The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) unveiled the 2023 All-CIAA Preseason Football Team, as voted on by the CIAA Football Coaches Association and the Sports Information Directors Association. Also released was the predicted order of finish, as selected by the head football coaches. The preseason team and predicted order were both announced during the CIAA's annual football media day. As selected by the head football coaches, the Lincoln Lions were picked to finish 10th for the 2023 season. In his new role as head coach, Coach Frank Turner stated "Predictions are just what they are meant to be. At the end of the day, we will be ready to play every Saturday. Our goal this year is to erase the perception of what Lincoln University football used to be."

The 2023 team features 18 returning players from the 2022 All-CIAA team, with two Lincoln Lions selected to the team. CIAA Offensive Rookie of the Year Isaiah Freeman and defensive back Eric Best were both chosen for their respective positions. 

Isaiah Freeman (Chester, PA/STEM Academy) was Lincoln's top passer last season, leading the Lions with 1.667 passing yards, completing 117 of 237 passes that included 13 touchdowns. Freeman ranked second on the team with 382 rushing yards on 86 carries which ranked 11th in the CIAA. Freeman ranked among league leaders in several other categories. He ranked second in passing yards per game, while ranking third in touchdowns and passing efficiency with just three interceptions in nine total games.

Defensive back Eric Best (Burlington, N.J./Burlington) was selected as one of just four top defensive backs in the conference, in his first All-CIAA Preseason Team selection. He ranked with league leaders in defensive categories including interceptions, passes defended and fumbles recovered. Best ranked eighth in total interceptions.

For the fifth consecutive season, Fayetteville State and Bowie State were picked by league coaches to repeat as Southern Division and Northern Division champions, respectively. The 2022 CIAA Football Championship Game is slated for November 11 in Salem, VA (Salem Stadium). 

 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 (Chester, PA/STEM Academy), 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 (Burlington, N.J./Burlington), 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 

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About Lincoln University

Lincoln University, the nation's first degree-granting Historically Black College and University (HBCU), educates and empowers students to lead their communities and change the world. Lincoln offers a rigorous liberal arts education to a diverse student body of approximately 2,200 men and women in more than 35 undergraduate and graduate programs.