The Angelo State Rams returned to the top of the Lone Star Conference in 2024 for the second time in three years. They completed the season undefeated in conference play and earned the third seed in the NCAA Division II playoffs. Central Washington joined the Rams in the playoffs last year.

Unfortunately, we were unable to schedule an interview with Eastern New Mexico or Western Oregon in time for this year’s summer magazine, so they are not reflected in these notes.

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

Angelo State

Offense

• According to head coach Jeff Girsch, the return of quarterbacks Braeden Fuller and Kaeden Smith has the Rams' offense ahead of its defense in the spring. Fuller is the reigning LSC Offensive Player of the Year and is the favorite to open as the starting quarterback in 2025.
• ASU returns three starters along the offensive line, and Girsch expects Isaiah Mworia to start at one of the tackle positions. Mworia and Kevin Kapitskie are experienced in the system, and Girsch expects them to transition seamlessly into the starting lineup.

Defense

• Girsch expects Alex Bouloubasis to shine this year as a linebacker for the Rams. The New Braunfels Canyon product primarily played on special teams last season and was solid in replacing an injured Eric Rascoe in the playoffs. Nathan Morcom is expected to start at mike linebacker for ASU.
• Xavier Walton is the lone returner in the Rams' secondary this season. Girsch said Eugene Liger is an athletic freak who benches over 330 pounds and cleans 320 pounds, and will be a player to watch this year.
• Girsch said Zach Burton will be a force on the defensive line this season after playing 20-25 snaps in the rotation last year. Burton will play opposite Quentin Lucas at defensive end for the Rams.

Central Washington

Offense

• The Wildcats replace four of five starters along the offensive line. However, the lone returner is All-American center Slade Edwards. Tyler Luzan started at left tackle for the last half of the 2024 campaign, and head coach Chris Fisk said the remaining projected starters have limited game reps.
• CWU lost all starting wide receivers from last season to graduation. Fisk said the Wildcats' current receiver room is filled with young guys who “haven’t proven a thing.” Tight ends Camden Loidhamer and Andrew Molloy return and will play a significant role in the rushing attack.
• The Wildcats will have two new starters at running back. Yet, Fisk feels good about the room with the returners, Beau Phillips, Justice Taylor, and Ki’Marree Washington, teaming with Washington transfer Ryan Bumgarner. 
• The leader of the offense is quarterback Kennedy McGill, who is beginning his third year as the starter. Fisk said McGill has improved his passing ability this season and believes the staff can build a roster around him to compete for the LSC title.

Defense

• Similar to the offense, CWU’s defense will have many new faces in 2025, with only two returning starters from last year. Fisk said the team is still searching for players to fill the leadership void and is focused on tackling and pursuing instead of a scheme during spring practice.
• Brett McCalla returns to lead the defense as a middle linebacker after suffering a season-ending injury early last year. Brycen Indell, who replaced McCalla as a middle linebacker, is a guy that Fisk believes is an all-conference level player.
• Chase Coalson is the lone returner in the defensive secondary, and Fisk said his leadership will be key for their success in 2025.
• While the defensive line lost every starter from last year, Fisk said the projected starters were backups on the depth chart but were solidly in the rotation on the line.

Midwestern State

Offense

• Head coach Rich Renner made multiple staff changes after his first season. The most significant change was in the offensive coordinator position. Texas Tech assistant coach Kirk Bryant is expected to balance air raid concepts in the passing game with a solid rushing attack.
• The Mustangs used three separate starting quarterbacks last year due to injuries. Renner said returners Sean Jastrab, Matthew Duncan, and Andrew Knebel are competing for the position along with Glen Rose standout Canyon Evans, who joined the team mid-year. Renner hopes to add at least two more quarterbacks to the room before fall camp.
• Renner believes the running back room is the strength of the offense after spring practice, led by the return of Jalen March. The tight end room is set with the return of Kelby Hickerson and Landon Thomason.
• MSU is searching the transfer portal for offensive linemen and wide receivers. All-LSC wide receiver Demonte Greene returns, and Renner is trying to sign more veterans and playmakers this summer.

Defense

• Renner said the defensive line is a strength heading into 2025, led by Quincy Montgomery, who led the Mustangs in sacks last season. Kam’rin Devault, a three-year starter, solidifies the opposite defensive end for MSU.
• MSU has a young group of linebackers who are getting better with each repetition, according to Renner.
• Renner described the defensive backfield as “atrocious” and hopes to find some transfers to combine with incoming freshmen before fall camp.

