The American Athletic Conference enters the 2026 season in a state of chaotic transition. High-stakes coaching hires and unprecedented roster volatility have shifted the league’s landscape significantly since last winter. While blue-chip programs have looked to the AAC as a primary source for talent poaching, most notably the mass migrations from North Texas and USF to the Big 12 and SEC, a few programs have managed to remain insulated from the madness. From Brian Hartline taking the reins of a rebuilt USF squad to the disciplined, veteran-led machine Brian Newberry has built at Navy, here is a comprehensive look at the movement shaping the AAC hierarchy for the season ahead.
Army
Head Coach
Jeff Monken (Year 13: 89-63 Record at Army)
- 2024 American Conference Champions
Key Returners
- Brady Small (IOL): 1st Team All-Conference
- Jack Bousum (ED): 3rd Team All-Conference
Charlotte
Head Coach
Tim Albin (Year 2: 1-11 Record at Charlotte)
- Did win MAC in 2024 as Ohio Head Coach
- Also took Ohio to the MAC Championship Game in 2022
Intriguing Losses
- Javen Nicholas (WR): Transferred to Duke – 776 Scrimmage Yds + 5 TDs
Intriguing Additions
- Logan Mauldin (TE): Transferred From McNeese – Potential Breakout Player
East Carolina
Head Coach
Blake Harrell (Year 3: 14-5 Record at ECU)
Key Losses
- Yannick Smith (WR): Transferred to SMU – Star WR
Intriguing Losses
- Katin Houser (QB): Transferred to Illinois – 3300 Yds, 19 TD in 2025
- London Montgomery (HB): Transferred to Florida – 818 Total Yds, 7 TDs in 2025
- Zion Wilson (DL): Transferred to Virginia – 10 TFL and 7 Scks in 2025
- Ja’Marley Riddle (S): Transferred to Georgia – 70 Tkls, 3 INT in 2025
Dart Throw Additions
- Michael Allen (HB): Transferred from Marshall – Former 4 Star Recruit
FAU
Head Coach
Zach Kittley (Year 2: 4-8 Record at FAU)
Key Returners
- Easton Messer (WR): 2nd Team All-Conference
- CJ Doggette Jr (DL): 3rd Team All-Conference
- Leon Hart Jr (LB): 3rd Team All-Conference
Intriguing Losses
- Gemari Sands (HB): Transferred to Florida State – 680 Scrimmage Yards
- Asaad Waseem (WR): Transferred to Purdue – 700 Yards Receiving
- Jayshon Platt (WR): Transferred to Illinois – 750 Total Yards
- Tyler Stolsky (LB): Transferred to West Virginia – 90 Tkls
Intriguing Additions
- Leonard Farrow (HB): Transferred from Fairmont State – Over 1600 Total Yds
- Kenyon Garner (EDGE): Transferred from Livingstone – 28 TFL and 15 Scks
- Nate Fischer (LB): Transferred from San Diego – FCS Star Player
- Bo Simpson-Nealy (S): Transferred from Western Carolina – 50 Tkls and 3 PBs
Memphis
Head Coach
Charles Huff (Year 1: Previously HC at Southern Miss)
- Led Marshall to 2024 Sun Belt Title
Intriguing Additions
- Marcus Stokes (QB): Transferred from West Florida – 3297 Yds, 30 TD in 2025
- J’Mond Tapp (ED): Transferred from Southern Miss – 12 TFL and 7.5 Scks in 2025
- Michael Montgomery (LB): Transferred from Southern Miss – 105 Tkls, 6 TFL, 2 INTs
- Ian Foster (S): Transferred from Southern Miss – 72 Tkls, 3 INTs in 2025
- Hunter Tipton (TE): Transferred from MTSU – Potential Breakout Player
- Darius Malcolm Jr (CB): Transferred from Wofford – 76 Tkls in 2025
- Philippe LaForge (K): Transferred from Coastal Carolina – Starting Caliber Kicker
Dart Throw Additions
- Alante Brown (WR): Transferred from Michigan State – Former 4 Star Recruit
Intriguing Losses
- Sutton Smith (HB): Transferred to Arkansas – 669 Yds, 7 TD
- Jamari Hawkins (WR): Transferred to Arkansas – 637 Yds, 2 TD in 2025
- DeMarco Ward (LB): Transferred to Pitt – 63 Tkls, 2 INTs in 2025
