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Toledo’s a very interesting team right now. Toledo’s been one of the great overachievers and underachievers in this conference. The program’s created NFL talent before, but it’s been on a run of quality, defensive, Draft-worthy players. And still, it seems like Toledo finds ways to miss out on going to the MAC championship game, even if it tends to look like one of the more powerful squads, on paper, during the offseason.
Ten years ago, sure, I’d probably gasp at the sight of seeing only one returning starter come back to this Toledo team.
But I’m not going to say Toledo can’t win in 2026 for that reason.
After Jason Candle’s 11 years with zero losing seasons, three MAC championship berths, and two titles, the two separated as the coach took the Connecticut coaching job, and Mike Jacobs was called up from his post at Mercer to see if he can do Toledo’s job in this era of college football.
Jacobs has been a college head coach for 10 years at three different schools, and has never suffered a losing season. He has an overall career record of 94-23.
Only one starter from last year’s Toledo team returns, but does that really matter these days if you get enough of the right transfers? This team’s roster is seeing 35 total new faces via the portal, and roughly a third of them are following Jacobs from Mercer. And one of them was named the best defensive player in FCS football last year as a redshirt-freshman.
I know I’m two days late on my personal deadline to post this (sorry to the Sunday crowd), but this series must continue. We’re going to look through these notes below to have some simple questions answered: Who returns? Who’s gone? Who’s joining the team this year?
Toledo Football Roster Breakdown
RETURN (Starters*) | DEPART | INCOMING | |
|---|---|---|---|
Total Offense | 29 (1) | 32 (10) | 22 |
Total Defense | 22 | 24 (11) | 26 |
Total Specialists | 2 (1) | 4 (2) | 5 |
Offense
QUARTERBACKS
Returning players
#6 John Alan Richter — Fifth-year signee from Gray, Ga. (Jones County). Made one start vs. NIU in 2024. Career: 9 games, 63/96 passing (65.6%), 699 yards (7.3 yards/att.), 7 TD, 1 INT, and 40 rush yards on 18 carries.
#11 Walter Moses — Second-year signee from Perry, Ohio (Perry).
#13 Jake DeHaan — Fourth-year signee from Byron Center, Mich. (South Christian).
Roster losses
Tucker Gleason — Third Team All-MAC in 2025. Career: 50 games, 531/891 passing (60%), 6,659 yards (7.5 Y/A), 57 TD, 21 INT, 752 rush yards, 198 att. (3.8 avg.), 14 rush TD.
Kalieb Osborne — Transfer to UConn. Last year: 32/52 passing (61.5%), 427 yards (8.2 Y/A), 3 TD, 282 net rush yards on 51 attempts (5.5 avg.), 2 rush TD
Trey Whirley — Transfer portal.
New additions
#7 Khamoni Robinson — LENOIR-RHYNE TRANSFER. From Monroe, N.C. (Monroe). Last year: 10 starts, 177/277 passing (63.9%), 2,391 yards (8.6 Y/A), 20 TD, 6 INT, 325 net rush yards on team-leading 92 attempts (3.5 avg.), and 9 rush TD (also led team).
[Note: I was doing position-by-position blurbs here, but we’re going to stop doing those now. I want to speed these notes up more, and trying to figure out what some of these teams are going to do with large overhauls of transfers generally lead to a lot of head scratches and shoulder shrugs anyway. These posts are still well over 3,000 words without the added blurbs.]
RUNNING BACKS
Returning players
#23 Noah Sanders — Second-year signee from Franklin, Mich. (Wylie E. Groves).
#24 Connor Walendzak — Fourth-year signee from Perrysburg, Ohio (Perrysburg). Has played in every game since true freshman season. Career: 39 games, 587 rush yards, 177 carries (3.3 avg.), 3 TD, 20 receptions, 120 receiving yards.
#25 Mike Drennen II — Fourth-year Kentucky transfer. From Dublin, Ohio (Coffman).
#27 Dane Nauman — Third-year signee. From Marengo, Ohio (Highland). Career: 55 rush yards on 15 carries.
