Football 11/13/2026 2:27:00 PM

Fayetteville State Football Earns Nine All-CIAA Selections, Five All-Rookie Honors

DURHAM, N.C. – Fayetteville State University football was well represented when the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) announced its 2026 All-Conference Teams and Individual Awards, highlighted by freshman defensive back Zyking Patillo earning CIAA Rookie of the Year honors. The Broncos placed nine student-athletes on the All-CIAA Football Teams and had five players selected to the CIAA All-Rookie Team.

The Broncos finished the regular season with a 7-3 overall record and a 6-2 mark in CIAA play, boasting one of the conference's top defenses. Fayetteville State allowed just 17.3 points per game, forced 13 interceptions, and limited opponents to 265.8 yards of total offense per contest.

First Team All-CIAA

Zyking Patillo - CIAA Rookie of the Year, First Team All-CIAA Defensive Back, CIAA All-Rookie Team

Patillo enjoyed a remarkable freshman season, emerging as one of the top defensive backs in NCAA Division II football. He recorded 30 tackles, highlighted by six interceptions, which ranked as the national leader in NCAA Division II, while helping anchor a secondary that consistently created turnovers. Patillo's ball-hawking ability and immediate impact made him the conference's top rookie and a cornerstone of the Broncos' defense.

Marcus Fleming - Wide Receiver

Fleming established himself as Fayetteville State's premier receiving threat, finishing the season with 36 receptions for 509 yards and four touchdowns. Averaging 14.1 yards per catch, he led the Broncos in receiving yards and consistently stretched opposing defenses, posting a season-long reception of 33 yards while averaging more than 50 receiving yards per game.

Osirus Rhodes - Defensive Line

Rhodes was one of the most disruptive defensive linemen in the CIAA and NCAA Division II. The senior totaled 43 tackles, including a team-high 15 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, while adding two quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. His 10 sacks ranked among the nation's leaders and helped power a Bronco defense that was among the conference's best throughout the season.

Second Team All-CIAA

Malachi Jones - Offensive Line

Jones anchored the Fayetteville State offensive front that helped the Broncos average 278.4 yards of total offense per game and score 23.2 points per contest. His consistency and physical play were instrumental in an offense that produced nearly 2,800 total yards and paved the way for 13 rushing touchdowns.

Ryan Debow - Defensive Back

Debow turned in another productive season in the Broncos' secondary, recording 49 total tackles, including 25 solo stops, five tackles for loss, and two sacks. He also added a pass breakup and recovered a fumble while providing veteran leadership to one of the CIAA's stingiest defenses.

Terrell Ford - Defensive Back

Ford played a key role in the defensive backfield, finishing with 38 tackles, including 24 assisted tackles. He added 1.5 tackles for loss and two pass breakups as part of a defense that consistently limited explosive plays and ranked among the conference leaders in scoring defense.

Abdoulazim Bayor - Punter

Bayor was one of the CIAA's top special teams performers, averaging 42.1 yards per punt on 40 attempts. He totaled 1,685 punting yards, placed 17 punts inside the 20-yard line, and recorded nine punts of 50 yards or more, helping Fayetteville State consistently win the field-position battle.

CIAA All-Rookie Team

Christopher Bentley

Bentley quickly emerged as one of the most promising young defenders in the conference during his freshman campaign. He finished with 39 tackles, five interceptions, and six pass breakups, while also recording a fumble recovery and a forced fumble. His five interceptions were among the best totals in the CIAA and helped make the Broncos one of the league's top takeaway defenses.

Christian Oats

Oats made an immediate impact on the offensive line as a freshman, helping solidify a unit that protected the quarterback and opened running lanes throughout the season. His development and dependable play contributed to Fayetteville State's balanced offensive attack and helped establish a strong foundation for the future.

Malik Fuller

Fuller provided a spark in the Broncos' rushing attack, totaling 212 rushing yards and five touchdowns on just 52 carries. Averaging 4.1 yards per attempt, the freshman proved to be an effective red-zone weapon and an emerging playmaker in the backfield.

Lorenzo Southern

Southern showcased his versatility throughout his freshman season, hauling in 14 receptions for 186 yards and a touchdown. Averaging 13.3 yards per catch, he provided another dependable target in Fayetteville State's passing game and demonstrated big-play potential for years to come.

2026 CIAA Football All-Conference Teams & Individual Awards

Coach of the Year: Dr. Alvin Parker | Virginia Union
Offensive Player of the Year: Fabian Duncan | Johnson C. Smith
Defensive Player of the Year: Ahmad Ross | Virginia Union
Lineman of the Year: Tyleek McCoy | Virginia State
Special Teams Player of the Year: Zyaire Tart | Virginia Union
Rookie of the Year: Zyking Patillo Fayetteville State

First Team All-CIAA

Quarterback Rahsaan Matthews Jr. | Virginia State

Running Backs

Fabian Duncan | Johnson C. Smith
Trey Thorpe | Shaw

Wide Receivers

Jaylen Pretlow Virginia State
Brian Lane Johnson C. Smith
Marcus Fleming | Fayetteville State

Tight End

Ben Haulmark | Virginia Union

Offensive Linemen

Savion Moore | Virginia Union
Callis Trai'von | Virginia Union
Jamari Mason | Johnson C. Smith
Tyleek McCoy | Virginia State
Ashton Williams | Shaw

Defensive Line

Elijah Candia | Virginia Union
Anthony Binyard | Johnson C. Smith
Osirus Rhodes | Fayetteville State
Christopher "CJ" Brown | Winston-Salem State

Linebackers

Christian Aiken | Virginia Union
Ahmad Ross | Virginia Union
Vincent Hill | Johnson C. Smith

Defensive Backs

Marque Vereen | Johnson C. Smith
Raja'ee Jones | Virginia State
Zyking Patillo | Fayetteville State
Jessiah Gildersleeve | Virginia Union

Placekicker

Gage Miller | Virginia Union

Punter

Joshua Mitchell | Virginia Union

Longsnapper

Jaydon Matthews- Virgina Union

Kick Return Specialist

Zyaire Tart | Virginia Union

Punt Return Specialist

Zyaire Tart | Virginia Union

Second Team All-CIAA

Quarterback

Damien Mazil | Johnson C. Smith