Photo by Tomáš Malík on Unsplash
Last year’s championship run for Western Michigan was a fourth-down conversion away from never getting off the ground in the first place.
WMU lost its first three games, including a 33-30 OT match to North Texas, before it had its first league game with one of the league’s toughest opponents coming to town. WMU needed to make a change at quarterback, and it was time for Broc Lowry to make his first career start.
With two minutes left in the game, Toledo was winning the slopfest 13-6 as it punted the ball back to WMU for one final Bronco drive. Lowry’s first three passes: thrown away, incomplete under pressure, and the third was nearly intercepted by Andre Fuller [for a second time].
On fourth down, Lowry connected with Tailique Williams on a vertical route, and moved the ball 43 yards to the Rocket 5-yard line. Two plays later, Lowry rushed in his second score of the day, and lifted WMU to a 14-13 win. An 0-3 start turned into a 10-win season with a MAC championship and a blowout bowl victory.
Now comes the hard part: do it again.
The Lance Taylor-coached teams at WMU have seen records of 4-8, 6-7, and 10-4, and is proving himself as a rising coach in this league. He’ll be 45 next year and already has a conference championship won, and there’s no doubt this former Alabama walk-on (who had a dad that also played at Alabama, for Bear Bryant, no less) is going to let 2025 be the peak of his career.
Taylor’s team in 2025 was largely won with transfers, and this year’s group doesn’t appear to be any less transfer-heavy. Of the 33 incoming players I have listed here: 11 are transfers from the Power 4 conferences, seven are FCS (or lower) level transfers, three are from the Group of 6, five came from junior colleges, and seven were signed out of high school.
On offense, this team will featur a lot of similar faces. It’s not every day that a team of Western Michigan’s caliber gets to retain its starting quarterback and a running back with two 1,000-yard seasons under his belt, but it does.
The defense sees eight starters depart, including the entire front six.
As we’ve already done with a pair of schools already, this spring and summer, we’re going to spend our Sundays looking at these MAC football rosters and try and have an exhausted attempt at answering a few, questions. Who returns? Who’s gone? Who’s joining the team this year?
Western Michigan Football Roster Breakdown
RETURN (Starters*) | DEPART | INCOMING | |
|---|---|---|---|
Total Offense | 29 (7) | 22 (4) | 16 |
Total Defense | 20 (3) | 25 (8) | 16 |
Total Specialists | 3 (2) | 3 (1) | 1 |
Offense
QUARTERBACKS
Returning starter
#12 Broc Lowry — Returning MAC Offensive Player of the Year. Second-year transfer from Indiana. Last year: 11 starts, 1,803 yards passing and 963 rushing for 23 total TD (9 pass, 14 rushing) in 2025. From Canfield, Ohio (Canfield).
Also returns
#13 Mason Reynolds — Third-year signee from Avon, Ind. (Avon).
#19 Vance Holtz — Second-year signee from Brookfield, Wis. (Arrowhead).
Roster losses
Brady Jones — Transfer to Oregon State. 2025 season at WMU: 3 starts, 19 of 40 passing, 136 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT
Mark Konecny — Transfer portal. Initially left for Anderson University, but is back in the portal.
New additions
Jaxson Dosh — Freshman signee from Davison, Mich. (Davison).
Trey Petty — ILLINOIS TRANSFER. From Starkville, Miss. (Starkville).
Brady Jones was the starting quarterback for the first three games, but not without splitting time with Lowry, who eventually won the position full-time and became the MAC’s top offensive player with 23 touchdowns scored. Lowry returning to WMU after picking up the prestigious hardware should be treated as a big deal for the league, not just WMU.
RUNNING BACKS
Returning starter
#6 Jalen Buckley — Fifth-year signee from Aurora, Ill. (Batavia). Named Third Team All-MAC running back in 2023 and 2025; in both seasons, he finished with exactly 1,003 rushing yards. Career: 38 games, 505 carries, 2,716 rush yards, 28 TD, 71.5 rush yards per game; caught 45 passes for 348 yards with 1 TD, too.
