University of Richmond Athletics
Elia and Trusler Named Best In Virginia By Touchdown Club Of Richmond
12/09/2024 | Football
Richmond, Va. — Graduate students Tom Elia and Aaron Trusler have been named two of the best football players in Virginia, as announced by the Touchdown Club of Richmond Tuesday. The Touchdown Club of Richmond is a sports-social organization based in the capital city that honors the top players in the Commonwealth of Virginia each year. Elia was named Offensive Lineman of the Year, while Trusler took home Kicking Specialist of the Year honors.
Elia, a team captain, started 38 consecutive games for the Spiders and led the offense to average 27.15 points per game as well as 380.4 yards per game. Elia, who played nearly every offensive snap this season, along with the rest of the offensive line, protected Richmond's quarterbacks, allowing just 16 sacks all year.
Trusler helped Richmond reach fifth in the country in net punting with 41.82 yards a kick. Trusler and the rest of the Spiders punt coverage unit rank ninth nationally with just 42 opponent punt return yards allowed all season. Against North Carolina A&T, he recorded a 75-yard punt, the second-longest of his career, just one yard short of his career best. He is responsible for three of the 10 longest punts in program history with kicks of 76, 75 and 74 yards under his belt. This season, he picked up 13 yards and a first down on a fake punt during the Hampton game.
2024 Touchdown Club of Richmond Honorees
Elia, a team captain, started 38 consecutive games for the Spiders and led the offense to average 27.15 points per game as well as 380.4 yards per game. Elia, who played nearly every offensive snap this season, along with the rest of the offensive line, protected Richmond's quarterbacks, allowing just 16 sacks all year.
Trusler helped Richmond reach fifth in the country in net punting with 41.82 yards a kick. Trusler and the rest of the Spiders punt coverage unit rank ninth nationally with just 42 opponent punt return yards allowed all season. Against North Carolina A&T, he recorded a 75-yard punt, the second-longest of his career, just one yard short of his career best. He is responsible for three of the 10 longest punts in program history with kicks of 76, 75 and 74 yards under his belt. This season, he picked up 13 yards and a first down on a fake punt during the Hampton game.
2024 Touchdown Club of Richmond Honorees
· Quarterback of the Year – Alonza Barnett, III, James Madison University
· Running Back of the Year – Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech
· Offensive End of the Year – Malachi Fields, WR, University of Virginia
· Offensive Lineman of the Year – Tom Elia, C, University of Richmond
· Defensive Lineman of the Year – Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Virginia Tech
· Linebacker of the Year – Joseph Carter, Liberty University
· Defensive Back of the Year – Jonas Sanker, University of Virgina
· Kicking Specialist of the Year – Aaron Trusler, P, University of Richmond
· Return Specialist of the Year – Jaylin Lane, PR, Virginia Tech
Players Mentioned
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