Villanova Football Season Preview: Offensive Supporting Cast, Defensive Potential

Villanova Football enters 2026 fresh off a run to the FCS semifinals, but the Wildcats dealt with plenty of turmoil this offseason, losing 34 of 95 players to graduation or the transfer portal. They also got a runaround from the NCAA, who waited until late July to deny quarterback Pat McQuaide’s request for a final season of eligibility.

After McQuaide appealed the ruling in the courts, Villanova’s new conference, the Patriot League, stepped in and said they wouldn’t declare him eligible either. As such, the Wildcats will roll with either senior Robert Russo or true freshman Nolan DiLucia, who competed evenly for snaps in McQuaide’s absence, as their field general. Neither has completed a college pass.

Even so, Villanova is well-equipped on offense with returning mainstays like running backs Ja’briel Mace and Isaiah Ragland, potential All-American receiver Braden Reed, and an experienced offensive line led by Chris McCullers and Kyle Fay. They should also benefit from the addition of transfers like tight end Brody Eaton and receiver Jake Hilton.

Depth an Issue?

On the other side of the ball, the Wildcats suffered an offseason blow when linebacker Turner Inge went down with a season-ending injury. They still have promising contributors at the position like Omari Bursey, but the defense as a whole has a concerning lack of depth — the secondary in particular, which bore the brunt of Villanova’s transfer portal exodus.

Most important, though, the Wildcats managed to retain talent on their defensive line, the lynchpin of their 3-3-5 defense. Capri Martin is another All-American candidate; Ugo Nwotite is a potential rising star, born to rush the passer at 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds. The Wildcats have a number of capable contributors at defensive tackle, able to rotate in and out and maintain a fresh stable of pass rushers.

Picked to win the Patriot League in their debut season and ranked in the FCS’ top ten in preseason polls, Villanova might go through growing pains as they figure out their quarterback situation… but a well-rounded supporting cast should keep them in good shape.