By Jarrett Hoffman
HBCU Sports
Reprinted – by Texas Metro News
Photo: Virginia Union Athletics
The CIAA has announced its all-conference honorees for the 2024 season, highlighted by Virginia Union running back Jada Byers claiming his second CIAA Offensive Player of the Year award.
Byers led the CIAA, rushing for 1,497 yards (1,712 all-purpose yards) and scoring 23 touchdowns. He is now the first player to win two CIAA Offensive Player of the Year awards since Amir Hall in 2018.
Taking home the CIAA Defensive Player of the Year award is Johnson C. Smith linebacker Benari Black. Black led the CIAA with 114 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss (2nd in CIAA), 3.0 sacks, three pass breakups, and a fumble recovery.
Johnson C. Smith head coach Maurice Flowers was named the CIAA Coach of the Year after leading the Golden Bulls to their best season since 1975. He led the team to an 8-2 overall record, including a school-best 8-0 start to the season.
Other individual award winners include Bowie State running back claiming the CIAA Offensive Rookie of the Year award, Virginia State safety Marquis Edmond taking the CIAA Defensive Rookie of the Year award, Virginia State offensive lineman earning the Lineman of the Year award, and Lincoln (PA) return specialist winning the Special Teams Player of the Year award.
All-CIAA First Team
Offense
QB: Darius Ocean, Johnson C. Smith
RB: Jada Byers, Virginia Union
RB: Travon Tensley, Shaw
WR: Brevin Caldwell, Johnson C. Smith
WR: Reginald Vick Jr., Virginia Union
TE: Kameron King, Fayetteville State
OL: Jared Achuff, Bowie State
OL: Michael Todd, Fayetteville State
OL: Bruno Onwuazor, Virginia State
OL: Kyle Estep, Elizabeth City State
OL: Larry Jones Jr., Virginia Union
Defense
DL: Saevion Gibbs, Shaw
DL: Lamone Hill Jr., Johnson C. Smith
DL: Davion Watkins, Livingstone
DL: Isaac Anderson, Virginia Union
LB: Benari Black, Johnson C. Smith
LB: Sadiq Salawu, Bowie State
LB: Carl Poole Jr., Virginia State
DB: Shamar Baker, Johnson C. Smith
DB: Justin Fleming, Winston-Salem State
DB: William Davis, Virginia Union
DB: Donavan Howard, Virginia State
Special Teams
P: Marvin Holmes, Virginia Union
PK: Brady Myers, Virginia Union
PR: JahTwan Stafford, Winston-Salem State
KR: Zyaire Tart, Lincoln (PA)
All-CIAA Second Team
Offense
QB: Romelo Williams, Virginia State
RB: Trevon Hester, Winston-Salem State
RB: Micah Robinson, Bowie State
WR: Joseph Towler, Bowie State
WR: Kevin Gayles, Virginia State
TE: Kalen Carver, Virginia Union
OL: Queonte Hilliard, Shaw
OL: Keith Quick, Winston-Salem State
OL: Jamari Mason, Johnson C. Smith
OL: Mathias Nielsen, Virginia Union
OL: Joshua Beatty, Johnson C. Smith
Defense
DL: Jayshaun Alston, Virginia State
DL: Jalen Banks, Shaw
DL: Mustapha Coly, Virginia State
DL: Osmanis Aguilera, Livingstone
LB: Jack Smith, Johnson C. Smith
LB: KJ McNeil, Virginia State
LB: Quewon Hilliard, Shaw
DB: Ja’qun Wilkins, Johnson C. Smith
DB: Noah Gibson, Shaw
DB: Kolby Merritt, Fayetteville State
DB: Kevin Larkins Jr., Livingstone
Special Teams
P: Justin Zavala, Bowie State
PK: Jason Zapata, Livingstone
PR: Awesome Waller Kr., Bowie State
KR: Ja’qun Wilkins, Johnson C. Smith
