HBCU

JCSU second in 2026 CIAA preseason football poll

Published Thursday, July 16, 2026 11:15 am

JCSU second in 2026 CIAA preseason football poll

MATT LACZKO | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Johnson C. Smith running back Bobby Smith was one of six Golden Bulls named preseason All-CIAA on July 15. Conference sports information directors voted JCSU second in the predicted order of finish behind Virginia Union.

For the second straight season, Johnson C. Smith is second in the CIAA preseason football rankings.

The Golden Bulls, who won the 2025 title – their first since 1969 – finished second to Virginia Union in a poll of conference sports information directors. JCSU, which finished a school record 10-2 (7-1 CIAA) last year, beat the Panthers 45-21 in the conference final Both teams advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs.

Fayetteville State was picked third followed by Virginia State.

Six JCSU players were named to the preseason all-conference squad, second only to Fayetteville State. Elizabeth City State was third with four players. Five Golden Bulls are on the offensive side: linemen Jamari Mason, Marcus Andrews and Robert Early, along with running back Bobby Smith and receiver Brian Lane. Smith, Lane and Mason were first-team all-CIAA in 2025, along with linebacker Vincent Hill, who also earned a spot on the preseason squad.

New for 2026 is an expanded championship weekend with a game between the third- and fourth-place teams a day ahead of the Nov. 14 title game in Durham between the top two finishers. No. 3-No. 4 game was conceived to give those teams an 11th game and a chance to qualify for the postseason tournament.

“Last year’s championship reminded us how competitive this conference has become, and we expect that momentum to continue this fall,” CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams Parker said in a statement. “Expanding Championship Weekend allows us to celebrate even more of our student-athletes while creating an enhanced experience for our fans, member institutions and partners.”

Predicted order of finish

1. Virginia Union 2. Johnson C. Smith 3. Fayetteville State 4. Virginia State 5. Winston-Salem State 6. Livingstone 7. Elizabeth City State 8. Bowie State 9. Bluefield State 10. Shaw 11. Lincoln (Pa.).

Preseason All-CIAA

Quarterback: Rahsaan Matthews Jr. (Virginia State).

Running backs: Bobby Smith (Johnson C. Smith), Micah Robinson (Bowie State).

Receivers: Brandon Wiley (Bluefield State), Brian Lane (Johnson C. Smith). Marcus Fleming (Fayetteville State).

Tight end: Joe Griffin (Elizabeth City State).

Offensive line: Jamari Mason (Johnson C. Smith), Robert Early (Johnson C. Smith), Malachi Jones (Fayetteville State), Toriono Combs (Elizabeth City State), Marcus Andrews (Johnson C. Smith).

Defensive line: Dalan Johnson (Bowie State), Joseph Woodard, (Fayetteville State), Christopher Gordon (Fayetteville State), Sir'Sean Ingram (Elizabeth City State), Deshawn Willoughby, (Bowie State).

Linebackers: Jaevon Branch (Elizabeth City State), Vincent Hill (Johnson C. Smith), Jatavien Taylor, Fayetteville State).

Defensive back: Amari Best (Fayetteville State).