Offense
The quarterback position loses one of the nation’s best in Drew Mestemaker. The Mean Green will see a competition between redshirt freshman Chris Jimerson Jr. and Tom von Grote, as well as transfers Tayven Jackson (UCF) and Chaston Ditta (East Carolina). Jackson has started for multiple Power 4 programs and would seem to be QB1.
The running back room will be very transfer heavy. The additions of Colin Page (Texas), Jahiem White (West Virginia), Brendon Haygood (Missouri), and Nick Osha (Indiana State) will battle it out. White was a Freshman All-American at West Virginia, under new head coach Neal Brown.
The wide receiver room returns some experience in Dalton Carnes, Baron Tipton, and Kyle Koch. The additions of James Tyre (Western Carolina), Josiah Martin (Oklahoma), Justin Stevenson (Utah), Carri Milliner (UAB), Grayson O’Bara (Dartmouth), TJ Chukwurah (D2 Black Hills State), and tight end Max Reese, among others, are massive for this unit.
The offensive line will turn to transfers. The additions of Drew Cunningham (Charlotte), Neto Umeozulu (Texas), Johnny Williams IV (Missouri), Chandler Strong (Georgia Southern), Henry Fenuku (Missouri), Willie Goodacre (Syracuse), Julio Madero (JUCO), and true freshman KC Ekwu, will all play major roles.
Defense
The defensive line room returns some experience in Terrell Washington, Brayden Knox, and Rudy Vargas Jr. The additions of Jahzari Priester (Virginia Tech), Justin Benton (East Carolina), Curlee Thomas IV (California), Steven Curtis (Minnesota), Davion Rhodes (Georgia Southern), Christian Lorenzo (Illinois State), Mo Diawara (D2 Sioux Falls), Wesley Hudson (D2 Central Oklahoma), Udoka Ezeani (UTEP), and David Unuaha (UMass) are quite the haul.
The linebacker room will be very transfer heavy. The additions of Chantz Johnson (Texas State), Zakye Baker (SMU), Aaron Alexander (Arkansas State, All-SBC), and Cedric Robers (Alcorn State) will all play vital roles. Alexander and Barker have proven production.
The secondary returns experience in BJ Allen Jr., Chase Canada, and Jalian Knox. The additions of Ja’Bree Bickham (Boise State), Brandon Jones (McNeese), Jaden Allen (Arkansas), Taye Seymore (Auburn), Graham Gillesie (Texas), Zach Johnson (Southeastern Louisiana), Cameren Jenkins (Baylor), Josh Cross Jr. (West Virginia), Caden Jenkins (Baylor), CJ Coombes (Wofford), Keshawn Davila (Arkansas), and Peyton Taylor (D2 Emporia State) are massive.
Specialists
The kicking and punting roles will belong to App State transfers. Dominic DeFreitas was an All-SBC performer at kicker. Punter Ian Ratliff performed well also.
2026 Schedule
- 9/5 at Indiana
- 9/12 UNLV
- 9/19 at Texas State
- 9/26 Houston Christian
- 10/1 at Tulsa
- 10/10 Charlotte
- 10/24 at Navy
- 10/29 Florida Atlantic
- 11/7 Rice
- 11/14 at UTSA
- 11/21 at Tulane
- 11/28 UAB
Final Analysis
Neal Brown takes over and is basically starting over. No starters return. Brown's offenses have leaned on the run, so expect Jahiem White to have a big role. The defense struggled last season, and all the new pieces could be beneficial there. After going 12-2, and losing a ton to Oklahoma State, it will be interesting to watch the 2026 Mean Green.
