DURHAM – If preseason predictions can be trusted, then it’s going to be a solid year for CIAA football across North Carolina.
League coaches released their predicted order of finish at Wednesday’s CIAA Media Day, and North Carolina teams occupy three of the top five spots – Johnson C. Smith in second, Fayetteville State fourth and Winston-Salem State fifth.
Two-time defending champion Virginia Union will start the season in the crosshairs as the No. 1 team. Virginia State, the CIAA runner-up in 2024, was tabbed to finish third.
The rest of the CIAA’s predicted order includes Bowie State 6th, Livingstone 7th, Shaw 8th, Elizabeth City State 9th, Lincoln 10th and Bluefield State 11th.
With that unveiling as the backdrop, here are other news, notes, observations and quick-hitters from the first college football media event of the new season:
📸 See the best moments from Media Day in our full CIAA 2025 photo gallery, featuring coaches and players from across the league.
🚀Johnson C. Smith Embraces Lofty Expectations
Johnson C. Smith has never been picked as high as No. 2 in the preseason, according to head coach Maurice Flowers, an alum who took over the program four years ago with a plan to build a contender from the ground up.
With a stacked roster returning and notable transfers jumping on board, 2025 may be the year when that plan bears the fruit of a title run.
“It really is a testament to our commitment and our culture that we’ve built,” Flowers said. “Year one, we were 2-7. Year two 7-3, and in year three we were 8-2. We’re looking for year four to continue what we’ve done. But it starts with culture … Our goal was to build a culture that competes for championships.”
Johnson C. Smith made history a year ago, winning its first eight games. While losing the last two kept the Golden Bulls out of the title game and the D2 playoffs, that flameout may, in the end, be the fuel this year’s team needs to finish the job. Johnson C. Smith last won a CIAA football championship in 1969.
📚‘Day One Guys’ Lead The Way For JCSU
Wide receiver Brevin Caldwell and safety Daryl Taybron were Johnson C. Smith’s player representatives on Wednesday. Flowers called them both “Day One Guys” – players who bought into his initial vision, signed on as his first recruits and stuck around despite the lure of this new NIL and transfer portal world.
Caldwell, from Charlotte (Ardrey Kell HS), has emerged as one of the top playmakers in all of D2 football. Last season he set new school records in receptions (85) and receiving yards (1,090). No JCSU receiver had ever reached 1,000 in a season before.
Caldwell’s stats in the classroom are as equally as impressive. He told the media day audience that he carries a 3.8 GPA, majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry.
“Say that again,” CIAA Media Day host Stan Lewter said to Caldwell. “Say it slowly so everybody can get it.”
“Thank you, sir,” Caldwell responded. “Those are the things that we like to emphasize in this culture and this program because it starts with academics and then those habits carry on to the field. We’re excited to be where we’re at right now.”
🛡️ JCSU Defense Still Built to Win
While the Golden Bulls bid farewell to CIAA defensive player of the year Benari Black, a solid nucleus remains. Taybron, from Spring Hope (Southern Nash HS), picked off a pass, broke up three more and recorded 29 tackles last season.
Johnson C. Smith’s defense has been among the best in the league and even nationally the past few seasons. The Bulls led the CIAA in pass defense in 2024.
“As an offensive coach and former quarterback, yes, it looks good to have a bunch of passing yards, total yards and all of those things,” Flowers said. “But the bottom line is winning and being able to win in late November and December and you win with defense.”
🧠 Quarterbacks in the Spotlight
In a quarterback-heavy league, Winston-Salem State’s Daylin Lee gets the nod as the lone signal caller on the preseason all-CIAA team. The Shelby High grad has been the Rams starter the past two seasons, completing 144-of-264 passes for 1,728 yards, 14 TDs and 5 INTs in 2024.
While not at media day, Johnson C. Smith has found a capable replacement for last year’s starter Darius Ocean. Former Fort Valley State standout signal caller Kelvin Durham transferred to JCSU for his final season.
Coach Flowers recruited Durham to Fort Valley State in 2020. Now the pair reunite in Charlotte. Durham’s career collegiate stat sheet features 29 games played, 5,922 passing yards and 62 passing touchdowns over three seasons, including 2.096 passing yards and 23 TDs a year ago.
Shaw and new coach Lamar Manigo (former OC at Virginia State) look ready to turn the reins over to new QB Justin Wheeler. The Mallard Creek High (Charlotte) product did not throw a pass a year ago for Shaw, playing behind prolific quarterback Christian Peters.
