CHARLOTTE – The 2025 CIAA Football Champions and 23rd ranked Golden Bulls will be opening its 2026 campaign on the road against non-conference opponent Benedict College on Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Charlie Johnson Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. The kickoff is set for 5 p.m. and will air live on the SIAC Sports Network. 

Ranking in the polls
The Golden Bulls were picked to finish second in the 2026 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Preseason Poll, as determined by the CIAA Sports Information Directors Association during the CIAA Football Media Day.

Johnson C. Smith University had several student-athletes selected to the 2026 All-CIAA Preseason Team, highlighting the Golden Bulls' talent on both sides of the ball.

In the backfield, Bobby Smith was selected at running back, while Brian Lane earned preseason recognition at wide receiver. The Golden Bulls also placed three offensive linemen on the team, with Jamari Mason, Robert Early, and Marcus Andrews receiving honors.

Defensively, Vincent Hill was selected at linebacker, while Tynan Tucker earned recognition at defensive back. The preseason selections reflect the strength and depth of the Golden Bulls heading into the 2026 football season.

JCSU enters the 2026 season receiving national recognition in multiple preseason polls following a historic 2025 campaign.

For the first time in program history, JCSU is ranked in the AFCA Division II Coaches Preseason Poll, coming in at No. 23 nationally. The Golden Bulls received 159 points in the poll after finishing the 2025 season with a 10-2 record. JCSU also finished No. 18 in the 2025 AFCA final rankings.

JCSU also earned the No. 1 position in the inaugural Black College Football Poll, receiving 168 points and 12 first-place votes. The Golden Bulls were followed by Benedict College, which received 157 points and a poll-high 20 first-place votes.

In the 2026 Preseason HBCU Division II Coaches Poll powered by BOXTOROW, JCSU was selected No. 1, receiving 13 first-place votes, 165 points, and entering the season following a 10-2 campaign. The Golden Bulls' preseason recognition reflects the expectations surrounding the program after capturing the 2025 CIAA Football Championship and advancing to the NCAA Division II playoffs.

The national attention marks another milestone for JCSU football as the Golden Bulls prepare to defend their conference championship and build on the momentum of their historic 2025 season.

Scouting Benedict.
Benedict finished the 2025 campaign with a 10-3 overall record, including a 7-1 mark in conference play, and advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs, where the Tigers won the first postseason game in school history. Benedict finished the season ranked No. 20 in the American Football Coaches Association Division II poll and No. 22 in the D2football.com media poll.