Villanova University is the favorite to win the 2024 CAA football race

Villanova University is the favorite to win the 2024 CAA football race

July 24, 2024, 9:00 AM

Rob Washburn

RICHMOND, Va. (July 24, 2024) – After posting a 10-3 record last season, winning the CAA Football Championship and reaching the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs, Villanova University has been voted atop the 2024 CAA football standings as voted for by the league's head coaches.

The Wildcats received nine first-place votes and 217 points in the preseason poll. Richmond received one first-place vote and was picked second with 189 points, while the University at Albany received three first-place votes and was picked third with 179 points. The University of William and Mary (175 points) was close behind in fourth place, and the University of Delaware (163 points) received three first-place votes for fifth place. Elon University (157 points) was picked sixth, followed by the University of New Hampshire (150), the University of Rhode Island (142), Towson University (114), Monmouth University (95), Campbell University (83), Hampton University (62), the University of Maine (57), North Carolina A&T University (49), Bryant University (46) and Stony Brook University (42).

Villanova University returns five starters on both the offensive and defensive end, with quarterback Connor Watkins leading the offense and adding three starting linemen and big-play receiver Jaylan Sanchez to the varsity line. The defense is led by leading tackler Brendan Bell and linebacker Shane Hartzell, along with All-CAA defensive backs Izas Waxter and Ty Trinh.


Richmond, which shared the CAA title in 2023, is coming off a 9-4 record for the second straight year, including an appearance in the second round of the FCS playoffs. Offensively, the Spiders welcome depth from quarterback Kyle Wickersham and a receiver corps led by All-CAA honoree Nick DeGennaro. Richmond's defense features All-CAA lineman Jeremiah Grant and linebacker Wayne Galloway.


Albany recorded its best season in school history in 2023, finishing the season with an 11-4 record overall, sharing its first CAA championship and advancing to the semifinals of the FCS playoffs for the first time. The Great Danes offense is led by four offensive line starters, led by multi-threat running back Griffin Woodell and All-CAA standout Ozzie Hutchinson.


William & Mary, which reached the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs in 2022, returns nearly every starter on offense. Quarterback Darius Wilson and running backs Bronson Yoder and Malachi Imo bring plenty of experience, while All-American Charles Grant spearheads the offensive line. The defense is led by senior safety Marcus Barnes.


CAA Football also announced its preseason all-conference teams. Villanova had six players recognized, leading all schools, while Richmond had four. Villanova's Watkins was named preseason Offensive Player of the Year after passing for 2,681 yards and 20 touchdowns and rushing for 378 yards and 10 touchdowns last year. Elon University All-America safety Caleb Curtain was named preseason Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 after recording 80 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and a league-high four interceptions.


CAA Football will expand to 16 teams in 2024 with the addition of Bryant University and looks to continue its tradition of success. In 2023, four teams qualified for the FCS Playoffs, which tied for the second-most of any conference. The CAA has had at least one team reach the Quarterfinals every year since 1995, has reached the Semifinals 10 or more times in the past 11 years, and has had seven different schools reach the Final Four. Twelve of the CAA's 16 teams have participated in the FCS Playoffs since 2015, a feat unmatched by any other conference.





2024 CAA Football Preseason All-Conference Team

(Selected by head coach vote)

attack

Name, school clear. position height. weight. home town
Connor Watkins, Villanova QB, 6-3, 225, Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Elijah Burris, Hampton Sr. RB 5-10 205 Gastonia, NC
Griffin Woodell, Sophomore, University at Albany, RB 5-10 194 Glen Falls, NY
Marcus Jahns, Delaware Gr. RB 5-11 183 Salisbury, Maryland
Bronson Yoder, College of William & Mary, Sr. RB 5-11 210 Napanee, Indiana
Trey McDonald, William & Mary Jr. FB/HB 6-6 230 Kinnelon, NJ
Carter Runyon, Towson Sr., TE 6-6 235 Fairfax, VA
Chandler Brayboy, Elon Sr. WR 6-1 199 Pembroke, NC
Nick DeGennaro, Richmond Sr. WR 6-1 190 Old Bridge, N.J.
Anthony Johnson, Stony Brook Sophomore, WR 5-11 190 Burlington, NJ
Temi Ajirotutu, Villanova Gr. OL 6-5 320 Queens, New York
Fintan Brose, Delaware Gr. OL 6-2 304 Irwin, Pennsylvania
Charles Grant, William & Mary Sr. OL 6-4 300 Portsmouth, VA
Ozzie Hutchinson, UAlbany Gr. OL 6-4 305 Poughkeepsie, NY
Will Marotta, UAlbany Gr. OL 6-5 325 Collegeville, PA
Ralph Page Jr., Towson Sr. OL 6-3 305 Washington DC



defense

Name, school clear. position height. weight. home town
Jeremiah Grant, Richmond Sr., DL 6-2, 245 South Orange, N.J.
Westley Neal Jr., Rhode Island Sr., DL 6-0, 315, Miami, FL
Michael Otty, Bryant Sr. DL 6-2 260 Brooklyn, NY
Dylan Lewis, New Hampshire Sr., DL 6-1 256 Orlando, FL
Josiah Silver, New Hampshire Sr., DL 6-2, 243 Hampton, Va.
Brendan Bell, Villanova University LB 6-2 230 Basking Ridge, NJ
Shane Hartzell, Villanova University, Jr. LB, 6-0, 230, Perkasie, PA
AJ Pena, Rhode Island Jr. LB 6-2 235 Branchburg, NJ
CJ Tillman, Campbell Sr. LB 6-0 235 Rockingham, NC
Karon Prunty, North Carolina A&T Jr. CB 6-2 180 Portsmouth, Virginia
Isaac Waxter, Villanova University CB 6-2 215 Newark, NJ
Caleb Curtain, Elon Jr. S 6-1 196 Greensboro, NC
Ty Trinh, Villanova Gr. S 6-0 205 Owings Mills, Md.



Special teams

Name, school clear. position height. weight. home town
Chandler Brayboy, Elon Sr. KR 6-1 199 Pembroke, NC
Gabe Sloat, Rhode Island Sr. PR 6-0 190 North Kingstown, Rhode Island
Keegan Vaughn, Towson Sr., PK 5-11 165 Richmond, Va.
Aaron Trusler, Richmond Group 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 DowningQB, Elon; Derek RobertsonQB, Monmouth; Malachi Imo, R.B., College of William and Mary; Marquis BuchananW.R., R.I.; Joe GilletteW.R., Maine; Ceylan SanchezW.R., Villanova University; Logan TomlinsonW.R., New Hampshire; Cooper HeisyT.E., Maine; Ryan McKennaO.L., College of William & Mary; Dion Crews HarrisTowson, D.L.; Kazeem MooreD.L., Elon; Wayne GallowayRichmond, L.B.; Ryan ToscanoL.B., New Hampshire; Tyrone HerringC.B., Delaware; Marcus BurnsS., William & Mary; Jojo BermudezK.R., Delaware; TJ SpeightK.R., Monmouth; V.J. WilkinsCampbell, K.R.; John OpalkoP.K., University at Albany; Josh CapittP, Delaware; Bobby Cleary,SPEC,Campbell





2024 CAA Football Projected Standings

(Selected by head coach vote)

 

1. Villanova University (9 1st place votes) 217
2. Richmond (1st place vote: 1) 189
3. University at Albany (3 1st place votes) 179
4. William and Mary 175
5. Delaware (3 1st 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. Main 57
14. North Carolina A&T 49
15. Bryant 46
16. Stony Brook 42