The FCS soccer season is quick approaching, so we’re going inside every convention race. With Villanova main a crowded subject, right here’s our 2024 CAA Soccer preview.
Tremendous conferences are related to the FBS stage, however don’t overlook CAA Soccer in FCS school soccer.
This season, the CAA has grown to an FCS-record 16 groups – only one yr after elevating the earlier excessive by two groups to fifteen.
Bryant’s addition has made it a candy 16, however that may final solely this season as a result of subsequent yr Delaware will turn out to be an FBS program and Richmond will be part of Patriot League soccer.
Villanova, ranked No. 6 within the Stats Carry out FCS Preseason High 25 Ballot, is taken into account the 2024 CAA favourite. Final yr, the Wildcats, Richmond and UAlbany every went 7-1 in-conference to earn a share of the title.
The CAA additionally loved success within the FCS playoffs: Delaware and Richmond earned first-round wins, Villanova claimed a win to advance to the quarterfinals, and UAlbany eradicated two opponents to advance to the semifinals.
Throughout the immense convention schedule, every group will play eight opponents. They’re paired with one most popular companion, with regional proximity thought-about an necessary issue within the schedule.
2024 CAA Soccer Preview
Predicted Order of End
*-FCS Playoff Qualifier
*1. *Villanova (2023 File: 10-3, 7-1; No. 6 nationwide preseason rating) – The Wildcats have earned a share of two of the final three CAA titles beneath coach Mark Ferrante. Their protection ought to deal with effectively with the return of linebackers Shane Hartzell and Brendan Bell, cornerback Isas “Ice” Waxter and security Ty Trinh. Regardless of key losses within the offensive abilities positions, they return quarterback Connor Watkins, the convention’s preseason offensive participant of the yr, and broad receiver Jaylan Sanchez, whose 25.6 yards per reception (716 on 28 catches) led the FCS. Given the CAA’s unbalanced schedule, the Wildcats will face opponents that went solely 21-43 inside the convention final season.
2. *William & Mary (6-5, 4-4; No. 15 nationwide preseason rating) – The Tribe opened 4-0 final season, however weren’t the identical as operating again Bronson Yoder and broad receiver/kick returner DreSean Kendrick missed the ultimate seven video games as a consequence of accidents. Yoder, RB Malachi Imoh and lefty QB Darius Wilson have mixed to hurry for over 6,000 profession yards, and the O-line is stout with Charles Grant and Ryan McKenna. Quite a bit was misplaced from a protection that ranked No. 1 within the CAA in factors allowed per recreation (18.6) and No. 2 in yards allowed per recreation (303.8), however security Marcus Barnes is using an additional season of eligibility.
3. Delaware (9-4, 6-2) – Throughout their FBS transitional season above the FCS scholarship stage, the Blue Hens aren’t eligible for the CAA title or the nationwide playoffs, which they made in every of Ryan Carty’s first two seasons. They’ll tackle a possible spoiler’s position, nonetheless. Ryan O’Connor handed for two,104 yards and 19 TDs final season, and versatile RB Marcus Yarns is the go-to participant as he comes off an 18-TD season. On a balanced protection, LB Dillon Coach is the top-returning tackler and defensive deal with Jack Corridor a stopper up entrance.
4. *Richmond (9-4, 7-1; No. 13 nationwide preseason rating) – That is Richmond’s ultimate season within the CAA earlier than it joins the Patriot League for soccer solely – and the Spiders are eligible for the convention title. The Spiders are the one FCS group that returns two QBs (Kyle Wickersham and Camden Coleman) who had 1,000+ passing yards and 10+ TD passes final season. They’ll look first to All-America WR Nick DeGennaro (71 receptions, 904 yards, program record-tying 11 landing catches). Move rusher Jeremiah Grant will fly round for a protection that ranked fourth within the convention.
5. *Elon (6-5, 6-2) – Tied for the second-most CAA wins within the final three seasons (17; Elon and Richmond are one behind Villanova), the Phoenix are beneath the radar as a consequence of having just one playoff look (2022) in that point. They’re led by security Caleb Curtain, the CAA’s preseason defensive participant of the yr, and QB Matthew Downing, who sizzled down the stretch final season. Chandler Brayboy is a triple menace, North Carolina Central switch cornerback Khalil Baker is a giant addition, and linebackers Brandon Tyson and Marco Patierno had 73 and 68 tackles, respectively, as freshmen.
6. UAlbany (11-4, 7-1; No. 16 nationwide preseason rating) – Coach Greg Gattuso’s squad is coming off its first CAA title and deepest FCS playoff run in addition to a program-record 11 wins, however the Nice Danes have been hit laborious by commencement and transfers. All of it begins up entrance with a stellar offensive line, which incorporates Ozzie Hutchinson, Will Marotta and Scott Houseman. That’s clearly to the liking of sophomore RB Griffin Woodell (892 yards, eight TDs; 32 receptions, 4 TDs).
7. New Hampshire (6-5, 4-4) – Former VMI dual-threat QB Seth Morgan ought to maintain the offense on the transfer even after it misplaced two All-People, QB Max Brosmer and RB Dylan Laube. In distinction, DEs Josiah Silver (47.5 tackles for loss, 26 sacks since 2021) and Dylan Ruiz (22.5 TFLs, 16 sacks since 2022) will maintain opposing offenses transferring within the fallacious course. Security Wande Owens served because the lone group captain of Yale’s a hundred and fiftieth all-time group final yr.
8. Rhode Island (6-5, 4-4) – Coach Jim Fleming has revived URI with profitable data in 4 straight (2-1 in spring 2021) and 5 of the final six seasons. Kasim Hill was a four-year QB, so the brand new starter – Devin Farrell was No. 2 on the depth chart final season – will get the ball to the numerous operating backs, together with Gabe Sloat and Sacred Coronary heart switch Malik Grant, and WR Marquis Buchanan. Linebacker A.J. Pena racked up 15.5 TFLs and 9 sacks final season.
