COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Old Dominion linebacker Jason Henderson continues to add to his list of preseason honors after a monster 2022 season.
On Tuesday, he was included on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list, the Football Writers Association of America announced. The trophy has been given annually since 1993 to the top defensive player in the country.
Henderson, a 6-1, 225-pound junior from Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania, led the nation with 186 tackles last season. He broke the ODU and Sun Belt Conference single-season records for tackles. That led to five postseason All-America honors for him.
James Madison’s James Carpenter was among five other Sun Belt players to make the Nagurski watch list.
Also on Tuesday, Henderson made College Football Network’s All-Sun Belt preseason first team.
The Monarchs’ Ethan Duane was the Punter of the Year and made the specialists first team.
ODU defensive tackle Denzel Lowry made the second team, while cornerback LaMareon James and kicker Ethan Sanchez were on the third team and center Xavier Black and safety Terry Jones earned honorable mention.
James Madison’s Nick Kidwell was Offensive Lineman of the Year, while teammate Taurus Jones was Linebacker of the Year. They both made the first team along with defensive tackle James Carpenter.
- Linebacker John Pius was among five William & Mary players to be named to the Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Team. Pius was on the first team, while defensive lineman Nate Lynn and running back Bronson Yoder made the second team and cornerback Ryan Poole and long snapper Nick Levy made the third team.
- Hampton University linebacker Qwahsin Townsend has been named to the Bluebloods’ preseason All-CAA first team. He led the Pirates with 100 tackles last season. William & Mary had six players on the first team: running back Bronson Yoder, offensive lineman Charles Grant, defensive lineman Nate Lynn, linebacker John Pius and defensive backs Ryan Poole and Jalen Jones.
- James Madison offensive lineman Nick Kidwell and defensive lineman James Carpenter have both been named to the watch list for the Outland Trophy. The award is presented to college football’s best interior lineman. They are the first JMU players in program history to be named to the award’s watch list.
- Norfolk State is offering gameday cabanas for home football games this season. It will include game tickets, heavy hors d’oeuvres, beverage tickets, pre-game snacks and an unparalleled atmosphere. They can be purchased by contacting the NSU athletics office at 757-823-8152.
COLLEGE SOCCER
UVA women ranked fifth in poll
The University of Virginia women’s soccer team is ranked fifth in the United Soccer Coaches Associated preseason poll, which was released Tuesday.
The Cavaliers went 16-4-3 and advanced to an NCAA region final last season.
Meanwhile, the UVA men are ranked 15th in the USCA poll. They finished 10-4-5 last season.
In the Division III women’s poll, Virginia Wesleyan is ranked fourth and Christopher Newport is sixth.
CNU is ranked 21st in the Division III men’s poll.
Briefly
- Pitcher DL Hall is returning to the Norfolk Tides after spending a month in Florida trying to regain his strength after a back injury, according to multiple reports. The left-hander is expected to take a reliever role initially.
- Kyle Pope has joined the William & Mary men’s basketball staff as director of basketball operations. The former two-sport athlete at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, comes to Williamsburg with coaching experience at the Division II and Division III levels.
- University of Virginia women’s lacrosse coach Sonia LaMonica has announced the addition of Caylee Waters as an assistant coach. Waters is a U.S. national team member and competes professionally with Athletes Unlimited. She has been a volunteer assistant for UNC and Army.
