The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) unveiled the 2024 All-CIAA Preseason Football Team, as voted on by the CIAA Football Coaches Association and the Sports Information Directors Association, and the predicted order of finish as selected by the head football coaches.
Fayetteville State University was predicted third overall behind Virginia State University and the 2023 CIAA Champion Virginia Union. The Broncos lost 21-10 to VUU last season. FSU has been in the championship game for the past six straight years.
"We are HERE," Head Coach Richard Hayes pointed out at the annual CIAA Football Media Day. "We are ready to play! It is what it is."
Three returning Broncos who were All-CIAA First Team selections last season have been named to the 2024 CIAA Preseason Team. Redshirt senior and offensive lineman
Michael Todd, a 6-6 hopeful from Lumberton, NC, has been selected for the preseason team for the second time. He was a 2022 All-CIAA Second-Team performer. Defensive back
Kolby Merritt, also a redshirt senior this season, recorded 63 tackles with 43 solo stops, six tackles for a loss of 27 yards, and two sacks for 11 yards in the previous season. Punter
Josiah Boyd, a Fayetteville native, who was also named to the CIAA All-Rookie Team last year, had an average of 37.8 yards per punt with 53 attempts and a longest boot of 72 yards.
The 2024 CIAA Football Championship Game is slated for November 16 in Salem, VA (Salem Stadium).
The predicted order of finish for the 2024 season is as follows:
1. Virginia State
2. Virginia Union
3. Fayetteville State
4. Johnson C. Smith
5. Bowie State
6. Winston-Salem State
7. Shaw
8. Lincoln (Pa.)
9. Livingstone
10. Elizabeth City State
11. Bluefield State
2024 Football All-CIAA Team - Preseason Team
Tight End
Kalen Carver, Virginia Union*
Offensive Linemen
Michael Todd, Fayetteville State*
Jamaree Moyer, Virginia Union*
Darius McDuffie, Winston-Salem State*
Mathias Nielsen, Virginia Union +
Bruno Onwuazor, Virginia State +
Wide Receivers
Malachi Langley, Lincoln (Pa.)*
Ah'shaan Belcher, Shaw +
Quarterback
Isaiah Freeman, Lincoln (PA)*!
Running Backs
Jada Byers, Virginia Union*
Zechariah Adams-Duckson, Elizabeth City State*
Kick Returner
Zyaire Tart, Lincoln (PA)
Place Kicker
Brady Myers, Virginia Union*#
Defensive Linemen
Isaac Anderson, Virginia Union*
Saevion Gibbs, Shaw*
Camar Kyle, Winston-Salem State +
Jaylyn Norris, Winston-Salem State (Bluefield State) +
Linebackers
Benari Black, Johnson C. Smith*
Shamar Graham, Virginia Union*
Jaden Echols, Livingstone*
Defensive Backs
Kolby Merritt, Fayetteville State*
Justin Fleming, Winston-Salem State*
Devin Williams, Bowie State*
Jahad Green, Lincoln (PA)
Punt Returner
Larry Hackey, Virginia Union
Punter
Josiah Boyd, Fayetteville State*
* - Returning 2023 All-CIAA First Team selection
+ - Returning 2023 All-CIAA Second Team selection
# - Returning 2023 CIAA Special Teams Player of the Year
! - Returning 2023 CIAA Offensive Player of the Year
