Offense
The quarterback position belongs to Dru DeShields. The Golden Flashes are fortunate to have him back as he gives them a valuable decision maker at the position. He doesn’t turn the ball over (18 touchdowns and three interceptions). He must improve on his 57% completion percentage.
The running back room is deep and full of talent. Ayden Harris and Marques Hicks return. The additions of Jakorion Coffey (Cincinnati), Mason King (Illinois State), and Dylan Armentrout (NAIA Defiance), along with true freshmen Brandon White and Jackson Farley provide a major spark to this unit.
The wide receiver room returns experience in Wayne Harris, Da’Realyst Clark, Ardell Banks, Jay Jay Etheridge, Jared Kelly, and tight ends Terik Mulder and Hunter Hopperton. The addition of Javier Willis (D2 Tiffin) provides added depth. Expect Clark and Harris to make a big jump.
The offensive line room returns some experience in Tyler Meadows, Dustyn Morell, Cecil Wilson, Rico Stelle, and Jaxon Dunn (who was injured in the spring). The additions of Mofe Adewole (Robert Morris) and Ben Midea (St Francis) are big as they should both start.
Defense
The defensive line room returns experience in Thomas Aden, Josue Cordoba, Jaihien Roy, Antonio Bottiggi, Mohammed Hazime, Darian Blachewicz, and Aiden Burgess. The additions of Camdon Wilborn (Robert Morris) and Samaj Bridgeman (Michigan State) provide even more depth to this unit.
The linebacker room returns some experience in Sayed Abuhamdeh and Trey Rubinstein. The additions of Nate Gregory (Coastal Carolina), Rocco Nicholl (South Florida), Hayden Dawahare (Kentucky), and Quan Rhodes-McKee (Duquesne) are massive. Nicholl transfers back to Kent State after one year at South Florida.
The secondary returns experience in Derrick Jackson III, Juel Cordoba, A’tiq Muhammed, and DJ Barnes. The additions of Lionel Burns III (North Carolina Central), Davion Pritchard (Pittsburgh), and Norey Johnson (Houston Christian) are crucial to the development of this unit.
Specialists
The punting duties should belong to Jake Stoeckel, who was starting before an injured sidelined him last season. The kicking duties will see a battle last well into fall camp. Kick returner Da’Realyst Clark returned two kickoffs for scores last season and could be an All-American this season. Punt returner Wayne Harris also returned one punt to the house last season.
2026 Schedule
- 9/5 at South Carolina
- 9/12 Wofford
- 9/19 at Ohio State
- 9/26 Ball State
- 10/3 Ohio
- 10/10 at Western Michigan
- 10/17 at South Florida
- 10/24 Akron
- 10/30 at Sacramento State
- 11/10 at Bowling Green
- 11/17 Miami (OH)
- 11/24 at Eastern Michigan
Final Analysis
Mark Carney got the absolute most out of this team last season, finishing 5-7 overall and 4-4 in the MAC. This team played so hard for him. It was night and day from the previous head coach. With the return of quarterback Dru DeShields and weapons, this offense could be fun to watch. A bowl game is attainable.