Also returns
#4 Cole Cabana — Second-year transfer from Michigan. From Dexter, Mich. (Dexter).
#21 Chase Dawkins — Second-year signee from Farmington Hills, Mich. (Detroit Country Day). 9 rush yards in 2025.
#24 Ofa "Lolo" Mataele — Second-year transfer from College of San Mateo, where he was a JUCO All-American and national champion in 2024 — had 1,351 rush yards on 233 carries with 22 scores on the ground. With WMU: 252 yards on 57 carries, 3 TD.
#27 JR Hays — Third-year signee from Florence, Ky. (Ryle). Switched from WR to RB in 2025.
Roster losses
Tre Hartwell — Transfer to Chicago State, which will be launching football and immediately begin playing at the FCS level as an independent this year. WMU: 18 career games since 2023, 38 rush yards, 7 kick return yards.
Devin Miles — Had 495 kick return yards and 425 rush yards (3 TD) with WMU in 2025. Made two starts, too. Previously: College of San Mateo.
New additions
#0 AJ Green Jr. — ARKANSAS TRANSFER. Career: 41 games, 4 starts, 204 carries, 962 yards (4.7 avg.), 6 TD, 19 catches, 184 receiving yards, and 2 rec. TD. Also spent the 2024 season at Oklahoma State, where he tore his Achilles before the season and didn’t play. He returned to Arkansas to play 4 games in 2025.
Donovan Triplett — Incoming freshman from Walled Lake, Mich.
Wild to see Jalen Buckley finish out his college career at the same spot he once won a MAC Freshman of the Year honor, and, like Lowry, should be a big deal for the MAC. There’s a decent bit of muscle behind him, too, with Ofa Mataele coming back and AJ Green Jr. coming in from Arkansas.
OFFENSE | RETURN (Starters*) | DEPART | INCOMING |
|---|---|---|---|
Quarterback | 3 (1) | 2 | 2 |
Running back | 5 (1) | 2 | 2 |
Wide receiver | 6 (2) | 7 (1) | 5 |
Tight end | 4 | 4 (1) | 4 |
Offensive line | 11 (3) | 7 (2) | 3 |
Total Offense | 29 (7) | 22 (4) | 16 |
WIDE RECEIVERS
Returning starters
#18 Aveion Chenault — Second-year signee from Lexington, Ky. (Frederick Douglass). Third-leading receiver with WMU in 2025: 23 grabs, 277 yards, 2 TD, and 35 rush yards.
#82 Baylin Brooks — Second-year transfer from San Diego State. From Pasadena, Calif. (Pasadena). First year with WMU: 14 games, 27 catches, 372 yards.
Also returns
#8 Egypt Nelson — Second-year transfer from VMI. From Norfolk, Va. (Booker T. Washington).
#11 Terence Marshall — Third-year signee from Navarre, Fla. (Navarre). Last year: 10 games, 4 receptions, 45 yards.
#84 Keivin Boone-Nelson II — Second-year transfer from College of San Mateo. 2025: 12 games, 59 kick return yards, 16 punt return yards, 2 catches (no gain).
#85 Braden Peevy — Second-year signee from Chicago, Ill. (DePaul College Prep).
Roster losses
Malique Diedonne — WMU career: 42 games since 2021, 46 rec., 604 yards, 2 TD.
Don-Ray Hall Jr. — Transfer to Cal Poly.
Cam Hedgecock
Christian Leary — Former Alabama and Georgia Tech transfer. Caught 15 passes for 115 yards with WMU in 2025.
Earnest McDaniel-Mitchell — Transfer portal. Previously: Nebraska-Kearny.
Camden Thompson — Transfer to Oakland University as basketball player (mid-year). Was on WMU’s football and basketball teams in freshman year.
Tailique Williams — Spent one year with WMU after four with Georgia State. WMU’s leading receiver in 2025: 14 games, 35 receptions, 478 yards, 2 TD; 84 rush yards on 12 carries, 1 rush TD.
