Note: These interviews were conducted before the transfer window closed, and some players mentioned may have entered the portal.
Austin College
Offense
- Head coach Tony Joe White was pleased with the play of both quarterbacks battling for the starting position. Returning starter Jaylon Talton and St. John’s (Minn.) transfer Leyton Riviere will continue to battle heading into fall camp.
- White said the wide receiver room has improved their football IQ, and they are starting to understand how to run routes properly and get open.
- All-conference running back Barrett Hudson was hampered by a leg injury during spring practice, but is expected to be ready for fall camp. White also mentioned that the staff had added depth to the room.
- White said the strength of his offense is the offensive line, which he said has “greatly improved.” Trevor Timmerman is a third-year starter at center who will provide leadership, while White said Jaivyn McGowan might be the best left tackle he’s had at a Division III school.
Defense
- White noted that some returning starters will play different positions for the Kangaroos this year. Pablo Cantu will move from outside to inside linebacker, and sophomore Bryson McKnight will be a mainstay on defense after mainly playing special teams last season.
- The defensive line continues to develop and will be bolstered by Cam Hammond's return from injury early in the season.
- White said Tre Brewer would be a force in the defensive backfield for the ‘Roos and noted that Kenneth Alexander might be one of the best to play defensive back for Austin College before his career ends.
East Texas Baptist
Offense
- The ETBU offense lost its starting quarterback, American Southwest Conference Offensive Player of the Year, Kaden Brown, to the transfer portal, and offensive coordinator Ryan Smith to Grapevine High School. Still, head coach Calvin Ruzicka believes the offense will be solid with the promotion of Jeb Spinney to offensive coordinator.
- Ruzicka said the offense has benefited from being in the same system for the last few years and notes that the players have bought into the added concepts and plays.
- Diego Narezo was slated to be the starting quarterback last spring before Brown’s arrival. Ruzicka said Narezo will lead the offense in 2025.
Defense
- ETBU lost five defensive linemen to graduation, but Ruzicka said Domnick Williams returns for his senior season and Elijah Sims is expected to return from injury in time for fall camp.
- Ruzicka said he’s looking for a freshman or transfer player to step up and earn starting roles as a linebacker.
- According to Ruzicka, the defensive secondary exited spring practice with a question mark and said it seeks a starting safety to round out the backfield.
Howard Payne
Offense
- Head coach Coby Gipson said center Dominik Reed is a four-year starter who will be the cornerstone of the offensive line. Gipson noted that Mary Hardin-Baylor transfer Behn Marin is a physical presence on the offensive line, flourishing with the Yellow Jackets.
- Chance Hehman is a versatile tight end from Pleasanton who Gipson said is a physical presence in the running game that can impact the passing attack. Sophomore wide receiver Mateo Hernandez has excellent hands and is poised to have a breakout season after gaining 228 yards with a touchdown in six games last year.
- Gipson noted Blessing Ngene is an explosive running back who will complement Jalen Davis and Kaleb Tate in 2025.
- The battle to be the starting quarterback will continue into fall camp. Gipson said returner Glendon Casas-Willis, Kaden Roberts, and Gage Powell received the majority of reps in spring practice. However, Gipson said David Flores and Kaleb Harris are also in the competition and produced good days during spring practice. Gipson expects to name a starter right before the opening week of the season.
Defense
- After having a fantastic spring, Gipson said junior defensive end Cameron Hall will be one of the best defensive linemen in the ASC. Justin Griffith is prepared for a breakout season.
- Versatile linebacker Cade Rochinski is the team's heart and soul, and Gipson noted that he’s one of the best leaders the coach has seen in over 20 years of coaching football. Depending on the play call, Rochinski will play middle or outside linebacker.
- Gipson believes cornerbacks Kadarius Carr and KD Bookman are two of the best in the ASC, while senior free safety Justin Kay has solidified the middle of the defensive backfield.
Mary Hardin-Baylor
Offense
- The flurry of UMHB players entering the transfer portal raised eyebrows across the NCAA Division III football landscape. However, head coach Larry Harmon said only a few of the transfers were unexpected, while others had fallen down the depth chart after spring practice.
- Harmon expressed his pleasure with the return of offensive coordinator Stephen Lee, who he said is uniquely able to incorporate a defensive mentality into the offense.
- The one position Harmon and staff hope to strengthen is at wide receiver, where the roster remains young.
Defense
- Graduation and the transfer portal took a toll on the Cru’s front four. Harmon said the staff continues to hunt for players to solidify those positions. However, he believes the transfers added earlier this year will fill some holes once they are “coached up.”
