Spring Game Preview: YSU Football

Finish

After a regular season in which Youngstown State flipped its overall win total from 4-8 to 8-4 and conference win total from 3-5 to 5-3, there was buzz surrounding YSU as a potential darkhorse playoff-team in the FCS Postseason.

With a commanding 35-7 halftime advantage over the visiting Yale Bulldogs in the First Round, it looked like the Penguins were well on their way to a Second Round matchup with two-seeded Montana State.

What transpired in the second half shocked the entire FCS landscape. Yale ripped off a 36-7 run after halftime and mounted a historic comeback, defeating YSU 43-42.

Despite almost blowing a 28-3 lead in the regular season finale against Northern Iowa, the Penguins failed to learn from a near upset – costing them their season in the ensuing game.

In his postgame press conference, Head Coach Doug Phillips reflected on the devastating collapse:

“It’s like a nightmare and again, you feel like you let a lot of people down.”

Since the loss, Phillips has placed an extreme emphasis on finishing games and getting rid of complacency, implementing finish drills and consistent reminders of the Yale game that motivate players to eliminate destructive habits and mindsets.

Phillips also brought in a fresh perspective on defense, hiring former Mercyhurst Head Coach Ryan Riemedio to lead the defense. Riemedio’s strong leadership attributes have been on full display at spring training, as he has raised expectations on defense and continues to hold his players accountable to the highest degree.

While the loss to Yale was a blow to the program’s national image, YSU has a chance to correct that next season with renewed leadership and a roster that has immense talent in all three phases of the game.

Key Returners

Offense

YSU retained its top quarterback, running back, and starting offensive line from a unit that averaged nearly 37 points per game.

Beau Brungard made national headlines last season after throwing for 3,230 yards and rushing for 1,468 yards. His emergence led to him winning the prestigious Walter Payton Award, which goes to the FCS’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player.

Despite being enticed by several programs to enter the transfer portal and cash in on large NIL deals, Brungard rejected the offers and announced on social media he would be returning for his senior campaign.

On the offensive line, LT Desmeal Leigh (6-7, 325) anchors a group that allowed just 17 sacks last fall and got better at run blocking as the season progressed. Leigh is a legit NFL Draft prospect with elite physical talent and textbook fundamentals.

Four other senior contributors return up front along with two junior impact players expected to compete for starting roles.

At running back, Jaden Gilbert gives YSU a viable all-around tailback, capable of pass protection, explosive running, and pass catching. Despite only carrying the ball 96 times, Gilbert rushed for 670 yards and three touchdowns, while also hauling in 42 passes for 412 receiving yards.

Expectations are high for Gilbert in 2026 after a breakout season.

Tight end also boasts continuity. Alex McDonald and Austin Bray spearhead a deep tight end rotation that features several young players fighting for reps. McDonald and Bray both have strong pass catching skillsets at TE and are a nice complement to Mike Yurcich’s explosive offensive system.

The only position group on offense that is in need of a reboot is wide receiver, as just Fresh Walters and RK Dandridge return. Walters showed promising flashes last season, catching eight passes for 101 yards and one touchdown at slot receiver.

Dandridge made a 25-yard snag that set up a game winning field goal against Towson and has two-years of experience in the program.

Defense

YSU returns three of four starters on the front line and one starter at linebacker.

DE Ebony Curry Jr. (6-5, 250) and DT Thomas Jolly (6-3, 305) are expected to be big pieces of the Penguins’ defensive front in the fall, but both are rehabbing from injuries. DT Connor Johannesen (6-4, 275) comes back after starting three games and totaling six TFLs last season.

Mike Wells is YSU’s best athlete on defense, and he is expected to be utilized heavily by new defensive coordinator Ryan Riemedio. Wells earned First Team All-MVFC and Honorable Mention AP All-American recognition last year.

Carston Marshall and Graydon Rollins round out the linebacking corps. Marshall led all Penguin linebackers in tackles, recording 71 while also recording seven TFLs, 1.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. He is also dealing with injury.

Rollins turned some heads last season, finishing with 38 tackles, four TFLs, and 2.5 sacks. He is expected to be a sure starter come fall.

In the secondary, Jussiah Williams-West returns as the only significant contributor. He started four games and registered 29 tackles at safety. Weston Sturzinger is another young player looking to start in 2026.

Both Williams-West and Sturzinger have injuries.

Jordan Rudolph holds down the cornerback room after suffering an injury in fall camp prior to last season. Rudolph was a projected starter heading into 2025 and started last year’s spring game, but injury derailed a potential breakthrough.

Special Teams

Placekicker Andrew Lastovka and Kickoff Specialist Josh Wilkins represent a unit that saw significant turnover this offseason.

New Special Teams Coordinator Thomas Fletcher will oversee a complete rebuild, looking to fix YSU’s flaws in kickoff coverage and punt coverage from last season.

Standout Transfer Additions

YSU lost its top two receiving options and entire starting secondary, resulting in a slew of portal additions to those respective position groups.

Lorenzo Jenkins (6-3, 185) brings a proven FCS background to the wide receiver room, combining for 693 receiving yards and six touchdowns in two seasons with Bethune-Cookman.

Lynn Wyche-El (Grand Valley State), Connor Smith (Assumption), Bryan Hunt (Findlay), and Dorian Williams (Ohio State) are all in the mix for starting wide out jobs.

CB Dev Holman headlines the list of secondary additions following a First Team All-Pioneer Football League season.

Darvens Tunis, Cam Smith, Raleigh Collins III, Stanley Clyne, and Julius Jackson are all batting for starting roles.

YSU has the talent to contend in 2026, but the upcoming spring game will be the first chance to see whether this group has truly learned how to finish.