#28 Kadale Williams — Second-year signee from Jackson, Mich. (Lumen Christi).
Roster losses
Kenji Christian — Second on team with 528 rush yards in 2025 (105 carries, 4 TD). Also played at North Carolina A&T and Virginia Tech.
Lucas Laroche
Willie Shaw III — Career: 475 rush yards, 115 handles (4.1 avg.), 4 TD, and 50 receiving yards on 5 catches.
Shawn Simeon — Transfer to UConn.
Chip Trayanum — First Team All-MAC rusher in 2025: 11 games, 1,015 net yards on 182 carries (5.6 avg.), 12 TD, and 21 catches for 212 yards, 2 TD. Also played at Kentucky, Ohio State, and Arizona State.
New additions
#4 Autavius Ison — MERCER TRANSFER. Also played at Charleston Southern. From Atlanta, Ga. (Riverdale).
#20 Corey Smith — PENN STATE TRANSFER. From Milwaukee, Wis. (Catholic Memorial).
#22 CJ Miller — MERCER TRANSFER. From Gadsden, Ala (Gadsden). 2025: First Team All-SoCon: 957 rush yards, 14 TD.
OFFENSE | RETURN (Starters*) | DEPART | INCOMING |
|---|---|---|---|
Quarterback | 3 | 3 (1) | 1 |
Running back | 5 | 5 (1) | 3 |
Wide receiver | 7 | 10 (3) | 6 |
Tight end | 4: 3 TE, 1 FB | 4 (1) | 3 |
Offensive line | 10 (1) | 10 (4) | 9 |
Total Offense | 29 (1) | 32 (10) | 22 |
WIDE RECEIVERS
Returning players
#5 Terrell Crosby Jr. — Third-year transfer from Iowa State. From St. Petersburg, Fla. (Lakewood). Last year: 16 catches, 194 yards, 1 TD.
#12 Bryson Hammer — Fourth-year signee from Fremont, Ohio (Ross). 2x Second Team All-MAC punt returner: Career 49 returns for 617 yards (12.6 avg.). Caught 3 passes for 41 yards in 2025.
#13 Cooper Rusk — Fifth-year signee from Macedonia, Ohio (Nordonia). Career: 38 games, 10 catches, 109 yards, 2 TD.
#14 Tashi Braceful — Third-year signee from Southfield, Mich. (Southfield A&T).
#19 Daryl Barnett Jr. — Third-year signee from Toledo, Ohio (Scott). Career: One catch for 13 yards. The Toledo Blade wrote a feature on him recently.
#83 Omar Mims Jr. — Second-year signee from East St. Louis, Ill. (Cahokia).
#84 Thomas Zsiros — Sixth-year signee from Maumee, Ohio (St. John's Jesuit). Missed 2025 season to injury. Career: 41 games, 27 catches, 396 yards, 2 TD.
Roster losses
Julian Allen — Transfer to UConn. Career: 16 games, 3 catches, 15 yards, 3 punt returns, 39 return yards.
Javon Brown — Transfer to UConn. Last year: 8 catches, 156 yards, 1 touchdown.
Kamren Flowers — Transfer to UConn.
Eric Holley III — Career: 43 games, 29 catches, 331 yards, 1 TD.
Zy’marion Lang — Transfer to UConn.
Trayvon Rudolph — Second Team All-MAC receiver and kick returner in 2025: 435 receiving yards on 39 catches (2 TD), 374 return yards on 18 attempts (1 TD). Previously played at Northern Illinois: 4x All-MAC Selection (2020 and 2021 Second Team kick returner, 2021 Second Team and 2023 Third Team wide receiver). Missed 2022 to injury.
Ryder Treadway — Transfer to UConn. Last year as true freshman: 11 games, 7 starts, 13 catches, 176 yards, 3 scores.
