The Hawks have been ranked 22nd/23rd in the preseason national polls despite graduating a quarterback who passed for 27 touchdowns a year ago, and seeing a running back who gained 1,802 yards last fall, transfer to Miami of Ohio.
With standout tailback Rodney Nelson joining Dartmouth transfer center Max Wentz and former Big Green tight end Sean Ward at Miami, Elijah Jennings has the inside track at replacing him after running for 320 yards and six touchdowns last fall.
Bolstering the offense are all-CAA preseason picks Marcus Middleton, a tight end, and Gavin Nelson, a wide receiver who had 65 catches for 1,157 yards and nine touchdowns over the past two years.
Honorable-mention picks returning include receiver Tray Neal, who has 62 grabs with 14 touchdowns over the past two years, offensive lineman Kevin Shriner, who helped Monmouth averaged 40 points per game last year, and defensive back Jaeden Jones, who had 118 tackles last year.
Bolstering the defense are standout tackles Ryan Russo, who spent one season at Rutgers, and Spencer Kishbaugh, a former player at Coastal Carolina.
Punter Luke Schabel, a onetime member of the Incarnate Word squad, averaged 41.9 yards last year.
Monmouth, like Lehigh, will be led this fall by a first-year head coach promoted from within. Jeff Gallo has succeeded longtime coach Kevin Callahan after spending the last 21 years on his staff.
Callahan, the only coach Monmouth had in its first 33 years of football, retired after last season with a career record of 197-151. The school is naming the field in his honor.
Last Year:
The Big Picture:
The Bottom Line:
When its starting QB went out last year, there wasn't much of a drop-off when backup Frankie Weaver took over. That said, Weaver had a proven, dynamic running back to help shoulder the load. If a running back steps up and Weaver proves last year was no fluke, there's reason to believe Monmouth will make another run at the FCS Playoffs. Either way, the Hawks will be a tough out for everyone on their schedule.