There are six good reasons why Virginia Union University figures to be a contender for its first CIAA football championship since 2001.

Six of VUU’s players were named for the Pre-Season All-CIAA team that was announced July 18 at CIAA Media Day in Salem.

From a team standpoint, Coach Alvin Parker’s Panthers were picked to finish second in the CIAA Northern Division behind defending champion Bowie State University of Maryland.

The Panthers selected for the All-CIAA pre-season team are running back Tabyus Taylor, defensive backs Sterling Hammond and Quantaye Battle, linebacker Taj Conway, kicker Jefferson Souza and offensive lineman Justin Smith.

Taylor, in particular, figures to gain national attention. The junior from Hopewell rushed for 1,546 yards and 21 touchdowns last season while earning All-American accolades from BOXTOROW and Lindy’s Sports magazine.

Coming off an 8-2 season, VUU will open the 2019-20 season on Saturday, Sept. 7, at Hampton University. Kickoff: 6 p.m.

CIAA Northern Division predictions for order of finish for the coming season: Bowie State, Virginia Union, Chowan, Virginia State, Elizabeth City and Lincoln universities.

CIAA Southern Division order of finish predictions: Fayetteville State, Winston-Salem State, Shaw, St. Augustine’s, Livingstone and Johnson C. Smith universities.