- Everett Roussaw Jr (LB): Transferred to Arizona – 64 Tkls, 6.5 TFL, 2 FF
- Kamari Wilson (S): Transferred to West Virginia – 84 Tkls, 2 INT, 2 FF
- Chris Bracy (S): Transferred to Michigan – 81 Tkls in 2025
- Gianni Spetic (K): Transferred to Texas – Starting Caliber Kicker
Navy
Head Coach
Brian Newberry (Year 4: 26-12 Overall Record at Navy)
Key Returners
- Rayne Fry (LS): 1st Team All-Conference
- MarcAnthony Parker (LB): 3rd Team All-Conference
Key Losses
- Eli Heidenreich (FB): NFL Draft
- Landon Robinson (DI): NFL Draft
North Texas
Head Coach
Neal Brown (Year 1 – Previously Texas Assistant Coach)
Key Losses
- Drew Mestemaker (QB): Transferred to Oklahoma State – Superstar QB
- Caleb Hawkins (HB): Transferred to Oklahoma State – Star RB
- Wyatt Young (WR): Transferred to Oklahoma State – Star WR
Intriguing Losses
- Miles Coleman (WR): Transferred to Oklahoma State – 572 Scrimmage Yds, 3 TDs
- Ethan Day (DL): Transferred to Utah – 53 Tkls, 7 Scks in 2025
- Keviyan Huddleston (ED): Transferred to Oklahoma State – 9.5 TFL and 5 Scks
- Saadiq Clements (DL): Transferred to Oklahoma State – 5.5 TFLs in 2025
- Joshua Pierce (ED): Transferred to Cal – Potential Starter
- Ethan Wesloski (LB): Transferred to Oklahoma State – 113 Tkls, 9 TFL in 2025
- Quinton Hammonds (S): Transferred to Oklahoma State – 53 Tkls, 5 TFL, 2 INTs
- Evan Jackson (S): Transferred to Oklahoma State – 2 INTs
- Kollin Lewis (CB): Transferred to Oklahoma State – 2 INTs
- Patrick Smith-Young (S): Transferred to Duke – 73 Tkls in 2025
Intriguing Additions
- Tayven Jackson (QB): Transferred from UCF – 2200 Total Yds, 13 TDs in 2025
- Nick Osho (HB): Transferred from Indiana State – Over 700 Total Yds, 9 TDs in 2025
- TJ Chukwurah (WR): Transferred from Black Hills State – 1100 Yds, 16TDs in 2025
- Grayson O’Bara (WR): Transferred from Dartmouth – 590 Yds, 2 TDs in 2025
- Brec Long (TE): Transferred from South Alabama – Potential Starter
- Aaron Alexander (LB): Transferred from Arkansas State – 91 Tkls in 2025
- Cedric Roberts (LB): Transferred from Alcorn State – 72 Tkls, 9 TFL in 2025
- Dominic De Freitas (K): Transferred from Appalachian State – All Conf. Kicker
Rice
Head Coach
Scott Abell (Year 2: 5-8 Record at Rice)
Key Returners
- Quinton Jackson (HB): 3rd Team All-Conference
Intriguing Losses
- Chase Jenkins (QB): Transferred to Kansas – 1500 Total Yds, 14 Total TDs
- Ty Morris (LB): Transferred to Rutgers – 88 Tkls and 9.5 TFLs in 2025
- Marcus Williams (S): Transferred to Miss State – 67 Tkls and 5 PBs
Intriguing Additions
- Koa Akui (S): Transferred from Sacramento State – 65 Tkls and 5 INTs in 2025
Dart Throw Additions
- Jacurri Brown (QB): Transferred From UCF – Former 4 Star Recruit
USF
Head Coach
Brian Hartline (Year 1 – Previously OC at Ohio State)
Key Returners
- Nico Gramatica (K): 2nd Team All-Conference
Key Losses
- Byrum Brown (QB): Transferred to Auburn – Star QB
Intriguing Losses
- Nykahi Davenport (HB): Transferred to Auburn – 662 Scrimmage Yds, 7 TDs in 2025
- Jeremiah Koger (WR): Transferred to Auburn – 597 Rec Yds, 8 TDs in 2025
- Keshaun Singleton (WR): Transferred to Auburn – 877 Rec Yds, 8 TDs in 2025
- James Chenault (CB): Transferred to Utah – 2 INTs in 2025
- Jarvis Lee (CB): Transferred to SMU – 55 Tkls, 12 TFL, 2 INTs in 2025
- Fred Gaskin (S): Transferred to Auburn – 53 Tkls, 2 INTs in 2025
Intriguing Additions
- Michael Van Buren Jr (QB): Transferred from LSU – 1010 Pass Yds, 8 TDs in 2025
- KJ Cooper (QB): Transferred from Texas Southern – Potential Starter
