year title in December at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The show begins at 7 p.m. EST and will be simulcast on ESPN3 and ESPN+.
2025 Rankings Release Dates:
- September Rankings HBCU: September 18
- September Rankings High School: September 24
- October Rankings HBCU: October 15
- October Rankings High School: October 21
- November Rankings HBCU (Top 10): November 12
- November Rankings HBCU (Top 5): November 14
- November Rankings HBCU & High School (Top 2): November 18.
- Note, the committee will select the top 2 bands out of the November 14th Top 5 ranking.
| Category | Highest Score by Category |
| Musicality | 80 |
| Pictures, Drill, and Design | 80 |
| Percussion | 70 |
| Drum Majors | 50 |
| Auxiliaries (See Below) | 50 |
| Dance, Flags, Majorettes | = Mean/Average of all 3 individual scores (If Applicable) |
| Highest Possible Points Per Band | 330 |
November 2025
Top 15 HBCU Bands | Division I
| Division I “TOP 15” Overall | Sept. Ranking | Oct. Ranking | Nov. Ranking | Total Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Carolina A&T | 305.2 | 317.03 | 322.9 | 945.13 |
| 2 | Southern University | 299.5 | 315.44 | 312.8 | 927.74 |
| 3 | Florida A&M | 286 | 321.57 | 313.7 | 921.27 |
| 4 | Norfolk State University | 284 | 319.37 | 309.8 | 913.17 |
| 5 | Texas Southern University | 280.5 | 290.27 | 312.19 | 882.96 |
| 6 | Prairie View A&M University | 278.4 | 294.34 | 280.3 | 853.04 |
| 7 | Alabama State University | 264.1 | 286.87 | 298.3 | 849.27 |
| 8 | Hampton University | 240.7 | 295.77 | 306.5 | 842.97 |
| 9 | Alabama A&M University | 257.5 | 298.62 | 278.9 | 835.02 |
| 10 | Grambling State University | 259.5 | 293.9 | 277 | 830.4 |
| 11 | Tennessee State University | ||||
| 12 | Morgan State University | ||||
| 13 | Alcorn State University | ||||
| 14 | South Carolina State University | ||||
| 15 | University of Arkansas Pine Bluff |
Top 10 Per Category | Division I
| Drum Major Top 10 | Percussion Top 10 | Musicality Top 10 | Pics. Drill & Design Top 10 | Auxiliaries Top 10 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida A&M University | 1 | Alabama A&M University | 1 | Norfolk State University | 1 | North Carolina A&T University | 1 | Southern University |
| 2 | North Carolina A&T University | 2 | Alabama State University | 2 | Florida A&M University | 2 | Southern University | 2 | North Carolina A&T University |
| 3 | Norfolk State University | 3 | Alcorn State University | 3 | North Carolina A&T University | 3 | Florida A&M University | 3 | Hampton University |
| 4 | Southern University | 4 | Delaware State University | 4 | Southern University | 4 | Norfolk State University | 4 | Norfolk State University |
| 5 | Alabama A&M University | 5 | Florida A&M University | 5 | Morgan State University | 5 | Alcorn State University | 5 | Texas Southern University |
| 6 | Prairie View A&M University | 6 | Grambling State University | 6 | Texas Southern University | 6 | Texas Southern University | 6 | Florida A&M University |
| 7 | Texas Southern University | 7 | Hampton University | 7 | Alabama State University | 7 | Prairie View A&M University | 7 | Tennessee State University |
| 8 | Alabama State University | 8 | Howard University | 8 | Alabama A&M University | 8 | Hampton University | 8 | Alabama A&M University |
| 9 | Hampton University | 9 | Mississippi Valley State University | 9 | Grambling State University | 9 | Alabama State University | 9 | Alabama State University |
| 10 | Alcorn State University | 10 | Morgan State University | 10 | Tennessee State University | 10 | Tennessee State University | 10 | Prairie View A&M University |
Top 15 HBCU Bands | Division II
| Division I “TOP 15” Overall | Sept. Ranking | Oct. Ranking | Nov. Ranking | Total Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia State Univesity | 287.5 | 294.2 | 296.8 | 878.5 |
| 2 | Fayetteville State University | 280 | 276 | 274.75 | 830.75 |
| 3 | Miles College | 267 | 281.1 | 280.5 | 828.6 |
| 4 | Tuskegee University | 244.5 | 285.6 | 270 | 800.1 |
| 5 | Winston Salem State University | 246 | 270.5 | 277 | 793.5 |
| 6 | Albany State University | 275.5 | 258.5 | 255.5 | 789.5 |
| 7 | Florida Memorial | 242 | 272.1 | 269 | 783.1 |
| 8 | Savannah State University | 243 | 258.5 | 260.4 | 761.9 |
| 9 | Benedict College | 225 | 269.5 | 264.5 | 759 |
| 10 | Elizabeth City State University | 249 | 251 | 242.2 | 742.2 |
| 11 | Virginia Union University | ||||
| 12 | Edward Waters University | ||||
| 13 | Central State University | ||||
| 14 | Talladega University | ||||
