Offense
The quarterback room will see a battle between transfers Emory Williams (Miami) and Mitch Griffis (Texas Tech). Griffis had nine starts at Wake Forest in 2023. Williams started two games in three years at Miami. At 6-foot-5 225 pounds, he looks the part. This battle will last until game one I have a feeling.
The running back room returns TJ Engleman Jr., who averaged 5.2 yards per carry last season. The additions of Ashton Gray (North Texas) and Michael Allen (Marshall) are big. Gray knows new offensive coordinator Jordan Davis’ offense from North Texas and rushed for 152 yards and two touchdowns in the New Mexico Bowl last season.
The wide receiver room returns Brock Spalding and Tyler Johnson but will need transfers to emerge. The additions of Jeremiah Melvin (Wake Forest), Landon Sides (North Texas), Ray Ray Joseph (Miami), Ja’Keith Hamilton (Furman), and tight end Kanen Hamlett (App State) are massive for this unit.
The offensive line room returns experience in Bryce Weaver, Karson Jones, and Marleo Neolien. The additions of Hayes Creel (Southern Miss), Brandon Best (Kennesaw State), Niko Paic (Valpo), and Ethan Kramer (Northern Arizona) are massive for this unit.
Defense
The defensive line room returns experience in Jasiyah Robinson, but will need others to up their production with added reps. Preston Carr, Rion Roseborough, Kendrick DuJour, Julien Davis, and Kieran Davis, among others, will be asked to do just that.
The linebacker room utilizes Kendrick DuJour and Julien Davis as stand-up rush ends as well. The return of DJ Johnson and Jackson Barker is big. The additions of Crews and Cade Law (Memphis) are absolutely massive. Johnson and Crews Law will be a dynamic duo.
The secondary returns experience in Kevon Merrell and Ayden Duncanson. The additions of Ashton Levells-Mitchell (FIU), Jaylen Bowden (Minnesota), Christian Peterson (UCF), Myles Pollard (Memphis), Zyeir Gamble (App State), and Jonathan Atkins (Maryland) are big.
Specialists
Kicker Andrew Conrad will return to the starting role he held in 2023-24. The punting duties will belong to Tomas O’Halloran or St Thomas transfer Elliot Huether.
2026 Schedule
9/5 at Alabama
9/12 App State
9/19 at Old Dominion
9/26 North Carolina Central
10/10 Rice
10/15 at UAB
10/22 at Memphis
10/31 Temple
11/6 South Florida
11/14 at Charlotte
11/21 at Army
11/28 Florida Atlantic
Final Analysis
Blake Harrell has done an amazing job since taking over this program. The transfer portal has taken away talent, but there is plenty more in stock. The Pirates have what it takes to compete for the American crown. It’s a wide open race to the top.