- D.J. Crowther (HB): Transferred from Dartmouth – 929 Rush Yds, 10 TDs in 2025
- Kenny Odom (WR): Transferred from UTEP– 639 Yds and 6 TDs
Temple
Head Coach
K.C Keeler (Year 2: 5-7 Record at Temple)
- Won FCS National Championship w/ Sam Houston (Covid Year)
- Guided FBS Transition to C-USA for Sam Houston
Key Returners
- JoJo Bermudez (KR): 2nd Team All-Conference
Intriguing Additions
- Jayce Freeman (WR): Transferred From Stony Brook – Nearly 800 Rec Yds + 8 TDs
- Demonte Green (WR): Transferred From Midwestern State – 800 Rec Yds, 7 TDs
Dart Throw Additions
- Jaeden Gould (S): Transferred From UCF – Former 4 Star Recruit
Tulane
Head Coach
Will Hall (Year 1)
Key Returners
- Jack Tchienchou (S): 1st Team All-Conference
- Jason Arrendondo (LS): 3rd Team All-Conference
- TJ Smith (KR): 3rd Team All-Conference
Key Additions
- Tylan George (IOL): 4 Star Recruit in 2026 Recruiting Class
Intriguing Additions
- Ed Smith IV (DL): Transferred from South Alabama – Potential Breakout Player
- Anthony Rogers (CB): Transferred from Nicholls – 55 Tkls, 3 INT in 2025
- Jordyn Crites (DL): High 3 Star Recruit in 2026 Recruiting Class
Dart Throw Additions
- Destyn Hill (WR): Transferred from LSU – Former 4 Star Recruit
Tulsa
Head Coach
Tre Lamb (Year 2: 4-8 Record at Tulsa)
Key Losses
- Brody Foley (TE): Transferred to Louisville – Star Tight End
Intriguing Losses
- J’Dan Burnett (EDGE): Transferred to Rutgers – 6.5 Sacks in 2025
- Joe Hjelle (DL): Transferred to Indiana – Potential Breakout Guy
- Ray Coney (LB): Transferred to Texas A&M – Potential Breakout Guy
Intriguing Additions
- Trequan Jones (HB): Transferred from Old Dominion – 800 Total Yds, 6 TD
- Jamarcea Plater (HB): High 3 Star Recruit in 2026 Recruiting Class
UAB
Head Coach
Alex Mortensen (Year 1 – Previous OC on UAB Staff)
Key Returner
- Solomon Beebe (KR): 3rd Team All-Conference
Intriguing Losses
- Solomon Beebe (HB): Transferred to Virginia – 622 Scrimmage Yds, 6 TD in 2025
- Iverson Hooks (WR): Transferred to Oregon – 927 Yds, 7 TDs in 2025
- Eamon Smalls (DL): Transferred to Kansas – 50 Tkls in 2025
Intriguing Additions
- Braylon McReynolds (HB): Transferred from ULM– 720 Scrimmage Yds + 4 TDs
- Blanche Gold (ED): Transferred from Morgan State – 14 TFL and 7.5 Scks in 2025
- Raymond Macias (DL): Transferred from Campbell – Potential Starter
- Christopher Spencer (DL): Transferred from Old Dominion – Potential Starter
- Braden Sullivan (LB): Transferred from Eastern Kentucky – Potential Starter
- Diezel Wilkinson (S): Transferred from Montana – 78 Tkls in 2025
- Courage Ugo (CB): Transferred from Utah State – Potential Starter
Dart Throw Additions
- Roderick Robinson II (HB): Transferred from Georgia – Former 4 Star Recruit
UTSA
Head Coach
Jeff Traylor (Year 7: 53-26 Record at UTSA)
- 2021 and 2022 C-USA Champions
Key Losses
- Robert Henry Jr. (HB): NFL Draft
Intriguing Losses
- Devin McCuin (WR): Transferred to Ohio State – 737 Yds, 8 TD in 2025
- Nnanna Anyanwu (ED): Transferred to Virginia – 5 Scks in 2025
- Jimmy Wyrick (S): Transferred to SMU – 62 Tkls in 2025
Key Additions
- Asaad Chapman (CB): 4 Star Recruit in 2026 Recruiting Class
Intriguing Additions
- Jusiah Sampleton (DL): Transferred from CSU-Pueblo – 6.5 TFL
- Nate Robinson Jr (S): Transferred from Marist – 64 Tkls, 4 INT in 2025
- Xavier Walton (S): Transferred from Angelo State – 68 Tkls, 6 INT in 2025
Dart Throw Additions
- Miles Campbell (TE): Transferred from Florida A&M – Former 4 Star Recruit
- Joel Rogers (S): Transferred from LSU – Former 4 Star Recruit
