Lafayette ranks No. 20 in HERO Sports’ FCS Preseason Top 25.
The Leopards finished 9-3 last year, losing 36-34 at Delaware in the first round of the FCS playoffs.
Here’s a look at the 2024 Lafayette football squad.
Returning 2023 All-Conference Players (6)
First Team
RB Jamar Curtis
S Saiku White
Second Team
QB Dean DeNobile
WR Elijah Steward
OL Ryder Langsdale
DE Jaylon Joseph
D1 Transfer Portal Movement
Transfers Coming In From The FCS (0)
Transfers Coming In From The FBS (1)
Tony Harris (DB), App State
Transfers Lost To The FCS (5)
Taylor Smallwood (DB) to Chattanooga
John Olmstead (OL) to Maine
Mason Gilbert (TE) to Maine
Carl Smith (WR) to Robert Morris
Shaikyi Hannah (DB) to Valpo
Transfers Lost To The FBS (1)
Mike Barr (OL) to Duke
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Offensive Outlook
Lafayette returns eight starters on offense after scoring 30 points per game (No. 29 in the FCS), including its starting quarterback, All-American running back, top three wide receivers, and three starting offensive linemen.
Quarterback Dean DeNobile and running back Jamar Curtis lead the offensive unit. Curtis is coming off an All-American season after finishing third in the FCS with 1,460 rushing yards, including 15 touchdowns on 235 attempts, averaging 6.2 yards per carry. He is the Patriot League’s Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.
DeNobile was a Second Team All-Conference selection last fall, going 170/255 passing for 1,997 yards, 20 touchdowns, and five interceptions, plus 180 yards and six scores on the ground.
He’ll have his top three wide receivers back.
Elijah Steward was a 2023 All-Patriot League Second Team honoree, hauling in 52 catches for 738 yards and five touchdowns. Chris Carasia added 32 catches for 333 yards and five scores, and Carson Persing totaled 31 receptions for 306 yards and three TDs.
Six-foot-5 tight end Dallas Holmes is looking to step up after recording eight catches for 160 yards and two touchdowns.
Lafayette’s offensive line returns three starters and a fourth with significant snaps.
Ryder Langsdale (6’7″ 298 lbs) headlines the unit as an All-Conference selection and an All-American-level talent. Brian Baucia (6’2″ 314 lbs) and Reed Collins (6’5″ 303 lbs) are two more returning starters. While Matthew Sherer (6’7″ 290 lbs) didn’t start any games, he split reps with Collins at right tackle.
Defensive Outlook
Lafayette returns eight starters on defense and 11 of its 15 leaders in snaps. The Leopards allowed 23.3 points per game last season, ranking No. 30 in the FCS.
Saiku White is viewed as one of the best 2024 FCS safeties. He had an All-Conference First Team season last fall along with two All-American honors. White was PFF’s No. 4-graded FCS safety, totaling 77 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, four interceptions, and four pass breakups. In 2022, he had 84 tackles, one interception, and four pass breakups.
Neriyan Brown is the returning starter at strong safety. Last fall he had 44 tackles, two interceptions, and seven pass breakups.
The Leopards also return their two starting cornerbacks — Gabe DuBois and A.T. Ntantang. DuBois recorded 44 tackles and five pass breakups in 2023, and he had 42 tackles, one interception, and nine passes defended in 2022. Ntantang had 22 tackles and four pass breakups last fall. The year before, he racked up 39 tackles, two interceptions, and 12 pass breakups.
App State transfer Tony Harris adds depth to the secondary.
At linebacker, Preston Forney returns after tallying 73 tackles, eight TFLs, three sacks, and four pass breakups last year. Tim O’Hearn is an edge/LB hybrid, totaling 44 tackles, nine TFLs, 4.5 sacks, and seven pass breakups. Darien Riley registered 23 tackles and 3.5 TFLs as a rotational linebacker, and Reggie Thomas added 28 tackles and three TFLs.
Jaylon Joseph (6’2″ 238 lbs) headlines the d-line at defensive end. He was the Patriot League’s Rookie of the Year and a Second Team selection last fall. Joseph had 28 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, four sacks, and 10 quarterback hurries.
Terell Cannon (6’5″ 297 lbs) started 11 games on the interior, registering 25 tackles. Phillip Peiffer (6’5″ 276 lbs) played plenty of snaps as well, totaling 20 tackles and three TFLs.
2024 Preseason Preview Central
Lafayette Football Schedule
8/29 at Buffalo
9/7 at Monmouth
9/14 vs Marist
9/21 at Columbia
10/5 at Fordham
10/12 vs Georgetown
10/19 vs Sacred Heart
10/26 vs Holy Cross
11/2 at Bucknell
11/9 at Colgate
11/16 vs Stonehill
11/23 at Lehigh
Bold indicates Patriot League games
