University of Richmond Athletics
Spiders Recognized As FCS All-Americans
12/17/2024 | Football
Richmond, Va. — University of Richmond football standouts Jeremiah Grant, Jabril Hayes and Tom Elia have been named Associated Press All-Americans, with Grant taking home a First Team nod, Hayes a Second Team honor, and Elia an Honorable Mention. Additionally, Grant has also been tabbed a First Team All-American by Stats Perform, Phil Steele, FCS Football Central and AFCA.
Grant, a redshirt senior from South Orange, N,J., and First Team All-CAA standout, recorded 53 tackles (38 solo), 19.5 tackles for loss (120 yards), and an FCS-high 13.5 sacks (98 yards). In addition, he forced two fumbles, recovered one, added eight quarterback hurries, and broke up two passes. Grant recorded three sacks in two separate games—against Delaware State and at home against Towson. He finished the season second on Richmond's all-time list for sacks in a season and fifth in career sacks with 21.5. For his standout performance, Grant is one of three finalists for the prestigious Buck Buchanan Award, given annually to the top defensive player in FCS football.
Hayes earns the first All-America honors of his career after a redshirt senior season that saw him record 64 tackles (fourth on the team) including 51 solo stops. The team captain and Stephens City native led the Spiders and was tied for sixth in the country with five interceptions and took two to the house. Hayes led the nation in interception return yards at 247, nearly 100 more (151) than the next closest. Hayes' pair of pick-sixes tied for first in the nation as he played a crucial role in Richmond reaching 11th in the country and first in the CAA in scoring defense and tied for 10th in the country (second in CAA) in defensive touchdowns. He also added a pass breakup, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.
A graduate student from Pittsburgh, Pa., Elia also takes home the first All-America honors of his career as a sixth-year veteran on the Spiders offensive line. Elia started all 13 games and played nearly every offensive snap, earning First Team All-CAA honors. He was part of an offensive line that helped Richmond average 27.15 points per game and 380.4 total yards per game, while allowing just 16 sacks throughout the season. Elia and his line played a crucial role in helping the Spiders rank fourth in the CAA with 4,945 total yards of offense. He also contributed to running back Zach Palmer-Smith's impressive campaign, which saw Palmer-Smith become the first Spider since 2015 to rush for over 1,000 yards. Additionally, Elia helped lead Richmond to second in the CAA in rushing yards with 2,527. Heading into the season, he was named Preseason Second Team All-CAA by Phil Steele.
Along with the three aforementioned players, redshirt freshman safety Matthew Traynor collected All-America honors from FCS Football Central and Stats Perform. Traynor was named the CAA Defensive Rookie of the Year and earned Third Team All-CAA honors. A finalist for the prestigious Jerry Rice Award, he finished third on the team with 69 tackles, including 52 solo stops. He also recorded 4.5 tackles for loss, totaling -8 yards, and contributed two interceptions along with three pass breakups. One of his standout performances came in a win at Campbell on Nov. 9 where he posted a career-high 12 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, and an interception. His dominant play in that game earned him CAA Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Grant, a redshirt senior from South Orange, N,J., and First Team All-CAA standout, recorded 53 tackles (38 solo), 19.5 tackles for loss (120 yards), and an FCS-high 13.5 sacks (98 yards). In addition, he forced two fumbles, recovered one, added eight quarterback hurries, and broke up two passes. Grant recorded three sacks in two separate games—against Delaware State and at home against Towson. He finished the season second on Richmond's all-time list for sacks in a season and fifth in career sacks with 21.5. For his standout performance, Grant is one of three finalists for the prestigious Buck Buchanan Award, given annually to the top defensive player in FCS football.
Hayes earns the first All-America honors of his career after a redshirt senior season that saw him record 64 tackles (fourth on the team) including 51 solo stops. The team captain and Stephens City native led the Spiders and was tied for sixth in the country with five interceptions and took two to the house. Hayes led the nation in interception return yards at 247, nearly 100 more (151) than the next closest. Hayes' pair of pick-sixes tied for first in the nation as he played a crucial role in Richmond reaching 11th in the country and first in the CAA in scoring defense and tied for 10th in the country (second in CAA) in defensive touchdowns. He also added a pass breakup, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.
A graduate student from Pittsburgh, Pa., Elia also takes home the first All-America honors of his career as a sixth-year veteran on the Spiders offensive line. Elia started all 13 games and played nearly every offensive snap, earning First Team All-CAA honors. He was part of an offensive line that helped Richmond average 27.15 points per game and 380.4 total yards per game, while allowing just 16 sacks throughout the season. Elia and his line played a crucial role in helping the Spiders rank fourth in the CAA with 4,945 total yards of offense. He also contributed to running back Zach Palmer-Smith's impressive campaign, which saw Palmer-Smith become the first Spider since 2015 to rush for over 1,000 yards. Additionally, Elia helped lead Richmond to second in the CAA in rushing yards with 2,527. Heading into the season, he was named Preseason Second Team All-CAA by Phil Steele.
Along with the three aforementioned players, redshirt freshman safety Matthew Traynor collected All-America honors from FCS Football Central and Stats Perform. Traynor was named the CAA Defensive Rookie of the Year and earned Third Team All-CAA honors. A finalist for the prestigious Jerry Rice Award, he finished third on the team with 69 tackles, including 52 solo stops. He also recorded 4.5 tackles for loss, totaling -8 yards, and contributed two interceptions along with three pass breakups. One of his standout performances came in a win at Campbell on Nov. 9 where he posted a career-high 12 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, and an interception. His dominant play in that game earned him CAA Defensive Player of the Week honors.
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