The FCS football season is fast approaching, so we’re going inside each conference race. With Villanova leading a crowded field, here’s our 2024 CAA Football preview.
Super conferences are associated with the FBS level, but don’t overlook CAA Football in FCS college football.
This season, the CAA has grown to an FCS-record 16 teams – just one year after raising the previous high by two teams to 15.
Bryant’s addition has made it a sweet 16, but that will last only this season because next year Delaware will become an FBS program and Richmond will join Patriot League football.
Villanova, ranked No. 6 in the Stats Perform FCS Preseason Top 25 Poll, is considered the 2024 CAA favorite. Last year, the Wildcats, Richmond and UAlbany each went 7-1 in-conference to earn a share of the title.
The CAA also enjoyed success in the FCS playoffs: Delaware and Richmond earned first-round wins, Villanova claimed a win to advance to the quarterfinals, and UAlbany eliminated two opponents to advance to the semifinals.
Across the immense conference schedule, each team will play eight opponents. They are paired with one preferred partner, with regional proximity considered an important factor in the schedule.
2024 CAA Football Preview
Predicted Order of Finish
*-FCS Playoff Qualifier
*1. *Villanova (2023 Record: 10-3, 7-1; No. 6 national preseason ranking) – The Wildcats have earned a share of two of the last three CAA titles under coach Mark Ferrante. Their defense should tackle well with the return of linebackers Shane Hartzell and Brendan Bell, cornerback Isas “Ice” Waxter and safety Ty Trinh. Despite key losses in the offensive skills positions, they return quarterback Connor Watkins, the conference’s preseason offensive player of the year, and wide 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 only 21-43 within the conference last season.
2. *William & Mary (6-5, 4-4; No. 15 national preseason ranking) – The Tribe opened 4-0 last season, but weren’t the same as running back Bronson Yoder and wide receiver/kick returner DreSean Kendrick missed the final seven games due to injuries. Yoder, RB Malachi Imoh and lefty QB Darius Wilson have combined to rush for over 6,000 career yards, and the O-line is stout with Charles Grant and Ryan McKenna. A lot was lost from a defense that ranked No. 1 in the CAA in points allowed per game (18.6) and No. 2 in yards allowed per game (303.8), but safety Marcus Barnes is utilizing an extra season of eligibility.
3. Delaware (9-4, 6-2) – During their FBS transitional season above the FCS scholarship level, the Blue Hens aren’t eligible for the CAA title or the national playoffs, which they made in each of Ryan Carty’s first two seasons. They’ll take on a potential spoiler’s role, however. Ryan O’Connor passed for 2,104 yards and 19 TDs last season, and versatile RB Marcus Yarns is the go-to player as he comes off an 18-TD season. On a balanced defense, LB Dillon Trainer is the top-returning tackler and defensive tackle Jack Hall a stopper up front.
4. *Richmond (9-4, 7-1; No. 13 national preseason ranking) – This is Richmond’s final season in the CAA before it joins the Patriot League for football only – and the Spiders are eligible for the conference title. The Spiders are the only FCS team that returns two QBs (Kyle Wickersham and Camden Coleman) who had 1,000+ passing yards and 10+ TD passes last season. They’ll look first to All-America WR Nick DeGennaro (71 receptions, 904 yards, program record-tying 11 touchdown catches). Pass rusher Jeremiah Grant will fly around for a defense that ranked fourth in the conference.
5. *Elon (6-5, 6-2) – Tied for the second-most CAA wins in the last three seasons (17; Elon and Richmond are one behind Villanova), the Phoenix are under the radar due to having only one playoff appearance (2022) in that time. They’re led by safety Caleb Curtain, the CAA’s preseason defensive player of the year, and QB Matthew Downing, who sizzled down the stretch last season. Chandler Brayboy is a triple threat, North Carolina Central transfer cornerback Khalil Baker is a big addition, and linebackers Brandon Tyson and Marco Patierno had 73 and 68 tackles, respectively, as freshmen.
6. UAlbany (11-4, 7-1; No. 16 national preseason ranking) – Coach Greg Gattuso’s squad is coming off its first CAA title and deepest FCS playoff run as well as a program-record 11 wins, but the Great Danes were hit hard by graduation and transfers. It all starts up front with a stellar offensive line, which includes Ozzie Hutchinson, Will Marotta and Scott Houseman. That’s clearly to the liking of sophomore RB Griffin Woodell (892 yards, eight TDs; 32 receptions, four TDs).
7. New Hampshire (6-5, 4-4) – Former VMI dual-threat QB Seth Morgan should keep the offense on the move even after it lost two All-Americans, QB Max Brosmer and RB Dylan Laube. In contrast, DEs Josiah Silver (47.5 tackles for loss, 26 sacks since 2021) and Dylan Ruiz (22.5 TFLs, 16 sacks since 2022) will keep opposing offenses moving in the wrong direction. Safety Wande Owens served as the lone team captain of Yale’s 150th all-time team last year.
