CIAA Press release

SALEM, VIRGINIA  – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) unveils 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. The preseason team and predicted order were both announced during the CIAA’s annual football media day on Thursday.

The 2024 team features 23 returning players from the 2023 All-CIAA team, including 18 first teamers, led by the CIAA leading rusher Jada Byers of Virginia Union and CIAA Offensive Player of the Year Isaiah Freeman of Lincoln (Pa.).

Byers led the conference in rushing with 1,186 yards on 205 carries and accounted for a league high 16 touchdowns. The Hammonton, NJ native led the Panthers with a 118.6 yards per game and 5.7 per carry.

Freeman was the conference’s top passer last season with 2,312 passing yards, completing 150 of 262 passes that included 25 touchdowns. Freeman ranked second on the team with 497 rushing yards on 115 carries.

Virginia State and Virginia Union were selected by league coaches to finish 1st and 2nd, respectively, in the conference’s new, no-divisional format. The 2024 CIAA Football Championship Game is slated for November 16 in Salem, VA (Salem Stadium).

Last year, the Panthers of Virginia Union claimed their first CIAA title in 22 years with a 21-10 win over the Broncos of Fayetteville State University.

 Predicted Order of Finish 

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, Virgina 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