William & Mary ranks No. 17 in HERO Sports’ FCS Preseason Top 25.
The Tribe finished 6-5 last year, missing the FCS playoffs.
Here’s a look at the 2024 W&M football squad.
Returning 2023 All-Conference Players (4)
First Team
OL Charles Grant
Honorable Mention
RB Malachi Imoh
OL Ryan McKenna
S Marcus Barnes
D1 Transfer Portal Movement
Transfers Coming In From The FCS (7)
Damian Harris (WR), Bucknell
Ruben Anderson (K/P), Bucknell
Jonathan Hammond (DL), Davidson
Jayden Platt (DB), Maine
Eric Bernstein (K), Monmouth
Matt Akuchie (WR), Towson
Isaiah Lemmond (WR), VMI
Transfers Coming In From The FBS (2)
Breyden Byrd (DL), Navy
Ty Gordon (DL), Syracuse
Transfers Lost To The FCS (1)
John Kearney (DB) to Stonehill
Transfers Lost To The FBS (2)
Nick Levy (LS) to Purdue
John Pius (OLB) to Wisconsin
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Offensive Outlook
After scoring 21.7 points per game (No. 88 in the FCS), W&M returns its multi-year starting quarterback, top four rushers, top three pass-catchers, and four offensive linemen who started at least five games last year.
Darius Wilson is back at quarterback. Now a senior, he has started games in the last three seasons.
The 6-foot-3 lefty was the CAA’s Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2021, throwing for 1,205 yards, six touchdowns, and eight interceptions, plus 386 rushing yards and four scores. Wilson saw good progression in 2022, throwing for 2,252 yards, 16 TDs, and seven interceptions along with 534 rushing yards and four touchdowns. His numbers regressed a bit last fall, throwing for 1,568 yards, nine TDs, and four interceptions while rushing for 377 yards and two scores.
W&M, who rushed for 196.9 yards per game to rank No. 13 in the FCS, returns its top four rushers from last year.
Bronson Yoder highlights the backfield. Last season, he started the first four games before a season-ending injury. Yoder still finished second on the team with 408 rushing yards. He has been a playmaker dating back to 2019 and was a back-to-back All-CAA selection in 2021 and 2022. In 2021, he was an All-CAA Third Team selection, posting 622 rushing yards with four touchdowns and 351 kick return yards. Yoder went off in a 2022 All-CAA First Team season, totaling 1,255 rushing yards and 13 TDs.
Malachi Imoh returns as well after stepping into the lead running back role. He led the 2023 squad with 855 rushing yards. Wilson finished third on the team with 377 rushing yards, including two TDs on the ground. Martin Lucas is also back after rushing for 261 yards and four TDs.
Leading the way for the rushing attack is an offensive line that returns four guys who started at least five games in 2023. Charles Grant (6’4″ 300 lbs) is a two-time All-CAA First Team selection, an All-American, and a top NFL Draft prospect in the FCS. Ryan McKenna (6’4″ 290 lbs) is another multi-year starter and All-CAA performer. Bart Francois (6’3″ 300 lbs) started eight games last fall, and Kadin Lynch (6’4″ 290 lbs) added five starts.
The Tribe establishes the run to set up the pass. And the top three pass-catchers are returning.
Wide receiver JT Mayo totaled 30 catches for 452 yards and five scores last fall. Hollis Mathis added 27 catches for 373 yards and two scores. Tight end Sean McElwain tallied 22 receptions for 312 yards.
Two FCS transfers add experience to the WR room. Damian Harris was a multi-year starter for Bucknell and led the team last year with 55 catches for 606 yards. Isaiah Lemmond totaled 59 receptions for 728 yards in two seasons at VMI.
Defensive Outlook
The Tribe had one of the better FCS defenses last year, ranking No. 12 with 18.5 points allowed per game. They return only three of their top 11 tacklers but seven of their 13 players who logged 200+ snaps.
Safety Marcus Barnes leads the unit after an All-CAA season. Barnes finished fourth on last year’s squad with 54 tackles, including one interception and a pass breakup. The sixth-year senior has 145 career tackles and five interceptions.
Jalen Jones provides valuable experience at cornerback. He had 24 tackles, four interceptions, and eight pass breakups in 2022. Last fall, he totaled 17 tackles and five pass breakups.
Alex Washington and Quinn Osborne look to lead the linebackers. Washington started four games last year and finished sixth on the team with 51 tackles. Osborne started six games, finishing with 20 tackles and an interception.
W&M loses their two stud defensive ends — Nate Lynn to the NFL and John Pius to Wisconsin.
DE Mike Malone (6’4″ 285 lbs) is a returner who saw three starts last fall, finishing with 11 tackles and 1.5 TFLs. Davin Dzidzienyo (6’4″ 295 lbs) and Gent Veizi (6’2″ 285 lbs) bring experience on the interior of the d-line. Dzidzienyo started six games in 2023 with 18 tackles and a sack. Veizi played in 11 games with two starts, recording 18 tackles and 1.5 TFLs.
The Tribe added three D1 transfers on the d-line.
Breyden Byrd arrives from Navy, and Ty Gordon comes in from Syracuse. Jonathan Hammond is another portal addition. At Davidson, Hammond was a multi-time All-Conference performer while totaling 183 tackles, 37 TFLs, and 22 sacks in 41 games.
2024 Preseason Preview Central
William & Mary Football Schedule
8/29 vs VMI
9/7 at Coastal Carolina
9/14 at Wofford
9/21 vs No. 14 Furman
9/28 vs Hampton
10/5 at Towson
10/19 vs Campbell
10/26 at Stony Brook
11/2 at North Carolina A&T
11/9 vs RV Elon
11/16 vs Bryant
11/23 at No. 13 Richmond
Bold indicates CAA games
HERO Sports’ rankings
RV = Received votes