New additions
#1 Emazon Littlejohn — SOUTH CAROLINA TRANSFER. From Gaffney, S.C. (Gaffney). Joined South Carolina as a walk-on in 2024, received scout team honors with the team. Saw the field once (vs. Akron) in his two years there; no stats.
#3 Harper Hughes — Freshman signee from Hartland, Wis. (Arrowhead).
#5 Kordell Gouldsby — HUTCHINSON C.C. TRANSFER. JUCO: 22 games, 23 receptions, 252 yards, 2 TD; 875 kick return yards on 29 attempts (30.2 avg.), with 1 TD, and 682 punt return yards on 47 attempts (14.5 avg.), and 4 TD. From Tulsa, Okla. (Bixby).
#17 Elijah Lucas — Freshman signee from St. Louis, Mo. (Cardinal Ritter).
#19 Angelo Chapman — Freshman signee from Grand Blanc. Mich. (Grand Blanc)
Lowry’s definitely more of a running threat than he is a passer, so it’s probably not too surprising that last year’s leading receiver had fewer than 500 yards, and nobody caught more than 2 touchdowns either. Not a lot of exiting turnover with two starters coming back, including one who was the #3 receiver on the team as a true freshman in 2025.
Can incoming JUCO transfer Kordell Gouldsby give WMU some life in the special teams department like he did at his last school? He averaged 30.2 yards per kickoff return, and 14.5 yards per punt return. WMU graduated its top kickoff returner (Devin Miles: 21 returns, 495 yards, 23.6 avg.) and didn’t really have anything in the punt return game in 2025 (5 returners: 33 returns, 204 yards, 6.18 avg.).
TIGHT ENDS
Returning players
#40 Nathan Sines — Fourth-year signee from Addison, Mich. (Addison).
#83 Ryan Brotherton — Third-year signee from Lawrenceburg, Ind. (East Central).
#87 Brady Rhoad — Second-year signee from Fort Wayne, Ind. (Carroll).
#89 Brennan Wooten — Fourth-year signee from Indianapolis, Ind. (Cathedral). Career: 29 games, mostly on special teams.
Roster losses
Blake Bosma — Career: 48 games, 102 catches, 1,110 yards, 10 TD, and 2 rush yards.
Michael Brescia — Former QB for Colgate, turned TE at WMU: 13 rec., 125 yards, 2 TD.
Cade Conley — Also played at Central Michigan and Marshall. 2025: 8 catches, 55 yards, 1 TD.
Mareyohn Hrabowski — Former QB, converted to WR, then TE, in 2023. Career: 56 passing yards, 189 rushing yards, 43 receiving (2 TD).
New additions
#15 Adam Parks — NEW MEXICO STATE TRANSFER. From Overland Park, Kan (Blue Valley North). Parks caught 3 passes for 65 yards in 24 games at NMSU.
#35 Enese Tonga — GARDEN CITY C.C. TRANSFER. From Kahuku, Hawai’i (Kahuku). JUCO Career: 8 games, 4 receptions, 45 yards, 1 TD.
#86 Ryan Rocheleau — Freshman signee from Lake Orion, Mich. (Lake Orion).
#88 Nate Levicki — PRESBYTERIAN TRANSFER. From Annapolis, Md. (Broadneck). Had a breakout 2024 season at Presbyterian with an average of 22.3 yards per catch made. Career: 24 games, 48 catches, 783 yards, 11 TD.
WMU loses its top two tight ends, who were the #4 and #5 receivers from last year’s roster. It returns four guys who have been in the program, but none with serious amounts of playing time. Nate Levicki seems like an ideal passing target to have gotten through this portal cycle.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Returning starter
#72 Gavin Dabo — Third-year signee from Grove City, Ohio (Grove City). Starting right guard in 2025; made three appearances in true freshman season.
#76 Chad Schuster — Fourth-year transfer from Syracuse. From Franklin, Wis. (Franklin). Starting right tackle in 2025.
#77 Hunter Whitenack — Second-year transfer from Illinois, where he played 28 games and made 3 starts in 2023. Made 8 starts for WMU at left guard in 2025. From New Carlisle, Ind. (New Prairie).
