Offense
Jaylen Raynor is gone, so there will be a quarterback battle in Jonesboro. Ethan Crawford returns and is a rushing threat. Transfers Trey Owens (Texas) and Drew Dickey and Jeremy St-Hilaire (Vanderbilt) provide plenty of potential. Owens is a 6-foot-5 pocket passer and the favorite to win the job.
The running back duo of Devin Spencer and Kenyon Clay combined for 1,082 rushing yards last season. Spencer is smaller and quick, while Clay is more of the power back. Valdosta State transfer Corey Reddick Jr. will also see action.
The wide receiver room returns talent in Chauncy Cobb, Hunter Summers, Jaylen Bonelli, Nana Burris, and tight end Tyler Little. Cobb is a 5-foot-6 speed demon in the slot, while Summers is 6-foot-3. The additions of Baski Barrett (Vanderbilt) and tight end Jaden Hamm (Kansas) are massive.
The offensive line room returns Tristian Smith, Mason Myers, Wil Saxton, Aleric Watson, and Gabe Fortson. The additions of Talan Chandler (Northwestern), Manasse Itete (Florida State), Landry Cannon (Tulane), Sterling Wiggins (North Carolina A&T), and Tanner Welch (JUCO) help bolster this unit.
Defense
The defensive line will be transfer heavy after helping produce 39 sacks last season. Ryan Reese and Tony Carter return. The additions of Donquarius Parker (North Carolina Central), Sulton Badmus (Temple), Elias Sherman (Maine), Tyeland Coleman (Florida State), Sam Hultz (D2 Pittsburgh State), and AJ Thomas (McNeese), amoung others, are big.
The linebacker room returns Nigel Nelson and Joe Drew, who shifts over from nickel back. Both had solid freshman seasons. The additions of Joshua Ofor (NC State), Tre Stevens (Lafayette), and Kam Moore (UCF) are absolutly massive for this unit.
The secondary returns AG McGhee. Brandon Barnes, and Brandon Greil. The additions of Jaylen Heyward (UCF), Bryson Ross (Portland State), Makai Shahid (Youngstown State), Five Hamilton (Kennesaw State), Noah Flores (Utah State), and Dontrae Henderson (Indiana) are big.
Specialists
Kicker Clune Van Andel is the best in the Sun Belt Conference and is very accurate. NIU transfer Daniel Vuckovic will be the punter. Punt returner Jaylen Bonelli is a weapon and kick returner Chauncy Cobb could be an All-American. He had kickoff return touchdowns against Arkansas and Louisiana last season.
2026 Schedule
- 9/5 at Memphis
- 9/12 West Georgia
- 9/19 at TCU
- 9/26 Kennesaw State
- 10/3 at Louisiana
- 10/8 South Alabama
- 10/17 at Southern Miss
- 10/24 Georgia State
- 11/7 ULM
- 11/14 at Coastal Carolina
- 11/21 at Louisiana Tech
- 22/28 Troy
Final Analysis
The Red Wolves finished strong last season and hope that will carry over into 2026. Finding a new starter at quarterback and rebuilding the defensive line will be key. The schedule is a bit more favorable this season. Watch out for the Arkansas State in the Sun Belt Conference.