🔥Broncos vs. Rams: Rivalry In Full Effect
Fayetteville State followed Winston-Salem State to the stage for remarks during Wednesday’s media day. But Broncos coach Richard Hayes paused at the steps before bringing his players into the spotlight.
When host Stan Lewter gave him a confused look, Hayes indicated he was waiting for the Winston-Salem State graphics to clear off the monitors on either side of the stage before stepping up. “We’re the Broncos, not the Rams,” Hayes quipped.
“You don’t think the rivalry between Fayetteville State and Winston-Salem is real?” Lewter responded. “I like that. That’s the best part of the day so far.”
For his part, Winston-Salem State coach Robert Massey wore a bright red ballcap with his suit during the Rams’ entire interview session.
Winston-Salem State ended a long drought against the Broncos a year ago, winning 37-31 in double-overtime on the Rams’ homecoming.
🙏 Prayers for Winston-Salem Running Back
On a heavier note, WSSU coach Robert Massey said running back Trevon Hester would not play this season because he is battling cancer.
The junior from Greensboro (Page HS) rushed for 741 yards and five TDs last season, including a 181-yard game against Shaw and a 141-yard effort at Virginia State.
“He’s going to be OK,” Massey said. “But we ask for prayers for him … he will be missed.”
⚡ Quick Hits from Media Day
* Elizabeth City State’s Darius Satterfield was voted the preseason all-CIAA punter. Satterfield (Mebane | Orange HS). Satterfield averaged nearly 39 yards per punt a season ago, putting 11 balls inside opponents’ 20 and recording seven kicks of 50 or more yards.
Teammate Terrance Holland was voted the preseason All-CIAA punt returner. Holland hails from Jacksonville, FL and returned both punts and kickoffs a year ago.
* Former Shaw running back Travon Tensley will join the Virginia Union backfield this season. Tensley was the top vote-getter among RBs on the all-CIAA team.
* Other North Carolina players on the Preseason All-CIAA Team:
- TE: Devin Cunningham (WSSU)
- OL: Benjamin Hicks (FSU) and Elijah Gordon (WSSU)
- DL: Lamone Hill Jr. (JCSU) and Davion Watkins (Livingstone)
- LB: Quewan Hilliard (Shaw) and Jamari Slade (FSU)
- DB: Keyshawn Monk (FSU).
The full preseason all-conference list is below.
Be sure to check back with NC Football News over the days and weeks ahead as we continue our preseason coverage of the CIAA.
📊CIAA 2025 Predicted Order of Finish
1. Virginia Union
2. Johnson C. Smith
3. Virginia State
4. Fayetteville State
5. Winston-Salem State
6. Bowie State
7. Livingstone
8. Shaw
9. Elizabeth City State
10. Lincoln (PA)
11. Bluefield State
🚀CIAA Media Day Snapshots, Pt 2🏈
Three NC teams were picked to finish in the top five:
2. Johnson C. Smith
4. Fayetteville State
5. Winston-Salem State
The top two finishers will come back to Durham in November to play for the title.
Will it be an all-NC affair? #CIAA pic.twitter.com/PpNKRJfAqA — NC Football News (@NCFootballNews) July 16, 2025
🏆2025 Football All-CIAA Team | Preseason
The CIAA’s preseason all-conference team was voted on by league coaches.
Quarterback
1. Daylin Lee (WSSU)
Running Backs
1. Travon Tensley (VUU, previously Shaw)
2. Micah Robinson (Bowie)
Wide Receivers
1. Brevin Caldwell (JCSU)
2. Zyaire Tart (VUU, previously Lincoln (PA))
Tight End
1. Devin Cunningham (WSSU)
Offensive Linemen
1. Bruno Onwuazor (VSU)
2. Tyleek McCoy (VSU)
3. Benjamin Hicks (FSU)
4. Adrian Crespin (VUU)
5. Elijah Gordon (WSSU)
Defensive Lineman
1. Lamone Hill Jr. (JCSU)
2. Davion Watkins (Livingstone)
3. Jayshaun Alston (VSU)
4. Cameron Davis (VSU)
Linebackers
1. KJ McNeil (VSU)
2. Quewon Hilliard (Shaw)
3. Jamari Slade (FSU)
Defensive Backs
1. Donavan Howard (VSU)
2. Marquis Edmond (VSU)
3. Jordan Williams (Bowie)
4. Keyshawn Monk (FSU)
Kick Returner
1. Zyaire Tart (VUU)
Place Kicker
1. Brady Myers (VUU)
Punt Returner
1. Terrance Holland (ECSU)
Punter
1. Darius Satterfield (ECSU)