Also returns
#57 Jake Chellman — Third-year signee from Stevensville, Mich. (Lakeshore).
#58 Liam Vaughan — Second-year signee from Walled Lake, Mich. (Walled Lake Western).
#60 Jacob Krause — Third-year signee from Grand Rapids, Mich. (East Grand Rapids).
#64 Nolan Miller — Second-year signee from Rockford, Mich. (Rockford).
#65 Jeremy Schleicher — Third-year signee from Overland Park, Kan. (Bishop Miege). Started first 3 games of 2025 season at center before falling to injury.
#70 KJ Kotalik — Second-year signee from Lykens, Ohio (Wynford).
#75 Spencer Beckeman — Second-year signee from Rochester, Mich. (Stoney Creek).
#78 Jacob Wilk — Second-year signee from Lake Zurich, Ill. (Lake Zurich).
Roster losses
Raheem Anderson II — Made 11 starts at center for WMU in 2025. Joined as graduate transfer from Michigan.
Connor Kenzinger — Transfer to Chicago State.
John Hofer — Career: 20 starts (6 in 2025, at left guard).
Jack Parker — WMU career: 25 games.
Trevor Shaw
Adam Vandervest — Career: 36 games, 8 starts made at left tackle in 2025, 1 in 2023. Missed 2024 season to injury; suffered another injury sustained during 2025 season.
Zach Vaughn — Spent 2025 season as Wake Forest graduate transfer, where he played in 16 total games. WMU: 6 starts at left tackle.
New additions
#55 Jacob Bailey — JAMES MADISON TRANSFER. From Schoolcraft, Mich. (Schoolcraft).
#73 Ben Roebuck — MICHIGAN TRANSFER. From Cleveland, Ohio (St. Edward).
#71 Brandon Smith — ILLINOIS STATE TRANSFER. From Indianapolis, Ind. (Decatur Central). Spent 2021-2023 seasons at WMU before transfer to Illinois State. Returns after two seasons at Illinois State; suffered leg fracture after making starts in first 7 games of 2025.
If Jeremy Schleicher returns from an injury that wiped him last year, then theoretically, WMU will only have to replace one lineman at left tackle this year. He should be back to re-start the new season at center again, with three other returning starters from last year’s line. That’s probably why WMU only added three transfer linemen (one boomerang) this cycle.
More roster updates:
Defense
DEFENSIVE LINE
Returning players
#88 August Johanningsmeier — Fifth-year signee from Howell, Mich. (Howell). Made two starts at defensive tackle before suffering season-long injury in 2025. 14 career games played.
#90 Jori Benson — Second-year Utah transfer. From New York, N.Y. (Pleasant Grove). 2025: 3 tackles in 3 games.
#92 Gian Carter — Second-year signee from Indianapolis, Ind. (Lawrence Central).
#95 DeShawn Robinson — Second-year transfer from Hope College. From Auburn Hills, Mich. (Avondale).
#96 Dalton Gustwiller — Fourth-year signee from Dayton, Ohio (Kettering Fairmont). 2025: 4 tackles, 13 games.
#97 Noah Bishop — Third-year signee from Inkster, Mich. (Cass Tech). Last year: 4 tackles in 3 games.
#98 Dakari Frazier — Second-year transfer from Ball State. From Columbus, Ohio (Pickerington Central). 2025: 12 games, 10 tackles.
Roster losses
Mustafi Al-Garawi — Previously played at East Tennessee State. 2025 season with WMU: 14 games, 12 starts as defensive tackle, 34 tackles (1.5 for loss).
Jordan Buckley — Transfer portal.
Kershawn Fisher — Joined as Nichols State (and Louisiana Tech) transfer in 2025. Starting defensive end with WMU: 29 tackles (7.5 TFL), 3 sacks, 2 pass breakups, 1 fumble.
Will Gerig — 14 games played and 10 tackles made (3 TFL, 2 sacks) in 2025.
Tyson Lee — Career: 52 games played, 62 tackles (8.5 TFL), 5 sacks, 6 PBU, 1 fumble.
