American Conference 2025 Preview

2025 American Conference Championship Prediction: Memphis over UTSA

Regular Season Predicted Order of Finish

1. University of Memphis Tigers

Head Coach: Ryan Silverfield- At School and Overall: (42-20) 5 Years

Impact Players: QB Brendon Lewis, RB Greg Desrosiers, RB Sutton Smith, WR Brady Kluse, DE Will Whitlow, CB Chauncey Logan, LB Sam Brumfield, LB Everett Roussaw, LB Drue Watts

Preview: 

Memphis is one of the best programs in the American each year. This year they will have to try to continue that tradition without the school’s all time passing leader. Seth Henigan’s graduation from Memphis left a question mark at the position that had been so consistent for years. That question mark will be filled by Nevada transfer QB Brendon Lewis. Lewis is a dual-threat who accounted for over 3,000 yards in 2024. The offensive line is returning two starters but we’ll have to work out new faces to fill the rest of the spots. The same goes for the skill positions. RB Sutton Smith and RB Greg Desrosiers will compete for the lead back duties, while WR Brady Kluse and WR Jadon Thompson will try to be the next in a long line of 1,000 yard Tiger receivers. On defense, DE Will Whitlow was an all-conference player in 2024 and the only returning starter on defense. The rest of the defense should be filled out by transfer talent. LB Drue Watts, Nevada, and LB Everett Roussaw, UAB, headline the linebacker core. In the secondary, CB Chauncey Logan was an-conference player at JMU. This is a new look Memphis Tiger team, relying on new faces to keep the program at the top of the league. The talent is there and if the new pieces adapt quickly, Memphis can find themselves playing for a conference title (getting Navy and Tulane at home doesn’t hurt either).

Final Record Prediction: 10-2 (7-1)

2. University of Texas San Antonio Roadrunners

Head Coach: Jeff Traylor- At School and Overall: (46-20) 5 years

Impact Players: QB Owen McCown, RB Robert Henry, WR Devin McCuin, TE Houston Thomas, G Cory Godinet, LB Shad Banks, S Jamarius Lewis

Preview: 

The Roadrunner offense was one of the best in the league in 2024 and figures to be up there again in 2025. That is due in large part to the 9 returning starters on that side of the ball, including QB Owen McCown and four starters on the offensive line. Also returning are the Roadrunners leading rushers, RB Robert Henry and RB Brandon High, and top receivers, WR Devin McCuin and TE Houston Thomas, from a season ago. Unlike the offense, the defense returns no starters from a season ago. However, that does not mean they aren’t returning solid production. S Jamarius Lewis was a solid rotational piece from 2024 and will be looked upon to lead the defensive backfield. Transfer LB Shad Banks will be the leader of the front seven. UTSA was 3 one possession losses away from going 7-1 in the American Conference. This year, UTSA avoids playing potential the three best teams in the conference (Tulane, Memphis, Navy) so they’ll have one of the more favorable schedules in the conference. The offense will be asked to carry the load early in the season, but if the defense comes along, this could be the year UTSA makes its mark on the American.

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

3. Tulane University Green Wave

Head Coach: Jon Sumrall- At School: (9-5) 1 year; Overall: (32-9) 3 years

Impact Players: RB Arnold Barnes, RB Maurice Turner, WR Shazz Preston, WR Anthony Brown-Stephens, G Shadre Hurst, DE Santana Hooper, DE Mo Westmoreland, S Bailey Despanie, S Jack Tchienchou, LB Sam Howard

Preview: 

Tulane enters the fall camp period with one of the more intriguing QB battles in the country. In the offseason, Tulane brought in 3 transfers to compete from the starting job. Brendan Sullivan came from Iowa/Northwestern, Kadin Semonza came from Ball State, and Donovan Leary came from Illinois. But another wrinkle was thrown into the mix when former BYU QB Jake Retzlaff transferred to Tulane in the Summer after being suspended by the school. Whoever comes out of camp as the starter will have the job of leading an offense that needs to be rebuilt. The o-line is returning two starters and the running game will have depth but will be missing the star element that the team had with Makhi Hughes. Gone, too, are the top receivers from last year. On defense, only three starters return, but there is talent throughout the unit. Of the returning starters, LB Sam Howard and S Bailey Despanie will lead their respective position groups with S Jack Tchienchou providing rotational experience. Transfers like DE Santana Hooper, DE Mo Westmoreland, and CB LJ Green are talented newcomers that will be day 1 starters. Tulane has been a mainstay in the American Conference Championship for the last three seasons. In order for that to continue, the offense needs to rally behind whoever is named QB and the transfers on defense need to be a hit.

