As the FCS looks (and hopes) for national contenders to emerge in the east and the south, Villanova is a prime candidate. It’s been there before. A national championship in 2009 was followed by a run to the semis in 2010. But the Wildcats have been up-and-down since, making the first round in 2012 and 2019, reaching the second round in 2016, making the quarterfinals in 2014, and advancing to the quarters again last season, losing 35-21 to South Dakota State.
Ranked No. 6 in the Stats Perform Preseason Top 25 media poll, can Villanova replace several standouts and make a run as the premier team in the CAA with the departure of James Madison? Let’s take a look at the team and discuss.
2022 FCS Preseason Preview Central
Last Season
The Wildcats finished 10-3 overall and 7-1 in the CAA standings. They won a share of the conference title with James Madison, who they beat 28-27. Nova earned the No. 5 playoff seed, beating Holy Cross 21-16 in the second round before losing 35-21 to SDSU in the quarterfinals.
Nova ranked No. 34 in FCS scoring offense (30.1 PPG) and No. 9 in scoring defense (16.7 PPG).
2022 Roster
DB Christian Benford. DL Malik Fisher. LB Forrest Rhyne. QB Daniel Smith. RB Justin Covington. TE Todd Summers. Those are some big names no longer on the Villanova roster. In total, the Wildcats bring back just four of last season’s 12 All-CAA selections: OL Michael Corbi (1st team), OL Colin Gamroth (2nd team), WR Rayjoun Pringle (2nd team), WR Jaaron Hayek (3rd team).
But talent remains thanks to strong recruiting classes under sixth-year head coach Mark Ferrante.
Fourth-year junior Connor Watkins is expected to be the starting QB. As a high school recruit, he turned down nearly 20 FCS offers to play at Villanova. He should be comfortable in the offensive system and behind a strong offensive line. Weapons remain at the skilled positions. Jalen Jackson was a solid complement to Covington, rushing 96 times for 587 yards and seven TDs last year. DeeWil Barlee added 100 carries for 414 yards and is also back.
Nova has a dynamic duo at WR in Pringle and Hayek, who combined for 81 catches, 1,514 receiving yards, and 17 receiving touchdowns last fall.
On defense, Nova brings back just two of its top seven tacklers and loses its top four tacklers. DBs Ethan Potter (49 tackles) and Jalen Goodman (46 tackles) are the returning tackles leaders, while Garrett Zobel and Bryce Ganious lead the DL after combining for 10.5 TFLs. The Wildcats did bring in transfer LB Dan Damico from CAA member UAlbany. Damico had over 300 career tackles in four seasons for the Great Danes and was an All-CAA Second Team selection in the spring season.
Veteran punter Nathan Fondacaro was set for a big season, but an achilles injury will keep him out for the year. Nova will also have to replace All-CAA kicker Cole Bunce. Matthew Mercurio is a transfer from San Jose State expected to handle the kicking duties.
2022 Schedule
- vs. Lehigh
- @ Long Island
- @ FBS Army
- vs. Monmouth
- @ Maine
- @ No. 24 Richmond
- vs. UAlbany
- vs. Hampton
- @ Towson
- @ William & Mary
- vs. No. 19 Delaware
The non-conference is manageable as Nova will probably go 2-1 with a non-counter FBS loss to Army (9-4 last season). It will be a battle week-to-week in the CAA featuring quality depth of solid teams, but doesn’t include that one standout team this season. Back-to-back games at Maine and Richmond are tough. So is the game at W&M before the rivalry matchup versus Delaware.
Season Outlook
I’m not quite as high on Villanova as other media poll voters. I had the Wildcats No. 11 on my ballot. But I do get why voters would slot Nova near the Top 5, where it ended up No. 6 in the poll.
Nova has a strong brand name in the FCS with past success. It has great potential to be a national contender, especially after JMU’s departure.
Depth, recruiting, and development will be put to the test this season. Not many FCS programs can replace their top four tacklers and star QB/RB combination and replicate the previous year’s success. Individual talent remains, though, so I still put Nova in the top tier of the CAA with Richmond and Delaware. Rhode Island isn’t too far behind.
I expect the Wildcats to be back in the playoffs. A seed would be secured if Nova went 7-1 in the CAA and an expected 2-1 in the non-conference. But a 6-2 league record seems more realistic. And don’t be surprised to see a ton of 5-3 and 4-4 teams in the standings. Monmouth, Maine, Richmond, William & Mary, and Delaware are all going to be tough outs for Nova. I’m not totally sold on this team getting a seed just yet, where a return trip to the quarterfinals would be more challenging (matchups pending).
A lot is riding on QB play. The defense may not be as stout as last season, but Nova will always play tough D. The offense has plenty of strength at RB and WR. But we saw it last year when Delaware’s starting QB Nolan Henderson got hurt — if you don’t have strong quarterback play, it doesn’t matter how much talent you have around the signal-caller, it’s still going to be hard to win games. We’ll see what Watkins brings to the table as the expected starter.
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