Split Vote: Virginia Union.
boxtorow.com
The defending CIAA champion Virginia Union Panthers have been picked to finish first in 2024 as the preseason HBCU Division II Coaches Poll powered by BOXTOROW was released on Monday. In a split vote, the Panthers received 11 of 24 first place votes.
Six other teams received at least one first place vote with the Virginia State Trojans receiving three first place, placing second, followed by Fort Valley State at No. 3 (one first place vote), Fayetteville State at. No. 4 (two first place votes), and Albany State at No. 5 (one first place).
The Benedict Tigers, who finished a top the final poll last season, received the second-most first place votes (5), but sit at No. 6.
The Panthers won their first CIAA title last year since 2001 and return one of the best running backs in the country in Jada Byers, who was named to the Preseason HBCU All-America Team and has been named to the postseason team the last two seasons.
In its third year, the HBCU Division II Coaches Poll is administered by BOXTOROW, and is voted on by the HBCU NCAA Division II coaches.
2024 Preseason HBCU Division II Coaches Poll powered by BOXTOROW
| No. | Team | W-L | Pts | 2023 Final Poll |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia Union (11) | 10-2 | 214 | 2 |
| 2 | Virginia State (3) | 8-2 | 169 | 4 |
| 3 | Fort Valley State (1) | 8-3 | 161 | 5 |
| 4 | Fayetteville State (2) | 8-3 | 152 | 3 |
| 5 | Albany State (1) | 6-5 | 139 | 8 |
| 6 | Benedict (5) | 11-1 | 131 | 1 |
| 7 | Miles | 7-3 | 118 | 6 |
| 8 | Tuskegee | 7-4 | 99 | 7 |
| 9 | Johnson C. Smith | 7-4 | 61 | 9 |
| 10 | Bowie State | 6-4 | 18 | NR |
Others receiving: Savannah State (1) (2-8) 16, Edward Waters (6-4) 15, Clark Atlanta (0-10) 8, Allen (7-3) 8, Winston-Salem State (4-6) 4, Central State (5-5) 3, West Virginia State (4-6) 2, Morehouse (1-8) 1.
(1st place votes in parentheses)
Split Vote: Virginia Union