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UNH cracks Top 25

RICHMOND, Va. – Six Colonial Athletic Association football teams are ranked in the HERO Sports FCS Preseason Top 25 poll that was released Monday. The CAA had more teams in the poll than any other conference.

Defending CAA champion James Madison was ranked No. 4, followed by No. 5 Villanova, No. 12 Albany, No. 13 Delaware, No. 17 New Hampshire and No. 21 Elon. William & Mary was among others receiving votes.

Five CAA Football players were also selected to the HERO Sports FCS Preseason All-America team: James Madison offensive tackle Liam Fornadel, Richmond defensive lineman Kobie Turner, Albany linebacker Levi Metheny, Villanova linebacker Forrest Rhyne and Delaware defensive back Kedrick Whitehead.

James Madison welcomes back four starters on offense and three on defense from last year’s 14-2 squad that advanced to the FCS National Championship game for the third time in the past four years. The Dukes, who finished the 2019 campaign ranked No. 2 in the nation, have reached the FCS playoffs for six consecutive years.

Villanova returns eight starters on offense and six on defense from last season’s 9-4 squad that earned a berth in the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2016. Among the returnees for the Wildcats is quarterback Daniel Smith, who accounted for 48 total touchdowns a year ago.

Albany looks to continue to the momentum after posting a 9-5 overall mark, a best-ever second-place CAA finish, and reaching the second round of the FCS playoffs for the first time in 2019. Five starters return on offense and seven on defense for the Great Danes, including All-America running back Karl Mofor.

Delaware brings back an experienced team that includes eight returning starters on defense and seven regulars on offense. The Blue Hens are looking to make a return to the FCS playoffs after making the field in 2018.

New Hampshire features seven starters back on offense and seven on defense from last year’s 6-5 team. The Wildcats, who made 14 consecutive FCS playoff appearances from 2004-17, welcome legendary head coach Sean McDonnell back to the sidelines after missing last season with health issues.

Elon has seven starters returning on offense and eight on defense from last season’s 5-6 squad. Among the returnees is veteran quarterback Davis Cheek.

William & Mary welcomes back eight starters on offense and four on defense from a 5-7 team in 2019.

HERO Sports FCS Preseason Top 25 Poll
1. North Dakota State
2. South Dakota State
3. Weber State
4. James Madison
5. Villanova
6. Northern Iowa
7. Kennesaw State
8. Furman
9. Illinois State
10. North Carolina A&T
11. Austin Peay
12. Albany
13. Delaware
14. Eastern Washington
15. Nicholls
16. Southern Illinois
17. New Hampshire
18. Jacksonville State
19. The Citadel
20. Sam Houston
21. Elon
22. Monmouth
23. Wofford
24. Chattanooga
25. Southeastern Louisiana
Received votes: Alcorn State, UT Martin, SEMO, William & Mary

HERO SPORTS FCS PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA TEAM
Offense
QB Eric Barriere, Eastern Washington
RB Jah-Maine Martin, North Carolina A&T
RB Pierre Strong Jr., South Dakota State
OL Drew Himmelman, Illinois State
OL Liam Fornadel, James Madison
OL PJ Burkhalter, Nicholls
OL Ty Whitworth, Weber State
OL Cordell Volson, North Dakota State
WR DeAngelo Wilson, Austin Peay
WR Isaiah Weston, Northern Iowa
WR Brandon Porter, Northern Arizona
TE Trae Barry, Jacksonville State

Defense
DL Kobie Turner, Richmond
DL Jermaine McDaniel, North Carolina A&T
DL Jared Brinkman, Northern Iowa
DL Trace Mascorro, Sam Houston
LB Bryson Armstrong, Kennesaw State
LB Levi Metheny, Albany
LB Forrest Rhyne, Villanova
LB Ryan Greenhagen, Fordham
DB Kordell Jackson, Austin Peay
DB Ferlando Jordan, Southeastern Louisiana
DB Michael Tutsie, North Dakota State
DB Kedrick Whitehead, Delaware

Special Teams
P DJ Arnson, Northern Arizona
K Luis Aguilar, Northern Arizona
LS Robert Soderholm, VMI
PR Montrell Washington, Samford
KR Lonnie Moore IV, Monmouth

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