Junior Vandeross III — Two-straight First Team All-MAC selections to end career. Career: 51 games, 215 receptions, 2,647 yards, 20 TD, 7 rushes for 53 yards, 5 kick returns for 94 yards, 2 punt returns for 30 yards,
Deshaun Williams
Jediyah Willoughby — Transfer to UConn.
New additions
#1 Rico Bond — LINDENWOOD TRANSFER. From St. Louis, Mo. (East St. Louis (Ill.)). 2025: Jerry Rice Award finalist. Had 61 catches for 701 yards, with 6 TD.
#2 Trenton Jones — MERCER TRANSFER. Last year: 5 catches, 44 yards. From Hastings, Fla. (St. Augustine).
#3 Adjatay Dabbs — MERCER TRANSFER. From Greeneville, Tenn. (Greeneville). First Team All-SoCon in 2025: 45 catches, 856 yards, 8 TD.
#9 Kalvin Gilbert Jr. — SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE TRANSFER. From Jacksonville, Fla (Ribault). Last year: 37 catches, 507 yards, 7 TD.
#10 Seth Elchert — Freshman signee from Findlay, Ohio (Liberty-Benton).
#85 Anthony Simpson — MICHIGAN TRANSFER. Also played at UMass and Arizona. From Hartford, Conn. (Bloomfield). 2023 at UMass: 57 catches, 792 yards, 3 TD.
TIGHT ENDS
Returning players
#30 Maximus Howard — Second-year signee from Tipp City, Ohio (Tippecanoe).
#43 Sam Lee — Third-year Hillsdale transfer. Last year: 12 games, 2 catches, 40 yards. From Toledo, Ohio (Central Catholic).
#86 Donivon Thomas — Fourth-year signee from Chattanooga, Tenn. (Brainerd).
(FB) #29 Tanner Rubinstein — Second-year Siena Heights transfer. From Napoleon, Ohio (Napoleon).
Roster losses
C.C. Ezirim — Transfer to Western Kentucky. Career: 26 games, 7 catches, 117 yards, 1 TD.
Connor Jones — 2025: 2 catches, 8 yards, 1 TD.
Sean Persson — Transfer to UAB.
Jacob Petersen — 2025: Starting TE, 25 catches, 335 yards, 3 TD.
New additions
#80 Peyton Strickland — NEW HAMPSHIRE TRANSFER. First Team all-conference in 2025: 24 grabs, 226 yards, 4 TD. From Goffstown, N.H. (Goffstown).
#81 Ethan Malafa — BUTLER TRANSFER. Last year: 6 catches, 66 yards, 1 TD. From Cincinnati, Ohio (Mariemont).
#88 Jacob Newell — AKRON TRANSFER. Also spent freshman year at Arizona State. At Akron: 29 games, 52 catches, 392 yards, 3 TD. From Springfield, Ore. (Thurston).
OFFENSIVE LINE
Returning starter
#65 Stephen Gales — Fifth-year signee from Alliance, Ohio (Alliance). Played in 11 games with as many starts last year, mostly at left tackle (twice at right tackle). Three starts in 2024.
Also returns
#55 Ibrahim Traore — Third-year Penn State transfer. 2025: 11 games, 4 starts at left tackle. From Bronx, N.Y. (Frederick Douglas Academy 1).
#56 Jacob Kropchak — Third-year signee from Rochester Hills, Mich. (Stoney Creek).
#60 Jake Grimm — Third-year signee from Gahanna, Ohio (Gahanna Lincoln).
#61 Ameer Yasin — Second-year signee from Tallmadge, Ohio (Tallmadge).
#62 Christian Medlock — Second-year Northern Illinois transfer. Played in two games in 2025. From Homewood, Ill. (Homewood-Flossmoor).
#63 Grant Zimmerly — Fourth-year signee from Perrysburg, Ohio (Perrysburg).
#67 Cade Wilhelmi — Second-year signee from Berkley, Mich. (Detroit Country Day).
#71 Matt Hofer — Third-year signee. 2025: Played in all 12 games as redshirt-freshman. From Valparaiso, Ind. (Valparaiso).