Joshua Lloyd — Transfer to Austin Peay. 7 games played in two years at WMU.
Rodney McGraw — Joined as Penn State transfer in 2024. Played 27 games with WMU. 2025: 42 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 7 sacks, 1 PBU, 3 fumbles.
Race Stewart — Joined as Indiana transfer in 2025. 14 games played in 2025: 16 tackles (2 TFL), 1 sack.
Nadame Tucker — Joined WMU as one-year transfer from Houston. Leaves as MAC MVP & Defensive Player of the Year Award honoree. Led the country with 21 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks in 2025. WMU’s #6 tackler in 2025 with 55 made (33 solo). Also: 4 fumbles and 1 pass breakup.
Marcel Tyler — Career: 38 games, 45 tackles (7.5 TFL), 2 sacks, 1 interception, 3 PBU, 1 fumble. Starting defensive tackle in 2025. Also played at Iowa Western C.C.
Popeye Williams — Transfer portal. Spent two years at Louisville before two years at WMU.
New additions
#4 Austin Alexander — NORTH CAROLINA TRANSFER. From Burlington, Ky. (Cooper). Made 3 tackles in 2025 true freshman season.
#15 KJ Burley — KEISER TRANSFER. From Pompano Beach, Fla. (St. Thomas Aquinas). Also spent 2024 season at Middle Tennessee State. NAIA: 55 tackles (30 solo, 15 TFL), 5.5 sacks, 7 QB hurries.
#31 DeJuan Echoles Jr. — BALL STATE TRANSFER. From Indianapolis, Ind. (Warren Central). Cardinals’ #2 havoc creator on defense in 2025: 26 tackles (5 TFL), 3 sacks, 2 PBU, 2 QBH, 2 fumbles.
#2 Scoop Gardner Jr. — LONG ISLAND TRANSFER. From Long Island, N.Y. (Archbishop Wood). Named First Team All-NEC in his first year as starter: 52 tackles (14.5 TFL, 30 solo), 7 SACKS, 4 hurries, 1 fumble, 1 blocked kick.
#41 Zavian Tibbs — HOUSTON TRANSFER. From Killeen, Texas (Shoemaker). Career: 20 games, 11 tackles, 1 PBU.
#94 Ahmed Tounkara — OHIO STATE TRANSFER. From Dublin, Ohio (Berlin).
Last year’s defensive line was mostly portaled-in during the 2025 preseason and it paid off big-time with Nadame Tucker being the league’s MVP right away. They’ve all graduated out of the system, and now Taylor needs to portal-in a whole new D-line.
The good news for WMU is that it looks like he shopped around wisely. Nearly 30 tackles for loss between the two players that transferred from the FCS and NAIA levels, an in-conference steal, and three more from Power 4 schools.
DEFENSE | RETURN (Starters*) | DEPART | INCOMING |
|---|---|---|---|
Defense line | 7 | 11 (4) | 6 |
Linebackers | 5 | 4 (2) | 4 |
Defensive backs | 8 (3) | 10 (2) | 6 |
Total Defense | 20 (3) | 25 (8) | 16 |
LINEBACKERS
Returning players
#12 Dillon Moore — Fifth-year signee from Indianapolis, Ind. (Ben Davis). Career: 30 games, 35 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 PBU.
#36 Freddy Brown — Second-year signee from Merrillville, Ind. (Morton). 3 tackles made in 2025.
#37 Gabe Welch — Second-year transfer from Butler C.C. From Arkansas City, Kan. (Arkansas City). WMU: 7 tackles made in 13 games.
#45 Andrew Baker — Third-year signee from Spring Lake, Mich. (Mona Shores).2025: 13 games, 4 tackles.
#47 Domanick Moon — Third-year Purdue transfer. From Ft. Wayne, Ind (Snider). 2025: 11 games, 23 tackles, 1. 5 TFL, 0.5 sack, 1 INT.
Roster losses
James Camden — WMU’s leading tackler in 2025: 84 drops (36 solo, 5 TFL), 4 sacks, 1 fumble. Spent first four college seasons with Cincinnati, then 2024 with Murray State.
