Durham, North Carolina -- The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and its Football Coaches Association announces the 2016 CIAA Football Predicted Order of Finish and the Preseason All-CIAA Team.
For the second consecutive season, the Rams of Winston-Salem State University have been selected as the predicted championship contender. The defending CIAA Champion Rams finished 6-5 last season with a 5-2 conference record. Bowie State University has been selected to finish second after falling to WSSU in the 2015 CIAA Championship and then to Assumption College in the first round of NCAA DII playoffs.
2016 Predicted Order of Finish
Winston-Salem State University
Bowie State University
Virginia Union University
Virginia State University
Fayetteville State University
Chowan University
Livingstone College
Elizabeth City State University
Johnson C. Smith University
Shaw University
Lincoln (Pa.) University
Saint Augustine's University
Predicted Divisional Order of Finish
Northern Division
Bowie State University
Virginia Union University
Virginia State University
Chowan University
Elizabeth City State University
Lincoln (Pa.) University
Southern Division
Winston-Salem State University
Fayetteville State University
Livingstone College
Johnson C. Smith University
Shaw University
Saint Augustine's University
The 2016 Preseason All-CIAA Football Team is led by a standout group of senior student-athletes. Stephen Scott, Lincoln (Pa.) running back, led the Conference in yards per game (125.8) and tied for first in rushing touchdowns (10) in 2015. BSU Bulldogs' wide receiver Nyme Manns highlights the preseason team after completing his junior season ranked second in the CIAA with 92 receiving yards per game and tied for the first place rank with 13 receiving touchdowns. Last season's defensive game was marked by a season-high 10 sacks, achieved by defensive linemen Paulin Miano and Miles Pace of Virginia Union.
2016 Preseason All-CIAA Football Team
Offense
TE
#17
Victor Tabbs*
ECSU
6-4
230
Sr.
Suitland, MD
OL
#62
Jac'que Polite*
WSSU
6-5
300
Sr.
Ridgeland, SC
OL
#70
Tim Samuels
WSSU
6-3
240
Jr.
Charlotte, NC
OL
#75
Justin Nester*
BSU
6-3
276
Sr.
Dayton, MD
OL
#78
Abraham Garcia
VUU
6-6
340
Sr.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
OL
#78
Victor Tamba
BSU
6-5
335
Jr.
District Heights, MD
WR
#8
Nyme Manns*
BSU
6-4
212
Sr.
Baltimore, MD
WR
#16
Jordan Garrison
BSU
6-2
229
Sr.
Baltimore, MD
QB
#12
Shawheem Dowdy
VUU
6-4
218
Sr.
Baltimore, MD
RB
#5
Stephen Scott*
LUPA
5-8
205
Sr.
Baltimore, MD
RB
#9
Hakeem Holland*
VUU
5-10
180
So.
Baltimore, MD
PK
#47
William Johnson
WSSU
5-11
175
Sr.
High Point, NC
KR
#9
Hakeem Holland
VUU
5-10
180
So.
Baltimore, MD
Defense
DL
#7
Miles Pace
VUU
6-2
250
Sr.
Miami, FL
DL
#46
Armond Cox
LC
6-3
240
So.
Teaneck, NJ
DL
#53
Paulin Miano*
VUU
6-6
265
Sr.
Washington, DC
DL
#99
Sean Copeland
BSU
6-0
325
Sr.
Baltimore, MD
LB
#20
Demetrius Newberry
CU
5-11
225
Sr.
Brunswick, GA
LB
#34
Geo Feggins
VSU
6-1
210
Sr.
South Hill, VA
LB
#44
Kevaugn Townsend*
BSU
5-8
203
Sr.
Ft. Washington, MD
DB
#8
Carlo Thomas*
JCSU
6-2
185
Jr.
East Orange, NJ
DB
#21
Rodeshawn Joseph
VUU
6-1
185
Sr.
Pompano Beach, FL
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