Salem, Va. – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Football Coaches and Sports Information Directors' Associations voted Fayetteville State University to the top of the 2023 Preseason Football Poll. FSU's
Tyler Fleming (OL),
Michael Todd (OL),
Cameron Merrell (DL), and
Kentrell Caldwell (LB) were named to the All-CIAA Preseason Team.
The preseason team and predicted order were both announced during the CIAA's annual football media day on Thursday.
The CIAA also announced its broadcast schedule for the 2023 football season, with games set to be shown on HBCU GO, as well as the conference's very own CIAA Sports Network. On Saturday, September 23 when the Broncos travel to Virginia Union for the 6 p.m. Willard Bailey Classic, the highly anticipated matchup will be covered on HBCU GO platforms. Every conference game will also still be available on the CIAA Sports Network. Local listings of the FSU-VUU game's broadcast will be available at a later time.
Fayetteville State, who has dominated the CIAA Southern Division over the past five seasons, defeated Chowan University, 31-28, in last season's championship game. The Broncos advanced to the first round of the NCAA playoffs against Delta State.
2023 Predicted Order of Finish
1. Fayetteville State
2. Bowie State
3. Virginia Union
4. Shaw
5. Virginia State
6. Johnson C. Smith
7. Winston-Salem State
8. Elizabeth City State
9. Bluefield State
10. Lincoln (Pa.)
11. Livingstone
12. St. Augustine's
Northern Division
1. Bowie State
2. Virginia Union
3. Virginia State
4. Elizabeth City State
5. Bluefield State
6. Lincoln (Pa.)
Southern Division
1. Fayetteville State
2. Shaw
3. Johnson C. Smith
4. Winston-Salem State
5. Livingstone
6. St. Augustine's
2023 Football All-CIAA Team - Preseason Team
Tight End
Kalen Carver, Virginia Union +
Offensive Linemen
Matthew Foster, Virginia State *
Tyler Fleming, Fayetteville State +
Michael Todd, Fayetteville State +
Queonte Hilliard, Shaw
Justin Meade, Virginia Union *
Wide Receivers
Brevin Caldwell, Johnson C. Smith *
Keshane Hinckley, Bowie State *
Quarterback
Isaiah Freeman, Lincoln (PA) + !
Running Backs
Jada Byers, Virginia Union *
Sidney Gibbs, Shaw +
Kick Returner
Larry Hackey, Virginia Union
Place Kicker
Brady Myers, Virginia Union * #
Defensive Linemen
Cameron Merrell, Fayetteville State +
Isaac Anderson, Virginia Union +
Armonii Burden, Virginia Union
Miguel Pillow-Smiley, Virginia State +
Linebackers
Kentrell Caldwell, Fayetteville State +
Shamar Graham, Virginia Union
Lee Sales, St. Augustine's
Defensive Backs
Willie Drew, Virginia State *
Jadon Carter, Bowie State
Jay Boyd, Shaw *
Eric Best, Lincoln (Pa.)
Punt Returner
Dennis Jones, St. Augustine's
Punter
Devin Versteegen, Shaw +
* - Returning 2022 All-CIAA First Team selection
+ - Returning 2022 All-CIAA Second Team selection
# - Returning 2022 CIAA Special Teams Player of the Year
! - Returning 2022 CIAA Offensive Rookie of the Year
$ - Returning 2022 CIAA Defensive Rookie of the Year
