Silver Named to Phil Steele Preseason All-America Second Team

DURHAM, N.H. – Senior defensive end and captain Josiah Silver (Hampton, Va.) of the University of New Hampshire football team has been named to the Phil Steele FCS 2024 Preseason All-America Second Team.

Eight Wildcats, including all five captains, were named to a Phil Steele CAA 2024 Preseason All-Conference Team. Silver was joined on the First Team by fellow senior defensive end Dylan Ruiz (Orlando, Fla.) and grad student wide receiver and captain Logan Tomlinson (Manchester, Conn.).

Senior linebacker Ryan Toscano (Bedford, N.H.) and senior offensive lineman Dylan Poirier (North Kingstown, R.I.) – both captains – were voted to the Second Team and grad student defensive back Wande Owens (Cooksville, Md.) was a Third Team selection. Senior safety and captain Zedane Williams (Springfield, Mass.) and junior kicker Nick Mazzie (Boxford, Mass.) were named to the Fourth Team.

UNH kicks off the 2024 season Aug. 29 (7 p.m.) at UCF and the Wildcats play the first of five home games Sept. 14 (6 p.m.) for Youth Sports Day against Stonehill College.

UNH football Season Ticket Memberships, including the Service Credit Union Victory Club, as well as group, hospitality and individual game tickets can be purchased online by CLICKING HERE or by calling (603) 862-4000.

For questions regarding tickets, please email unh.tickets@unh.edu.

Silver, 6-2 and 243 pounds, started every game in the 2023 season and finished with 23 solo stops and 20 assisted tackles for a total of 43. He led all UNH defensive linemen in those three stats and ranked fourth on the team in total tackles. Silver led all Wildcats in both tackles for loss (9.5) and sacks (five), as well as quarterback hurries (eight). He was also credited with a blocked kick.

Silver's other 2024 preseason accolades include Buck Buchanan Award preseason watch list, Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America First Team and CAA Football Preseason All-Conference Team.

Ruiz (6-1, 256), started all 11 games last season with 19 solo tackles and 16 assisted tackles for a total of 35, all of which ranked second among UNH defensive linemen. He ranked second on the team in both tackles for loss (eight) and sacks (four). Ruiz was also credited with a pair of quarterback hurries.

Ruiz was also named to the CAA Football Preseason All-Conference Team.

Tomlinson (6-3, 210) started all 11 games last year – his first as a Wildcat. He tied atop the team leaderboard in touchdown receptions (seven) and was UNH's leader in yards per catch (14.7). Tomlinson also ranked second in both catches (42) and receiving yards (618). He had a breakout game vs. UAlbany in which he recorded season highs in catches (nine), receiving yards (144) and TD catches (two).

Poirier (6-4, 302) has made 24 consecutive starts on UNH's offensive line. He was the starting left tackle every game last year, and in the 2022 season Poirier started every game at right tackle. As a mainstay in the 2023 offensive line, Poirier paved the way for UNH's offense that ranked No. 5 in the nation with a CAA-leading 37.5 points per game.

Toscano (6-0, 217), another Wildcat who started all 11 games a year ago, was the team's leading tackler with 74 total tackles. His 43 assisted tackles were more than all but three 'Cats had total tackles and his 31 solo stops ranked third. Toscano's other stats include 4.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, on forced fumble, one fumble recovery, two pass breakups and a pair of quarterback hurries.

Owens (5-11, 211) helped lead the 2023 Yale Bulldogs to a 7-5 overall record that included 5-2 in the Ivy League. The captain ranked second on the team with 55 total tackles (42 solo, 13 assisted). Owens tied for the lead with seven pass breakups and made five tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Owens was named to both the All-Ivy First Team and All-New England Team twice at Yale.

Mazzie (6-2, 222) ranked second on last year's squad in points with 88. He made 14 of 20 field goal attempts and 46 of 48 PAT kicks. He connected on 14 of 17 field goal attempts between 19-49 yards with three makes longer than 40 yards, including a long of 47 at Stonehill College.

Williams (6-1, 207) saw action in all 11 games and started the last three games of the 2023 season. He finished fifth on the team in tackles (42) with a breakdown of 26 solo tackles and 16 assisted. Williams made 5.5 tackles for loss, including 2.5 sacks. He was also credited with two quarterback hurries and a pass breakup.

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