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

4. Naval Academy Midshipmen 

Head Coach: Brian Newberry – At School and Overall: (15-10) 2 years

Impact Players: QB Blake Horvath, FB Alex Tecza, SL Eli Heidenreich, G Ben Purvis, DT Landon Robinson, LB Luke Perris

Preview: 

QB Blake Horvath is back as the signal caller for the Midshipmen offense that excelled in 2024. Horvath accounted for over 2,500 yards and 30 touchdowns a year ago. Also returning to Annapolis are the Midshipmen’s two best offensive weapons, FB Alex Tecza and WB Eli Heidenreich. Upfront, two starters are returning but the other three positions are expected to have starters with limited playing experience. As with most military programs, graduation always is a hit to a team’s depth and experience and the Midshipmen are no exception. The top tacklers from 2024 are all gone, but Navy is returning their all-conference DT Landon Robinson and starting outside LB Luke Perris. Rotational players from 2024 will be called upon to be starters in 2025. Navy is returning its most important pieces from an offense that was tops in the American Conference. If the defense is able to get the best of the new faces, the Midshipmen should find themselves in the mix for American title contention, especially since they avoid some of the top teams in the conference.

Final Record Prediction: 8-4 (6-2)

5. Army West Point Black Knights

Head Coach: Jeff Monken- At School: (62-57) 11 years; Overall: (120-73) 15 years

Impact Players: QB Dewayne Coleman, FB Hayden Reed, RB Noah Short, RB Jake Redina, G Paolo Gennarelli, LB Kalib Fortner, LB Andon Thomas, S Casey Larkin

Preview: 

The Army Black Knights took the American Conference by storm in their first season as members, winning 12 games and the conference title. This season Army West Point will have to replace a record setting QB and star RB. Filling out the first half of that duo will be QB Dewayne Coleman. The senior QB played in very limited fashion in 2024 will be joined in the backfield by FB Hayden Reed and SB Noah Short, who will look to fill out the second half of 2024’s production. Up front, Army returns two starters who were a part of one of the nation’s best o-lines. Maintaining that status will be paramount to the offense’s success. Returning to lead the Army defense are linebackers Kalib Fortner and Andon Thomas, who combined for over 175 tackles in 2024. DT Kody Harris-Miller is back to help solidify the front seven. In the secondary, S Casey Larkin will be the leader of an inexperienced unit. Matching 2024’s success will be near impossible for the 2025 Army Black Knights. Losing one of the best players in program history is never easy and with some much inexperience on both sides of the ball, there will be growing pains. But Jeff Monken is no stranger to adversity. Having led this program the last 10+ years, Monken prides himself on having a program where their discipline and toughness help overcome what they might lack in size and skill. A repeat as conference champs maybe unlikely, but never count out the group from West Point.

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

6. University of South Florida Bulls

Head Coach: Alex Golesh- At School and Overall (14-12) 2 years

Impact Players: QB Byrum Brown, QB Bryce Archie, RB Cartevius Norton, WR Keshaun Singleton, LB Mac Harris, LB Jhalyn Shuler, S Tavin Ward, CB De’Shawn Rucker

Preview: 

The Bulls were picked by many before the season to be the surprise team in the American in 2024. However, after QB Byrum Brown went down in game 5, it seemed like that longshot dream was at an end. QB Bryce Archie took over and played well enough to get USF to a bowl game and ultimately win it to secure a winning record. Although Archie played well, Brown is still expected to retake the starting job in 2025. He will do so behind an offensive line that is returning 3 starters and 3 others from the transfer portal with starting experience. As for the skill positions, those spots are up for grabs as the Bulls’ leading rusher and receiver from 2025 are gone. Defensively, linebackers Mac Harris, Jhalyn Shuler, and Rico Watson are back to lead DC Todd Orlano’s unit. The Bulls are also returning good starting production in the secondary with S Tavin Ward and CB De’Shawn Rucker back in Tampa. Up front, a crop of transfer linemen will be asked to earn a starting spot on the d-line. The Bulls are returning a good chunk of their experience and production on both sides of the ball. If Brown can return to his 2023 form, USF will once again be a sneaky preseason pick in the American. At the very least, the Bulls should find themselves bowl eligible for the third straight season.

