2023 Record: 6-5 (4-4 CAA)
Returning starters: 11 (6 off, 5 defended)
2023 Offensive Ranking (YPP): No.19
2023 Defensive Ranks (YPP Allowed): No.102
Returning All-Conference players: Josiah Silver (2nd Team, DL), Dylan Lewis (2nd Team, DL), Logan Tomlinson (3rd Team, WR), Ryan Toscano (Honorable Mention, LB).
Notable transfers: Wandé Owens (Yale, DB), Mateo VanderMeer (University of Delaware, LB), Casey McKinney (University of St. Francis, WR), Tolu Olajide (Stonehill College, OL), Zerone Skinner (Florida Atlantic University, DB), Seth Morgan (Shepherd University, QB)
The past two seasons have been disappointing for New Hampshire. The Wildcats had an impressive regular season in 2022 but lost to Holy Cross in the second round despite being favored before the game. In 2023, New Hampshire was expected to compete for the CAA title but lost two games in overtime and one by just four points to finish with a .500 winning percentage in conference play. In 2024, New Hampshire will need to replenish two of the best offensive players in program history after All-American running back Dylan Laube left for the NFL and All-American quarterback Max Brosmer left for Minnesota this offseason.
Despite losing an experienced weapon in Laube, the Wildcats return players with plenty of experience at running back and wide receiver. Their top three wide receivers will return next season. Logan Tomlinsonrecorded 618 yards receiving and seven receiving touchdowns. Caleb Burke and Joey Corcoran Corcoran also returns with over 300 receiving yards in 2023. Corcoran will enter next season with over 1,000 career receiving yards after appearing in 23 games for the Wildcats.
After two seasons under Laube, Miles Thomason He is expected to take over as the starting running back — Thomason rushed for over 215 yards, had 103 yards receiving and three total touchdowns in limited playing time last season — and could potentially split snaps with the senior. Isaac Seydeenters next season with 37 games of experience with the Wildcats. New Hampshire returns three key starters on the offensive line, led by offensive tackle. Dylan Pollier and Mason Davis.
The Wildcats' biggest problem is the quarterback position, with New Hampshire adding former Sheppard quarterback. Seth Morgan Morgan, who earned honorable mention Division II All-American in 2023 during the offseason, started all 12 games for the Rams and recorded 2,970 passing yards and 24 touchdown passes. Morgan began his career at the FCS level at VMI, where he was named SoCon Freshman of the Year and earned all-conference honors. Barry Kleinpeter and Matt BetzaHe has shown limited success behind Brosmer.
New Hampshire struggled defensively in 2023, ranking 102nd nationally in yards per play allowed. The Wildcats are led by two former FCS All-Americans. Dylan Lewis and Josiah SilverSilver, who will return next season, enters the 2024 season with 47 tackles for loss and 26 sacks for the Wildcats, while Lewis has 16 career sacks. Ryan Toscano He enters his fourth season as a starter for the Wildcats and holds the New Hampshire record for tackles with 215 in 40+ games.
The biggest concern defensively is the secondary, which is ranked 14th in the CAA pass defense. Noah Stansbury He is one of the most experienced cornerbacks in the CAA, having played in 36 career games for the Wildcats. Last season, he recorded two interceptions and nine pass breakups, making him one of the CAA's most highly-rated cornerbacks. The Wildcats also signed defensive back Yale University. Wande Owensplayed more than 1,600 career games for the Bulldogs and was named to the All-Ivy League first team two consecutive years.
The Wildcats have a tough non-conference schedule with away games against UCF, Holy Cross and Harvard, and New Hampshire will need to build momentum with wins over Holy Cross and Harvard heading into conference play.
