Conference USA 2025 Football Preview

Head Coach: Charles Kelly – At School and Overall: 1st Year

Impact Players: QB Gavin Wimsett, RB Cam Cook, WR Michael Pettway, DE Jawuan Campbell, S Patrick Taylor, DT Talen Carter, DT Khurtiss Perry

Preview: 

Coming off of a CUSA championship season last year, Jax St lost a lot of production on both sides of the ball, losing nearly half a dozen all league players. The Gamecocks will turn to transfers QB Gavin Wimsett and RB Cam Cook to lead the offense that will be called by former Last Chance U coach, Clint Trickett. S Patrick Taylor and DT Tavon Carter return to lead a defense that is full of new faces and former Power 4 players. Losing Rich Rod was a tough start to the offseason and along with it came an almost completely overhauled roster. That being said, Jacksonville State will remain one of the most talented teams in the conference. While it will be tough to overcome all the departures and changes in the coaching staff, Jacksonville State still has enough talent to make another deep run in the CUSA.

Final Record Prediction: 8-4 (7-1)

Head Coach: Tyson Helton- At School and Overall: (48-32) 6 years

Impact Players: QB Maverick McIvor, RB La’Vell Wright, WR Kody Epps, WR KD Hutchinson, WR Matthew Henry, LT Marshall Jackson, S Demarko Williams, CB Jaylin Lewis, LB Harper Holloman

Preview: 

Despite the blowout at the hands of Jacksonville State in last year’s CUSA championship, it was another successful campaign for the Hilltoppers, who now have 42 wins, including 3 bowl wins under Tyler Helton. This year, both sides of the ball will experience some growing pains as additions through the portal will make the first few weeks an odd feeling out stage. WKU brought in a new OC and along with him came a QB in Maverick McIvor who threw for over 3,000 yards in the FCS last year. Pairing him up with a fellow FCS All-American WR Matthew Henry and the Hilltoppers should once again have a prolific pass attack. Question marks remain on the defensive side of the ball and it will be seen if the newcomers and first year starters can hold off teams just enough to let the offense win the games. Helton has won at least 6 conference games in each of the last 4 seasons at WKU and I don’t foresee this year being any different. 

Final Record Prediction: 9-3 (7-1)

Head Coach: Jamey Chadwell- At School: (21-5) 2 years; Overall: (119-62) 15 yrs

Impact Players: QB Ethan Vasko, C Aaron Fenimore, WR Tyson Mobley, WR Reese Smith, DE TJ Bush, DE CJ Bazile, LB Joseph Carter, S Brylan Greene, CB Amarian Williams, CB Dexter Ricks, S A’Khori Jones

Preview: 

Jamey Chadwell opened up his Liberty campaign with a 13-1 season and a trip to a New Year’s 6 Bowl. In 2024, expectations were sky high and, although the team went 8-4, the Flames fell well short of expectations. 2025 will be met with tampered expectations, the offense must replace its two of its most productive players in school history in the backfield, but there is some hope. Former Coastal QB Ethan Vasko will lead the Flames’ offense and have a pair of proven receivers (Tyson Mobley, Reese Smith) to get the ball too. On defense, Liberty wasn’t as impacted as others in the conference by the portal. They were able to return their leader tackler, sack leader, and coverage man. Liberty is as talented as any team in this conference and their less than daunting schedule provides the Flames an opportunity to regain its title as the premier team in Conference USA.

Final Record Prediction: 9-3 (6-2)

Head Coach: Ryan Carty – At School and Overall: (26-11) 3 yrs

Impact Players: QB Nick Miniucci, QB Zack Marker, WR Jake Thaw, WR Max Patterson, RB Jo’Nathan Sliver, DT Keyshawn Hunter, DT Noel Matthews, LB Gavin Maul, LB Dillon Trainer, S KT Seay, S Jason Scott, S Hassan Manning, DE Jack Hull

Preview: 

2025 will be the inaugural season for the Blue Hens, a team who has been a regular in the FCS playoffs the last few seasons. The offense is returning good production. Both QBs Nick Miniucci and Zack Marker saw playing time last season, but a starter has yet to be named. The backfield will also consist of RB Jo’Nathan Silver, who showed flashes of explosive potential in a limited role and will run behind a line with good experience. On the outside, pass catches Max Patterson and Jake Thaw will open the field. Defensively, Delaware was one of the best in all the FBS level last year and has the luxury of returning its top 4 tacklers from last season led by LBs Gavin Maul and Dillon Trainer. It’s their first season playing an FBS schedule, so an adjustment period is to be expected. However, Delaware is a lot  better off than some teams we’ve seen make this transition and have the roster and funding to compete from Year 1.

