Camp Notebook #8: Linebackers

Replacing someone like Tristan Wheeler will never be an easy task. The generational talent and one of the best players to ever wear Richmond across their chest ended his storybook career last year after starting 50-straight games, totaling 487 career tackles to be the active leader among all levels of NCAA football. The five-time All-CAA selection is believed to be the first player in NCAA history to be named an All-American in five-consecutive seasons as well.

Wheeler's absence is felt, but players both new and old have stepped up to fill the giant-sized shoes.

Of those players is captain Wayne Galloway. Galloway played in all 13 games in 2023, starting the last 11. He was third on the team with 60 tackles and notched 9.0 tackles for loss (-25 yards). An All-CAA Honorable Mention heading into the season, Galloway returned two interceptions for touchdowns last year, a feat rare for a linebacker. Galloway has stepped up as Richmond's de facto team and defensive leader.

Quantraill Morris-Walker, who transferred from Idaho State before the 2023 season, spent most of his first year at Richmond backing up Jared Joseph at the Will linebacking position. Morris-Walker appeared in all 13 games last year where he recorded 27 tackles and will be counted on heavily in 2024.

New to the Spiders in 2024 is Saint Francis transfer Carter Glassmyer, who comes to Richmond following a standout season for the Red Flash as a redshirt freshman in 2023. He was a Jerry Rice Award Finalist and Stats Perform FCS Freshman All-American as well as the NEC Defensive Rookie of the Year. He appeared in all 10 games and recorded a team-high 90 tackles with 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble and fumble recovery. Last season he led all FCS freshmen and was 28^th overall with 9.0 tackles per game while his 78 tackles during NEC conference play were 23 more than any other player. For these reasons and more, Glassmyer has been called on to fill the position left by Wheeler.

Richmond has a trio of freshmen linebackers who will develop throughout the early days of their college careers in Blake Houser, Joe Poinelli and Peyton Seelman, who has seen reps with the second string units during camp.
Jordan Allen has progressed to be a valuable backup to Morris-Walker after switching from safety to linebacker ahead of last season, while Owen Laughlin provides veteran depth and along with Edward McDonough and Zach Chambers, will look to elevate their roles in 2024.

Redshirt freshmen Jordan Wilkes and Ryan Hammoud will look to earn their first playing time this season.

Defensive Coordiantor and Linebackers Coach Justin Wood continues to lead the unit that has traditionally proved to be one of Richmond's best. Last season, Wood's defense stood at or near the top of FCS football in key statistical categories including defensive touchdowns (5, T-1st), takeaways (26, T-4th), third down defense (0.29, 4th), sacks (39 T-6th ) and interceptions (16, T-7th)— all of which categories the Spiders were first or second in the Coastal Athletic Association in.

2024 Richmond Linebackers:
#9 Wayne Galloway (R-Sr., 6-1, 222)
#10 Carter Glassmyer (R-So., 6-1, 210)
#16 Quantraill Morris-Walker (Gr., 6-2, 182)
#25 Peyton Seelman (Fr., 6-1, 210)
#26 Blake Houser (Fr., 6-2, 215)
#27 Jordan Allen (R-So., 6-0, 195)
#40 Jordan Wilkes (R-Fr., 6-0, 220)
#41 Zach Chambers (R-So., 6-2, 220)
#43 Owen Laughlin (R-Jr., 6-1, 205)
#46 Joe Poinelli (Fr., 6-2, 215)
#49 Ryan Hammoud (R-Fr., 6-1, 215)
#59 Edward McDonough (R-Jr., 6-0, 215)

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Players Mentioned

Jordan Allen

Zach Chambers

Wayne Galloway

Carter Glassmyer

Ryan Hammoud

Blake Houser

Jared Joseph

Owen Laughlin

Edward McDonough

Quantraill Morris-Walker

Joe Poinelli

Tristan Wheeler

Jordan Wilkes

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University of Richmond Athletics