Patriot League Football: 2025 Season Kickoff

Patriot League Football: A Comprehensive 2025 Season Preview

The landscape of college football has been in constant flux, but the Patriot League has maintained its stability while strategically adding competitive programs. With Richmond officially joining the conference, the race for the league title promises to be more exciting than ever. Let’s delve into a team-by-team preview, examining key returning players, notable additions, and projected standings for the upcoming 2025 season.

To provide a thorough analysis, players who participated in over 200 snaps during the previous season are considered significant returning contributors. An exception was made for starters who suffered season-ending injuries but were expected to be major contributors if healthy.

Team Previews

Bucknell Bison

• 2024 Record: 6-6 (4-2 Patriot League)
• Offensive Yards Per Play (YPP): 67th
• Defensive Yards Per Play (YPP): 90th
• Projected Strength of Schedule (SOS): 86th

Bucknell’s success hinges on the performance of quarterback Ralph Rucker IV, who had a stellar 2024 season.

• Key Returners:
  • Ralph Rucker IV (QB): 67.2% completion rate, 2,826 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, 7 interceptions, 4 rushing touchdowns
  • Tariq Thomas (RB): 166 carries, 783 rushing yards, 4.7 yards per carry, 4 rushing touchdowns
  • Josh Gary (WR): 52 receptions, 620 receiving yards, 11.9 yards per reception, 4 receiving touchdowns
  • Nick Hoying (S): 91 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 1 interception
  • Aaron Davis (CB): 33 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 6 pass breakups
• Returning Significant Contributors: QB (1), RB (1), WR (4), TE (1), OL (5), DT (0), EDGE (1), LB (1), S (2), CB (2)
• Notable Offseason Additions: Jaiden Spearman (Louisville, DB), Christopher Dietrich (Temple, QB), Cesar Carrasco (Liberty, WR), Andrew Erby Jr. (Ohio, OL)

Colgate Raiders

• 2024 Record: 2-10 (1-5 Patriot League)
• Offensive Yards Per Play (YPP): 88th
• Defensive Yards Per Play (YPP): 109th
• Projected Strength of Schedule (SOS): 60th

Colgate looks to improve on a difficult 2024 season, relying on returning talent at wide receiver and in the secondary.

• Key Returners:
  • Treyvhon Saunders (WR): 88 receptions, 831 receiving yards, 9.4 yards per reception, 2 receiving touchdowns
  • Brady Hutchison (WR): 44 receptions, 540 receiving yards, 12.3 yards per reception, 5 receiving touchdowns
  • Tymir Wynn (CB): 46 tackles, 3 interceptions, 7 pass breakups
  • Dane Picariello (DE): 71 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks
  • Josh Stinespring (S): 45 tackles, 1 interception, 2 pass breakups
• Returning Significant Contributors: QB (1), RB (1), WR (5), TE (1), OL (3), DT (2), EDGE (3), LB (0), S (3), CB (3)
• Notable Offseason Additions: Connor Phelps (Tulsa, LB)

Fordham Rams

• 2024 Record: 2-10 (2-4 Patriot League)
• Offensive Yards Per Play (YPP): 124th
• Defensive Yards Per Play (YPP): 79th
• Projected Strength of Schedule (SOS): 59th

Fordham aims for a bounce-back season, with key players returning on both sides of the ball.

• Key Returners:
  • Ricky Gonzalez (WR): 57 carries, 240 rushing yards, 21 receptions, 251 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown
  • James Conway (LB): 129 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 2 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery (Statistics from the 2023 season, limited to 4 games last season due to injury)
  • Alex Kemper (CB): 43 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, 10 pass breakups, 1 fumble recovery
  • Sam Buerkle (DT): 41 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 quarterback hurries
  • Boogie Owens (S): 37 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 5 pass breakups
• Returning Significant Contributors: QB (1), RB (0), WR (2), TE (1), OL (2), DT (2), EDGE (2), LB (3), S (2), CB (1)
• Notable Offseason Additions: Alec Hughes (Maryland, WR), Gunnar Smith (UCF, QB), Justin Federico (Pace, OL)

Georgetown Hoyas

• 2024 Record: 5-6 (2-4 Patriot League)
• Offensive Yards Per Play (YPP): 91st
• Defensive Yards Per Play (YPP): 63rd
• Projected Strength of Schedule (SOS): 85th

Georgetown, with a strong returning offensive core, could be a surprise contender in the Patriot League.

• Key Returners:
  • Danny Lauter (QB): 61.5% completion rate, 1,871 passing yards, 11 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions
  • Jimmy Kibble (WR): 46 receptions, 720 receiving yards, 15.6 yards per reception, 3 receiving touchdowns
  • Bryce Cox (RB): 104 carries, 566 rushing yards, 5.4 yards per carry, 4 rushing touchdowns
  • GianCarlo Rufo (LB): 91 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 3 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles
  • Quincy Briggs (CB): 23 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 interception, 8 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery
• Returning Significant Contributors: QB (1), RB (1), WR (3), TE (2), OL (5), DT (3), EDGE (3), LB (1), S (0), CB (2)
• Notable Offseason Additions: Luke Daly (Villanova, WR)

Holy Cross Crusaders

• 2024 Record: 6-6 (5-1 Patriot League)
• Offensive Yards Per Play (YPP): 52nd
• Defensive Yards Per Play (YPP): 53rd
• Projected Strength of Schedule (SOS): 56th

Holy Cross aims to continue its Patriot League dominance, despite some key departures.

