DURHAM, N.C. – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) unveiled its 2026 Football Preseason Predicted Order of Finish and Preseason All-Conference Team during the league's annual Football Media Day held in Durham, North Carolina, the host city for the 2026 CIAA Football Championship.
Fayetteville State University was selected to finish third in the preseason poll as the Broncos prepare for another highly anticipated season under head coach Richard Hayes, Jr. The Broncos also placed seven student-athletes on the 2026 CIAA Preseason All-Conference Team, tying for one of the strongest representations in the league.
In addition to the preseason honors, the CIAA announced a new championship format that will enhance the student-athlete and fan experience. The third- and fourth-seeded teams will compete on Friday, November 13, and the top two seeds on Saturday, November 14, in Durham. To celebrate the announcement, the conference is offering a one-day championship ticket promotion for $19.12 for championship weekend.
2026 CIAA Preseason Predicted Order of Finish
- Virginia Union
- Johnson C. Smith
- Fayetteville State
- Virginia State
- Winston-Salem State
- Livingstone
- Elizabeth City State
- Bowie State
- Bluefield State
- Shaw
- Lincoln (Pa.)
Broncos Named to the 2026 CIAA Preseason All-Conference Team
Fayetteville State's seven selections showcase the depth and experience returning on both sides of the football.
- Marcus Fleming – Wide Receiver | Junior | Miami, Florida
- Malachi Jones – Offensive Lineman | Redshirt Sophomore | Bristol, Connecticut
- Joseph Woodard – Defensive Lineman | Graduate Student | Kernersville, North Carolina
- Christopher Gordon – Defensive Lineman | Redshirt Sophomore | Jersey City, New Jersey
- Jatavien Taylor – Linebacker | Redshirt Sophomore | Monroe, North Carolina
- Amari Best – Defensive Back | Redshirt Sophomore | Whiteville, North Carolina
- Abdoulazim Bayor – Punter | Redshirt Sophomore | Greensboro, North Carolina
2026 CIAA Preseason Predicted Order of Finish
| Date |
Opponent |
Location |
Time |
| Aug. 29 |
Shaw* |
Fayetteville, N.C. |
6:00 p.m. |
| Sept. 5 |
UNC Pembroke |
Fayetteville, N.C. |
6:00 p.m. |
| Sept. 12 |
Valdosta State |
Fayetteville, N.C. |
6:00 p.m. |
| Sept. 19 |
at Johnson C. Smith* |
Charlotte, N.C. |
1:00 p.m. |
| Sept. 26 |
Virginia Union* |
Fayetteville, N.C. |
1:00 p.m. |
| Oct. 3 |
at Livingstone* |
Salisbury, N.C. |
2:00 p.m. |
| Oct. 10 |
BYE |
— |
TBD |
| Oct. 17 |
Elizabeth City State* |
Fayetteville, N.C. |
1:30 p.m. |
| Oct. 24 |
at Bluefield State* |
Bluefield, W.Va. |
2:00 p.m. |
| Oct. 31 |
Bowie State* |
Fayetteville, N.C. |
1:00 p.m. |
| Nov. 7 |
at Winston-Salem State* |
Winston-Salem, N.C. |
1:30 p.m. |
* CIAA Contest
With seven preseason all-conference selections, a top-three preseason ranking, and a challenging schedule that features key conference matchups against Virginia Union and Johnson C. Smith, Fayetteville State enters the 2026 season poised to contend for a CIAA championship and a place in the conference's newly designed postseason championship experience in Durham. The Broncos will open the campaign on August 29 at Luther "Nick" Jeralds Stadium against Shaw.
