ROANOKE, Va. (July 20) – Shaw University placed four players on the 2023 Preseason All-CIAA Football Team, which was announced Thursday during CIAA Football Media Day at the Holiday Inn Roanoke-Tanglewood. The players selected were running back
Sidney Gibbs, defensive back
Jay Boyd, offensive lineman
Queonte Hilliard and punter
Devin Versteegen.
Gibbs, a senior from Black Mountain, N.C., was named to the Preseason All-CIAA Team for the third straight year. A two-time All-CIAA pick, Gibbs enters this season with a shot at breaking the school career rushing mark this season. Last year, he ranked third in the CIAA in rushing yards (714), fourth in rushing average per game (79.3) and fourth in touchdowns scored (8) in nine games.
Hilliard, a junior from Fayetteville, N.C., was a key blocker that helped open holes for Gibbs. He was part of an offensive line that anchored the CIAA's fourth-best rushing attack last season.
Boyd, a senior from Brevard County, Fla., was an All-CIAA first-teamer last season after tying for fourth in the CIAA in interceptions (4) including two returned for scores, which tied for first in the conference. The Bears' free safety also tied for fifth in the CIAA in passes defended per game and ranked 26
th nationally in Division II in pickoffs per game last year.
Versteegen, a junior from Rolesville, N.C., tied for third in the CIAA in touchbacks (2) and ranked fifth in punts inside the opponents' 20-yard line (13) last season. A 2021 All-CIAA rookie pick and 2022 All-CIAA selection, Versteegen doubled as a placekicker. He booted a 37-yard field goal in double OT for a 30-27 Bears' victory over Saint Augustine's in the Raleigh Classic.
All four players will lead the Bears against Benedict in the season opener in Columbia, S.C., on Sept. 2. Kickoff is 6 p.m.
2023 Football All-CIAA Team - Preseason Team
Tight End
Kalen Carver, Virginia Union +
Offensive Linemen
Matthew Foster, Virginia State *
Tyler Fleming, Fayetteville State +
Michael Todd, Fayetteville State +
Queonte Hilliard, Shaw
Justin Meade, Virginia Union *
Wide Receivers
Brevin Caldwell, Johnson C. Smith *
Keshane Hinckley, Bowie State *
Quarterback
Isaiah Freeman, Lincoln (PA) + !
Running Backs
Jada Byers, Virginia Union *
Sidney Gibbs, Shaw +
Kick Returner
Larry Hackey, Virginia Union
Place Kicker
Brady Myers, Virginia Union * #
Defensive Linemen
Cameron Merrell, Fayetteville State +
Isaac Anderson, Virginia Union +
Armonii Burden, Virginia Union
Miguel Pillow-Smiley, Virginia State +
Linebackers
Kentrell Caldwell, Fayetteville State +
Shamar Graham, Virginia Union
Lee Sales, St. Augustine's
Defensive Backs
Willie Drew, Virginia State *
Jadon Carter, Bowie State
Jay Boyd, Shaw *
Eric Best, Lincoln (Pa.)
Punt Returner
Dennis Jones, St. Augustine's
Punter
Devin Versteegen, Shaw +
* - Returning 2022 All-CIAA First Team selection
+ - Returning 2022 All-CIAA Second Team selection
# - Returning 2022 CIAA Special Teams Player of the Year
! - Returning 2022 CIAA Offensive Rookie of the Year
$ - Returning 2022 CIAA Defensive Rookie of the Year
