The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) released its 2025 Football Predicted Order of Finish and Preseason All-CIAA Team on Wednesday, with Fayetteville State University projected to finish fourth in the conference standings. Three Broncos earned spots on the preseason all-conference team.
 

Redhsirt sophomore offensive lineman Benjamin Hicks (R-So. - Mooresville, NC), graduate student linebacker Jamari Slade (Gr. – Winston-Salem, NC), and redshirt junior defensive back Keyshawn Monk (R-Jr. – Cleveland, NC) were each named to the 2025 Preseason All-CIAA Team, representing FSU among the league's top returning talent.

Fayetteville State's 2024 football season was a mix of thrilling highs and frustrating lows, finishing with a 4–5 overall record and 3–4 in CIAA play. The first time in six seasons that the Broncos didn't make a championship appearance.

FSU enters the 2025 football season with renewed determination under the leadership of Head Coach Richard Hayes Jr., who is entering his ninth season at the helm.
Virginia Union was picked to finish first in the conference, followed by Johnson C. Smith, Virginia State, and Fayetteville State rounding out the top four. The full predicted order of finish is as follows:

1. Virginia Union
2. Johnson C. Smith
3. Virginia State
4. Fayetteville State
5. Winston-Salem State
6. Bowie State
7. Livingstone
8. Shaw
9. Elizabeth City State
10. Lincoln (PA)
11. Bluefield State

2025 FSU Football Schedule

• Aug. 30 – at Benedict (Columbia, S.C.) – 5:00 p.m.
• Sept. 6 – at UNC Pembroke (Pembroke, N.C.) – 6:00 p.m.
• Sept. 13 – at North Carolina Central (Durham, N.C.) – 6:00 p.m.
• Sept. 20 – vs. Elizabeth City State (Rocky Mount, N.C.) – 1:00 p.m. (Down East Viking Classic)
• Sept. 27 – vs. Virginia State (Fayetteville, N.C.) – 1:00 p.m. (Military Appreciation / Alumni Day)
• Oct. 4 – at Bowie State (Bowie, Md.) – 1:00 p.m.
• Oct. 11 – vs. Livingstone (Fayetteville, N.C.) – 1:30 p.m. (Homecoming)
• Oct. 18 – BYE
• Oct. 25 – at Shaw (Durham, N.C.) – 1:00 p.m.
• Nov. 1 – vs. Johnson C. Smith (Fayetteville, N.C.) – 1:00 p.m. (Bronco Western Out)
• Nov. 8 – vs. Winston-Salem State (Fayetteville, N.C.) – 1:00 p.m. (Senior Day / BAC Appreciation)

"We're proud of Ben, Jamari, and Keyshawn for earning preseason recognition," said FSU head coach Richard Hayes. "Their leadership and performance will be key to our success this season. We're excited to get to work and prove ourselves on the field."

For more information on FSU football and the upcoming season, visit https://fsubroncos.com/feature/2025football.