#73 Jonathan Harder — Second-year Cincinnati transfer. Started final two games of 2025 season at left guard. From Delaware, Ohio (Olentangy Berlin).
Roster losses
Anthony Boswell — Transfer to Houston. First Team All-MAC center in 2025. Previously: Spent freshman year at Purdue.
Carter Fouty — Two-year starter (24) at left guard. Spent 2020 at Air Force.
Raphael Greene-Nyarko — Transfer to UConn. Played in four games as true freshman in 2025.
Brian Keane — Played in all 13 games last year.
Maddox Marcotte — Transfer to Fort Hays. Previously played at Hutchinson C.C.
Terrence Moore — Transfer to UConn. Previously played 40 games and made 10 starts at Pitt.
Cole Rhett — Transfer to Baylor. Two-year starter (24) at right tackle.
Dominic Rivera — Transfer to UConn. Did not play in 2025. Also spent two years at Rutgers.
Ethan Spoth — Two-year starter (24) at right guard. Second Team All-MAC pick in 2025.
Isiah Switzer — Transfer to UConn.
New additions
#50 Luke Rector — GARDNER-WEBB TRANSFER. Honorable mention all-conference in 2025. From Valdese, N.C (Draughn).
#58 Jake Palucki — Freshman signee from Tinley Park, Ill. (Andrew).
#69 Dominic Johnson — GEORGIA STATE TRANSFER. From Ocala, Fla. (Trinity Catholic).
#70 Nick Thomas — RHODE ISLAND TRANSFER. Spent first four years at Boston College. 2025: 10 games played. From East Orange, N.J (Immaculate Conception).
#74 Ahmad Carwise — GARDNER-WEBB TRANSFER. From Piedmont, S.C. (Woodmont).
#78 Dylan Senda — AUBURN TRANSFER. Also spent 2022 freshman season at Northwestern. Played 12 games in 2025. From Livonia, Mich. (Dearborn Divine Child).
Preston Dazey — Freshman signee from Perry, Ohio (Perry).
Jake Palucki — Freshman signee from Tinley Park, Ill. (Andrews).
Vincenzo Pizzo — Freshman signee from St. Clair Shores, Mich. (Lakeview).
More roster updates:
Defense
DEFENSE | RETURN (Starters*) | DEPART | INCOMING |
|---|---|---|---|
Defense line | 10 | 11 (4) | 9 |
Linebackers | 5 | 5 (2) | 6 |
Defensive backs | 7 | 8 (5) | 11 |
Total Defense | 22 | 24 (11) | 26 |
DEFENSIVE LINE
Returning players
#35 Bryant Weatherspoon, Jr. — Second-year signee from Detroit, Mich. (Harper Woods).
#41 Cam Gwinn — Second-year signee from Columbus, Ohio (St. Francis de Sales). Two games played in 2025.
#48 Jordin Farrow — Second-year signee from Inkster, Mich. (River Rouge).
#52 Lucas Lambert-Pipkin — Second-year Robert Morris transfer. From Cranberry Township, Pa. (Seneca Valley). Made 3 tackles in 2025.
#53 Samuel Toniolo — Second-year signee from Avon, Ohio (Avon).
#85 Josh Lee — Third-year Hillsdale transfer. From Toledo, Ohio (Central Catholic).
#91 Laith Shamma — Fourth-year signee from Ann Arbor, Mich. (Huron).
#92 Tommy Huss — Fourth-year signee from Lambertville, Mich. (Bedford).
#95 Wayne Peart II — Third-year signee from Pembroke Pines, Fla. (Chaminade-Madonna).
#96 Nathaniel Chandler — Second-year Sacred Heart transfer. From Smyrna, Del. (Smyrna).
Roster losses
John Baker IV — Transfer portal.
Chamberlain Campbell — Transfer to UConn. Played in 12 games after move from Ole Miss. Recorded six tackles.
Esean Carter — Transfer to UConn. Third Team All-MAC defensive tackle in 2025. Career: 40 games, 58 tackles (17 solo, 6 TFL), 5 sacks, 1 pass breakup, 1 fumble.