8. Rhode Island (6-5, 4-4) – Coach Jim Fleming has revived URI with winning records in four straight (2-1 in spring 2021) and five of the last six seasons. Kasim Hill was a four-year QB, so the new starter – Devin Farrell was No. 2 on the depth chart last season – will get the ball to the many running backs, including Gabe Sloat and Sacred Heart transfer Malik Grant, and WR Marquis Buchanan. Linebacker A.J. Pena racked up 15.5 TFLs and nine sacks last season.
9. Monmouth (4-7, 3-5) – Kevin Callahan is the longest-tenured FCS coach, beginning his 32nd season. Maine transfer QB Derek Robertson (2,933 yards, 25 TDs) is a huge addition as the Hawks replace RB Jaden Shirden, the Walter Payton Award third-place finisher each of the last two seasons. Ready to come out of Shirden’s shadow, Sone Ntoh rushed for 411 yards and 14 TDs on just 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 relies heavily on 6-foot-6 tight end Carter Runyon (43 receptions, 549 yards, four 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 under Mike Minter in 2021 and ’22, and he returns as head coach after guiding Houston Christian to a 5-5 record last year. The Camels are replacing long-time QB Hajj-Malik Williams, but their go-to receiver remains VJ Wilkins, who had 52 receptions as a freshman. The defensive leader is LB CJ Tillman, who’s had at least 55 tackles in three straight seasons.
12. Hampton (5-6, 3-5) – No FCS coaching change was later in the offseason than Hampton’s on April 30, when Trent Boykin was elevated from running backs and special teams coach to replace Robert Prunty. Running back Elijah Burris was limited to seven games, but still managed 814 yards on an FCS-best 8.3 yards per carry. Wide receiver Romon Copeland also is a big-play option for QB Chris Zellous.
13. Maine (2-9, 1-7) – Grad transfer QB Carter Peevey rushed for 12 TDs and passed for 11 at Mercer a year ago. He may want to run less with the return of WRs Jamie Lamson (49 receptions), Montigo Moss (37), Joe Gillette (36) and Michael Monios (28). The defensive line is a strength behind Izaiah Henderson and Xavier Holmes.
14. North Carolina A&T (1-10, 0-8) – After A&T’s debut in 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 features Korion Sharpe (6-4, 315), Cesar Minarro (6-4, 300) and Georgia Tech transfer RJ Adams (6-4, 324). Cornerback Karon Prunty was named to the HBCU+ Player of the Year watch list.
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 recently Western Michigan’s offensive coordinator, has replaced 18-year coach Chuck Priore. Quarterback Casey Case returns, with Georgetown grad transfer Tyler Knoop joining the mix. Sophomore Anthony Johnson (59 receptions, 714 yards) is one of the better young talents in the CAA and the FCS.
16. Bryant (6-5, 4-2 Big South-OVC) – Bryant follows Hampton, Campbell and N.C. A&T as a Big South football program to move into the CAA since 2022. Coastal Carolina transfer Jarrett Guest is in the QB mix, but it will be hard to replace Zevi Eckhaus’ production. That WR Landon Ruggieri returns to the health of his 2022 season (school-record 65 receptions for 986 yards) is pivotal. Defensive lineman Michael Otty had seven sacks last season.
How the Conference Predicted the Race
Five Players to Know
Caleb Curtain, DB, Elon (Buck Buchanan Award preseason nominee) – Curtain never let up after scoring on a 50-yard interception return in the opener at Wake Forest, finishing with 80 tackles (54 solos) and six takeaways.
Nick DeGennaro, WR, Richmond (Walter Payton Award preseason nominee) – After the Spiders spread around the passes in 2022, DeGennaro became the go-to receiver last year. He caught 17 passes and three TDs in two playoff 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 only one sack while starting all 24 games the last two seasons.
Josiah Silver, DL, New Hampshire (Buck Buchanan Award preseason nominee) – One of the FCS’ leading pass rushers, Silver has 182 tackles, 47.5 TFLs and 26 sacks over the last three seasons.
Connor Watkins, QB, Villanova (Walter Payton Award preseason nominee) – The down-field passer ranked No. 1 in the FCS is yards per attempt (9.97) last season, and he’s been No. 2 in yards per completion in two straight seasons.
Five Must-See Matchups
1. William & Mary at Richmond (Nov. 23) – Of course, the Capital Cup rivalry came down to a two-point conversion on the last play. Richmond fended it off for a one-point victory (27-26) and a one-game lead in the all-time series (65-64-5). The road team has won five of the last six meetings.
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)
Fast Fact
The CAA has had at least one team advance to the national quarterfinals in every postseason since 1995, and at least one national semifinalist in 10 of the last 11 seasons (2022 was the exception).
Did you like the 2024 CAA Football preview? Follow all of our FCS football coverage, including on X, Facebook and Instagram.