BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A quintet of Wildcats were selected to the Preseason All-Patriot League Football Team while Villanova was named the conference frontrunner for their first campaign as associate members of the league. Junior Ja'briel Mace (Somers Point, N.J.) was chosen as both a running back and return specialist, joined on the offense by junior offensive lineman Chris McCullers (Round Hill, Va.) and sophomore wide receiver Braden Reed (Pottstown, Pa.). Sophomore linebacker Omari Bursey (Broomfield, Colo.) and senior defensive lineman Capri Martin (Harlem, N.Y.) represented Villanova on the defensive side of the ball.
The awards and predicted order of finish were released as part of the 2026 Patriot League Football Preview Show on Wednesday night, which featured an interview with Villanova head coach Mark Ferrante.
Villanova was selected to finish atop the now-10 team Patriot League, earning 79 total points and seven of the first place votes. VU is picked just ahead of Lehigh, who the Wildcats toppled in the playoffs' second round last year, while former CAA rivals Richmond and William & Mary tied for third place. The 'Cats are coming off a 2025 campaign that ended in the FCS semifinals after going 12-3 and winning seven straight conference games during the program's final season in the CAA.
It's been a heralded preseason for running back/kick returner Mace, who was already selected a Stats Perform First Team Preseason All-American as well as a Walter Payton Award Preseason Watch List member. Last season Mace ranked fifth nationally with 1,882 all-purpose yards, leading VU in rushing at 946 yards and becoming the second player in Villanova history to average more than 30 yards on kickoff returns for a full season. He ranked second in the FCS in kickoff returns, becoming the first player in the country last year to return two kickoffs for touchdowns.
McCullers picked up the first athletic honor of his collegiate career following back-to-back seasons of starting 14 games at guard. The Round Hill, Virginia product provides size, strength and veteran leadership for a Wildcat offensive line that looks to be one of the team's assets yet again despite the graduation of two All-American linemen. Last year, McCullers was a crucial part of a line that helped VU lead CAA Football in rushing offense and rank 11th nationally with nearly 300 first downs.
Reed earned a preseason accolade after bursting onto the scene in his freshman campaign and picking up a Freshman All-America nod. The 5-foot-9 receiver put forth over 500 yards on 34 catches in his opening season, hauling in three touchdowns himself in addition to throwing for one on a trick play in the NCAA quarterfinals. He was selected for this list as a receiver, but also has punt returning chops after averaging 14.9 yards per return a year ago with over 100 yards coming in one game during his freshman campaign.
Bursey was also honored for the first time with this preseason honor and is primed for a season as one of the team's top players on the defensive side of the ball. Last year the linebacker played in 15 games with 50 total tackles, including 8.5 TFLs and 2.5 sacks. The Colorado native picked off a pass against Penn State, and had two of his best games in the playoffs with eight tackles versus Lehigh and a career-best three tackles for loss at Tarleton State.
Martin rounded out the 'Cats on the accolades ahead of a year where he'll be looked upon to lead the Villanova defense. In 2025, the Harlem product recorded 32 tackles and 3.5 sacks along the defensive line, adding 8.5 tackles for loss. His best game as a junior was against now-conference foe Lehigh, making a career-high six tackles. He blocked a kick in the regular season finale against Sacred Heart, and posted four tackles three different times on the year.
The Wildcats will begin their inaugural season in the Patriot League on Friday, August 28th with a 6:00 p.m. matchup against the conference's other new squad, William & Mary.
2026 Patriot League Football Preseason Poll
1. Villanova, 79 points (7 first-place votes)
2. Lehigh, 75 (3)
T3. Richmond, 57
T3. William & Mary, 57
5. Lafayette, 55
6. Holy Cross, 38
7. Colgate, 36
T8. Fordham, 19
T8. Georgetown, 19
10. Bucknell, 15
2026 Patriot League Football Major Awards
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year – Luke Yoder, Lehigh, Sr., RB
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year – Camden Byrd, Richmond, Gr., DL
2026 Preseason All-Patriot League Football Team
OFFENSE (14)*
QB: Hayden Johnson, Lehigh, Jr.
RB: Luke Yoder, Lehigh, Sr.
RB: Aziz Foster-Powell, Richmond, Jr.
RB: Ja'briel Mace, Villanova, Jr.
WR: Sam Milligan, Bucknell, Sr.
WR: Winston Moore, Colgate, Jr.
WR: Carson Persing, Lafayette, Sr.
WR: Braden Reed, Villanova, So.
TE: Sean McElwain, William & Mary, Sr.
OL: Cam Nolan, Holy Cross, 5th-year
OL: Sean Wilson, Lafayette, Sr.
OL: Aidan Palmer, Lehigh, 5th-year
OL: Ronald Anderson, Richmond, Sr.
OL: Chris McCullers, Villanova, Jr.
DEFENSE (13)*
DL: Chigozie Oge-Evans, Georgetown, Sr.
DL: Camden Byrd, Richmond, Gr.
DL: Capri Martin, Villanova, Sr.
DL: Davin Dzidzienyo, William & Mary, Dl
LB: Brandon Biagiarelli, Bucknell, Jr.
LB: Trooper Price, Colgate, Sr.
LB: Andrew Osmun, Fordham, Sr.
LB: Carter Glassmyer, Richmond, Gr.
LB: Omari Bursey, Villanova, So.
DB: Tymir Wynn, Colgate, Sr.
DB: Jordan Allen, Richmond, Gr.
DB: Tayshaun Burney, Richmond, Jr.
DB: Bryce Barnes, William & Mary, Sr.
SPECIAL TEAMS (5)
PK: Luke Vogeler, Colgate, Sr.
P: Connor Poole, Lehigh, Jr.
RS: Ja'briel Mace, Villanova, Jr.
LS: Mike Doctor, Fordham, Sr.
Special Teams Non-Specialist (STNS): Stephon Hicks, William & Mary, Jr.
