Richmond ranks No. 13 in HERO Sports’ FCS Preseason Top 25.
The Spiders finished 9-4 last year, losing 41-13 in the FCS second round at UAlbany.
Here’s a look at the 2024 Richmond football squad.
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Returning 2023 All-Conference Players (4)
First Team
P Aaron Trusler
ST Jabril Hayes
Second Team
WR Nick DeGennaro
Third Team
DE Jeremiah Grant
D1 Transfer Portal Movement
Transfers Coming In From The FCS (5)
Matt Robbert (TE), Cornell
Brandon Peskin (K), Fordham
Carter Glassmyer (LB), Saint Francis
Zachary Palmer-Smith (RB), Wagner
John Michael DiRoberto (DB), Wofford
Transfers Coming In From The FBS (0)
Transfers Lost To The FCS (1)
Jasiah Williams (WR) to Stony Brook
Transfers Lost To The FBS (2)
Angelo Rankin Jr. (DB) to ODU
Marlem Louis (DL) to San Diego State
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Offensive Outlook
Richmond’s offense returns its two quarterbacks that split snaps throughout last season, three full-time starting offensive linemen, and its top four pass-catchers.
The Spiders averaged 28.2 points per game in 2023, ranking No. 42 in the FCS.
More consistent quarterback play will be the difference between Richmond just being a playoff team and being a threat in the playoffs. Kyle Wickersham and Camden Coleman both started games last year. Wickersham finished 138/190 passing for 1,405 yards, 10 touchdowns, and four interceptions in 11 games, plus ranking second on the team with 402 rushing yards and four scores. Coleman went 100/150 for 1,161 yards, 12 TDs, and six interceptions in seven games.
Richmond will be deep at wide receiver, returning its top four from last year.
Nick DeGennaro is one of the top WRs in the FCS, tallying 71 catches for 904 yards and 11 TDs in 2023. Jerry Garcia Jr. added 28 catches for 455 yards and four TDs, Ja’Vion Griffin had 16 receptions for 283 yards, and Landon Ellis recorded 20 catches for 214 yards and a touchdown.
Another target in the passing game will be Matt Robbert, a transfer from Cornell. Robbert caught 21 passes for 261 yards last year. And in 2022 as an Honorable Mention All-Ivy League selection, he had 31 catches for 468 yards and three scores.
Running back is a question mark, though. Richmond loses its top three backs from 2023, including Savon Smith, who rushed for 708 yards and eight TDs. An impact transfer portal addition to help fill that void in production is Zachary Palmer-Smith from Wagner. As a sophomore last year, Palmer-Smith rushed for 699 yards and three TDs on 135 carries.
The offensive line has solid experience returning. Tom Elia (6’3″ 296 lbs) and Keith Gouveia (6’4″ 305 lbs) are two-year starters. Cade Salyers (6’4″ 325 lbs) is back as well. He missed most of last season due to injury, but he started 13 games in 2022, eight in 2021, and four in the 2021 spring. Parker Mitchell (6’4″ 280 lbs), Phillip Gray III (6’4″ 300 lbs), and Scott Hummel (6’3″ 301 lbs) logged multiple starts last season.
Defensive Outlook
Richmond allowed 23.6 points per game in 2023, ranking No. 32 in the FCS. Returning are nine of the 15 players with the most snaps and five of the top 11 tacklers.
The Spiders need to replace their top two tacklers from last year — Tristan Wheeler (121 tackles) and Aaron Banks (63 tackles). But the next three leaders in tackles are back. Linebacker Wayne Galloway totaled 60 tackles, nine TFLs, two interceptions, and four pass breakups. Richmond’s top cornerbacks return as D’Angelo Stocker recorded 51 tackles, four TFLs, three interceptions, and four pass breakups, while Trae Tomlinson added 47 tackles, three TFLs, one interception, and five pass breakups.
Alongside Stocker and Tomlinson in the secondary is starting safety Bryson Parker. He had 38 tackles, one interception, and four pass breakups in 2023.
Quantraill Morris-Walker is a versatile defender listed at linebacker but can play snaps as a slot corner. Last year, he totaled 27 tackles, two TFLs, and a pass breakup.
The defensive line looks to be a strength, led by two-time All-CAA defensive end Jeremiah Grant, after Richmond allowed 112.7 rushing yards per game (No. 19 in the FCS). The 6-foot-2 and 245-pounder had 21 tackles, six TFLs, four sacks, and five quarterback hurries last year. In 2022, he had 52 tackles and 12 tackles for loss. DE Donovan Hoilette (6’4″ 208 lbs) added 28 tackles, five TFLs, and 3.5 sacks a season ago.
On the interior of the d-line, Carsen Stocklinski (6’4″ 290 lbs) started nine games last year, recording 24 tackles and two sacks. Matei Fitz (6’2″ 280 lbs) started four games but played just as many snaps as Stocklinski, totaling 34 tackles, 10 TFLs, and 4.5 sacks.
Two FCS transfers look to boost an already-experienced defense.
John Michael DiRoberto comes in from Wofford, a multi-year starting safety who had 66 tackles in 2023 and 53 in 2022. Carter Glassmyer transfers from Saint Francis, where he was a 2023 Freshman All-American and led the team with 90 tackles, including 6.5 TFLs.
On special teams, All-CAA punter Aaron Trusler is back, while two-time All-Patriot League kicker Brandon Peskin comes in from Fordham.
2024 Preseason Preview Central
Richmond Football Schedule
8/31 at Virginia
9/7 vs Wofford
9/14 vs Charleston Southern
9/21 at Delaware State
9/28 at RV Elon
10/5 vs North Carolina A&T
10/19 vs No. 19 Delaware
10/26 at Bryant
11/2 vs Towson
11/9 at Campbell
11/16 at Hampton
11/23 vs No. 17 William & Mary
Bold indicates CAA games
HERO Sports’ rankings
RV = Received votes