Sul Ross State

Offense

• Head coach Lee Hays said he will also serve as offensive coordinator and playcaller for the Lobos in 2025, which allows Hays to add a few more assistant coaches.
• Hays said the Lobos will likely continue using mainly 10 personnel (one running back, no tight ends, and four wide receivers) this year. “We have a good quarterback on campus right now, so it’d be kind of crazy to come in and flip the whole script,” Hays said.
• Hays mentioned that the coaching staff used spring practice to determine which roster holes need to be filled through the transfer portal during the summer.

Defense

• Defensive coordinator Cadron Davis remains with SRSU, and Hays said the defense's multiple formations were giving the offense trouble during spring practice. 
• Hays said Davis and the staff continue to recruit and fill holes in the roster before fall camp, and hopes the offense can limit the number of snaps the defense plays in a game.

Texas A&M-Kingsville

Offense

• Louisiana Tech transfer Jack Turner will be the starting quarterback for the Javelinas this year. The Round Rock Cedar Ridge product played for head coach Scott Parr at Navarro before joining Parr in Ruston, Louisiana.
• Parr said the offensive line will be solid, led by returning center Ta’von Burrows. Migues Carrizales, Jaron Wallace, and Jayden Trapp are other returners expected to start on the line this season.
• Running back Lawrence Starks had a good spring, and Parr said the senior is projected to be the starter after gaining 74 yards and two touchdowns on 29 attempts last season.
• The Javelinas will be younger at wide receiver with Kevin “KJ” Holmes Jr., who had an outstanding spring. Other wide receivers Parr expects to contribute are King Phillips, King Johnson, and CJ Thompson, who missed spring practice. Parr said they seek to add experience and depth through the portal over the summer.

Defense

• Parr has been very impressed with the defense, led by defensive coordinator Jamison Bisch, who remained on staff. Bisch was named defensive coordinator in 2023 and continued to transform the defense into one of the best in the conference.
• Parr noted he has increased the volume and repetitions in the Javelinas' practice and has been pleased with how the defensive staff has embraced the changes.

UTPB

Offense

• Head coach Kris McCullough said the offensive line is the team's strength heading into 2025.
• The Falcons hope to solidify the wide receiver room through the transfer portal this summer. McCullough noted the staff is looking for a “dude who can take the top off the defense.”

Defense

• UTPB will be solid along the line of scrimmage in 2025, with McCullough noting the defensive line as the defense's strength.
• Many defensive players missed spring practice while recovering from injuries. McCullough said they want to add depth to the defensive back room through the transfer portal after the top two cornerbacks missed spring with injuries.

West Texas A&M

Offense

• New offensive coordinator Justin Bane is known for producing quality quarterbacks, and WT head coach Josh Lynn said four players are currently competing for the starting position. Returners Sean Johnson and Knox Porter are joined by transfers Nathan Greek (Tyler) and Luke Sampson (Missouri Southern) to determine who will start in 2025.
• Lynn expects three starting offensive linemen to return in 2025. He noted that the Buffs added some transfers to the room but have a solid group of young players who have developed in the system and will contribute this year.
• The Buffs added a few wide receivers through the transfer portal who will team with returners Malakhi Brisco and Trace Clarkson to form what Lynn believes will be a dynamic receiver corps.
• Jamaal Joseph, Jayden Hibbler, and Brian Okoye return at running back. WT added a few transfers, and Lynn believes the room is deeper than last year.

Defense

• Lynn said the team wants to add more linebackers, with both inside linebackers having graduated last year.
• Three of the four starters on the defensive line return for the Buffs. Lynn said they would like to add another player or two for depth, but he feels they already have a solid group.
• The defensive backfield is the deepest unit on the team, according to Lynn. Cam Manahan returns to lead the group, and Lynn believes he should’ve earned all-conference honors last season.

Western New Mexico

Offense

• Head coach Billy Hickman is assuming playcalling duties for the 2025 season and said one of his primary goals is to get returning wide receiver Deuce Zimmerman more touches. He’s focusing on creating more matchups for the skill players this season.
• Running back Gabriel Levy has dealt with significant adversity, including breaking his ankle in Week 2 last season after being named a captain as a redshirt sophomore. Levy suffered another injury during the spring, but Hickman hopes he can return for fall camp.

Defense

• Inside linebacker Cole Lalama missed spring practice after having surgery during the offseason, but Hickman expects the 2023 LSC Freshman of the Year to return in time for fall camp.
• Deven Dyer returns to anchor the defensive line. His 6-foot-3, 290-pound frame creates problems for the opponent's rushing attack.
• Junior defensive back Clayton Zentner returns after garnering all-conference honors last season. Hickman said Zentner was a captain last year, and “wants all the smoke.”