Malachi Davis — Transfer to Rutgers. Starting defensive end in 2025. Career: 27 games, 57 tackles (25 solo, 14 for loss), 8 sacks, 1 fumble, 1 pass breakup.
Anthony Dunn Jr. — Career: 25 games, 57 tackles (28 solo, 10 TFL), 6 sacks, 1 pass breakup, 1 fumble. Previously spent two seasons at Florida A&M.
Avery Dunn — 2025: 11 games, 14 tackles (6 solo, 3 TFL), 1 sack. Previously spent five years at Michigan State.
Carlos Hazelwood — Transfer to Michigan State. Career: 8 games, 7 tackles (3 solo, 0.5 TFL).
Louce Julien — 2025: 13 games, 8 starts, 25 tackles (9 solo, 5 TFL), 1 sack. Previously spent five years at UMass.
Jeremiah Peters — Career: 35 games, 56 tackles (31 solo, 16.5 TFL), 8.5 sacks, 2 PBU, 2 fumbles.
Maartez Poynter — Second Team All-MAC defensive lineman in 2025. Career: 50 games, 96 tackles (40 solo, 19 TFL), 11.5 sacks, 1 fumble.
Doran Ray Jr. — Career: 34 games, 40 tackles (13 solo, 4.5 TFL), 3.5 sacks, 1 pass breakup, 1 fumble.
New additions
#0 Andrew Zock — MERCER TRANSFER. Won the Buck Buchanan Award as top defender in FCS. Was 4th in voting for Jerry Rice Award, FCS’ top freshman, in 2024. Mercer career: 26 games, 84 tackles (45 solo, 34.5 TFL), 18.5 sacks, 6 PBU, 4 fumbles. From Citra, Fla. (Hawthorne).
#2 Ezra Odinjor — UAB TRANSFER. Also spent true freshman eyar at Georgia Tech. 10 starts in 2025: 27 tackles (2 TFL 2 QBH). From Kennesaw, Ga. (Allatoona).
#90 Zach Johnson — UAB TRANSFER. From Ocala, Fla. (Carrollwood Day). Played in 9 games as true freshman, with 7 tackles (2 TFL), and 3 QB hurries.
#97 BJ Stovall Jr. — Freshman signee from Romulus. Mich. (Detroit Cass Tech).
#99 Caden Camese — MERCER TRANSFER. From Bellevue, Neb. (Bellevue West). Career: 28 games, 37 tackles (13 solo, 8.5 TFL), 2 sacks, 1 pass breakup.
Micah Fils-Aime — Freshman signee from Golden Gate, Fla. (Naples Community).
Adrian Love Jr. — Freshman signee from Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Hillcrest HS).
Tyrell O’Neal — Freshman signee from Cleveland, Ohio (Benedictine).
Zackery Samuel Jr. — Freshman signee from Ellenton, Fla. (Sarasota Cardinal Mooney).
LINEBACKERS
Returning players
#5 Damon Ollison II — Sixth-year signee from Akron, Ohio (Archbishop Hoban). Missed 2025 to injury.
#6 Langston Long — Second-year transfer from South Florida (and previously, Virginia). Last year: 12 games, 4 starts, 35 tackles (14 solo, 4.5 TFL), 1 fumble. From Woodbridge, Va. (Christ School).
#28 Sam Smith, Jr. — Fourth-year signee from Delta, Ohio (Wauseon).
#31 Maddox Arnold — Second-year signee from Cincinnati, Ohio (Elder).
#44 Isaac Zay — Third-year signee from Fort Wayne, Ind. (Bishop Luers).
Roster losses
Chris D’Appolonia — Transfer to Syracuse. Last year: starting linebacker, 68 tackles (36 solo, 3.5 TFL), 1 sack, 4 pass breakups, 1 fumble.
Owen Gibbs — Transfer portal.
Hudson Miller — Transfer [back] to Purdue. Made 10 tackles for Toledo in 2025 after spending first three years at Purdue.
