’26 Patriot League Football Preview: Richmond

(Photo Credit: Allyse Pulliam, Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Predicted Order of Finish: 3rd

On paper, the Richmond Spiders have what it takes to make a run at the Patriot League title. Last year they did, too, but injuries and some unfortunate early losses derailed their chance before it really got begun.

Head coach Russ Huesman hopes that history doesn’t repeat itself this season.

Oft-injured QB Kyle Wickersham was a great, physical leader of the Spider offense last season, accurate and difficult to bring down.  When he was in on offense, as was TE Sean Clarke, a 6’4, 249 lb problem at tight end, the Spiders were a different team. When they both were absent – Clarke has a season-ending injury in Week 2, and returns this season for the Spiders – Richmond struggled.

Wickersham graduates, but his backup last season, QB Ashten Snelsire, started in three games and got a lot of first-team experience last season.  Similar to Wickersham, he should step into his shoes easily.  His rushing touchdown, which was the difference in their 28-21 win over archrival William & Mary, set the perfect springboard for their offseason.

Richmond’s bruising, athletic offense shouldn’t change much in Year 2 in the Patriot League.  Snelsire will be a dual-threat at QB, RB Aziz Foster-Powell (594 yards, 5 TDs) will rejoin him as a power running threat, and big-play receivers in Williams and WR Andreas Hill (314 yards, 3 TDs). , also returns after a season-ending injury last season, which could be a true game changer.

Hometown hero WR Krystian Williams played defensive back at Virginia Tech, but he heads to Richmond with two years of eligibility remaining and will switch to wideout.  He’ll have every chance to win the job now that WR Ja’vion Griffin, last year’s top receiver for Richmond, has graduated.

The Spiders’ impressive defense is the main reason why Richmond went 7-5 last year, allowing on average less than 300 yards per game and allowing on average 22 points per game.  Preseason Patriot League Defensive Player of the year DL Cam Byrd (34 tackles, 8 ½ sacks) and LB Carter Glassmeyer (82 tackles, 5 TFL) are an impressive core in front, while DBs Jordan Allen (74 tackles, 1 INT) and Tayshaun Burney (49 tackles, 10 pass break-ups) form a formidable secondary. If defense wins championships, Richmond will have every chance to win it.

Richmond will be breaking in a new kicker this year after suffering ups and downs in the kicking game with PK Jayden Alsheskie last season.  P Ned Gray returns (38.73 ypk), and the Spiders will also be breaking in a new set of return men with the departure of WR Ja’vion Griffin and WR Isaiah Dawson (Bowling Green). 

Can Williams step in where Griffin and Dawson left off, especially in the return game?  Will the next kicker have the full confidence of the head coach?  The other question involves injuries – Wickersham’s injuries and Clarke’s injury in Week 2 did a lot to slow down the defense.  Can everyone stay healthy? Early reports from Richmond don’t seem great – Huesman himself was quoted as saying, “a quarter of the team is injured”, and they are especially hit hard at defensive line and running back.

Fearless Prediction: After starting the year with an extremely challenging game against Lehigh last season, the Spiders instead start their schedule with three games at home (Bucknell, Georgetown, and Furman) and what could be a better runway into the season – if they stay healthy.  If they are in contention in November – with games against Villanova, Lehigh, and Capital Cup Rival William & Mary, in that order – they will have every chance to win the title.