Justin Jones — Exits after freshman, walk-on season.
Derek Pennington
Sefa Saipaia, Jr. — Came to WMU as Ferris State transfer in 2025, where he won a Division II national championship. Second-leading tackler for WMU last year: 77 tackles (27 solo, 5.5 for loss), 1.5 sacks, 1 INT.
New additions
#3 Brenden Anes — TENNESSEE TRANSFER. From Nolensville, Tenn. (Page). 2025, freshman year: 12 games, 5 tackles (2 solo).
#5 Justyce Betts — BUTLER C.C. TRANSFER. From Kansas City, Kan. (Bishop Miege). 2025: Team-leader in tackles with 96 (48 solo, 10 TFL), 4.5 sacks. Butler’s defense allowed just 19.6 points per game last season.
#10 Teegan Haines — HUTCHINSON C.C. TRANSFER. From McPherson, Kan. (McPherson). 2025: Team leader in tackles with 73 (30 solo, 11 TFL), 2 sacks, 2 fumbles, 3 PBU. Hutchinson’s defense allowed just 10.7 points per game in 12 games last year.
#11 Jermar McCarter — HINDS C.C. TRANSFER. From Starkville, Miss. (Starkville). 2025: Team leader in tackles with 60 (34 solo, 12 TFL), 2 QBH, 1 PBU, 1 fumble. Hinds’ defense allowed 14.1 points per game in 9 games last year.
Once again: it’s portal in, portal out. James Camden, WMU’s leading tackler last year, graduated out after one season with the team. So is Sefa Saipaia, after winning a Division II national championship and a MAC championship in back-to-back seasons.
Four transfers: one from the SEC that had limited playing time as a true freshman, and three incredibly productive guys from the junior college ranks that all led great defenses. All three JUCO grabs WMU had at this position were the top tacklers from teams that allowed, on average, fewer than three touchdowns per game.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Returning starter
#1 Joshua Franklin — Fourth-year signee from University Park, Ill. (Crete-Monee). Made 12 starts, and named Third Team All-MAC, at cornerback in 2025. Career: 73 tackles (48 solo), 5.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 1 INT, 10 PBU.
#8 Jarvarius Sims — Second-year transfer from Central Michigan. Also spent one year with UConn. From Decatur, Ga. (MLK). Starting cornerback in 2025: 64 tackles (32 solo, 3 TFL), 1 sack, 1 INT, 4 PBU.
#18 Micah Davis — Second-year transfer from Michigan State. From Dexter, Mich. (Dexter). Made 10 starts at safety last year: 60 tackles (31 solo, 1 TFL), 1 INT, 3 PBU.
Also returns
#6 Joey Pope — Fourth-year signee from Glenn Ellyn, Ill. (Glenbard West). Made 5 starts at safety in 2025: 44 tackles (28 solo, 2.5 TFL), 0.5 sacks, 3 INT (1 return for TD), 2 PBU.
#19 Braden Steely — Third-year signee from Fort Wayne, Ind. (Fort Wayne Carroll). Last year: 13 games, 4 tackles.
#21 CJ Miles Jr. — Third-year signee from Lansing, Ill. (Mount Carmel).
#22 Amarian Louis — Second-year transfer from Dodge City C.C., from Miami, Fla. (Miami Southridge). Last year: 10 games, 4 tackles.
#24 John Peters — Second-year signee from Merrillville, Ind. (Merrillville). As true freshman: 14 games, 16 tackles (11 solo), 1 INT, 4 PBU.
Roster losses
Jayden Davis — Played 10 games for WMU in 2025: 6 tackles made. Previously: Idaho State, Central Michigan, and Diablo Valley C.C.
Tate Hallock — Spent four years at Michigan State before transfer to WMU in 2023. Team’s leading tackler in 2023 (75), second in 2024 (84), third in 2025 (67). WMU career: 38 games, 226 tackles (133 solo, 8.5 TFL), 0.5 sack, 9 INT (2 return for TD), 11 PBU, 3 fumbles. Named Second Team All-MAC in 2025.