K’Von Sherman — Transfer to UConn. First Team All-MAC pick last season: 94 tackles (54 solo, 14.5 TFL) 4.5 sacks, 1 pass breakup.
Rickey Williams — Transfer to UConn.
New additions
#10 Julian Fox — MERCER TRANSFER. From Cordele, Ga. (Crisp County). Last year: 12 games, 85 tackles (46 solo, 8.5 TFL), 2 sacks, 1 INT.
#13 Kari Jackson — PENN STATE TRANSFER. From West Bloomfield, Mich (West Bloomfield).
#19 Isaac Prince — MERCER TRANSFER. Last year: 12 games, 53 tackles (26 solo, 10.5 TFL), 3 sacks, 1 PBU. From Snellville, Ga. (Shiloh).
#30 Hayden Roy — Freshman signee from Lyons, Ga. (Toombs County).
Jordan Fox — Freshman signee from Cordele, Ga. (Crisp County).
Nathan Gersh — Freshman signee from Dexter, Mich. (Dexter).
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Returning players
#11 Hyajah Miller — Third-year transfer from North Lauderdale, Fla. (Coconut Creek).
#15 Michael-Arinzé Ezirim — Third-year signee from Dublin, Ohio (Dublin Jerome).
#22 Nicholas Thompson — Fourth-year signee from Fort Wayne, Ind. (Bishop Luers). Career: 26 games, 33 tackles (17 solo, 2.5 TFL), 1 sack.
#25 Tyrell Russell — Second-year signee from Columbus, Ohio (Beechcroft).
#26 Tyler Hackenbracht — Second-year signee from Massillon, Ohio (Washington).
#33 Andrew Fineske — Third-year signee from Sylvania, Ohio (Northview).
#39 Dylan Hohler — Fourth-year signee from Huron, Ohio (Huron). Career: 26 games, 10 tackles (4 solo, 1 TFL), 1 INT, 2 PBU.
Roster losses
Braden Awls — Transfer to Iowa State. First Team All-MAC in 2025. Career: 39 games, 131 tackles (76 solo, 9 TFL), 1 sack, 9 INT, 19 PBU, 1 fumble.
Nasir Bowers — Made 8 starts in 2025 after 10 in 2024. Career: 50 games, 87 tackles (59 solo, 4 TFL), 4 INT, 14 PBU, 1 fumble.
Jaden Dottin — DNP 2025. Made 9 starts at wide receiver and 4 at safety in 2024.
Andre Fuller — First Team All-MAC cornerback in 2025: 13 games, 49 tackles (29 solo, 2.5 TFL), 1 INT, 12 PBU.
DJ Kelly — Transfer to James Madison. Played in 13 games as true freshman: 10 tackles (6 solo), 1 sack, 1 INT, 2 PBU.
Tyler McKinstry — Transfer to UConn.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren — Second Round NFL Draft Pick (Pick #58, Cleveland). Career: 48 games, 214 tackles (106 solo, 11 TFL), 1 sack, 5 INT, 17 pass breakups, 9 fumbles.
Braedyn Moore — Transfer to UConn. Also spent two seasons with Wisconsin.
Jayden Price — Transfer to UConn.
Avery Smith — 2x Second Team All-MAC cornerback. Career: 51 games, 127 tackles (86 solo, 7.5 TFL), 3 INT, 29 PBU, 1 fumble.
Amare Snowden — Transfer to Syracuse. Also spent first three seasons at Wisconsin.
Eric Williams — Transfer to Wake Forest.
Andrew Wilson-Lamp — Last year: 11 games, 7 tackles. Previously: East Carolina and West Virginia.
New additions
#1 Cam Jones — HOLY CROSS TRANSFER. First Team All-Patriot League in 2025, Second Team in 2024. Career: 23 games, 115 tackles (74 solo, 2 TFL), 3 INT, 20 PBU. From Reading, Pa. (Wilson).
