Shaw University looks poised for a solid season in the CIAA this fall. League coaches picked the Bears fourth overall in the 12-team conference, second in the Southern Division behind reigning champion Fayetteville State.
Shaw (4-6 a year ago) put four players on the CIAA’s preseason all-conference list, which was announced Thursday. That number matches Fayetteville State’s honorees. Today’s Preseason Watch List focuses on the Bears’ experienced foursome – RB Sidney Gibbs, DB Jay Boyd, OL Queonte Hilliard and P Devin Versteegen – and their quest to lead Shaw back to the top ranks of the CIAA.
#25 Sidney Gibbs, running back
Class: Senior
Measurables: 5-9, 190 pounds
Hometown: Black Mountain, NC
Notes: Makes his third-straight appearance on the CIAA preseason team. Backed up the first two appearances by earning all-CIAA by season’s end … Ranked third in the conference with 714 yards rushing a year ago … Scored eight touchdowns in nine games …
Rushed for 193 yards and three TDs in the season finale against rival St. Augustine’s … Enjoyed a 1,000-yard season in 2019 (1,024 yards on the ground) … Has 2,686 career rushing yards and 23 career rushing touchdowns (plus one more receiving) … Has a career average of 92.6 yards per game … Gibbs enters this season with a shot at breaking the school career rushing mark.
#21 Jay Boyd, free safety
Class: Senior
Measurables: 6-1, 180 pounds
Hometown: Brevard County, FL
Notes: Made first-team all-CIAA a year ago after picking off four passes and returning two for touchdowns … Two of the interceptions came against Elizabeth City State … Tied for fifth in the league in passes defended per game … Ranked 26th nationally in Division II in interceptions per game …
Had a 10-tackle game early in the season against Wayne State … Finished the season with 40 tackles and a fumble recovery.
#50 Queonte Hilliard, offensive line
Class: Junior
Measurables: 6-1, 315 pounds
Hometown: Fayetteville, NC
Notes: Three-year starter has proven an anchor on the Shaw offensive line … Helped pave the way for Gibbs and the Shaw rushing attack, which finished fourth in the CIAA a year ago (167.9 yards per game) …
#80 Devin Versteegen, kicker
Class: Junior
Measurables: 6-0, 163 pounds
Hometown: Rolesville, NC
Notes: Tied for third in the CIAA in touchbacks (2) and ranked fifth in punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line (13) last season … Made the 2021 All-CIAA rookie team and earned All-CIAA in 2022 …
Also served as Shaw’s placekicker a year ago. Booted a 37-yard field goal in a 30-27 double-overtime win over St. Augustine’s … Successful on five field goals for the season, with a long of 42 yards.
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