Offense
The quarterback position has a four-way competition for the starting role. JC Evans is more of a dual threat and Camden Coleman redshirted last season but has starting experience while at Richmond. Tranfers Davi Belfort (UCF) and Arrington Maiden (Memphis) have talent as well.
The running back room returns George Pettaway. Pettaway rushed for nearly 1,000 yards in 2024 but dealt with injuries last season. The additions of Malachi Fannin-Render (Liberty), Nick Harman (Drake), and Seth Cromwell (Northern Arizona) are solid. It will be interesting to see how Harman and Cromwell transition to the FBS level.
The wide receiver room returns some experience in Braeden Wisloski, Michael Scott, and Jayden Mines. The additions of Micah Matthews (Virginia Tech), Noah Grevious (VMI), Corey Scott (West Florida), Kylan Billiot (LSU), Jeremiah Harrison (East Tennessee State), and tight ends Cole Keller (East Tennessee State) and KD Mosley (Howard) are big.
The offensive line room returns experience in Zach Greenberg (All-SBC), Evan Bushong, and Deacon Rawls. The additions of DJ Fox (D3 Wisconsin River Falls), Kaedin Massey (Kansas State), Josh Manecke (Army), Frankie Tinilou (East Tennessee State), Daniel Michel (Florida International), Noel Portnjagin (Florida), and Tyler Brown (Colorado) are massive for this unit.
Defense
The defensive line room returns some experience in Amar Thomas and Mychal McMullin. The additions of Chukwunedu Okeke (Western Kentucky), Ernest Willor Jr. (Wisconsin), Jakolbi Wilson (D2 Fort Hays State), Kel’Trone Simpson (Lamar), Kevin Roberts (West Florida), Danny Royster (D2 Indianapolis), Terell Thomas (D2 Washburn), Mason Purham (D2 Emory & Henry), and Rasheed Lovelace (Nicholls) are significant for this unit.
The linebacker room returns experience in Gannon Weathersby and Jayden Studio. Weathersby will be the leader of this defense. The additions of Nakian Jackson (Nevada), Lathan Croley (Holy Cross), and JT Hooten (D2 West Alabama) provide solid depth to this unit.
The secondary returns experience in KJ Flowe, Ken Willis, TJ McGill, and Chase Reagan. The additions of Javis Mynatt (Texas State), DJ Kelly (Toledo), Jayon Harvey (D2 Findlay), Terrence Jones II (Fordham), and Damier Minkah (D2 Shepherd) are crucial for this unit.
Specialists
Both kicker Morgan Suarez and punter Patrick Rea return. Each transferred in last season and earned starting roles. Performing well in Year 1 on campus.
2026 Schedule
- 9/5 Liberty
- 9/12 Wagner
- 9/19 at San Diego State
- 9/26 at Old Dominion
- 10/3 Marshall
- 10/10 at Georgia Southern
- 10/17 Georgia State
- 10/22 at App State
- 10/29 Troy
- 11/5 at Southern Miss
- 11/14 at UConn
- 11/28 Coastal Carolina
Final Analysis
New head coach Billy Napier is used to winning Sun Belt Titles. He built Louisiana into a Group of Five power before a failed stint at Florida. There are a ton of new faces on this roster, but winning the Sun Belt has become the expectation now at James Madison.
