RICHMOND, VA – As the 2025 CAA Football season approaches, the spotlight shines on three North Carolina programs, Elon, Campbell, and North Carolina A&T, all aiming to rise in a competitive league led by preseason favorite Rhode Island.
Elon was picked eighth in the preseason poll with 98 points, just behind perennial playoff contenders like William & Mary and Towson. Senior punter Jeff Yurk, a Southern Pines native, earned a spot on the preseason all-conference team after a standout 2024 campaign. Fullback/H-back Dylan Magazu and defensive lineman Kahmari Brown also received honorable mention recognition, signaling strong individual pieces for a program looking to break through in the standings.
Campbell, entering its second full season in CAA Football, was voted 10th with 53 points. While the Camels are still building depth across the roster, standout cornerback Brandon Guzman was named an honorable mention selection by league coaches. Campbell will look to improve on both sides of the ball as it navigates a challenging schedule in one of the nation’s most competitive FCS conferences.
North Carolina A&T, which continues its transition into the CAA, placed 14th in the preseason poll with 23 points. The Aggies return standout offensive lineman Korion Sharpe, a senior from Charlotte who earned a spot on the all-conference first team. Additionally, return specialist Aaron Harris was named honorable mention for his special teams impact. Both veterans offer stability and leadership as A&T eyes a step forward in 2025.
While the three North Carolina-based CAA programs look to assert themselves, Rhode Island sits atop the preseason rankings after an 11-3 season and a share of the conference title in 2024. The Rams garnered eight first-place votes and 163 points in the poll. Monmouth (142 points, four first-place votes) and Villanova (139 points, two first-place votes) round out the top three.
Rhode Island’s defense is led by A.J. Pena, the preseason CAA Defensive Player of the Year, while Monmouth’s prolific quarterback Derek Robertson was chosen as Offensive Player of the Year. The league’s top teams return star power on both sides of the ball, with Rhode Island’s 11 returning starters and Monmouth’s FCS-leading offense setting the pace.
2025 CAA Football Preseason All-Conference Team – Offense
|
Name |
School |
Cl. |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Hometown |
|
Derek Robertson |
Monmouth |
Gr. |
QB |
6-2 |
200 |
Hartsdale, N.Y. |
|
David Avit |
Villanova |
So. |
RB |
6-0 |
220 |
Frederick, Md. |
|
Roland Dempster |
Stony Brook |
Gr. |
RB |
6-0 |
225 |
Staten Island, N.Y. |
|
Trey McDonald |
William & Mary |
Sr. |
FB/HB |
6-6 |
230 |
Kinnelon, N.J. |
|
Jack Neri |
Monmouth |
Gr. |
TE |
6-3 |
245 |
Doylestown, Pa. |
|
Marquis Buchanan |
Rhode Island |
Jr. |
WR |
6-4 |
175 |
Providence, R.I. |
|
Josh Derry |
Monmouth |
Jr. |
WR |
5-9 |
175 |
Towson, Md. |
|
TJ Speight |
Monmouth |
Sr. |
WR |
5-11 |
170 |
Fort Meade, Md. |
|
Tre Alexander |
Rhode Island |
Gr. |
OL |
6-5 |
320 |
Queens, N.Y. |
|
Brock Bethea |
Rhode Island |
Gr. |
OL |
6-2 |
304 |
Irwin, Pa. |
|
JT Cornelius |
Monmouth |
6th |
OL |
6-6 |
290 |
Toms River, N.J. |
|
Niko Papic |
Stony Brook |
Sr. |
OL |
6-4 |
300 |
Portsmouth, Va. |
|
Jake Picard |
Villanova |
Gr. |
OL |
6-4 |
310 |
Hope, R.I. |
|
Korion Sharpe |
NC A&T |
Sr. |
OL |
6-4 |
315 |
Charlotte, N.C. |
2025 CAA Football Preseason All-Conference Team – Defense
|
Name |
School |
Cl. |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Hometown |
|
Davin Dzidzienyo |
William & Mary |
Sr. |
DL |
6-4 |
295 |
Northwest, D.C. |
|
Rodney Faulk |
Stony Brook |
Sr. |
DL |
6-3 |
250 |
Washington, D.C. |
|
Obinna Nwobodo |
Villanova |
Gr. |
DL |
6-3 |
295 |
Wilmington, Del. |
|
Michael Otty |
Bryant |
Gr. |
DL |
6-1 |
292 |
Brooklyn, N.Y. |
|
Luke Banbury |
William & Mary |
Gr. |
LB |
6-2 |
235 |
Pittsburgh, Pa. |
|
Shane Hartzell |
Villanova |
Sr. |
LB |
6-0 |
230 |
Perkasie, Pa. |
|
A.J. Pena |
Rhode Island |
Sr. |
LB |
6-2 |
243 |
Montclair, N.J. |
|
AJ Roberts |
Stony Brook |
Gr. |
LB |
6-0 |
230 |
Staten Island, N.Y. |
|
Myles Brodie |
Towson |
Gr. |
CB |
6-2 |
175 |
Hyattsville, Md. |
|
Jalen Jones |
William & Mary |
Sr. |
CB |
6-0 |
190 |
Chesapeake, Va. |
|
Deuce Lee |
Monmouth |
Jr. |
S |
5-11 |
195 |
Silver Spring, Md. |
|
Xavier Terry |
Towson |
Sr. |
S |
5-10 |
190 |
Washington, D.C. |
2025 CAA Football Preseason All-Conference Team – Special Teams
|
Name |
School |
Cl. |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Hometown |
|
Trevin Ewing |
Maine |
Sr. |
KR |
5-11 |
190 |
Elkton, Md. |
|
TJ Speight |
Monmouth |
Sr. |
KR |
5-11 |
170 |
Fort Meade, Md. |
|
Carson Jenkins |
William & Mary |
Jr. |
PR |
5-10 |
175 |
Gate City, Va. |
|
Enda Kirby |
Stony Brook |
Sr. |
PK |
6-2 |
220 |
Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. |
|
Jeff Yurk |
Elon |
Sr. |
P |
6-2 |
224 |
Southern Pines, N.C. |
|
Jonathan Ward |
Hampton |
Sr. |
SPEC |
5-10 |
240 |
Durham, N.C. |
2025 CAA Football Preseason Predicted Order of Finish
|
Rank |
School |
Points |
First-Place Votes |
|
1 |
Rhode Island |
163 |
8 |
|
2 |
Monmouth |
142 |
4 |
|
3 |
Villanova |
139 |
2 |
|
4 |
Stony Brook |
125 |
– |
|
5 |
UNH |
119 |
– |
|
6 |
Towson |
108 |
– |
|
7 |
William & Mary |
104 |
– |
|
8 |
Elon |
98 |
– |
|
9 |
Maine |
71 |
– |
|
10 |
Campbell |
53 |
– |
|
11 |
Hampton |
50 |
– |
|
12 |
UAlbany |
47 |
– |
|
13 |
Bryant |
32 |
– |
|
14 |
North Carolina A&T |
23 |
– |
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