Unfortunately, we were unable to schedule an interview with Arkansas Baptist or Louisiana Christian for this year’s summer magazine, so they are not reflected in these notes.

Note: These interviews were conducted before the transfer window closed, and some players mentioned may have entered the portal.

Langston

Offense

• Wide receiver Kevin Allen returns after setting the program’s record for single-season receiving yards in 2024. Allen gained 968 yards and seven touchdowns on 59 receptions.
• Head coach Quinton Morgan said there is a competition for the starting quarterback position, but did not reveal any names.
• Morgan said the Lions have a solid running back room heading into the 2025 campaign and is excited about an offensive line that he said is getting bigger and more agile during the offseason.

Defense

• Langston’s defensive secondary has the most experience. Morgan’s specialty is coaching defensive backs, and he expects them to lead the defense this year.
• Morgan said the coaching staff focused on beefing up the front seven and brought in “bigger, stronger, and faster” recruits for 2025.

Nelson

Offense

• Head coach Jared Hudgins said three players will compete to be the starting quarterback. Briley Green, who is healthy after an injury-filled season, is competing against Elijah Bowman and Judah Holtzclaw for the starting nod.
• The Lions entered last year with nine offensive linemen in the rotation, and Hudgins said adding depth to this position group is a search that will last into fall camp.

Defense

• Graduation took a toll on Nelson’s defensive line, but Hudgins feels the staff fortified that group during the offseason. He noted that the search for solid defensive linemen never stops for NAIA programs.
• Xavier Garcia was a second-team All-Sooner Athletic Conference selection last year and will lead the linebacking corps after having a fantastic offseason.
• Hudgins said the defensive backfield is solid, led by returners Amin White and Jordan Walker.

OUAZ

Offense

• The Spirit offense underwent a massive shakeup in the offseason when head coach Mike Nesbitt left to be the offensive coordinator at Houston Christian. Interim head coach Martin Castaneda said offensive line coach Chris Womack has been promoted to offensive coordinator.
• Castaneda said the offense will build on the foundation set by Nesbitt, and noted that starting quarterback Luke Giron has stepped into a leadership role and is helping the transfers understand the system.

Defense

• The defensive line is bolstered by returners Corey Floyd Jr. and Coffeyville transfer JJ Hill. Castaneda said linebacker Justice Sosnicki is returning for his senior season.
• Castaneda said they added some pieces to shore up the defensive secondary and said the defense looks good overall. However, OUAZ will continue to evaluate the transfer portal throughout the summer.

Oklahoma Panhandle State

Offense

• The OPSU offense will have many new faces after 10 players on that side of the ball graduated. Among the new faces will be at quarterback, where last year’s backup, Jamarian George, is battling for the starting nod.
• The offensive line returns both starting guards from last season and an offensive tackle who started the last two games. However, head coach Cory Miller said the biggest issue facing the offense heading into the summer is finding someone to play center.
• The position with the most experience on the offense is wide receiver, where OPSU returns two of its top three receivers from a year ago. 

Defense

• The Aggie defensive secondary continually ranks among the top teams in the country in interceptions. That trend should continue in 2025 with three starters returning, including Tyvonne Jeffrie. The Texas A&M-Kingsville transfer originally played wide receiver until Miller saw him “tackle a bull at the rodeo.”
• Miller said most of the front seven return from last season, but the Aggies need to add more mass in the middle of the defensive line to help slow the opponent’s rushing attack.
• Miller noted the defense may not have any “big” names returning, but the players are more comfortable in the system this year and are moving faster this spring.

Texas College

Offense

• Head coach Jarrail Jackson said the offense will look different without Terrell Hookfin, who entered the transfer portal. He said the offense will focus on getting wide receivers in space more than pushing the ball down the field.
• Hookfin’s cousin and Kilgore transfer, Ke’vante Carter, is expected to play a significant role in the offense. Jackson said Carter is faster than Hookfin. Former DeSoto receiver Cedrid Harden spent last season at Kilgore and will solidify the receiving corps after transferring to the Steers.
• While the Texas College offense will focus on getting receivers in space, Jackson said Cualan Williams and Jalen Jackson can “take the top off the defense.”
• The Steers will have new starters at quarterback and running back, but the return of the entire offensive line will bolster the offense. Jackson said Joaquin High School product Gauge Jordan is a player to watch at running back.

Defense

• Texas College returns eight starters from last year’s defense, including the entire front seven, led by linebacker and leading tackler Dylan Dubois. Defensive end Antoine Ellis returns after recording four sacks last year, along with safety Lee Kendrick, who will lead the secondary.

• Texas Wesleyan

Offense

• The Rams return eight starters from last year’s record-setting offense. Head coach Brad Sherrod said the roster has developed more depth.
• The strength is the offensive line, where nearly every player in the rotation last season returns, and Sherrod said some of the incoming freshmen will challenge for playing time at certain positions.
• One reason the Rams will be near the top of the preseason national polls is quarterback Carson Rodgers' return for his fourth year as a starter.

Defense

• Sherrod said the defense will be an experienced group with eight starters returning. The defense’s strengths are at linebacker and in the secondary.
• The area hit hardest by graduation is the defensive line, where Sherrod said some of the younger players showed improvement during spring practice. Expect the Rams to add more defensive linemen through the transfer portal heading into fall camp.

Wayland Baptist

Offense

• WBU will have a new offensive coordinator after Bryan Wood was named head coach at Iowa Park High School. Head coach Marcos Hinojos Sr., tabbed former Sul Ross offensive coordinator Christian Escobar to the same position.
• The Pioneers' quarterback battle will extend into fall camp. Hinojos said Bryan Rhoder, who nearly led WBU to a win over Langston last year, is the frontrunner.
• Damon Ford returns at running back after battling hamstring issues throughout the offseason. Alongside Ford is speedster and former three-star recruit, Keamodre Horace, who is a member of the Pioneers track and field squad.
• WBU returns four of five starting offensive linemen, led by center Ricardo Ochoa. Marjome Rachel and Braydon Haynes are expected to fill the guard positions, while Hinojos said sophomore Julian Leyva has a chance to be the best tackle in the SAC.
• Maddox Plazek and Marques Hall are steady workers and great leaders in the receiving corps, which added explosive College of the Redwoods transfer Donte Hurt during the offseason.

Defense

• The Pioneers return 10 starters on defense, led by middle linebacker Isaiah Brooks. Hinojos said Brooks is the “heart of the defense” and excels on the field and in the classroom. Eastern New Mexico transfer Brennen Davis and Sul Ross transfer Jaxon Lawdermilk will fill roles at linebacker. Hinojos said outside linebacker and East Central transfer Jordin Hunter is a name to watch this year.
• Defensive tackle Tivrell Hollings continues to improve, and Hinojos said his strength and quickness gave the offensive line trouble during spring practice. Meanwhile, defensive end Nicholas Goins had a great offseason and was a force in spring practice.
• WBU’s secondary is led by the reigning SAC Freshman of the Year, Tyrone Morgan. The Wichita Falls Rider product will play alongside fellow cornerback Chamarion Bush and all-conference safety Donovan Henry.