University of Richmond Athletics
Spiders Picked Second In CAA Preseason Poll, Five Earn Honors
07/24/2024 | Football
Last season, the Spiders earned a share of the CAA title for the first time since 2015 and advanced to the FCS Playoffs Second Round for the second year in a row while posting a 9-4 record including going 7-1 in conference. Richmond regained possession of the Capital Cup with a thrilling 27-26 victory over William & Mary, giving the Spiders a share of the CAA title and Russ Huesman's 100th head coaching victory. After starting the season 3-5, Huesman and the Spiders put up a seven game win streak including an upset win over No. 22 Rhode Island.
Earning Preseason All-Conference honors for the Spiders were wide receiver Nick DeGennaro, defensive end Jeremiah Grant, punter Aaron Trusler and defensive back/special teams player Jabril Hayes. Linebacker Wayne Galloway earned an Honorable Mention nod.
Last season, DeGennaro started all 13 games on his way to being named Second Team All-CAA. He tied the program record for touchdowns in a single season, hauling in 11. He recorded 71 receptions for 904 yards and averaged 5.5 receptions and 54.8 yards per game. He recorded three touchdowns in a win over Maine, tying the program record for most in a single game. Against No. 22, Rhode Island, he caught a career-long 69 yard reception and scored two touchdowns to help Richmond pull off the upset win.
Hayes played in 12 games where he recorded 23 tackles including 19 solo in the Spiders backfield and on the special teams units. He recorded two pass breakups and a team-leading three interceptions. He scored his first career pick six on a 48-yard interception return against North Carolina A&T and grabbed picks against Delaware State and Maine as well. He helped the Spiders rank eighth nationally in takeaways with 23 and first in defensive touchdowns with five on his way to being named First Team All-CAA on special teams.
Galloway earned Preseason Honorable Mention last season after playing in all 13 games and starting the last 11. He recorded 60 tackles, good enough for third on the Spiders, including 31 solo and 29 assists. He notched 9.0 tackles for loss for a total of 25 yards and tallied four pass breakups. He recovered a fumble against Rhode Island and recorded two interceptions and took both to the house for scores including an 81-yard return against Delaware State and a 42-yard return against Campbell.
Grant was named Third Team All-CAA a year ago after playing in 11 games and making seven starts. He recorded 21 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, four sacks, five quarterback hurries and two pass breakups. Grant recorded three sacks during the upset over No. 22 Rhode Island, the most by a single player since Nov. 6, 2021.
Trusler was named First Team All-CAA last season as well as a Third Team AP All-American and a Second Team All-American by Phil Steele and Stats Perform. He punted 63 times for 2,168 yards including a long of 76 yards (t-1st longest in CAA) while averaging 41.6 yards a punt. He punched a CAA-high 26 inside the 20 yard line and accounted for seven over 50 yards and booted a career-long 76-yard punt, tying for the sixth-longest in program history against William & Mary in the Capital Cup victory on his way to being named an FCS Punter of the Year semifinalist.
Richmond earned 189 points and one first place vote and was tabbed to finish second in the preseason poll, trailing only Villanova with 217 points and nine first place votes. UAlbany picked up three first-place votes and finished third with 179 points. William & Mary (175 points) was close behind in fourth, and Delaware (163 points) got three first-place tallies and placed fifth. Elon (157 points) was chosen sixth, followed by New Hampshire (150), Rhode Island (142), Towson (114), Monmouth (95), Campbell (83), Hampton (62), Maine (57), North Carolina A&T (49), Bryant (46) and Stony Brook (42).
Richmond begins the season Aug. 31 when it travels to Charlottesville to play Virginia. Game time is set for 6 p.m. at Scott Stadium.
2024 CAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM (Selected by a vote of Head Coaches)
OFFENSE
Connor Watkins, Villanova Gr. QB 6-3 225 Williamsport, Pa.
Elijah Burris, Hampton Sr. RB 5-10 205 Gastonia, N.C.
Griffin Woodell, UAlbany So. RB 5-10 194 Glens Falls, N.Y.
Marcus Yarns, Delaware Gr. RB 5-11 183 Salisbury, Md.
Bronson Yoder, William & Mary Sr. RB 5-11 210 Nappanee, Ind.
