Thursday, July 24, 2025

North Carolina Schools Look to Climb CAA Football Ladder in 2025

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