- Harmon said they feel good about their linebackers and the defensive backfield. However, the Cru’s linebacker depth suffered when Dorien Hill entered the transfer portal after spring practice.
McMurry
Offense
- The best news for the War Hawks is the return of Co-SCAC Player of the Year Jess Hoel. The Abernathy native entered the transfer portal but decided to return to Abilene after exploring his options.
- Head coach Jordan Neal is excited about his offensive line. He said eight of the 10 players in the rotation a year ago will return for 2025. Neal noted that offensive line coach Matt Newby has done a fantastic job recruiting and developing the position group.
- The graduation of wide receiver Chris Martin leaves a significant hole in the offense after departing as the program's all-time leader in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. However, Neal expects Karmelus Card to take advantage of increased opportunities in his fourth season as a starter.
Defense
- According to Neal, the defensive line is likely the strongest position group on the team this year, despite the graduation of Kane Strohman and Markeis Williams. Juniors Jackson Harris and Ja’Hatten Edwards are expected to fill the void left by the graduating players.
- Middle linebacker Zachariah Mitchell was forced into the starting lineup last season following another player’s injury, and remained a starter throughout the season. Neal said he is a physical player who understands the defense and will lead in the middle.
- Three-year starting defensive back Kimani Smith leads a talented group for the War Hawks. Midwestern State transfer Dylon Davis will play free safety for McMurry, with fellow MSU transfer Noah Hatcher and Cole Riha manning the other two safety positions.
Southwestern
Offense
- The Pirates' offense took significant losses in the transfer portal, including starting quarterback Jaylen Spriggs and starting running back Leroy Rodriguez. Spriggs has not committed to a new school while Rodriguez is at Texas A&M-Kingsville.
- Running back Devan Phillips is the leading returning rusher, gaining 263 yards and two touchdowns on 79 attempts in 2024. Head coach Bill Kriesel said Phillips had a terrific spring practice.
- Southwestern returns three of its starting offensive linemen from last season, led by left tackle Reid Robinson.
Defense
- Kriesel expects 10 starters to return from last year’s defense, including four players who earned first- or second-team all-SAA honors.
- Freshman Caleb Harmon was a candidate for conference Newcomer of the Year a season ago and has improved heading into his sophomore campaign.
- Kriesel said defensive lineman Maurion Williams-Jack creates havoc for the opposition on the line of scrimmage.
- The NCAA granted DJ James a fifth season and will lead the defensive backfield for the Pirates.
Texas Lutheran
Offense
- The TLU offense will be potent in 2025 with the return of Caden Bosanko, co-SCAC Offensive Player of the Year, at quarterback.
- All-conference running backs return for the Bulldogs, led by first-team All-SCAC selection Weston Guzman and honorable mention honoree Ryker Purdy.
- Caleb Camarillo, Lavonta Henry, and Ja’Mare Nichols, the Bulldogs' top three wide receivers last year, will return in 2025.
- Three starters on the offensive line return, and one of the new starters played many snaps in the rotation last season. Head coach Neal LaHue said center is the one position they need to stabilize heading into fall camp.
Defense
- Troy Tomaselli, former ASC Freshman of the Year and All-SCAC selection in 2024, returns to lead an experienced defensive backfield that includes Eddy Brown, Marec Square, and Justin Navarro.
- LaHue said linebacker Diego Avila will return in 2025 after a season-ending injury in Week 1 last year.
- Eight defensive linemen in the rotation last season return, led by sophomore defensive tackle Sebastian Walker. LaHue said defensive end Ezekiel Williams is poised for a breakout sophomore campaign.
Trinity
Offense
- Head coach Jerheme Urban said the battle to be the starting quarterback is between all five quarterbacks on the roster. Returners Collin Bishop, Hondo Franklin, Will Vasky, and Stephen Gill battled throughout the spring, and incoming freshman Welker Horn will join the competition this summer.
- Maddox Morkovsky and Bryce Altrudo return at tight end for Trinity and are weapons in the passing and rushing attack.
- The offensive line will be led by Caleb Bayer, a player Urban believes deserves All-American honors. Urban notes that the offensive line has a tremendous group of senior leaders.
- Alejandro Tavarez, Tyson Hancock, and Lamont Nickleberry return to lead a wide receiver room that will add some young players who will compete for playing time in the summer.
Defense
- Cornerback Delvin Gantt possesses outstanding football IQ and will lead an experienced group of defensive backs.
- Urban said defensive lineman Steele Herndon has grown into a leader and will be critical to the success of the defensive front seven.
- TJ Scannell is expected to move into the position vacated by the graduation of Caleb Harmel. However, Urban said Scannell is the fastest middle linebacker he’s had at Trinity.
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