---
"title": "Record-setting running back Jada Byers claims another offensive player of the year honor"
"description": "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 […]"
"date": "2024-11-15"
"authors":
  -
    "name": "Jarrett Hoffman"
"url": "https://hbcusports.com/2024/11/15/record-setting-running-back-jada-byers-claims-another-offensive-player-of-the-year-honor/"
"categories":
  - "Football"
"tags":
  - "Virginia Union"
---

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

The CIAA has announced its [all-conference honorees](https://theciaa.com/news/2024/11/15/general-release-2024-ciaa-football-championship-preview-and-end-of-the-year-awards.aspx) 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