UNH at No. 22 in Top 25

By rbrown
- Tweet
- Pin It
Updated: June 19, 2021

RICHMOND, Va. – Top-ranked James Madison leads a group of four CAA Football teams recognized in the Athlon Sports’ Preseason FCS Top 25 poll for the 2021 season.

Joining the No. 1 Dukes in the magazine’s Top 25 are No. 5 Delaware, No. 16 Villanova and No. 22 New Hampshire.

JMU went 7-1 and advanced to the semifinals of the FCS playoffs for the fourth time in the past five years last spring. The Dukes return All-America running back Percy Ageyi-Obese, quarterback Cole Johnson and receiver Antwane Wells, Jr. on offense, while All-America defensive lineman Mike Greene and leading tackler Kelvin Azanama are back on a defense that ranked among the top 10 nationally.

Delaware finished 7-1 and reached the semifinals of the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2010 last spring. The Blue Hens’ offense features running back Dejoun Lee, the CAA Offensive Player of the Year, quarterback Nolan Henderson and wide receiver Thyrick Pitts. All-America defensive backs Kedrick Whitehead and Nijuel Hill headline UD’s nationally ranked defense.

Villanova posted a 2-2 record during the spring campaign. The Wildcats have a host of experienced skill players offensively with quarterback Daniel Smith, running back Justin Covington and wide receiver Rayjoun Pringle. Linebacker Forrest Rhyne and cornerback Christian Benford, who both made the All-CAA first team, are back on defense.

New Hampshire played just one game during the spring due to CoVID-related protocols. The Wildcats return quarterback Max Brosmer and running backs Carlos Washington, Jr. and Dylan Laube on offense. The Wildcats’ defense features safety Evan Horn and defensive tackle Niko Kvietkus.

In addition to the four ranked teams, three other CAA squads – UAlbany, Rhode Island and Richmond – were listed as “On The Cusp” of the Top 25.