The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association released its 2026 football preseason projections this week, and Fayetteville State University was pegged to finish third in the league. The Broncos also placed a conference-high number of players on the preseason all-conference team, with seven student-athletes recognized for the coming season.
"The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) unveiled its 2026 Football Preseason Predicted Order of Finish and Preseason All-Conference Team during the league's annual Football Media Day held in Durham, North Carolina,"
The Broncos' strong showing in the preseason honors underscores returning depth on both sides of the ball as Fayetteville State prepares for its 2026 slate under head coach Richard Hayes Jr. The selections include players from offense, defense and special teams, reflecting a balanced core expected to be a factor in the conference race.
Broncos recognized across positions
Fayetteville State's seven preseason all-conference honorees are:
- Marcus Fleming — Wide receiver (Junior), Miami, Fla.
- Malachi Jones — Offensive lineman (Redshirt sophomore), Bristol, Conn.
- Joseph Woodard — Defensive lineman (Graduate student), Kernersville, N.C.
- Christopher Gordon — Defensive lineman (Redshirt sophomore), Jersey City, N.J.
- Jatavien Taylor — Linebacker (Redshirt sophomore), Monroe, N.C.
- Amari Best — Defensive back (Redshirt sophomore), Whiteville, N.C.
- Abdoulazim Bayor — Punter (Redshirt sophomore), Greensboro, N.C.
Those selections highlight returning contributors on defensive lines and the secondary, plus core pieces on offense and special teams. For Fayetteville and Cumberland County, that continuity offers hope for competitive home games this fall and increased spectator interest at the on-campus stadium.
Schedule impact and championship changes
The CIAA also announced a revised championship weekend format that will stage the third- and fourth-seeded teams on Friday, Nov. 13, followed by the top two seeds on Saturday, Nov. 14, with Durham hosting. The conference is promoting a one-day championship ticket price of $19.12 for the weekend.
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 29 | Shaw* | Fayetteville, N.C. | 6:00 p.m. |
| Sept. 5 | UNC Pembroke | Fayetteville, N.C. | 6:00 p.m. |
| Sept. 12 | Valdosta State | Fayetteville, N.C. | 6:00 p.m. |
Those early non-conference home dates give local fans multiple opportunities to see the Broncos before league play begins. Strong performances could boost Fayetteville State's seeding prospects and bring more regional attention to the program.
For Fayetteville and the broader region, preseason recognition matters beyond the record. It can influence attendance, recruiting, local business activity on game days and the school's visibility in the state. As the season approaches, the Broncos will seek to turn preseason expectations into on-field results that justify the vote of confidence from league media and coaches.
