As the 2024 college football season approaches, we're excited to reveal our FCS Top 25 with a fresh perspective. This year, we’ve expanded our voting panel from 7 to 19, including some familiar faces in the world of FCS college football. Here’s a preview of the Top 5 teams in our 2024 preseason FCS Top 25 poll.
For the full rankings and to see where your favorite team stands, check out our complete 2024 Preseason FCS Top 25 Poll.
Top 5 Teams
1. South Dakota State
The two-time defending FCS champions, South Dakota State, enter the 2024 season at the top of our FCS Top 25. The Jackrabbits return several All-Conference players and have added three Division I transfers to strengthen their roster.
Quarterback Mark Gronowski, the 2023 Walter Payton Award winner, once again leads the SDSU offense. Gronowski has amassed 7,590 career passing yards, 70 passing touchdowns, and 13 rushing touchdowns, along with 1,387 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns on the ground.
The Jackrabbits return many players from a defense that led the FCS in points per game in 2023, allowing an average of 9.3 points. While they lost their top two tacklers, most of the secondary returns, ensuring a strong defensive presence.
2. North Dakota State
North Dakota State, a perennial contender, ranks second in our FCS Top 25. The Bison return several all-conference players on both sides of the ball and have added eight Division I transfers to their roster.
The Bison will rely on the QB duo of Cam Miller and Cole Payton, although they face challenges with the loss of three starting offensive linemen, a few top wide receivers, and their starting running back.
NDSU allowed only 19.9 points per game on defense last year and returns a veteran-heavy unit. Transfer defensive back Anthony Chideme-Alfaro (Cornell) is expected to make an immediate impact alongside returning players like Cole Wisniewski, Sam Jung, Marcus Sheppard, and Jaquise Alexander.
3. Montana
Montana finds itself in the third spot after finishing 13-2 last year. The Grizzlies return six All-Big Sky honorees and welcome 17 NCAA Division I transfers.
Montana will have a new starting quarterback for the fourth consecutive year. Last year’s starter, Clifton McDowell, transferred to Temple before enrolling at McNeese State, while Sam Vidlak transferred to Stephen F. Austin. Fresno State transfer Logan Fife, redshirt freshman Keali'i Ah Yat, and sophomore Kaden Huot compete for this year’s starting quarterback nod.
On defense, the Grizzlies have significant gaps to fill, returning only four of their top eleven tacklers from last season. However, they bolstered their defense with eleven Division I transfers, including Pat Hayden (Monmouth), Chrishawn Gordon (Fresno State), Prince Ford (Illinois), Kenzel Lawler (Utah), and Vai Kaho (San Diego State).
4. Montana State
Just behind their in-state rivals, Montana State takes the fourth spot in our poll. The Bobcats return seven All-Big Sky performers, while bringing in NCAA Division I transfers.
Montana State finished second in the FCS in both scoring and rushing last year and looks to continue that trend in 2024. Although the Bobcats have used a two-quarterback system in the past, the job belongs solely to Tommy Mellott in 2024. With the return of their top four running backs, Mellott might not need to carry as much of the rushing load this season.
Defensively, the Bobcats return many key players from a unit that allowed just 21.8 points per game last year. They lose their top tackler, Nolan Askelson, to graduation but return seven of their top eleven tacklers from last year.
5. Villanova
Villanova rounds out the top five with a team that returns six all-league performers layers and has brought in five NCAA Division I tranfers.
Quarterback Connor Watkins, who is entering his sixth year at Villanova and his third as the starting quarterback, once again leads the offense. Watkins has nearly 5,000 passing yards and 37 touchdowns in his career. However, the offense must replace its top three rushers and two leading wide receivers. Fortunately, the Wildcats added Devin Smith from North Carolina Central, where he had 1,518 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns.
Villanova’s defense returns seven starters from a unit that allowed just 18.8 points per game. The defense will be anchored by its top two tacklers from last year, along with a pair of defensive backs who earned All-CAA Second Team honors.
