Record-setting running back Jada Byers claims another offensive player of the year honor

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