Final Record Prediction: 6-6 (5-3)

7. University of North Texas Mean Green

Head Coach: Eric Morris- At School: (11-14) 2 years; Overall: (35-32) 6 years

Impact Players: QB Reese Poffenberger, RB Makenzie McGill, WR Simon Evans, WR Miles Coleman, DT Fatafehi Vailea, DT Briceon Hayes, LB Ethan Wesloski, LB Trey Fields, S Evan Jackson, S Quinton Hammonds

Preview: 

The Mean Green offense under HC Eric Morris has been one of the most prolific in both the conference and the nation through the air, finishing in the top 5 in the country in passing yards and total yards in 2024. Transfer QB Reese Poffenberger, who was a backup at Miami last season, comes to Denton looking to keep that trend going in 2025. He will be playing behind a line that returns 2 starters but brings in players with plenty of playing experience. RB Makenzie McGill will be the feature back after rushing for 10 touchdowns in 2024. On the outside, transfer WR Simeon Rice will look to take over as the WR1. As good as the offense was in 2024, that’s how bad the defense was. Ranking near the bottom over every statistical category in 2024, the Mean Green looked to the transfer portal to address the concerns on defense. Transfers DE Briceon Hayes and LB Trey Fields joining returners DT Fatafehi Vailea and LB Ethan Wesloski on the front seven. In the secondary, returners S Evan Jackson and NB Quinton Hammonds will be joined by a plethora of new faces. North Texas hasn’t had a winning season since 2018. This year could prove to be different if the defense is able to improve over last year. Teams made up of primarily transfers are always question marks, but if those transfer players are hits, North Texas could be the underdog pick for the American.

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

8. East Carolina University Pirates

Head Coach: Blake Harrell- At School and Overall: (5-1) 1 year

Impact Players: QB Katin Houser, RB London Montgomery, RB Parker Jenkins, WR Anthony Smith, WR Jacquaize Pettaway, WR Yannick Smith, LB Ryheem Craig, S Ja’Marley Riddle

Preview: 

Blake Harrell took over for Mike Houston following a 3-4 start and led the Pirates to a 5-1 record, including a bowl win, to end the season. About that time is also when QB Katin Houser also took over as the signal caller. ECU is returning 3 starters on the offensive line that played exceptionally well in 2024. Running behind that line in 2025 will be RB London Montgomery, who saw action in a limited role last season. On the outside, Houser will have his pick of talented targets to get the ball too, including WR Anthony Smith and ex-Oklahoma WR Jacquazie Pettaway. On defense, LB Dameon Wilson will man the middle along with LB Ryheem Craig playing as more of an edge rusher. S Ja’Marley Riddle is the Pirates leading returning tackler and will be the key piece in the secondary. In the trenches, ECU brought in multiple Power 4 transfers to fill in depth in that department. The last 6 games of 2024 should excite Pirates fans about the future of this program. Although a schedule consisting of BYU, Army, Tulane, Memphis, and UTSA may make it difficult to exceed last year’s win total, the Pirates should be expected to return to a bowl game again in 2025.

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

9. Rice University Owls

Head Coach: Scott Abell – At School: 1st Year; Overall: (47-28) 7 years

Impact Players: RB Quinton Jenkins, RB Taji Atkins, WR Aaron Turner, S Plae Wyatt, LB Ty Morris, LB Andrew Awe

Preview:

The Scott Abell era officially begins at Rice and so too does the era of the spread option attack. Who will be leading that attack for the Owls might not be decided before Week 1. It is a three man race between QB Chase Jenkins, QB AJ Padgett, and QB Drew Deviller to see who will be leading the Owls offense into their week 1 matchup against Louisiana. Whoever is under center will be playing behind a rebuilt, young offensive line. They will, however, get the benefit of playing alongside a strong running back group, consisting of RB Quinton Jackson and RB Taji Atkins. The wide receiver room is inexperienced and will be led by WR Braylen Walker. The defense will be led by returning linebackers Ty Morris and Andrew Awe. LB/S Plae Wyatt is returning to lead the secondary alongside S Daveon Hook. Rice hasn’t had a winning season since 2014 so the program needs a lifeline. Abell represents a fresh start for the program, bringing a new style of offense and fresh faces. Will it be enough to surpass the 2024 win total?

