Offense
The quarterback room sees a competition between Quinn Henicle and Washington State transfer Jaxon Potter. Henicle started two games last season and is similar to the departed Colton Joseph, due to his dual threat ability. Potter started three games for Washington State last season.
The running back room returns production in Devin Roche and Maurki James. Roche averaged 5.7 yards per carry and will be fun to watch as he gets more carries. The additions of Trey Hall (Ole Miss) and Hunter Patterson (D2 West Liberty) are big. Hall brings the pedigree and Patterson is speedy.
The wide receiver room returns some experience in Sidney Mbanasor and TJ Johnson. Watch out for redshirt freshman Josh Rodriguez. The additions of JJ Harrell (JUCO), Kendall Harris (Mercer), Zion Agnew (D2 Lenoir-Rhyne), and tight end Leon Haughton Jr. (Maryland) will all play major roles for this team.
The offensive line room will be very transfer heavy. Logan Cox has the most returning experience. The additions of Bubba Craig (Arkansas), Raykwon Goldthwaite (North Alabama), Brayden Walker (Elon), Khi’len Gates (D2 Lincoln MO), Martez Curry (D2 Lincoln MO), and Kendrick Hall (JUCO), among others, are massive.
Defense
The defensive line room returns experience in DeAndre Lynch, Javen Gibson, Chris Forbes (All-SBC), Ahmaad Foster, Lornezo McFadden-Pressley, and Hunter Malecki. The addition of Bucci Farmer (Appalachian State) provides even more depth to an already deep unit.
The linebacker room returns some experience in Koa Naotala (All-SBC), Mario Thompson, Jackson Forrest, and Dirrick Goodman. The additions of Montrell Chapman (Mississippi State), and Ja’Mez Drummer (Towson) provide playmakers to a unit that needs it after the recent departures.
The secondary returns experience in Mario Easterly, Lucas Struck, Brandon Crutchfield, Jarian Haynes, Zion Frink, Justin Watts, Daevon Iles, and Ryan Ramey. The additions of Jivan Baly (NC State) and Greg Johnson (Navy) help provide solid depth.
Specialists
Kicker Nathanial Eichner returns after taking over the starting role in November. He will be pushed by Florida Atlantic transfer Andrew Nelms. Punter Ian Brandt returns and will look to perform better than last season. Devin Roche is quite the return man as well.
2026 Schedule
- 9/5 Norfolk State
- 9/12 at Virginia Tech
- 9/19 East Carolina
- 9/26 James Madison
- 10/3 at Georgia State
- 10/10 at Appalachian State
- 10/15 Georgia Southern
- 10/24 at Louisiana Tech
- 10/31 Marshall
- 11/7 at Coastal Carolina
- 11/21 at UConn
- 11/28 Southern Miss
Final Analysis
The Monarchs matched a program record with 10 wins last season. Ricky Rahne and company needed that. The defense creates a lot of havoc with sacks and forced turnovers. With the turnover on offense, that will need to continue early on. Expect back-to-back bowl berths in 2026, for the first time in program history.
