SALEM, VA - Bowie State football has been selected to finish second in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), as announced by the league office at the annual CIAA football media day Thursday morning.

The All-CIAA Preseason Team was voted upon by the CIAA Football Coaches Association and Sports Information Directors.

Of the 18 returning players from 2022, BSU had a pair of Bulldogs named to the CIAA Preseason Team including Keshane Hinckley and Jadon Carter. Amongst the CIAA Divisions, Bowie State was projected to win the Northern Division while Fayetteville State, the 2022 defending champions was picked atop in the overall preseason poll and Southern Division.

The Bulldogs finished 6-4 overall and 5-3 in conference play. Bowie State will open the 2023 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 2 at Delaware State. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. 

A complete list of the predicted order of finish and preseason all-conference can be found below:

2023 Predicted Order of Finish 
 
1. Fayetteville State
2. Bowie State
3. Virginia Union
4. Shaw
5. Virginia State
6. Johnson C. Smith
7. Winston-Salem State
8. Elizabeth City State
9. Bluefield State
10. Lincoln (Pa.)
11. Livingstone
12. St. Augustine's
 
Northern Division
1. Bowie State   
2. Virginia Union 
3. Virginia State        
4. Elizabeth City State        
5. Bluefield State    
6. Lincoln (Pa.)       
 
Southern Division
1. Fayetteville State    
2. Shaw            
3. Johnson C. Smith    
4. Winston-Salem State    
5. Livingstone        
6. St. Augustine's 

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
Miqueal 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 

For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State Athletics and its 13 varsity sport teams, visit bsubulldogs.com.