| 15 | Langston University |
Top 10 Per Category | Division II
| Drum Major Top 10 | Percussion Top 10 | Musicality Top 10 | Pics. Drill & Design Top 10 | Auxiliaries Top 10 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia State University | 1 | Virginia State University | 1 | Miles College | 1 | Virginia State University | 1 | Virginia State University |
| 2 | Florida Memorial | 2 | Miles College | 2 | Virginia State University | 2 | Fayetteville State University | 2 | Albany State University |
| 3 | Fayetteville State University | 3 | Florida Memorial | 3 | Fayetteville State University | 3 | Miles College | 3 | Tuskegee University |
| 4 | Savannah State University | 4 | Fayetteville State University | 4 | Albany State University | 4 | Tuskegee University | 4 | Winston Salem State University |
| 5 | Edward Waters College | 5 | Tuskegee University | 5 | Winston Salem State University | 5 | Albany State University | 5 | Fayetteville State University |
| 6 | Tuskegee University | 6 | Benedict College | 6 | Benedict College | 6 | Winston Salem State University | 6 | Florida Memorial |
| 7 | Miles College | 7 | Virginia Union University | 7 | Tuskegee University | 7 | Savannah State University | 7 | Benedict College |
| 8 | Winston Salem State University | 8 | Winston Salem State University | 8 | Savannah State University | 8 | Benedict College | 8 | Miles College |
| 9 | Talladega College | 9 | Talladega College | 9 | Florida Memorial | 9 | Elizabeth City State University | 9 | Virginia Union University |
| 10 | Elizabeth City State University | 10 | Elizabeth City State University | 10 | Elizabeth City State University | 10 | Florida Memorial | 10 | Edward Waters College |
October 2025
Top 12 HBCU Bands | Division I
| Division I “TOP 12” Overall | Points | Sept. Ranking | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida A&M University | 321.57 | 4 |
| 2 | Norfolk State University | 319.37 | 5 |
| 3 | North Carolina A&T University | 317.03 | 1 |
| 4 | Southern University | 315.44 | 2 |
| 5 | Jackson State University * | 314.61 | 8 |
| 6 | Bethune Cookman University * | 310.49 | 3 |
| 7 | Alabama A&M University | 298.62 | 12 |
| 8 | Hampton University | 295.77 | 17 |
| 9 | Prairie View A&M University | 294.34 | 7 |
| 10 | Grambling State University | 293.9 | 10 |
| 11 | Texas Southern University | 290.27 | 6 |
| 12 | South Carolina State University | 289.55 | 14 |
Top 12 Per Category | Division I
| Drum Major Top 12 | Percussion Top 12 | Musicality Top 12 | Pics. Drill & Design Top 12 | Auxiliaries Top 12 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida A&M University | 1 | North Carolina A&T University | 1 | Norfolk State University | 1 | Jackson State University * | 1 | Southern University |
| 2 | Alabama A&M University | 2 | Norfolk State University | 2 | Florida A&M University | 2 | Norfolk State University | 2 | North Carolina A&T University |
| 3 | North Carolina A&T University | 3 | Florida A&M University | 3 | Bethune-Cookman University * | 3 | Grambling State University | 3 | Bethune-Cookman University * |
| 4 | Southern University | 4 | Southern University | 4 | North Carolina A&T University | 4 | Southern University | 4 | Jackson State University * |
| 5 | Norfolk State University | 5 | Prairie View A&M University | 5 | Jackson State University * | 5 | North Carolina A&T University | 5 | Florida A&M University |
| 6 | Jackson State University * | 6 | Jackson State University * | 6 | Southern University | 6 | Bethune-Cookman University * | 6 | Hampton University |
| 7 | South Carolina State University | 7 | Morgan State University | 7 | Alabama A&M University | 7 | Hampton University | 7 | Alabama A&M University |
| 8 | Bethune-Cookman University * | 8 | Bethune-Cookman University * | 8 | Morgan State University | 8 | Florida A&M University | 8 | Alabama State University |
| 9 | Hampton University | 9 | Hampton University | 9 | Alabama State University | 9 | Prarie View A&M University | 9 | Texas Southern University |
| 10 | Texas Southern University | 10 | Texas Southern University | 10 | Alcorn State University | 10 | Alabama A&M University | 10 | Alcorn State University |
| 11 | Prairie View A&M University | 11 | Grambling State University | 11 | Prarie View A&M University | 11 | Texas Southern University | 11 | Norfolk State University |
| 12 | University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | 12 | North Carolina Central University | 12 | South Carolina State University | 12 | Alcorn State University | 12 | Grambling State University |
Top 10 HBCU Bands | Division II
