The CIAA’s most prolific tackler picked up the conference’s most prestigious defensive award.
Johnson C. Smith linebacker Benari Black has been named CIAA Defensive Player of the Year for 2024. The senior led the league with 114 tackles, the only player to eclipse the century mark this season.
Black, who started his college career at UNC Pembroke after prepping at West Charlotte, also finished with 14.5 tackles-for-loss and three sacks. He recovered a fumble and broke up three pass plays. He had seven games with at least 10 hits, including a season high 16 tackles against both Virginia State and Fayetteville State.
The closest player to Black in total tackles was Bowie State’s Sadiq Salawu, who finished with 93 stops. Black earned 48 solo hits during the season, fourth best in the conference.
Johnson C. Smith’s Maurice Flowers earned CIAA Coach of the Year. Flowers directed the Golden Bulls to their best start in school history (8-0). JCSU finished 8-2, broke into the D2 national rankings and still sits in seventh in the latest Super Region 2 rankings, which shed light on teams being considered for the playoffs.
Johnson C. Smith boasted the stingiest defense among CIAA teams this fall, allowing just 13.9 points and 246.2 yards per game in its 10 outings.
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The CIAA’s other top awards went to players outside of North Carolina. Virginia Union running back Jada Byers, who has rushed for nearly 1,500 yards, earned Offensive Player of the Year.
Bowie State rusher Micah Robinson was named Offensive Rookie of the Year. Virginia State’s Marquis Edmond collected Defensive Rookie of the Year. The Lineman of the Year was Bruno Onwuazor of Virginia State, while the Special Teams Player of the Year went to Zyaire Tart from Lincoln.
Including Black, Johnson C. Smith put six players on the first-team All-CIAA list. The other five are quarterback Darius Ocean, wide receiver Brevin Caldwell, offensive lineman Kyle Estep, defensive lineman Lamone Hill Jr. and defensive back Shamar Baker.
Winston-Salem State, which finished a solid 7-3, put two players on the first-team list: defensive back Justin Fleming and punt returner JahTwan Stafford.
Shaw’s Travon Tensley joined Byers as a first-team running back, while teammate Saevion Gibbons made first-team on the defensive line.
Fayetteville State had two first-teamers: tight end Kameron King and offensive lineman Michael Todd.
Livingstone had one player on the first-team roster: defensive lineman Davion Watkins.
All-CIAA Football First Team
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)
All-CIAA Football Second Team
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)
SOURCE: CIAA
