Charlotte, N.C. - The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is delighted to announce the 2024 Football All-Conference selections and superlatives. The 2024 CIAA football regular season was exciting from start to finish, culminating with tomorrow's championship game that'll feature #1 Virginia State University and #2 Virginia Union University. Throughout the season, many student-athletes shined bright, however only six (and one coach) were able to walk away with end of the year honors.
The 2024 CIAA Championship will feature a pair of rivals who are no stranger to each other, with the championship game taking place in their home state. The two teams took the field just one short week ago, as Virginia State took down Virginia Union, 35-28, to climb two spots into #1 thanks in part to a loss by Johnson C. Smith in the final week of the season. They will look to repeat the result against a VUU team that knows how to score the ball well, having eclipsed 28+ points in eight of their ten games this season.
The championship will take place at Salem Stadium in Salem, Virginia with kickoff scheduled for 3:00 P.M.
2024 CIAA Football All-Conference & Superlatives
Offensive Player of the Year - Jada Byers (Virginia Union University)
This season's Offensive Player of the Year re-wrote the record books at VUU and forever etched his name in football program's history. Jada Byers takes home the honor after a senior campaign that saw him set the Panthers' all-time record for rushing yards (5,311) and touchdowns (70). He also broke the single-game record this season for both yards and touchdowns with 324 yards and six touchdowns in a game against Bowie State. His 1.497 rushing yards is nearly 700 yards more than the next-best finisher and his 23 touchdowns is more than double that of the second-place finisher (11). Lastly, he was tabbed the CIAA Offensive Back of the Week on four occasions this season.
Defensive Player of the Year - Benari Black (Johnson C. Smith University)
Johnson C. Smith's Benari Black is the Defensive Player of the Year honoree after a stellar season that saw him spearhead one of the conference's best defenses. Black's 113 tackles were good for first in the conference, as he was the only player to eclipse double-digits. He also added three sacks and three pass break-ups en route to earning the honor, also adding in a CIAA Linebacker of the Week honor to boot.
Offensive Rookie of the Year - Micah Robinson (Bowie State)
Micah Robinson enjoyed a strong freshman campaign that saw him finish fifth in the conference in rushing yards (656) and touchdowns (5). His efforts this season helped him earn weekly honors on two separate occasions; one as Offensive Back of the Week, and once as Rookie of the Week. He complemented his strength on the ground with another 125 receiveing yards and two receiving touchdowns.
Defensive Rookie of the Year - Marquis Edmond (Virginia State University)
Marquis Edmond burst onto the scene for the Trojans in his freshman campaign and was a reliable player as he gathered 31 tackles, a pass break-up, and a forced fumble in just seven starts. His ability to make a difference helped contribute to VSU being the top scoring defense in the conference and eighth overall in the nation.
Lineman of the Year - Bruno Onwuazor (Virginia State University)
Bruno Onwuazor was a force to be reckoned with on Virginia State's offensive line, as he contributed to an offense that was second in scoring (32 ppg), second in the conference in yards per game (395), second in the conference in rushing offense (168) and third in the conference in passing offense (226). He graded out at an impressive 95% all season and only allowed one pass pressure in that span.
Special Teams Player of the Year - Zyaire Tart (Lincoln University (PA))
Lincoln University's Zyaire Tart takes home the Special Teams Player of the Year honor after contributing to an effective return game for the Lions, compiling nearly 700 kick return yards which included a career-long 80-yard return.
Coach of the Year - Maurice Flowers (Johnson C. Smith University)
After an impressive 8-2 campaign, Johnson C. Smith head coach Maurice Flowers is named the Coach of the Year. Flowers led the team to an 8-0 start and helped coach a stout defense that allowed 17 or less points in nine of the team's ten games. The Golden Bulls spent the last month in the regional rankings and were a team that struck fear into their opponents on a weekly basis.
First-Team All-CIAA
Tight End:
Kameron King (Fayetteville)
Offensive Linemen:
Jared Achuff (Bowie State)
Michael Todd (Fayetteville)
Bruno Onwuazor (VSU)
Kyle Estep (JCSU)
Larry Jones Jr. (VUU)
Wide Receivers:
Brevin Caldwell (JCSU)
Reginald Vick Jr. (VUU)
Quarterback:
Darius Ocean (JCSU)
Running Backs:
Jada Byers (VUU)
Travon Tensley (Shaw)
Place Kicker:
Brady Myers (VUU)
Kick Returner:
Zyaire Tart (Lincoln (PA))
Defensive Linemen:
Saevion Gibbs (Shaw)
Lamone Hill Jr. (JCSU)
Davion Watkins (Livingstone)
Isaac Anderson (VUU)
Linebackers:
Benari Black (JCSU)
Sadiq Salawu (Bowie State)
Carl Poole Jr. (VSU)
Defensive Backs:
Shamar Baker (JCSU
Justin Fleming (WSSU)
William Davis (VUU)
Donavan Howard (VSU)
Punter:
Marvin Holmes (VUU)
Punt Returner:
JahTwan Stafford (WSSU)
Second-Team All-CIAA
Tight End:
Kalen Carver (VUU)
Offensive Linemen:
Queonte Hilliard (Shaw)
Keith Quick (WSSU)
Jamari Mason (JCSU)
Mathias Nielsen (VUU)
Joshua Beatty (JCSU)
Wide Receivers:
Joseph Towler (Bowie State)
Kevin Gayles (VSU)
Quarterback:
Romelo Williams (VSU)
Running Backs:
Trevon Hester (WSSU)
Micah Robinson (Bowie State)
Place Kicker:
Jason Zapata (Livingstone)
Kick Returner:
Ja'qun Wilkins (JCSU)
Defensive Linemen:
Jayshaun Alston (VSU)
Jalen Banks (Shaw)
Mustapha Coly (VSU)
Osmanis Aguilera (Livingstone)
Linebackers:
Jack Smith (JCSU)
KJ McNeil (VSU)
Quewon Hilliard (Shaw)
Defensive Backs:
Ja'qun Wilkins (JCSU)
Noah Gibson (Shaw)
Kolby Merritt (Fayetteville)
Kevin Larkins Jr. (Livingstone)
Punter:
Justin Zavala (Bowie State)
Punt Returner:
Awesome Waller Jr. (Bowie State)
