Five CAA Football Teams Ranked In Stats Perform Preseason FCS Top 25 Poll

Five CAA Football Teams Ranked In Stats Perform Preseason FCS Top 25 Poll

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Rob Washburn

South Dakota State Unanimous No. 1 in FCS Preseason Top 25 | The Analyst

RICHMOND, Va. (August 7, 2023) – Five CAA Football teams were ranked and two others received votes in the 2023 Stats Perform FCS preseason Top 25 poll, presented by FedEx Ground, that was released on Monday.

Preseason conference favorite William & Mary led the group of CAA teams at #4, while New Hampshire was ranked #11, Richmond was ranked #18, Rhode Island was ranked #21 and Delaware was ranked #22. Elon and Villanova were among other teams receiving votes.

CAA Football’s five ranked teams trailed only the Big Sky (6). When adding in the two squads that received votes, CAA Football’s seven teams in the poll were the most of any conference.

William & Mary went 11-2 overall and reached the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs in 2022. The Tribe returns nine starters from an offense that ranked third nationally in rushing and averaged 33.5 points per game. Back is dual-threat quarterback Darius Wilson, leading rushers Bronson Yoder and Malachi Imoh and an experienced offensive line. Five of the Tribe’s eight returning starters on defense were All-CAA honorees, including linebacker John Pius and defensive end Nate Lynn, who both garnered All-America accolades, as well as linebacker Isaiah Jones and cornerbacks Ryan Poole and Jalen Jones.
 
New Hampshire has nine starters back on offense and defense from a 9-4 squad that advanced to the second round of the FCS playoffs. The Wildcats’ offense features All-America running back/returner Dylan Laube along with quarterback Max Brosmer, receiver Joey Corcoran and tight end Kyle Lepkowski. All-America defensive ends Josiah Silver and Dylan Ruiz are joined by leading tackler Ryan Toscano and veteran safety Max Oxendine on defense.
 
Richmond is coming off its best season since 2016, going 9-4 overall and reaching the second round of the FCS playoffs. Six starters are back on offense, including four linemen and receiver Nick DeGennaro. The Spiders’ defense is anchored by All-America linebacker Tristan Wheeler. He is joined by All-CAA standouts Marlem Louis, Jeremiah Grant and Aaron Banks among seven returning starters.
 
Rhode Island is coming off a 7-4 campaign last season. Seven starters are back for the Rams offensively including veteran quarterback Kasim Hill, wide receiver Kahtero Summers and All-America offensive lineman Nick Correia. All-CAA linebacker Evan Stewart and defensive lineman Westley Neal, Jr. are among four starters returning on defense.
 
Delaware went 8-5 a year ago and advanced to the second round of the FCS playoffs. Leading rusher Kyron Cumby and top receiver Jourdan Townsend highlight a group of seven starters back offensively. The Blue Hens face the task of replacing nine starters on defense, but All-CAA defensive end Chase McGowan returns.

2023 STATS PERFORM FCS PRESEASON TOP 25 POLL
  1. South Dakota State
  2. North Dakota State
  3. Montana State
  4. William & Mary
  5. Holy Cross
  6. Furman
  7. UIW
  8. Idaho
  9. Samford
  10. Sacramento State
  11. New Hampshire
  12. Southeast Missouri
  13. Weber State
  14. Montana
  15. Southeastern Louisiana
  16. UC Davis
  17. North Dakota
  18. Richmond
  19. North Carolina Central
  20. Mercer
  21. Rhode Island
  22. Delaware
  23. Northern Iowa
  24. Eastern Kentucky
  25. Gardner-Webb
RV: Central Arkansas, Chattanooga, Jackson State, Southern Illinois, Youngstown State, Florida A&M, UT Martin, Elon, Austin Peay, Fordham, Yale, Villanova, McNeese, Abilene Christian, St. Thomas, Saint Francis (Pa.)