Shaw football looked like a different program this spring.
After navigating a thin roster and a 2-8 finish in 2025, the Bears took a noticeable step forward this spring, second-year head coach Lamar Manigo said after Sunday’s spring game at Durham County Memorial Stadium.
The coach noted improved depth, more competition and a stronger overall foundation across the roster.
“Last spring, we had about 45, 50 guys,” Manigo said. “This year, we had about 75 guys, which is great. We had a lot of returning guys.”
That jump in numbers — and continuity— may be the biggest sign of progress for a program still getting its footing in the CIAA after changing coaches following the 2024 campaign.
What changed this spring
Shaw’s growth wasn’t just about numbers. It showed up across multiple position groups, Manigo said.
- Quarterback room rebuilt: After having just one quarterback available at times last season, Shaw now has five options competing for the job
- Wide receiver upgrade: An influx of talent has added explosiveness to a unit that struggled in 2025
- Improvements on defense: Multiple players made interceptions and created turnovers in the spring game, including pick-sixes
- Roster continuity: Only a handful of players entered the transfer portal
That last point stands out in today’s college football landscape, with volatility from widespread player movement affecting even Division II.
“We only lost about three guys to the portal, which says a lot about the culture of the program, I think,” the coach said. “Guys want to stick around, want to run it back this season.”
The Bears also leaned heavily on freshmen last season, players who now return stronger, more experienced and ready for larger roles.
The Shaw Bears finish off their spring with a scrimmage at Durham County Memorial Stadium
Some of our best shots from the day 📸
Next stop for Shaw: at Fayetteville State on 8/29
For us: More spring game coverage from around the state coming this week!#ShawU pic.twitter.com/XQV933GxHJ — NC Football News (@NCFootballNews) April 12, 2026
Quarterback competition takes shape
One of the biggest storylines heading into fall will be growth at the quarterback position.
Manigo highlighted several options, including returning starter Alexander Marsh, who he said added roughly 15 pounds since arriving on campus last year and showed steady improvement throughout the spring. Marsh, a rising sophomore, played in all 10 games a year ago, throwing for 1,117 yards and eight touchdowns. He also rushed for three more TDs.
“He graded out well each and every day … moved the ball pretty well,” Manigo said.
Backup Justin Wheeler also returns. He’s been with the program since 2024 and is a team leader. With added depth and experience in the room, Shaw enters the offseason with more stability at the position than it had a year ago.
More explosive playmakers emerging
Shaw made a clear effort to upgrade its skill positions, particularly at wide receiver.
“We brought in about 10 wideouts this spring, and they made plays all spring long,” Manigo said.
That added explosiveness could be key for an offense that struggled to generate big plays and points last season. The Bears only averaged 14.1 points per contest, while giving up more than 37.
A challenging road ahead
Shaw’s improvement will be tested early and often this fall.
The Bears open the season at CIAA rival Fayetteville State, a team that went 6-4 overall and 6-1 in conference play last season. Shaw then faces Barton and Ferrum in non-conference play
Later in the year, Shaw faces a demanding stretch against some of the league’s top programs, including:
- Johnson C. Smith(defending CIAA champion)
- Virginia State
- Virginia Union (2025 runner-up, 2024 champ)
“We’ve got all three back to back,” Manigo said.
What it means
Shaw isn’t a finished product by any stretch, but it looks like a program moving in the right direction.
The Bears are deeper, more competitive and more stable than they were a year ago. In a league as competitive as the CIAA, that alone is a meaningful step forward.
Now comes the next challenge: turning that progress into wins.
“It was a pretty good spring with the guys learning, getting physically stronger,” Manigo said. “We’re going to finish up strong in the classroom. I look forward to having these guys back in the fall and just competing again.”
👉 The 2026 CIAA schedule is nearly set — see how Shaw’s slate stacks up and key league matchups across North Carolina.