Fitzroy Ledgister — Transfer to Prairie View A&M. Previously: Rutgers.
Jaden Lyles — Previously: Austin Peay, where he was a First Team all-conference player in 2024. WMU: 14 games, 22 tackles (13 solo).
Jason Mitchell — Transfer portal. Spent 2024 season with San Diego State.
Isaiah Paul — Transfer portal. Former LA Valley College transfer. WMU career: 13 games, 11 tackles, 1 INT, 2 PBU.
Jordon Thomas — Previously: Eastern Kentucky and Wingate.
Versie Walker III — Transfer to East Texas A&M. Previously: Indiana Wesleyan.
Corey Webb
Aaron Wofford — Three-year starter at cornerback. Career: 51 games, 186 tackles (114 solo, 3.5 TFL), 0.5 sack, 4 INT, 21 PBU, 3 fumbles.
New additions
#14 Daeh McCullough — LOUISVILLE TRANSFER. From Cincinnati, Ohio (St. Joseph). Also played one season at Oklahoma.
#16 Brodon Moore — Incoming freshman from Lakewood, Ohio (St. Edwards).
#17 Cam'ron Barber — PRESBYTERIAN TRANSFER. From Atlanta, Ga. (Mays). As true freshman with Presbyterian: Team’s #6 tackler with 43 drops (24 solo, 1 TFL), 8 PBU, 1 fumble.
#20 Willard Ferrell — PRESBYTERIAN TRANSFER. From Homestead, Fla. (Miami Killian). At Presbyterian: 24 games, 44 tackles (31 solo, 1.5 for loss), 1 INT, 6 PBU.
Kouri Crump — VMI TRANSFER. From Charlotte, N.C. (William A. Hough). Two-year starter at safety with VMI. Career: 36 games, 187 tackles (119 solo, 11.5 TFL), 1 sack, 9 PBU, 4 fumbles, 2 kicks blocked.
Tahj Owens — PRINCETON TRANSFER. From Chino Hills, Calif. (Loyola). Missed 2025 season to torn ACL after being full-season starter in 2024. Career: 20 games, 111 tackles (62 solo, 0.5 TFL), 1 INT, 5 PBU.
The third level of this defense is the only spot where it really sees returning starters from 2025.
You’ll see Presbyterian’s featured twice on this list of newcomers. In 12 games, Presby’s defense in 2025 limited opponents to 16.2 points per game and 5.6 yards per pass attempt, and it had more interceptions (13) than touchdowns thrown against it (9). Also, if you want solid, assignment-oriented football, go and get yourself a multi-year starter from a military school.
Special Teams
SPECIALISTS | RETURN (Starters*) | DEPART | INCOMING |
|---|---|---|---|
Kicker | 1 (1) | 1 | |
Punter | 1 (1) | 1 | |
Long Snapper | 1 | 1 (1) | 1 |
Total Specialists | 3 (2) | 3 (1) | 1 |
KICKER, PUNTER, & LONG SNAPPER
Returning players
(K) #20 Palmer Domschke — Fifth-year signee from Bolingbrook, Ill. (Neuqua Valley). Injured for most of 2024 season. Career: 35/54 field goals (64.8%), 98/101 PATs.
(LS) #28 Will Peterson — Second-year signee from Geneva Ill. (Geneva Community).
(P) #25 Ryan Millmore — Third-year transfer from Iowa State. rom Bloomington, Ill. (Normal Community). Career: 109 punts, 41.3 yard average (4,503 total yards punted).
Roster losses
(P) Anthony Beacom
(K) Hunter Smith — 1 for 2 on field goals in 2025. Previously: Warner, Florida Atlantic, and Florida.
(LS) RJ Todd — Transfer to Oregon.
New additions
(LS) Drew Doyle — VIRGINIA TECH TRANSFER. From Collinsville, Ill. (Collinsville)
Not a lot of depth here, but a returning kicker on the roster means there’s just a little bit less work to do here in the roster-building department.