CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) announced its 2025 All-CIAA Teams Friday afternoon with nine Bowie State football student-athletes earning postseason recognition. The Bulldogs are highlighted by three First Team All-CIAA selections in defensive lineman Jamal Jones, defensive back Elijah McKenzie, and defensive back Samuel Graham.

Bowie State landed four Bulldogs on the All-CIAA Second Team, including running back Micah Robinson, linebacker Damir McCrary, kick returner Ty Lyles, and punt returner Joseph Towler. Additionally, quarterback Savion Witherspoon earned a spot on the CIAA All-Rookie Team, giving the Bulldogs representation across all three postseason groups.

A graduate student from Upper Marlboro, Md., Jones capped an outstanding career by posting one of the conference's best defensive seasons. He ranked second in the CIAA in tackles for loss (17.0) and third in sacks (7.5) to go along with 47 total tackles and six quarterback hurries. His best performance came against Winston-Salem State with seven tackles and two sacks. Jones was also selected to participate in the 2026 HBCU Legacy Bowl, recognizing him among the nation's top HBCU defenders.

McKenzie, a redshirt sophomore from Brooklyn Park, Md., led the CIAA with 17 passes defended, adding one interception and 33 total tackles. He was one of the league's most disruptive defensive backs all season, highlighted by a season-high eight tackles against Virginia Union and a dominant five pass breakups at Bluefield State.

Graham, a redshirt senior from Baltimore, Md., earned First Team All-CIAA honors after ranking seventh in the conference in tackles per game and recording 73 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, and a fumble return touchdown. A four-time CIAA Defensive Back of the Week, Graham posted a season-high 13 tackles against Lincoln (PA). He was also invited to the 2026 HBCU Legacy Bowl in New Orleans.

Robinson, a redshirt sophomore from Baltimore, Md., earned Second Team All-CIAA honors after ranking fifth in the CIAA in rushing with 624 yards and five touchdowns. He delivered his best performance of the season at Bluefield State with 182 rushing yards and three touchdowns, which garnered him CIAA Running Back of the Week honors.

McCrary, a senior from Camden, N.J., earned a Second Team nod after totaling 47 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and a season-high eight tackles against Fayetteville State. McCrary's consistency and leadership anchored Bowie State's linebacker unit throughout the year.

Lyles, a redshirt senior from Winston-Salem, N.C., finished first in the CIAA in kick return average, totaling 444 yards on 15 returns, including a long of 66 yards. He also added 234 receiving yards and three touchdown, proving to be one of the league's most versatile special-teams threats.

Towler, a redshirt sophomore from Washington, D.C., earned Second Team honors as a punt returner after finishing third in the CIAA in punt return average (11.7). He also ranked 12th in the CIAA in receiving with 32 receptions for 363 yards and a touchdown, emerging as one of the most dynamic all-purpose players in the league.

Witherspoon, a freshman from Baltimore, Md., represented the Bulldogs on the CIAA All-Rookie Team after an impressive debut season in limited action. He accounted for six total touchdowns (four rushing and two passing) while totaling 117 rushing yards and 354 passing yards across two games. His best performance came against Elizabeth City State, where he rushed for three touchdowns and showcased the dual-threat ability that makes him one of the CIAA's most promising young quarterbacks.

2025 All-CIAA First Team 
 
Quarterback 
Kelvin Durham, Johnson C. Smith 
 
Running Backs 
Curtis Allen, Virginia Union* 
Bobby Smith, Johnson C. Smith 
 
Wide Receivers 
Brandon Wiley, Bluefield State 
Brian Lane, Johnson C. Smith 
DeAndre Proctor, Johnson C. Smith 
 
Tight End 
Kahlil Ashley-Diarrah, Fayetteville State 
 
Offensive Linemen 
Jamari Mason, Johnson C. Smith* 
Bruno Onwuazor, Virginia State 
Benjamin Hicks, Fayetteville State 
Toriono Combs, Elizabeth City State 
Mathias Nielsen, Virginia Union 
 
Defensive Line 
Kenyon Garner, Livingstone* 
Shawn Robinson, Fayetteville State 
Jamal Jones, Bowie State 
Cadricus Stanley, Johnson C. Smith 
 
Linebackers 
Chris Calhoun, Elizabeth City State 
Vincent Hill, Johnson C. Smith 
Matthew Leach, Fayetteville State 
 
Defensive Backs 
Keyshawn Monk, Fayetteville State 
Elijah McKenzie, Bowie State 
Samuel Graham, Bowie State 
Daryl Taybron, Johnson C. Smith 
 
Placekicker 
Brady Myers, Virginia Union* 
 
Punter 
Danny Dales, Bluefield State 
 
Kick Return Specialist 
Isaiah Perry, Johnson C. Smith 
 
Punt Return Specialist 
Zyaire Tart, Virginia Union 
 
2025 All-CIAA Second Team 
 
Quarterback 
Rahsaan Matthews Jr., Virginia State 
 
Running Backs 
Micah Robinson, Bowie State 
Ri'Jon Hammond, Virginia State 
 
Wide Receivers 
Julian Crawley, Bluefield State 
Jaylen Pretlow, Virginia State 
Malik Hunter, Virginia State 
 
Tight End 
Reginald Hairston, Bluefield State 
 
Offensive Linemen 
Joseph Rounds, Virginia Union 
Tyleek McCoy, Virginia State 
Adrian Crespin, Virginia Union 
Robert Early, Johnson C. Smith 
Jolen Thompson, Fayetteville State 
 
Defensive Line 
Kamari Frederick, Virginia Union 
Sir'Sean Ingram, Elizabeth City State 
C.J. Brown, Winston-Salem State 
Jalen Alexander, Johnson C. Smith 
 
Linebackers 
Jamieson Alston, Winston-Salem State 
Mehkhi Johnson, Virginia State 
Damir McCrary, Bowie State 
 
Defensive Backs 
Evan Powell, Winston-Salem State 
Kamaree Wells, Bluefield State 
Donavan Howard, Virginia State 
Reginald Troutman, Fayetteville State 
 
Placekicker 
Lukasz Smolen, Johnson C. Smith 
 
Punter 
Joshua Mitchell, Virginia Union 
 
Kick Return Specialist 
Ty Lyles, Bowie State 
 
Punt Return Specialist 
Joseph Towler, Bowie State 
 
2025 CIAA Football All-Rookie Teams 
 
Offensive All-Rookie 
Bobby Smith – RB, Johnson C. Smith* 
Julian Crawley – WR, Bluefield State  
Isaiah Perry – WR, Johnson C. Smith 
Rahsaan Matthews Jr. – QB, Virginia State 
Brian Lane – WR, Johnson C. Smith 
Braydn Kesselring – OL, Fayetteville State 
Unique Kelly – WR, Fayetteville State 
Savion Witherspoon – QB, Bowie State 
Anton Chavis – OL, Elizabeth City State 
Jaylen Pretlow – WR, Virginia State 
Alexander Marsh – QB, Shaw 
 
Defensive All-Rookie 
Jaevon Branch – DB, Elizabeth City State* 
Amari Best – DB, Fayetteville State 
Taviun Chandler – DB, Bluefield State 
Jatavien Taylor – LB, Fayetteville State 
Javen Parker – CB, Livingstone 
Malachi Adkins – SAF, Livingstone 
Christopher Gordon – DL, Fayetteville State 
Joshua Jackson – CB, Livingstone 
Manuel Montout – LB, Elizabeth City State 
Michael Job – DL, Shaw 
Jason Parrilla – DL, Virginia State 
 
For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State Athletics and its 14 varsity sport teams, visit bsubulldogs.com.