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

10. University of Alabama Birmingham Blazers

Head Coach: Trent Dilfer- At School and Overall: (7-17) 2 Years

Impact Players: QB Jalen Kitna, RB Isaiah Jacobs, RB Solomon Beebe, RB Jevon Jackson, WR Corri Milliner, S Sirad Bryant, S Josh Baka, K Jonah Delange

Preview: 

QB Jalen Kitna returns to UAB for another year after an up and down 2024 season saw him throwing 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The good news for Kitna is his running game should feature a committee of solid runners including RB Jevon Jackson and RB Solomon Beebe. Up front, the o-line is inexperienced and will be shaky to start. Only 2 linemen on the roster have played a game for the Blazers over the past 2 seasons. That unit will need to improve to help out its streaky QB. As for pass catchers, WR Corri Milliner will lead a group that has depth but not a ton of experience and production. Not much will be known about the Blazers’ defense until the season kicks off. The front seven is a combination of transfer portal players and reserves from last season given the opportunity to start. The secondary will be a strength. Safeties Sirad Bryant and Josh Baka are returning leaders, both statistically and emotionally. Former NFL QB Trent Dilfer was an interesting choice when UAB hired him in 2023. In two years, they have mustered just 7 total wins. In the 5 years before  Dilfer, UAB had 7 wins in a season 4 times. Needless to say the heat is on. If the Blazers can’t find bowl eligibility this season, it could mark the end of the Dilfer era in Birmingham. 

Final Record Prediction: 4-8 (2-6)

11. Temple University Owls

Head Coach: KC Keeler- At School: 1st year; Overall: (271-112) 31 years

Impact Players: QB Evan Simon, QB Gevani McCoy, RB Jay Ducker, RB Joquez Smith, WR John Adams, LB Jalen Stewart, DT Demerick Morris

Preview: 

In the offseason, Temple fired Head Coach Stan Drayton and brought in Pennsylvania native KC Keeler to turn around a program that has been heading in the wrong direction for the past few seasons. Previously, Keeler had stops at Delaware and Sam Houston St, winning FCS national championships at both, and brings with him knowledge of the area. His first job will be naming a starting QB. 2024 QB Simon threw for 2,000 yards and 15 touchdowns, which apparently wasn’t enough to stop Temple from bringing in some competition. QB Gevani McCoy comes to North Broad after a stop at Oregon St. in 2024. The QBs will be playing behind an o-line with solid depth and talent. In the backfield, RB Jay Ducker followed Keeler from SHSU and joins RB Joquez Smith. The receiving group is unproven. On defense, Temple hit the portal to fill out most of its depth chart. DT Demerick Morris does return to Philly after briefly committing to Oklahoma St. LB Jalen Stewart headlines a linebacker group that does not have a standout star, but has great depth. Transfers bring experience to the secondary, but spots are still up for grabs. It’s hard to believe that by the end of the 2010s, you could pretty much guarantee Temple would reach 8+ wins each season. The 2020s have been a different story. The Owls have had only 13 wins since the start of 2020 and have missed on their last two coaching hires. Keeler, although on the older side for Head Coaches, was a smart hire. He has had success building programs and knows the area. Although it will most likely not happen in 2025, it shouldn’t be long before the Owls are back in bowl contention. 

