Villanova graduate quarterback Connor Watkins and Delaware senior running back Marcus Yarns shared Offensive Player of the Week accolades, while Richmond senior linebacker Tristan Wheeler was selected as the Defensive Player of the Week. Hampton junior kick returner Romon Copeland was honored as the Special Teams Player of the Week and William & Mary freshman tight end Sean McElwain was named the Rookie of the Week.

CAA Football Co-Offensive Player of the Week

Connor Watkins, Gr., QB, Villanova (Williamsport, Pa./Loyalsock Twp.)

Watkins was 13-of-19 passing for a season-high 361 yards and a season-best four touchdowns and added another 34 yards rushing in Villanova’s 48-13 victory over Stony Brook. He threw for 291 yards in the first half, including TD tosses of 43, 20 and 76 yards, and added a 24-yard scoring strike in the third period. Watkins leads FCS with 18.7 yards per completion this season.

CAA Football Co-Offensive Player of the Week

Marcus Yarns, Sr., RB, Delaware (Salisbury, Md./Parkside)

Yarns registered 168 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns in Delaware’s 51-13 triumph at Towson. The senior had four catches for a career-high 105 yards and a TD and ran for a team-best 64 yards and four TD’s. He caught a 75-yard scoring pass on the first play from scrimmage before finding the end zone on four runs, which were the most by a UD back since 2007. His 30 points in the game were the second-most by an FCS player this season.

CAA Football Defensive Player of the Week

Tristan Wheeler, Sr., LB, Richmond (Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom)

Wheeler recorded a team-high 12 tackles (10 solo), 1.5 TFL’s, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery to help lead Richmond past Campbell, 44-13. The senior’s strip sack was one of three 4th-quarter turnovers that led to 21 points as the Spiders became the first team to hold the Camels under 24 points. Wheeler, who has 89 stops in 2023, moved into 2nd place on UR’s career tackles list with 455.

CAA Football Special Teams Player of the Week

Romon Copeland, Jr., KR/WR, Hampton (Chesapeake, Va./Oscar Smith)

Copeland returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown, which proved to be the difference in Hampton’s 26-24 win over North Carolina A&T. After the Aggies had pulled within 19-14 late in the third quarter, Copeland registered the first KOR for a TD of his career. He finished with 116 kick return yards, and also had a 9-yard reception.

CAA Football Rookie of the Week

Sean McElwain, Fr., TE, William & Mary (Glen Allen, Va./Glen Allen)

McElwain set career-highs with six receptions for 113 yards in William & Mary’s 31-28 victory over Monmouth. The freshman topped the team in receiving yards and nearly doubled his season total to help the Tribe record its most passing yards of the year. Five of McElwain’s six catches went for 14 or more yards.