University of Richmond Athletics
Camp Notebook #9: Wide Receivers
08/25/2024 | Football
The 2024 Spiders return every wide receiver who recorded a touchdown a year ago. One of the Spiders largest and deepest position groups, Richmond currently carries 11 wide receivers on its roster.
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Of those 11 receivers is none other than number 11, Nick DeGenarro. Earlier this week, DeGennaro was named among the nation's best as his name landed on the Reese's Senior Bowl Watch List. The 2023 season saw him start 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. Earlier this month he was named to the Shrine Bowl 1000, recognizing the top college football players in the country. So far this offseason he's been named Preseason All-CAA and Preseason All-America by Phil Steele, named to the Shrine Bowl 1000, was named Preseason All-Conference by the CAA, a preseason All-American by FCS Football Central and was tabbed the fifth-best wide receiver returning in 2024 by HERO Sports. One of the most consistent players in the country, DeGennaro is poised for his best season yet in 2024 and is a favorite for Richmond's quarterbacks to throw to. He will also serve as the Spiders punt returner.
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Jerry Garcia Jr. is in his final season of eligibility in 2024 after he saw his best season yet last year. A veteran who has seen action in 23 games, he recorded 43 receptions for 626 yards and five touchdowns and ran the ball five times for 15 yards and a touchdown.
As a true freshman last season, Landon Ellis played in all 13 games and started seven, hauling in 20 catches for 214 yards. He scored first career touchdown and recorded a season-high 45 receiving yards against Maine.
Quanye Veney also pulled in touchdown receptions last year. After not seeing action as a true freshman, Veney played in 11 games, starting three as a redshirt freshman in 2023 where he tallied 28 receptions for 185 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
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Redshirt junior Ja'Vion Griffin stepped into a heightened role last season where he picked up six starts and totaled 16 receptions for 283 yards. While he did not score in 2023, Griffin should be a regular target for Richmond's quarterbacks this season.
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Redshirt sophomore Trey Mancuso will have an elevated role this season after 2023 saw him play in nine games on special teams and come up big at North Carolina A&T when he blocked a punt that was returned for a touchdown during the road win.
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Also looking for a spot in the rotation is redshirt freshman Cassius Harris, who despite not seeing playing time in 2023, has shown capability for making difficult catches throughout camp.
Redshirt freshman Nick Hanle, redshirt junior transfer from Elon Cole Schilling as well as true freshmen Andreas Hill and Isaiah Dawson add depth to an established group of receivers.
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The group is under the direction of Wide Receivers Coach and Offensive Coordinator Winston October. Last year, October served as Co-Offensive Coordinator, and this year the play calling will solely be his responsibility as he leads what should be a dominant CAA receving corps.Â
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2024 Richmond Wide Receivers:
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#1 Landon Ellis (So., 6-2, 185)
#3 Quanye Veney (R-So., 5-10, 175)
#4 Jerry Garcia Jr. (Sr., 5-10, 177)
#5 Ja'Vion Griffin (R-Jr., 6-0, 184)
#10 Isaiah Dawson (Fr., 5-8, 180)
#11 Nick DeGenanro (R-Sr., 6-1, 190)
#80 Cassius Harris (R-Fr., 6-2, 172)
#81 Andreas Hill (Fr., 6-4, 180)
#82 Trey Mancuso (R-So., 6-1, 190)
#85 Nick Hanley (R-Fr., 6-2, 180)
#89 Cole Schilling (R-Jr., 5-9, 182)
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Of those 11 receivers is none other than number 11, Nick DeGenarro. Earlier this week, DeGennaro was named among the nation's best as his name landed on the Reese's Senior Bowl Watch List. The 2023 season saw him start 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. Earlier this month he was named to the Shrine Bowl 1000, recognizing the top college football players in the country. So far this offseason he's been named Preseason All-CAA and Preseason All-America by Phil Steele, named to the Shrine Bowl 1000, was named Preseason All-Conference by the CAA, a preseason All-American by FCS Football Central and was tabbed the fifth-best wide receiver returning in 2024 by HERO Sports. One of the most consistent players in the country, DeGennaro is poised for his best season yet in 2024 and is a favorite for Richmond's quarterbacks to throw to. He will also serve as the Spiders punt returner.
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Jerry Garcia Jr. is in his final season of eligibility in 2024 after he saw his best season yet last year. A veteran who has seen action in 23 games, he recorded 43 receptions for 626 yards and five touchdowns and ran the ball five times for 15 yards and a touchdown.
As a true freshman last season, Landon Ellis played in all 13 games and started seven, hauling in 20 catches for 214 yards. He scored first career touchdown and recorded a season-high 45 receiving yards against Maine.
Quanye Veney also pulled in touchdown receptions last year. After not seeing action as a true freshman, Veney played in 11 games, starting three as a redshirt freshman in 2023 where he tallied 28 receptions for 185 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
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Redshirt junior Ja'Vion Griffin stepped into a heightened role last season where he picked up six starts and totaled 16 receptions for 283 yards. While he did not score in 2023, Griffin should be a regular target for Richmond's quarterbacks this season.
Â
Redshirt sophomore Trey Mancuso will have an elevated role this season after 2023 saw him play in nine games on special teams and come up big at North Carolina A&T when he blocked a punt that was returned for a touchdown during the road win.
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Also looking for a spot in the rotation is redshirt freshman Cassius Harris, who despite not seeing playing time in 2023, has shown capability for making difficult catches throughout camp.
Redshirt freshman Nick Hanle, redshirt junior transfer from Elon Cole Schilling as well as true freshmen Andreas Hill and Isaiah Dawson add depth to an established group of receivers.
Â
The group is under the direction of Wide Receivers Coach and Offensive Coordinator Winston October. Last year, October served as Co-Offensive Coordinator, and this year the play calling will solely be his responsibility as he leads what should be a dominant CAA receving corps.Â
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2024 Richmond Wide Receivers:
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#1 Landon Ellis (So., 6-2, 185)
#3 Quanye Veney (R-So., 5-10, 175)
#4 Jerry Garcia Jr. (Sr., 5-10, 177)
#5 Ja'Vion Griffin (R-Jr., 6-0, 184)
#10 Isaiah Dawson (Fr., 5-8, 180)
#11 Nick DeGenanro (R-Sr., 6-1, 190)
#80 Cassius Harris (R-Fr., 6-2, 172)
#81 Andreas Hill (Fr., 6-4, 180)
#82 Trey Mancuso (R-So., 6-1, 190)
#85 Nick Hanley (R-Fr., 6-2, 180)
#89 Cole Schilling (R-Jr., 5-9, 182)
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