Final Record Prediction: 4-8 (2-6)

12. Florida Atlantic University Owls

Head Coach: Zach Kittley – At School and Overall: 1st year

Impact Players: QB Caden Veltkamp, RB Gemari Sands, WR Eaton Messer, S Jayden Williams, NB Wendol Philord, DT CJ Doggette, LB Tyler Stolsky

Preview: 

FAU was one of the most active programs in the transfer portal this year, bringing in starters on both sides of the ball. One of those starters will be QB Caden Veltkamp. Veltkamp threw for over 3,000 yards last season at Western Kentucky. Joining Veltkamp from WKU is his favorite target from last season, WR Eaton Messer. In the backfield, So. RB Germari Sands is set to take over as the lead back after limited action last season. Up front, the Owls are returning two starters from 2024, while bringing in a few with starting experience elsewhere. On defense, the most experienced group will be the secondary. S Jayden Williams, CB Cameron Goggins, and NB Wendol Philord all logged starts in 2024. Up front, returning reserve DE Eric Brantley will be joined by incoming transfer DT CJ Doggette. The linebacker group will be made almost entirely of transfers with LB Leon Hart coming to Boca from Marshall and LB Tyler Stolsky coming from Minnesota. FAU, as with most Group of 5 teams, was a revolving door this offseason. The loss and gain from the transfer portal created lots of turnover roster for a program with just two winning seasons since 2008. New coach Zach Kittley gets his first crack at leading his own program and made building through the portal his first priority. Whether or not FAU has enough to get to a bowl game will depend on if these transfers are a hit or a flop.

Final Record Prediction: 4-8 (2-6)

13. University of Tulsa Golden Hurricanes

Head Coach: Tre Lamb- At School: 1st year; Overall: (27-25) 3 years

Impact Players: QB Kirk Francis, RB Dominic Richardson, RB Ajay Allen, RB Sevion Morrison, CB Elijah Green, LB Chris Thompson, CB JD Drew

Preview: 

QB Kirk Francis is set to play his first full season as starting QB, barring injury. In 2023, Francis was a walk-on who started the last four games of the season. In 2024, he was a redshirt freshman that threw for 1,500 yards and 9 touchdowns in a partial season due to injury. The rest of the Golden Hurricane offense will be filled with new faces. The running back room is deep thanks to transfer running backs, Dominic Richardson, Ajay Allen, and Sevion Morrison, who all come to Tulsa from Power 4 schools. The offensive line was rebuilt through the transfer portal, primarily through the FCS level. It will likely be a committee approach in the receiver room until a true WR1 separates themselves. Like the offense, the defense only returns one starter from last year. DT Tai Newhouse is a former starter and will be joined by LB Chris Thompson and CB Elijah Green, both of whom played well in a limited role in 2024. LB Ray Coney followed head coach Tre Lamb from East Tennessee State and CB JD Drew comes to Tulsa from Utah State. Tre Lamb gets his first shot at leading an FBS program after success at multiple FCS programs. Tulsa looked to the transfer portal to try and fill out a roster that wasn’t necessarily competitive in the American in 2024, outside of a 46-45 upset of UTSA. If the transfers produce and Francis takes a step forward, Tulsa could get on the right path, but a bowl game remains far-fetched. 

Final Record Prediction: 4-8 (2-6)

14. University of Charlotte 49ers

Head Coach: Tim Albin- At School: 1st year; Overall: (34-19) 4 years

Impact Players: QB Connor Harrell, QB Grayson Loftis, RB Don Chaney, RB Henry Rutledge, LB Reid Williford, DE Jaylon Johnson, DB Ja’Qurious Conley

Preview: 

Tim Albin takes over as the head coach for the Charlotte 49ers following four successful seasons as the head man at Ohio University, which included a 2024 MAC Championship. This will be a different task. Charlotte has one winning season and one bowl appearance since joining the FBS level in 2015. The first step will be deciding who will be under center for the 49ers this season, a decision that looks like it will loom into the fall. The battle will be between two former rivals, UNC QB Connor Harrell and Duke QB Grayson Loftis. The rest of the offense is far from set in stone either. The running back group will be made up of transfer RB Don Chaney and returnee RB Henry Rutledge. The o-line only has three players with playing experience and the wide receiver group is a mystery. Improvement on the defensive side is a must. LB Reid Williford is back in Charlotte and will once again be called upon to be the team leader. DE Jaylon Johnson is a JUCO transfer and expects to be the 49ers leading pass rusher. DB Treyveon McGee and DB Ja’Qurious Conley played in a rotational role last season and will be looked at as starters in 2025. Albin had immense success at Ohio, winning 10+ games each of the last 3 seasons. However, Ohio was in a much better spot when Albin took over than Charlotte is right now. It’s going to take time and resources to turn this program around.

Final Record Prediction: 2-10 (1-7)