University of Richmond Athletics
Nine Spiders Earn Phil Steele Preseason All-Patriot League Honors
08/03/2026 | Football
Richmond Va. – Nine University of Richmond football student-athletes have been selected to the Phil Steele Preseason All-Patriot League Teams, announced ahead of the 2026 season. The Spiders placed four players on the preseason first team and five on the preseason second team. Graduate student defensive lineman Camden Byrd was also selected as the Phil Steele Preseason Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year, and was also tabbed a Phil Steele Preseason All-American (First Team) alongside linebacker Carter Glassmyer (Fourth Team).
Richmond's first-team selections include Byrd and Glassmyer, as well as offensive lineman Ronald Anderson and defensive back Jordan Allen. The Spiders' second-team selections include running back Aziz Foster-Powell, offensive lineman Jason Smith, defensive lineman TJ Baldwin, defensive back Tayshaun Burney and defensive back Lee Bruner IV.
Richmond's nine selections return from a 2025 squad that ranked among the Patriot League leaders on both sides of the ball. The Spiders ranked third in the Patriot League in rushing offense with 1,772 yards, averaging 147.7 yards per game. Richmond's offensive line allowed just 14 sacks during the season (1.17 per game), ranking third in the conference and 14th among FCS programs, while quarterback Kyle Wickersham led the Patriot League in completion percentage at 64.6 percent.
Defensively, Richmond led the Patriot League and ranked fourth nationally in passing defense, allowing 155.3 passing yards per game. The Spiders ranked second in the conference in scoring defense (22.7 points per game), third in interceptions with 11, and second in the Patriot League while ranking sixth nationally in total defense, allowing 290.3 yards per game. Richmond also ranked third in the conference in tackles for loss, averaging 6.1 per game.
Anderson, a senior, played in all 12 games and started 11 contests in 2025. He was part of an offensive line that helped Richmond rank third in the Patriot League in rushing offense with 1,772 yards and allowed 14 sacks on the season. The unit also helped Wickersham rank first in the conference in completion percentage at 64.6 percent.
Byrd, a graduate student and team captain, earned Second Team All-Patriot League honors in 2025 after starting all 12 games. He recorded 34 tackles, including 11.5 tackles for loss totaling 83 yards, and ranked second in the Patriot League and 15th nationally in forced fumbles with three. Byrd finished second on the team with 8.5 sacks (-66 yards), which ranked fourth in the Patriot League and 24th nationally. He also recorded six quarterback hurries and a pass breakup.
Glassmyer, a graduate student and team captain, earned Second Team All-Patriot League honors after playing in and starting 10 games. He finished second on the team with 82 tackles, including 40 solo stops, and added five tackles for loss (-43 yards), three sacks (-39 yards) and a pass breakup. Glassmyer recorded a season-high 12 tackles in Richmond's win over Fordham.
Allen, a graduate student and team captain, earned First Team All-Patriot League honors after starting all 12 games at strong safety. He finished third on the team with a career-high 74 tackles, including 41 solo stops. Allen recorded 1.5 tackles for loss, an interception returned 14 yards against North Carolina, and four pass breakups. He recorded a career-high 14 tackles against Howard.
Foster-Powell, a senior, played in all 12 games and started seven contests. He led Richmond in rushing with 594 yards on 125 carries, recording four rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown. He ranked eighth in the Patriot League in yards per carry (4.54) and rushing yards per game (47.3). Foster-Powell recorded a career-high 108 rushing yards on eight carries, including a career-long 27-yard rush, at Bucknell.
Smith, a junior, played in 10 games and started nine contests in 2025. After making his collegiate debut against North Carolina, Smith started each remaining game. He was part of an offensive line that helped Richmond rank third in the Patriot League in rushing offense and allowed 14 sacks on the season.
Baldwin, a senior, started all 12 games and recorded 32 tackles, including 6.0 tackles for loss (-17 yards). He added 1.5 sacks and forced a fumble against No. 25 Lafayette.
Burney, a junior, started all 12 games at nickel and recorded 49 tackles, including 25 solo stops. He led Richmond with 10 pass breakups and added 1.5 tackles for loss (-4 yards), a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry. Burney recorded six tackles, an interception and two pass breakups in his collegiate debut against No. 14 Lehigh.
Bruner IV, a junior, played in and started 11 games at free safety. He finished fourth on the team with 51 tackles, including 32 solo stops. Bruner IV recorded a team-high three interceptions, including two against Fordham, and added a tackle for loss and a pass breakup.