9. Monmouth (4-7, 3-5) – Kevin Callahan is the longest-tenured FCS coach, starting his thirty second season. Maine switch QB Derek Robertson (2,933 yards, 25 TDs) is a large addition because the Hawks substitute RB Jaden Shirden, the Walter Payton Award third-place finisher every of the final two seasons. Prepared to come back out of Shirden’s shadow, Sone Ntoh rushed for 411 yards and 14 TDs on simply 56 carries.
10. Towson (5-6, 4-4) – The Tigers’ season-opening stretch – at Cincinnati, Morgan State, at Villanova, at North Dakota State and William & Mary – is daunting. Quarterback Nathan Kent depends closely on 6-foot-6 tight finish Carter Runyon (43 receptions, 549 yards, 4 TDs), a 2025 NFL prospect, and RB Devin Matthews (656 yards, 10 TDs).
11. Campbell (5-6, 4-4) – Braxton Harris was a Campbell assistant coach beneath Mike Minter in 2021 and ’22, and he returns as head coach after guiding Houston Christian to a 5-5 report final yr. The Camels are changing long-time QB Hajj-Malik Williams, however their go-to receiver stays VJ Wilkins, who had 52 receptions as a freshman. The defensive chief is LB CJ Tillman, who’s had at the least 55 tackles in three straight seasons.
12. Hampton (5-6, 3-5) – No FCS teaching change was later within the offseason than Hampton’s on April 30, when Trent Boykin was elevated from operating backs and particular groups coach to interchange Robert Prunty. Operating again Elijah Burris was restricted to seven video games, however nonetheless managed 814 yards on an FCS-best 8.3 yards per carry. Broad receiver Romon Copeland is also a big-play possibility for QB Chris Zellous.
13. Maine (2-9, 1-7) – Grad switch QB Carter Peevey rushed for 12 TDs and handed for 11 at Mercer a yr in the past. He could need to run much less with the return of WRs Jamie Lamson (49 receptions), Montigo Moss (37), Joe Gillette (36) and Michael Monios (28). The line of defense is a energy behind Izaiah Henderson and Xavier Holmes.
14. North Carolina A&T (1-10, 0-8) – After A&T’s debut within the CAA was disastrous, second-year coach Vincent Brown will unveil a retooled offense, with former UNI/HCU QB Justin Fomby working behind an O-line that options Korion Sharpe (6-4, 315), Cesar Minarro (6-4, 300) and Georgia Tech switch RJ Adams (6-4, 324). Cornerback Karon Prunty was named to the HBCU+ Participant of the 12 months watch record.
15. Stony Brook (0-10, 0-8) – The Seawolves have stepped backward since their back-to-back playoff appearances in 2017 and ’18. Billy Cosh, most just lately Western Michigan’s offensive coordinator, has changed 18-year coach Chuck Priore. Quarterback Casey Case returns, with Georgetown grad switch Tyler Knoop becoming a member of the combo. Sophomore Anthony Johnson (59 receptions, 714 yards) is without doubt one of the higher younger skills within the CAA and the FCS.
16. Bryant (6-5, 4-2 Huge South-OVC) – Bryant follows Hampton, Campbell and N.C. A&T as a Huge South soccer program to maneuver into the CAA since 2022. Coastal Carolina switch Jarrett Visitor is within the QB combine, however it will likely be laborious to interchange Zevi Eckhaus’ manufacturing. That WR Landon Ruggieri returns to the well being of his 2022 season (school-record 65 receptions for 986 yards) is pivotal. Defensive lineman Michael Otty had seven sacks final season.
How the Convention Predicted the Race
5 Gamers to Know
Caleb Curtain, DB, Elon (Buck Buchanan Award preseason nominee) – Curtain by no means let up after scoring on a 50-yard interception return within the opener at Wake Forest, ending with 80 tackles (54 solos) and 6 takeaways.
Nick DeGennaro, WR, Richmond (Walter Payton Award preseason nominee) – After the Spiders unfold across the passes in 2022, DeGennaro turned the go-to receiver final yr. He caught 17 passes and three TDs in two playoff video games.
Charles Grant, OL, William & Mary (Walter Payton Award preseason nominee) – A 2025 NFL Draft prospect, the 6-foot-4, 300-pound Grant has allowed just one sack whereas beginning all 24 video games the final two seasons.
Josiah Silver, DL, New Hampshire (Buck Buchanan Award preseason nominee) – One of many FCS’ main go rushers, Silver has 182 tackles, 47.5 TFLs and 26 sacks over the past three seasons.
Connor Watkins, QB, Villanova (Walter Payton Award preseason nominee) – The down-field passer ranked No. 1 within the FCS is yards per try (9.97) final season, and he’s been No. 2 in yards per completion in two straight seasons.
5 Should-See Matchups
1. William & Mary at Richmond (Nov. 23) – After all, the Capital Cup rivalry got here right down to a two-point conversion on the final play. Richmond fended it off for a one-point victory (27-26) and a one-game lead within the all-time collection (65-64-5). The highway group has gained 5 of the final six conferences.
2. Delaware at Villanova (Nov. 23)
3. Elon at William & Mary (Oct. 26)
4. New Hampshire at UAlbany (Nov. 2)
5. Richmond at Elon (Sept. 28)
Quick Truth
The CAA has had at the least one group advance to the nationwide quarterfinals in each postseason since 1995, and at the least one nationwide semifinalist in 10 of the final 11 seasons (2022 was the exception).
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