Trey McDonald, William & Mary Jr. FB/HB 6-6 230 Kinnelon, N.J.
Carter Runyon, Towson Sr. TE 6-6 235 Fairfax, Va.
Chandler Brayboy, Elon Sr. WR 6-1 199 Pembroke, N.C.
Nick DeGennaro, Richmond Sr. WR 6-1 190 Old Bridge, N.J.
Anthony Johnson, Stony Brook So. WR 5-11 190 Burlington, N.J.
Temi Ajirotutu, Villanova Gr. OL 6-5 320 Queens, N.Y.
Fintan Brose, Delaware Gr. OL 6-2 304 Irwin, Pa.
Charles Grant, William & Mary Sr. OL 6-4 300 Portsmouth, Va.
Ozzie Hutchinson, UAlbany Gr. OL 6-4 305 Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Will Marotta, UAlbany Gr. OL 6-5 325 Collegeville, Pa.
Ralph Paige, Jr., Towson Sr. OL 6-3 305 Washington, D.C.
DEFENSE
Jeremiah Grant, Richmond Sr. DL 6-2 245 South Orange, N.J.
Westley Neal, Jr., Rhode Island Sr. DL 6-0 315 Miami, Fla.
Michael Otty, Bryant Sr. DL 6-2 260 Brooklyn, N.Y.
Dylan Ruiz, New Hampshire Sr. DL 6-1 256 Orlando, Fla.
Josiah Silver, New Hampshire Sr. DL 6-2 243 Hampton, Va.
Brendan Bell, Villanova Gr. LB 6-2 230 Basking Ridge, N.J.
Shane Hartzell, Villanova Jr. LB 6-0 230 Perkasie, Pa.
A.J. Pena, Rhode Island Jr. LB 6-2 235 Branchburg, N.J.
CJ Tillman, Campbell Sr. LB 6-0 235 Rockingham, N.C.
Karon Prunty, North Carolina A&T Jr. CB 6-2 180 Portsmouth, Va.
Isas Waxter, Villanova Gr. CB 6-2 215 Newark, N.J.
Caleb Curtain, Elon Jr. S 6-1 196 Greensboro, N.C.
Ty Trinh, Villanova Gr. S 6-0 205 Owings Mills, Md.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Chandler Brayboy, Elon Sr. KR 6-1 199 Pembroke, N.C.
Gabe Sloat, Rhode Island Sr. PR 6-0 190 North Kingstown, R.I.
Keegan Vaughan, Towson Sr. PK 5-11 165 Richmond, Va.
Aaron Trusler, Richmond Gr. P 5-8 168 Melbourne, Australia
Jabril Hayes, Richmond Sr. SPEC 5-11 170 Stephens City, Va.
CAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Connor Watkins, QB, Villanova
CAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Caleb Curtain, S, Elon
Honorable mention: Matthew Downing, QB, Elon; Derek Robertson, QB, Monmouth; Malachi Imoh, RB, William & Mary; Marquis Buchanan, WR, Rhode Island; Joe Gillette, WR, Maine; Jaylan Sanchez, WR, Villanova; Logan Tomlinson, WR, New Hampshire; Cooper Heisey, TE, Maine; Ryan McKenna, OL, William & Mary; Dion Crews-Harris, DL, Towson; Cazeem Moore, DL, Elon; Wayne Galloway, LB, Richmond; Ryan Toscano, LB, New Hampshire; Tyron Herring, CB, Delaware; Marcus Barnes, S, William & Mary; JoJo Bermudez, KR, Delaware; TJ Speight, KR, Monmouth; VJ Wilkins, KR, Campbell; John Opalko, PK, UAlbany; Josh Cupitt, P, Delaware; Bobby Cleary, SPEC, Campbell
2024 CAA FOOTBALL PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH (Selected by a vote of Head Coaches)
1. Villanova (9 first-place votes) 217
2. Richmond (1 first-place vote) 189
3. UAlbany (3 first-place votes) 179
4. William & Mary 175
5. Delaware (3 first-place votes) 163
6. Elon 157
7. New Hampshire 150
8. Rhode Island 142
9. Towson 114
10. Monmouth 95
11. Campbell 83
12. Hampton 62
13. Maine 57
14. North Carolina A&T 49
15. Bryant 46
16. Stony Brook 42
