Sam Houston State Bearkats 2025 Preview

Sam Houston State University Bearkats

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

OC : Zack Patterson; DC: Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay

2024 Record: 10-3 (6-2)

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

Offense:

The offense for the Bearkats should be much improved heading into the 2025 campaign. QB Hunter Watson is back to lead the offense after totaling 12 TDs through the air and 9 on the ground. He will get the luxury of playing behind an oline that returns 4 of the 5 starters from last year. WR Qua’Vez Humphreys and WR Michael Phoenix are also back in Huntsville after combining for 15 touchdowns a year ago. The backfield is a question mark and it remains to be seen who will take over the departed Jay Ducker.

Defense:

The Bearkats defense is going to be the biggest concern for much of the season. Following a successful campaign, SHSU does not return a single regular season starter on that side of the ball. As most teams do, the Bearkats will look to the transfer portal to solve its issues. LB Antavious Fish comes over from Akron and will be looked upon to be the immediate leader of the defense. The rest of the defense will be filled out by FCS transfer, who the Bearkats hope can rise to the occasion against a conference that has teams capable of putting up big numbers.

Analysis:

The Bearkats finally broke through in 2025 after joining the FBS level in 2023. 10 wins, including a New Orleans Bowl victory, provides much needed momentum for the program. However, the transfer portal and coaching carousel decimated the program in the offseason. The returning faces on offense are promising, but the uncertainty on the defensive side of the ball is cause for concern. That coupled with the fact that they will be playing away from their usual stadium will make it difficult for the Bearkats to replicate the success from a year ago.

2025 Record Floor: 2-10

2025 Record Ceiling: 6-6

2025 Record Prediction: 3-9