Final Record Prediction: 5-7 (4-4)

Head Coach: Scotty Walden- At School: (3-9) 1 year; Overall: (37-29) 7 years

Impact Players: QB Skyler Locklear, QB Malachi Nelson, WR Kenny Odum, WR Kam Thomas, DT KD Johnson, LB Nate Dyman, S Xavier Smith, S Lantz Russell

Preview: 

UTEP made national headlines when former 5 star QB Malachi Nelson decided to transfer to El Paso after losing the job at Boise St. However, it wasn’t Nelson who came out of the spring being named the starter. Rather it was So. QB Skyler Locklear who threw for 10 TDs last season in limited time. The rest of the offense is up in the air as only one starting o-line returns and no players in the backfield. On defense, it will be a similar story as newcomers and young players will get a chance to earn starting spots. Walden made progress bringing in talent to El Paso and this season could prove to be a turning point for a program that has won just 20 games in the last 5 seasons, if those recruitments pay off.

Final Record Prediction: 6-6 (4-4)

Head Coach: Derek Mason- At School: (3-9) 1 year; Overall: (30-64) 8 yrs

Impact Players: QB Nicholas Vattiato, RB Jakail Middlebrook, WR Myles Butler, DE Anthony Byrum, DT Shakai Woods, DE Brandon Buckner, LB Parker Hughes

Preview: 

Middle Tennessee fans get the luxury of returning their 3 year starter behind center, in Nicholas Vattiato. Vattiato has thrown for over 7,000 yards and 40 touchdowns in his career. Also returning in the backfield is all-conference freshmen RB Jakail Middlebrook. Although the offensive line is a concern, this offensive unit should be in the upper half of the conference at year end. On defense, several starters are returning to a unit that was one of the worst statistical defenses in all of college football in 2024. This unit, led by LB Parker Hughes and DE Anthony Byrum, needs to be much improved. If it can, this team has a chance to sneak up on others and play spoiler to some of the teams mentioned before them.

Final Record Prediction: 5-7 (4-4)

Head Coach: Sonny Crumbie- At School: (11-26) 3 years; Overall: (13-29) 4 yrs

Impact Players: QB Evan Bullock, RB Omiri Wiggins, WR Jay Wilkerson, TE Eli Finley, LB Kolbe Fields, LB Sifa Leota, S Jacob Fields, S Blake Thompson, CB Cedric Woods

Preview: 

Fr. QB Evan Bullock showed flashes of great QB play last season, throwing for over 2,000 yards and 14 touchdowns after taking over the starting job. The problem is his protection upfront was one of the worst in all of college football. With only two returning linemen and a crop of new transfers, this unit will need to improve for this offense to have a chance to make a difference. On the other side of the ball, Louisiana Tech’s defense was one of the conference’s best units and the return of LB Kolbe Fields and Sifa Leota is a huge boost for the 2025 Bulldogs. This program has failed to record a winning season in the last 5 years and, on paper, the only thing preventing them from breaking that trend is a porous o-line.

Final Record Prediction: 5-7 (3-5)

Head Coach: Tony Sanchez – At School: (3-9) 1 year; Overall: (23-49) 6 years

Impact Players: QB Logan Fife, RB Kadarius Calloway, WR PJ Johnson, WR TJ Pride, LB Stone Aupiu, LB Tyler Martinez

Preview: 

The Aggies looked to have momentum as a program in the two years under Jerry Kill. But last season Kill left for a consulting job at Vanderbilt, and the first season under Sanchez, was a step back. The Aggies dipped into the portal in the offseason to bring in former Montana QB Logan Fife and a pair of running backs with Power 4 experience. WR TJ Pride was an all-conference returner and should provide a needed spark on offense. On the defensive side of the ball, improvement is the only option for a team that finished in the bottom of the nation. Starting LBs Tyler Martinez and Stone Aupiu will lead the group made up of mostly new faces. A bowl game would be a stretch but the roster is improved and exceeding 2024’s win total would be a success. 