#3 Sharard Vaughn III — Freshman signee from Maumee, Ohio (Toledo Central Catholic).
#4 Donovan Watkins — MERCER TRANSFER. From Winnsboro, S.C. (Fairfield Central). Starting linebacker last year as redshirt-freshman: 34 tackles (17 solo, 1 TFL), 2 INT, 9 PBU, 1 fumble.
#7 Armorion Smith — MICHIGAN STATE TRANSFER. Also spent 2021-22 at Cincinnati. MSU & Cincinnati career: 35 total games, 61 tackles (44 solo, 0.5 TFL), 2 INT, 1 fumble. From River Rouge, Mich. (River Rouge).
#8 KJ Thomas — MERCER TRANSFER. SoCon All-Freshman Team in 2025: 27 tackles (18 solo), 7 PBU. From Conyers, Ga. (Hebron Christian Academy).
#12 Mo Conteh — OHIO DOMINICAN TRANSFER. From Columbus, Ohio (Eastmoor Academy). Last year: 9 games, 50 tackles (40 solo, 1.5 TFL), 1 INT, 7 PBU.
#17 Kaleb Hutchinson — MERCER TRANSFER. From Augusta, Ga. (Westside). Also played at Coastal Carolina for first two college years. Last year: 66 tackles (33 solo, 4.5 TFL), 1.5 sacks, 3 INT, 4 PBU.
#21 LaDavion Osborn — NORTHERN COLORADO TRANSFER. From Tyler, Texas (Lake Highlands). Career: 23 games, 48 tackles (33 solo, 1 TFL), 1 INT, 7 PBU, 1 fumble.
#23 Israel Petite — ROBERT MORRIS TRANSFER. Career: 15 games, 38 tackles (30 solo), 2 INT, 7 PBU. From Macedonia, Ohio (Nordonia).
Ziiyahn Blair — Freshman signee from Akron, Ohio (Garfield).
Sharard Vaughn III — Freshman signee from Maumee, Ohio (Toledo Central Catholic).
Special Teams
SPECIALISTS | RETURN (Starters*) | DEPART | INCOMING |
|---|---|---|---|
Kicker | 2 (1) | 1 | |
Punter | 2 (1) | 2 | |
Long Snapper | 2 (1) | 2 | |
Total Specialists | 2 (1) | 4 (2) | 5 |
KICKER, PUNTER, & LONG SNAPPER
Returning starter
(P) #36 Emilio Duran — Fourth-year signee from Ottawa Hills, Ohio (Ottawa Hills). Primary punter entire career: 38 games, 173 punts, 6,916 yards (40.0 avg.), 9 touchbacks, 4 fair caught, 65 land inside 20-yard line, 20 of 50+ yards (11 last year). He also had 7 kickoffs in 2024, for 443 yards (1 touchback).
Also returns
(P/K) #39 Anthony Ruggles — Second-year signee from Youngstown, Ohio (Fitch). Last year: 3 punts in Boca Raton Bowl, two kickoffs vs. Morgan State.
Roster losses
(LS) Matthew Bailey
(K) Dylan Cunanan — Career: 23/32 field goals, long: 54.
(K) Robert Hammond III — Transfer to Kansas State. Toledo kickoff specialist in 2025. Also played at Florida Atlantic.
(LS) James Roe — Transfer to Wisconsin. Toledo’s primary long snapper last two seasons.
New additions
(P) #46 Hunter Probst — Freshman signee from Santa Rosa, Calif. (Rancho Cotate).
(P) #47 Markus Meincke — MERCER TRANSFER. From Hamburg, Germany (International School of Hamburg).
(LS) #49 Max Allen — MERCER TRANSFER. From Holly Springs, N.C. (Holly Springs).
(K) #93 Reice Griffith — MERCER TRANSFER. Career: Mercer’s all-time leading scorer with 265 points, 40/52 field goals, 145/145 PTs. From Pace, Fla. (Pace).
(LS) Reece Strittmatter — Freshman signee from DeSoto, Iowa (Adel-DeSoto-Minburn).