| Division II “TOP 10” Overall | Points | Sept. Rankings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia State Trojan Explosion | 294.2 | 1 |
| 2 | Tuskegee University | 285.6 | 7 |
| 3 | Miles College Purple Marching Machine | 281.1 | 4 |
| 4 | Fayetteville State University | 276 | 2 |
| 5 | Florida Memorial | 272.1 | 9 |
| 6 | Winston Salem State University | 270.5 | 6 |
| 7 | Benedict College | 269.5 | 12 |
| 8 | Albany State University | 258.5 | 3 |
| 9 | Savannah State University | 258.5 | 8 |
| 10 | Langston University | 257 | 11 |
Top 10 Per Category | Division II
| Drum Major Top 10 | Percussion Top 10 | Musicality Top 10 | Pics. Drill & Design Top 10 | Auxiliaries Top 10 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia State Trojan Explosion | 1 | Clark Atlanta University | 1 | Fayetteville State University | 1 | Virginia State Trojan Explosion | 1 | Tuskegee University |
| 2 | Miles College Purple Marching Machine | 2 | Miles College Purple Marching Machine | 2 | Virginia State Trojan Explosion | 2 | Fayetteville State University | 2 | Virginia State Trojan Explosion |
| 3 | Savannah State University | 3 | Talladega College | 3 | Winston Salem State University | 3 | Tuskegee University | 3 | Winston Salem State University |
| 4 | Benedict College | 4 | Florida Memorial | 4 | Tuskegee University | 4 | Albany State University | 4 | Morehouse College |
| 5 | Tuskegee University | 5 | Langston University | 5 | Miles College Purple Marching Machine | 5 | Florida Memorial | 5 | Albany State University |
| 6 | Elizabeth City State University | 6 | Savannah State University | 6 | Benedict College | 6 | Miles College Purple Marching Machine | 6 | Savannah State University |
| 7 | Florida Memorial | 7 | Fayetteville State University | 7 | Elizabeth City State University | 7 | Virginia Union University | 7 | Benedict College |
| 8 | Clark Atlanta University | 8 | Benedict College | 8 | Florida Memorial | 8 | Winston Salem State University | 8 | Miles College Purple Marching Machine |
| 9 | Fayetteville State University | 9 | Virginia State Trojan Explosion | 9 | Langston University | 9 | Benedict College | 9 | Central State University |
| 10 | Johnson C. Smith University | 10 | Tuskegee University | 10 | Albany State University | 10 | Elizabeth City State University | 10 | Edward Waters College |
September 2025
Top 15 HBCU Bands | Division I
| Division I “TOP 15” Overall | Points | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Carolina A&T University | 305.70 |
| 2 | Southern University | 299.70 |
| 3 | Bethune Cookman University | 293.25 |
| 4 | Florida A&M University | 286.55 |
| 5 | Norfolk State University | 284 |
| 6 | Texas Southern University | 280.55 |
| 7 | Prairie View A&M University | 278.65 |
| 8 | Jackson State University | 273.60 |
| 9 | Alabama State University | 264.35 |
| 10 | Grambling State University | 259.5 |
| 11 | Tennessee State University | 258.80 |
| 12 | Alabama A&M University | 257.5 |
| 13 | Alcorn State University | 257.75 |
| 14 | South Carolina State University | 251 |
| 15 | University of Arkansas Pine Bluff | 247.5 |
Top 15 Per Category | Division I
| Drum Major Top 15 | Percussion Top 15 | Musicality Top 15 | Pics. Drill & Design Top 15 | Auxiliaries Top 15 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Carolina A&T University | 1 | North Carolina A&T University | 1 | North Carolina A&T University | 1 | Bethune- Cookman University | 1 | Southern University |
| 2 | Norfolk State University | 2 | Southern University | 2 | Southern University | 2 | North Carolina A&T University | 2 | North Carolina A&T University |
| 3 | Bethune Cookman University | 3 | Prairie View A&M University | 3 | Florida A&M University | 3 | Southern University | 3 | Texas Southern University |
| 4 | Florida A&M University | 4 | Jackson State University | 4 | Jackson State University | 4 | Florida A&M University | 4 | Norfolk State University |
| 5 | Prairie View A&M University | 5 | Norfolk State University | 5 | Texas Southern University | 5 | Alcorn State University | 5 | Prairie View A&M University |
| 6 | Texas Southern University | 6 | Florida A&M University | 6 | Bethune-Cookman University | 6 | Jackson State University | 6 | Hampton University |
| 7 | Alabama State University | 7 | Bethune- Cookman University | 7 | Norfolk State University | 7 | Texas Southern University | 7 | Bethune Cookman University |
| 8 | Alcorn State University | 8 | Texas Southern University | 8 | Alabama State University | 8 | Grambling State University | 8 | Alabama A&M University |
