Johnson C. Smith picked fifth in preseason CIAA South football

DURHAM – Johnson C. Smith has been picked to finish fifth in the six-team CIAA South by league coaches.

The Golden Bulls, who are in rebuilding mode under new coach Kermit Blount, went 3-7 in 2014 with Steve Aycock on the sideline. Blount said 43 players have been added to the roster and Tory Woodbury has been hired as offensive coordinator.

JCSU, which averaged a league-worst 11.9 points per game last year, returns five offensive starters, but lost starting quarterback Keahn Wallace and backup Andrew Alexander to graduation. A freshman – possibly Victory Christian graduate – Jordan Lane – could start the season opener against Wingate.

The defense returns seven starters, including preseason all-conference linebacker Austin Jacques, who paced the CIAA in tackles with 133 (72 solo).

Winston-Salem State was picked to finish first in the South, followed by Fayetteville State, Livingstone and Shaw. St. Augustine’s brought up the rear. The Rams, who open Sept. 3 against UNC Pembroke, lost all 11 defensive starters and the quarterback tandem of Rudy Johnson and Phil Sims.

Virginia State, which beat WSSU for the title last year, was picked to repeat as North champion, followed by Virginia Union, Bowie State and Elizabeth City State. Chowan and Lincoln (Pa.) were fifth and sixth, respectively.

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