Villanova Football Roster Breakdown: Two Man Battle at Quarterback

This is one in a series of stories breaking down the 2025 Villanova Football roster. Click here to read about the Wildcats’ cornerback room; click here to read about the Wildcats’ defensive back room; click here to read about the Wildcats’ safety room; click here to read about the Wildcats’ defensive ends, and click here to read about the Wildcats’ defensive tackles; click here to learn about the Wildcats’ linebackers; click here to about the Wildcats’ specialists; click here to learn about the Wildcats’ interior offensive line, and click here to learn about their tackles.

6-foot-1, 200 pound junior Tanner Maddocks served as the Wildcats’ backup quarterback in 2024, completing eight of 14 passes for 112 yards. A dual-threat quarterback who’s a strong enough athlete to have doubled as a punt returner for the Wildcats, Maddocks also ran for two touchdowns and picked up 90 yards on ten returns.

Although serving as the backup last season could indicate Maddocks’ being the first in line for the starting job this season, Villanova football still hasn’t decided between him and graduate transfer Pat McQuaide for the starting role per a report from Dylan Johnson of the Villanovan.

McQuaide (six feet tall, 205 pounds) completed 215 of 368 passes for 2,218 yards, 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions at Nicholls State last season. He ran for 156 yards and two touchdowns on 63 carries, but it’s important to note that quarterback rushing statistics also count yardage lost due to sacks.

Quarterback Depth

6-foot-2, 195 pound signal caller Jack Ryder served as the Wildcats’ holder on kick attempts last season and will likely do so again this year. That gives Villanova the potential to run trick plays and will force opposing special teams units to stay honest rather than selling out for a block.

Juniors Robert Russo (6-foot-3, 225 pounds) and Michael Benincasa Jr. (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) will add depth at quarterback according to the Wildcats’ roster.

Freshman Hudson Heinemann (6-foot-2, 170 pounds), graduated from Florida’s IMG Academy, one of the top schools in the country for young athletes, making him a player to watch as he continues to grow and develop. Similarly, redshirt freshman Dylan Mills (6-foot-2, 205 pounds) has plenty of time to develop into a meaningful contributor with the Wildcats.