DURHAM, N.C. – Elizabeth City State University placed five student-athletes on the 2026 Preseason All-CIAA Football Team, marking the program's most preseason all-conference selections since 2011, as the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) announced its preseason honors Wednesday during CIAA Football Media Day.

Representing the Vikings on the preseason squad are Joe Griffin (Tight End), Toriono Combs (Offensive Line), Sir'Sean Ingram (Defensive Line), Jaevon Branch (Linebacker) and Shamar Sutton (Kick Return Specialist).

Combs returns after earning First Team All-CIAA honors in 2025 and anchors an offensive line that was arguably the most improved unit in the CIAA last season, and contributed greatly to the Vikings' overall offensive success. 

• Sacks allowed cut dramatically (2024: 41 → 2025: 19)

• Scoring (2024: 12.9>2025: 29.6 PPG) — +16.7 Points per game

• Total offense per game (2024: 226.3>2025: 338.1 YPG) — +112 Yards per game

Branch enters his sophomore campaign after earning 2025 CIAA Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. The linebacker helped spearhead a Vikings defense that took a major step forward in 2025, improving in nearly every major statistical category, including points allowed, rushing defense, sacks, tackles for loss, takeaways and third-down defense.

Griffin developed into one of the CIAA's most dependable tight ends last fall, serving as a reliable target throughout the season and a dangerous weapon in the red zone, where he hauled in five touchdown receptions.

Ingram emerged as one of the Vikings' most disruptive defensive linemen in 2025, recording 23 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks while helping lead an improved defensive front. ECSU finished the season with 20.5 sacks and 75 tackles for loss, significant improvements over the previous year.

Sutton earned preseason recognition after showcasing his explosive playmaking ability on special teams, highlighted by a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown on the opening kickoff of Elizabeth City State's 70-30 victory over Bluefield State. His game-changing speed and field position impact make him one of the conference's premier return specialists.

The Vikings' five preseason selections are the program's most since 2011, when ECSU also placed five student-athletes on the conference's preseason all-conference team.

Elizabeth City State was selected to finish seventh in the CIAA Sports Information Directors Association (SIDA) preseason predicted order of finish. Virginia Union was tabbed as the preseason favorite, followed by defending CIAA champion Johnson C. Smith, Fayetteville State, Virginia State, Winston-Salem State and Livingstone.

Elizabeth City State's 2026 Preseason All-CIAA Selections

• Joe Griffin – Tight End

• Toriono Combs – Offensive Line (Returning First Team All-CIAA)

• Sir'Sean Ingram – Defensive Line

• Jaevon Branch – Linebacker (2025 CIAA Defensive Rookie of the Year)

• Shamar Sutton – Kick Return Specialist