CIAA® Announces 2026 Football All-Conference Teams and Individual Awards
Conference Recognizes Outstanding Student-Athletes and Coaches Following the 2026 Football Regular Season
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (November 13, 2026) — The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA®) has announced its 2026 Football All-Conference Teams and Individual Awards, recognizing the outstanding student-athletes and coaches whose performances and leadership highlighted the 2026 football season.
The annual honors celebrate excellence across the conference, recognizing student-athletes for their contributions on offense, defense and special teams, along with emerging talent and exceptional coaching leadership.
The selections recognize the accomplishments of student-athletes representing CIAA member institutions and reflect the talent, competitiveness and tradition of football throughout the conference.
2026 CIAA Football All-Conference Teams & Individual Awards
Coach of the Year: Dr. Alvin Parker | Virginia Union
Offensive Player of the Year: Fabian Duncan | Johnson C. Smith
Defensive Player of the Year: Ahmad Ross | Virginia Union
Lineman of the Year: Tyleek McCoy | Virginia State
Special Teams Player of the Year: Zyaire Tart | Virginia Union
Rookie of the Year: Zyking Patillo Fayetteville State
First Team All-CIAA
Quarterback
Rahsaan Matthews Jr. | Virginia State
Running Backs
Fabian Duncan | Johnson C. Smith
Trey Thorpe | Shaw
Wide Receivers
Jaylen Pretlow | Virginia State
Brian Lane | Johnson C. Smith
Marcus Fleming | Fayetteville State
Tight End
Ben Haulmark | Virginia Union
Offensive Linemen
Savion Moore | Virginia Union
Trai'von Callis | Virginia Union
Jamari Mason | Johnson C. Smith
Tyleek McCoy | Virginia State
Ashton Williams | Shaw
Defensive Line
Elijah Candia | Virginia Union
Anthony Binyard | Johnson C. Smith
Osirus Rhodes | Fayetteville State
Christopher "CJ" Brown | Winston-Salem State
Linebackers
Christian Aiken | Virginia Union
Ahmad Ross | Virginia Union
Vincent Hill | Johnson C. Smith
Defensive Backs
Marque Vereen | Johnson C. Smith
Raja'ee Jones | Virginia State
Zyking Patillo | Fayetteville State
Jessiah Gildersleeve | Virginia Union
Placekicker
Gage Miller | Virginia Union
Punter
Joshua Mitchell | Virginia Union
Longsnapper
Jaydon Matthews- Virgina Union
Kick Return Specialist
Zyaire Tart | Virginia Union
Punt Return Specialist
Zyaire Tart | Virginia Union
Second Team All-CIAA
Quarterback
Damien Mazil | Johnson C. Smith University
Running Backs
Maximus Jones | Bowie State
Ramon Brown | Virginia Union
Wide Receivers
Kyrie Tyson | Lincoln (PA)
Montrell Wright | Virginia Union
Reggie King Jr. | Shaw
Tight End
Keyshaun Powell | Shaw
Offensive Linemen
Christian "Myles" Solomon | Virginia Union
Robert Early | Johnson C. Smith
Marcus Andrews | Johnson C. Smith
Malachi Jones | Fayetteville State
Sedecka Griffin | Johnson C. Smith
Defensive Line
Mustapha Coly | Virginia State
Javon Smith | Elizabeth City State
D'Andre Martin | Johnson C. Smith
Jason Parrilla | Virginia State
Linebackers
Quadir Mceachin | Shaw
John Earley | Elizabeth City State
KJ McNeil | Virginia State
Defensive Backs
Brosnan Dukes | Lincoln (PA)
Amir Mateo | Virginia State
Ryan Debow | Fayetteville State
Terrell Ford | Fayetteville State
Placekicker
Alexis Rosario-Beltran | Johnson C. Smith
Punter
Abdoulazim Bayor | Fayetteville State
Long Snapper
De’Kan Williams | Fayetteville State University
Kick Return Specialist
Terrance Holland | Elizabeth City State
Punt Return Specialist
Ca'Lique Cunningham | Livingstone
CIAA All-Rookie
Jason Robinson Bluefield State,
Deal Tyrell Bowie State,
John Earley Elizabeth City State,
Terrence Lamb Elizabeth City State,
Alex Williams Elizabeth City State,
Christopher Bentley Fayetteville State,
Malik Fuller Fayetteville State,
Christian Oats Fayetteville State,
Zyking Patillo Fayetteville State,
Lorenzo Southern Fayetteville State,
Taurus Damon Jr. Johnson C. Smith,
Tremaine Davis Johnson C. Smith,
Divine Ohiaeri Johnson C. Smith,
Maurice McArthur Livingstone,
Kristopher Young Shaw,
Taivon Douglas Virginia State,
Justin Lane Virginia State,
Tristan Mccall Virginia State,
Josiah Johnson Virginia Union,
Gage Miller Virginia Union,
Maddox Creason Winston-Salem State,
Brayden Jeffries Winston-Salem State
CIAA Football Championship Weekend Continues in Durham
The celebration of CIAA football continues with the 2026 CIAA Football Championship Weekend at Durham County Memorial Stadium in Durham, North Carolina.
The inaugural Friday Night Blitz features No. 3 Virginia State University and No. 4 Fayetteville State University on Friday, November 13, while No. 1 Virginia Union University and No. 2 Johnson C. Smith University will battle for the CIAA Football Championship title on Saturday, November 14.
Fans, alumni, students and supporters are encouraged to secure their tickets and be part of the championship atmosphere as four of the conference's top programs take the field.
BUY TICKETS NOW: 2026 CIAA Football Championship Official Ticket Box Office
Four Teams. Two Games. One Championship Weekend. WHO GOT NEXT?
Media Contact
Matisse S. Lee
Senior Associate Commissioner, Communications & Marketing, Special Projects / SWA
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)
mlee@theciaa.com
About the CIAA
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first and longest-running African American athletic conference in the United States and one of the most recognized conferences in NCAA Division II. The CIAA conducts 15 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. The CIAA Basketball Tournament has been honored as a Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management.
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the presidents and chancellors of its 12 member institutions: Bluefield State University, Bowie State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University and Winston-Salem State University.
For more information on the CIAA, visit www.theciaa.com and follow the conference on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.