Virginia Union University was selected as the preseason favoritefollowed by defending CIAA Football Champion Johnson C. Smith University, Fayetteville State University and Virginia State University. The announcement comes after a historic 2025 season that saw Johnson C. Smith capture its first CIAA Football Championship since 1969. Johnson C. Smith led all schools with six selections, followed by Fayetteville State with five and Elizabeth City State with four. Bowie State University placed three student-athletes on the preseason squad, while Bluefield State University, Livingstone College, Virginia State University and Virginia Union University each earned one selection. 2026 CIAA Football Predicted Order of FinishVirginia Union UniversityJohnson C. Smith UniversityFayetteville State UniversityVirginia State UniversityWinston-Salem State UniversityLivingstone CollegeElizabeth City State UniversityBowie State UniversityBluefield State UniversityShaw UniversityLincoln University (Pa.)2026 Preseason All-CIAA Team*An asterisk denotes a returning 2025 All-CIAA First Team selection.