| 9 | Southern University | 9 | Grambling State | 9 | Grambling State | 9 | Norfolk State University | 9 | University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff |
| 10 | Alabama A&M University | 10 | South Carolina State University | 10 | Tennessee State University | 10 | Prairie View A&M University | 10 | Alabama State University |
| 11 | South Carolina State University | 11 | Tennessee State University | 11 | Morgan State University | 11 | Mississippi Valley State University | 11 | Florida A&M University |
| 12 | Delaware State University | 12 | Alabama A&M University | 12 | Alabama A&M University | 12 | Alabama State University | 12 | South Carolina State University |
| 13 | Mississippi Valley State University | 13 | Alabama State University | 13 | Prairie View A&M University | 13 | Hampton University | 13 | Tennessee State University |
| 14 | North Carolina Central University | 14 | North Carolina Central University | 14 | Alcorn State University | 14 | Tennessee State University | 14 | Howard University |
| 15 | Hampton University | 15 | University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | 15 | Mississippi Valley State University | 15 | University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | 15 | Jackson State University |
Top 15 HBCU Bands | Division II
| Division II “TOP 15” Overall | Points | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia State University | 287.95 |
| 2 | Fayetteville State University | 280.55 |
| 3 | Albany State University | 276.25 |
| 4 | Miles College | 267.15 |
| 5 | Elizabeth City State University | 249.90 |
| 6 | Winston Salem State University | 246.10 |
| 7 | Tuskegee University | 244.75 |
| 8 | Savannah State University | 243 |
| 9 | Florida Memorial | 242.35 |
| 10 | Edward Waters College | 236.30 |
| 11 | Langston University | 234.10 |
| 12 | Virginia Union University | 225.30 |
| 13 | Benedict College | 225 |
| 14 | Clark Atlanta University | 222 |
| 15 | Talladega College | 220.30 |
Top 15 Per Category | Division II
| Drum Major Top 15 | Percussion Top 15 | Musicality Top 15 | Pics. Drill & Design Top 15 | Auxiliaries Top 15 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia State University | 1 | Virginia State University | 1 | Miles College | 1 | Virginia State University | 1 | Albany State University |
| 2 | Fayetteville State University | 2 | Tuskegee University | 2 | Virginia State University | 2 | Savannah State University | 2 | Fort Valley State University |
| 3 | Florida Memorial | 3 | Miles College | 3 | Fayetteville State University | 3 | Fayetteville State University | 3 | Florida Memorial |
| 4 | Edward Waters College | 4 | Fayetteville State University | 4 | Albany State University | 4 | Winston Salem State University | 4 | Edward Waters College |
| 5 | Albany State University | 5 | Virginia Union University | 5 | Langston University | 5 | Albany State University | 5 | Virginia State Trojan Explosion |
| 6 | Tuskegee University | 6 | Florida A&M University | 6 | Savannah State University | 6 | Miles College | 6 | Fayetteville State University |
| 7 | Elizabeth City State University | 7 | Fort Valley State University | 7 | Benedict College | 7 | Elizabeth City State University | 7 | Winston Salem State University |
| 8 | Savannah State University | 8 | Elizabeth City State University | 8 | Elizabeth City State University | 8 | Benedict College | 8 | Morehouse College |
| 9 | Winston Salem State University | 9 | Langston University | 9 | Winston Salem State University | 9 | Tuskegee University | 9 | Benedict College |
| 10 | Talladega College | 10 | Talladega College | 10 | Florida Memorial | 10 | Virginia Union University | 10 | Elizabeth City State University |
| 11 | Central State University | 11 | Florida Memorial | 11 | Central State University | 11 | Langston University | 11 | Clark Atlanta University |
| 12 | Clark Atlanta University | 12 | Edward Waters College | 12 | Allen University | 12 | Clark Atlanta University | 12 | Johnson C. Smith University |
| 13 | Miles College | 13 | Benedict College | 13 | Tuskegee University | 13 | Shaw University | 13 | Miles College |
| 14 | Fort Valley State University | 14 | Clark Atlanta University | 14 | Virginia Union University | 14 | Fort Valley State University | 14 | Savannah State University |
| 15 | Livingstone College | 15 | Winston Salem State University | 15 | Edward Waters College | 15 | Allen University | 15 | Virginia Union University |
Top 25 Metro ATL High School Bands
This is not a September Ranking. Only in Alphabetical Order.
Preseason Rankings