Final Record Prediction: 4-8 (3-5)

Head Coach: Phil Longo- At School: 1st year; Overall: (7-14) 2 years

Impact Players: QB Hunter Watson, RB Elijah Green, WR Qua’Vez Humphreys, WR Michael Phoenix, OG James Dawn, OT Kolt Dieterich, LB Antavious Fish, S Alonzo Edwards

Preview:

Last year was a huge step for the Bearkats posting a 10 win season including a New Orleans Bowl victory. That type of success comes with a price as they lost Head Coach KC Keeler to Temple University. Keeler helped bring a national championship to SHSU during their FCS stint. Not all is lost as the Bearkats are returning QB Hunter Watson and one of the more experienced o-lines in the CUSA. Defensively it is a different story. All of the starters from their bowl game are gone and the unit will rely on the transfers’ ability to gel quickly. LB Antavious Fish has plenty of experience during his time at Akron. Unfortunately, there is too much unknown for the Bearkats in 2025. That and the fact that they won’t be playing a true home game all season could spell a lackluster season for the Bearkats.

Final Record Prediction: 3-9 (3-5)

Head Coach: Jerry Mack – At School and Overall: 1st Year

Impact Players: QB Dexter Williams, WR Christian Moss, WR Davis Bryson, WR Gabriel Benyard, DE Tylon Dunlap, LB Garland Benyard, LB Juandarion Silas, LB Donelius Johnson, CB JeRico Washington, S Milon Jones, S Isaac Paul, CB Tyler Hallum

Preview: 

Kennesaw made the change to the FBS level last season and like most teams, the transition was a rough one. The Owls hit the transfer portal in the offseason to bring in QB Dexter Williams from Georgia Southern and revamp the offensive line. Williams should have some decent skill on the outside to get the ball to but the running game is a question mark. Defensively, the Owls are returning four starters in the secondary, including all-conference CB JeRico Washington. Leading tacklers Garland Benyard and Donelius Johnson will help anchor the front seven. On paper, this Owls team is much better than 2024’s squad, but it will remain to be seen if the new additions on offense can work through the growing pains.

Final Record Prediction: 3-9 (2-6)

Head Coach: Ryan Beard- At School and Overall: (12-11) 2 years

Impact Players: QB Jacob Clark, RB Shomari Lawrence, RB King Davis, WR James Blackstrain, WR Jmariyae Robinson, TE Lance Mason, S JJ O’Neal, DB Dylan Simmon

Preview: 

Like Delaware, Missouri State will also be making the jump to the FBS in the 2025 season. Luckily for the Bears, the offense will have experience on their side. QB Jacob Clark is a seventh year senior and was one of the best QBs in the FCS a season ago. RB Shomari Lawrence has CUSA experience, coming over from FIU. The o-line has solid experience and WR Jmariyae Robinson will look to take over WR1 duties. The same cannot be said for the defense as the Bears were hit hard by the transfer portal. Returning starters S JJ O’Neal and Dylan Simmon will be the de facto leaders on defense. Opening up against USC is about as tough of a first test as a new look defense can have. Missouri St has the experience on offense to keep it in games and although the first year may not be pretty, this year could be a good jumping off point for the FBS version of Missouri State.

Final Record Prediction: 4-7 (2-6)

Head Coach: Willie Simmons – At School: 1st Year; Overall: (45-13) 6 yrs

Impact Players: QB Keyone Jenkins, RB Kejon Owens, RB Ajay Allen, WR Alex Perry, DT Jamarrion Solomon, S Wesley Hill, CB, Brian Blades, DE Keegan Davis

Preview: 

The Panthers come into the 2025 season with their backfield solidified. QB Keyone Jenkins is a dual-threat, who accounted for 24 touchdowns a year ago. Lining up next to Jenkins is RB Kejon Owens, who posted 4.3 YPC last season. The rest of the offense is a question mark. Filling out the rest of the offense with transfers is a strategy that could pay dividends or blow up in their face. Similarly, the Panthers’ defense returns just two starters from last year after many of its production left via the transfer portal. The FIU program is in a bit of a tail spin, having won just 13 games in 5 seasons and not posting a winning season since 2018. Head Coach Willie Simmons was a smart hire. Simmons was very successful in his two previous jobs at HBCUs and knows how to recruit in the Florida area. However, success won’t be imminent and it could be another long season for the Panthers.

Final Record Prediction: 4-8 (1-7)