University of Richmond Athletics
Three Richmond Spiders Named Preseason All-CAA
07/24/2013 | Football
BALTIMORE, Md. - University of Richmond Spiders senior WR Ben Edwards, redshirt junior DL Evan Kelly and junior KR Justin Grant were selected to the CAA Preseason All-Conference Team on Wednesday at the league's annual Media Day at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
The 2012 CAA Football co-champion Spiders were picked to finish fourth in the preseason poll released by the conference, earning one first place vote.
The All-CAA honor is the third preseason award for Edwards. The senior wide receiver was named a Third-Team Preseason All-American by Beyond College Sports, Fourth-Team Preseason All-American and Second-Team Preseason All-CAA by Phil Steele honors earlier this month. Edwards was also named to the CFPA FCS Wide Receivers Award Watch List and CFPA FCS Punt Returners Award Watch List.
The Yorktown, Va., native started all 11 games last season and collected five postseason honors, including First-Team All-CAA. Edwards led the league with 80 receptions while totaling a team-high 852 yards receiving and three touchdowns.
The all-conference accolade is the second preseason honor for Grant as a kick returner. The Franklin, Va., native was placed on the Second-Team Preseason All-CAA by Phil Steele and was recently placed on the CFPA FCS Kick Returners Award Watch List.
Grant appeared in 10 games last season and averaged a CAA-best 32.3 yards a kickoff return as he garnered Second-Team All-CAA and College Sports Madness First-Team All-CAA honors. His season average was also ranked third in the nation.
Kelly comes into the 2013 season after starting all 11 games last season for the Spiders. The defensive lineman totaled 51 tackles, 8.0 TFL, 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble, two pass breakups, two quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery to be placed on All-CAA second team and College Sports Madness Third-Team All-CAA.
Villanova was tagged as the preseason favorite heading in to the 2013 season, followed by Towson and New Hampshire in a poll conducted by the league's coaches. Richmond was picked to finish fourth followed by James Madison, Delaware, Stony Brook, Maine and William & Mary. Albany and Rhode Island rounded out the preseason poll.
The Spiders open the 2013 campaign on Saturday, August 31 when it hosts VMI at Robins Stadium.
For all the latest on Richmond Spider football, be sure to go to RichmondSpiders.com or follow the team on Twitter - @Spider_Football - and Facebook.