• Key Returners:
  • Jayden Clerveaux (RB): 198 carries, 942 rushing yards, 4.8 yards per carry, 11 rushing touchdowns
  • Max Mosey (WR): 37 receptions, 715 receiving yards, 19.3 yards per reception, 6 receiving touchdowns
  • Cam Jones (CB): 56 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 9 pass breakups
  • Cam Santee (DE): 51 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 4 quarterback hurries, 2 forced fumbles
  • Eli Thompson (CB): 29 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 interception, 8 pass breakups
• Returning Significant Contributors: QB (0), RB (2), WR (1), TE (1), OL (3), DT (3), EDGE (3), LB (1), S (1), CB (5)
• Notable Offseason Additions: Ty Curran (Ball State, WR), Cal Swanson (Illinois, QB), Jayden Joyce (Davidson, OL), Billy Molloy (Maryland, OL)

Lafayette Leopards

• 2024 Record: 6-6 (2-4 Patriot League)
• Offensive Yards Per Play (YPP): 72nd
• Defensive Yards Per Play (YPP): 50th
• Projected Strength of Schedule (SOS): 70th

Lafayette looks to improve its standing in the Patriot League with experienced players returning on both sides of the ball.

• Key Returners:
  • Dean DeNobile (QB): 65.1% completion rate, 2,417 passing yards, 14 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 2 rushing touchdowns
  • Elijah Steward (WR): 46 receptions, 635 receiving yards, 13.8 yards per reception, 1 receiving touchdown
  • Jaylon Joseph (DE): 20 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, 2 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble
  • Xavier Johnson (CB): 17 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 2 interceptions, 2 pass breakups, 1 fumble recovery
  • Mason Kuehner (WR): 17 receptions, 258 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown, 200 punt return yards, 1 return touchdown
• Returning Significant Contributors: QB (1), RB (0), WR (3), TE (1), OL (5), DT (0), EDGE (2), LB (1), S (0), CB (1)
• Notable Offseason Additions: Daniel Lipovski (Delaware, QB), Payton Greer (Arkansas State, RB), Joe Shinko (Bowling Green, DL), Zach Zandier (Coastal Carolina, TE), Callahan Blair (Vanderbilt, LB), Beckham Dee (Penn State, LB)

Lehigh Mountain Hawks

• 2024 Record: 9-4 (5-1 Patriot League)
• Offensive Yards Per Play (YPP): 42nd
• Defensive Yards Per Play (YPP): 10th
• Projected Strength of Schedule (SOS): 83rd

Lehigh, with a wealth of returning talent, is poised to be a top contender in the Patriot League.

• Key Returners:
  • Luke Yoder (RB): 193 carries, 1,014 rushing yards, 5.3 yards per carry, 10 rushing touchdowns
  • Jaden Green (RB): 143 carries, 777 rushing yards, 5.4 yards per carry, 10 rushing touchdowns, 553 kick return yards
  • Geoffrey Jamiel (WR): 60 receptions, 768 receiving yards, 12.8 yards per reception, 8 receiving touchdowns
  • Matt Spatny (DE): 36 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, 3 quarterback hurries
  • Nick Peltekian (S): 74 tackles, 4 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble
• Returning Significant Contributors: QB (1), RB (2), WR (3), TE (1), OL (6), DT (4), EDGE (3), LB (3), S (4), CB (1)
• Notable Offseason Additions: Jake Macce (Duke, OL), Spencer Dow (Old Dominion, OL)

Richmond Spiders

• 2024 Record: 10-3 (8-0 CAA)
• Offensive Yards Per Play (YPP): 40th
• Defensive Yards Per Play (YPP): 60th
• Projected Strength of Schedule (SOS): 77th

Richmond, joining the Patriot League after a successful run in the CAA, is expected to make an immediate impact.

• Key Returners:
  • Kyle Wickersham (QB): 73% completion rate, 1,405 passing yards, 10 passing touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 402 rushing yards, 4 rushing touchdowns (Statistics from the 2023 season, limited to 3 games last season due to injury)
  • Ja’Vion Griffin (WR): 22 receptions, 315 receiving yards, 14.3 yards per reception, 1 receiving touchdown
  • Camden Byrd (DE): 45 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
  • Carter Glassmyer (LB): 67 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 2 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries
  • Matei Fitz (DT): 37 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries
• Returning Significant Contributors: QB (1), RB (0), WR (2), TE (1), OL (3), DT (1), EDGE (2), LB (1), S (1), CB (1)
• Notable Offseason Additions: Tayshaun Burney (Wake Forest, DB), Jason Smith II (North Carolina, OL), Jaiden Fair (Maryland, WR), Aidan Steinfeldt (Marshall, TE), JT Sowell (Appalachian State, OL)

Predicted Order of Finish

T1. Lehigh
T1. Richmond
3. Holy Cross
T4. Bucknell
T4. Lafayette
6. Fordham
7. Georgetown
8. Colgate

The 2025 Patriot League season is shaping up to be a two-horse race between Lehigh and Richmond. Lehigh boasts significant returning experience, while Richmond is led by a talented quarterback and an experienced head coach. However, Holy Cross cannot be counted out, given their recent dominance in the conference. Bucknell and Lafayette are potential dark horses, while Georgetown could surprise some teams with its returning offensive starters.