The Spiders open the season at home on Aug. 29 when they host Bucknell under the lights at 6:00 p.m. during Red Out Robins. Tickets for all six home games at Robins Stadium are available by calling 1-877-SPIDER-1, visiting the Robins Center Ticket Office, or online at the link here.
Richmond's first-team selections include Byrd and Glassmyer, as well as offensive lineman Ronald Anderson and defensive back Jordan Allen. The Spiders' second-team selections include running back Aziz Foster-Powell, offensive lineman Jason Smith, defensive lineman TJ Baldwin, defensive back Tayshaun Burney and defensive back Lee Bruner IV.
Richmond's nine selections return from a 2025 squad that ranked among the Patriot League leaders on both sides of the ball. The Spiders ranked third in the Patriot League in rushing offense with 1,772 yards, averaging 147.7 yards per game. Richmond's offensive line allowed just 14 sacks during the season (1.17 per game), ranking third in the conference and 14th among FCS programs, while quarterback Kyle Wickersham led the Patriot League in completion percentage at 64.6 percent.
Defensively, Richmond led the Patriot League and ranked fourth nationally in passing defense, allowing 155.3 passing yards per game. The Spiders ranked second in the conference in scoring defense (22.7 points per game), third in interceptions with 11, and second in the Patriot League while ranking sixth nationally in total defense, allowing 290.3 yards per game. Richmond also ranked third in the conference in tackles for loss, averaging 6.1 per game.
Anderson, a senior, played in all 12 games and started 11 contests in 2025. He was part of an offensive line that helped Richmond rank third in the Patriot League in rushing offense with 1,772 yards and allowed 14 sacks on the season. The unit also helped Wickersham rank first in the conference in completion percentage at 64.6 percent.
Byrd, a graduate student and team captain, earned Second Team All-Patriot League honors in 2025 after starting all 12 games. He recorded 34 tackles, including 11.5 tackles for loss totaling 83 yards, and ranked second in the Patriot League and 15th nationally in forced fumbles with three. Byrd finished second on the team with 8.5 sacks (-66 yards), which ranked fourth in the Patriot League and 24th nationally. He also recorded six quarterback hurries and a pass breakup.
Glassmyer, a graduate student and team captain, earned Second Team All-Patriot League honors after playing in and starting 10 games. He finished second on the team with 82 tackles, including 40 solo stops, and added five tackles for loss (-43 yards), three sacks (-39 yards) and a pass breakup. Glassmyer recorded a season-high 12 tackles in Richmond's win over Fordham.
Allen, a graduate student and team captain, earned First Team All-Patriot League honors after starting all 12 games at strong safety. He finished third on the team with a career-high 74 tackles, including 41 solo stops. Allen recorded 1.5 tackles for loss, an interception returned 14 yards against North Carolina, and four pass breakups. He recorded a career-high 14 tackles against Howard.
Foster-Powell, a senior, played in all 12 games and started seven contests. He led Richmond in rushing with 594 yards on 125 carries, recording four rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown. He ranked eighth in the Patriot League in yards per carry (4.54) and rushing yards per game (47.3). Foster-Powell recorded a career-high 108 rushing yards on eight carries, including a career-long 27-yard rush, at Bucknell.
Smith, a junior, played in 10 games and started nine contests in 2025. After making his collegiate debut against North Carolina, Smith started each remaining game. He was part of an offensive line that helped Richmond rank third in the Patriot League in rushing offense and allowed 14 sacks on the season.
Baldwin, a senior, started all 12 games and recorded 32 tackles, including 6.0 tackles for loss (-17 yards). He added 1.5 sacks and forced a fumble against No. 25 Lafayette.
Burney, a junior, started all 12 games at nickel and recorded 49 tackles, including 25 solo stops. He led Richmond with 10 pass breakups and added 1.5 tackles for loss (-4 yards), a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry. Burney recorded six tackles, an interception and two pass breakups in his collegiate debut against No. 14 Lehigh.
Bruner IV, a junior, played in and started 11 games at free safety. He finished fourth on the team with 51 tackles, including 32 solo stops. Bruner IV recorded a team-high three interceptions, including two against Fordham, and added a tackle for loss and a pass breakup.
The Spiders open the season at home on Aug. 29 when they host Bucknell under the lights at 6:00 p.m. during Red Out Robins. Tickets for all six home games at Robins Stadium are available by calling 1-877-SPIDER-1, visiting the Robins Center Ticket Office, or online at the link here.
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