{"id":800263,"date":"2026-08-03T01:13:10","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T01:13:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/800263\/"},"modified":"2026-08-03T01:13:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T01:13:10","slug":"fcs-top-25-sam-herders-2026-preseason-ballot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/800263\/","title":{"rendered":"FCS Top 25: Sam Herder’s 2026 Preseason Ballot"},"content":{"rendered":"

I\u2019m excited to be a Stats Perform\u00a0FCS<\/a>\u00a0Top 25 media poll voter and postseason national awards voter again this fall.<\/p>\n

I believe it\u2019s important to be transparent about my voting, so I\u2019ll publish my weekly Top 25 ballot every Sunday or Monday during the season with my reasoning.<\/p>\n

Preseason ballots were due late last week. Here\u2019s how I voted.<\/p>\n

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25. UT Martin<\/p>\n

UT Martin won at least a share of the OVC conference title from 2021 to 2024. The Skyhawks aim to be back on top this fall after going 6-6 overall last season and 6-2 in league play.<\/p>\n

24. Mercer<\/p>\n

Mercer will have to reload again with a first-year head coach after reaching three straight playoff brackets. The Bears made a strong hire in grabbing West Georgia HC Joel Taylor.<\/p>\n

23. Alabama State<\/p>\n

With standout QB Andrew Body returning, Alabama State looks like a favorite for a run at the Celebration Bowl. The Hornets went 10-2 overall last year with a 7-1 mark in SWAC play.<\/p>\n

22. Southeastern Louisiana University<\/p>\n

Consistently in the FCS playoff mix under head coach Frank Scelfo, expect the same from the Lions this fall. They have reached the postseason in 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2025.<\/p>\n

21. Idaho State<\/p>\n

After going 6-6 overall and 5-3 in the Big Sky last season, including near wins at top Mountain West teams UNLV and New Mexico, the Bengals return a big four offensively of QB Jordan Cooke, RB Dason Brooks, WR Chedon James, and OL Stryker Rashid.<\/p>\n

20. Lamar<\/p>\n

Expect the impressive climb under head coach Pete Rossomando to continue. Lamar went from a 1-win team in 2022 to three winning seasons in Rossomando\u2019s three years, going 6-5 in 2023, 7-5 in 2024, and 8-5 last year with a trip to the playoffs.<\/p>\n

19. Northern Arizona<\/p>\n

NAU fell disappointingly short of the 2025 playoffs at 7-5 a year after making the 2024 bracket. All-Big Sky quarterback Ty Pennington returns to instill confidence the Lumberjacks can be back in the postseason.<\/p>\n

18. Abilene Christian<\/p>\n

Abilene Christian has won two straight UAC titles and is a rising program in the South. The Wildcats need to find a new starting QB again, but the program has shown the ability to reload with no shortage of talent on its roster.<\/p>\n

17. Yale<\/p>\n

Yale won the Ivy League last season, earning the conference\u2019s first auto-bid into the FCS playoffs. It splashed onto the postseason scene with an epic first-round comeback win at Youngstown State before a respectable loss at eventual national champs Montana State. The Bulldogs made a big-time head coaching hire this offseason when they landed 2025 FCS Coach of the Year Kevin Cahill from Lehigh. Yale returns its starting quarterback Dante Reno, plus six All-Ivy League players, including the conference\u2019s Defensive Player of the Year in safety Abu Kamara.<\/p>\n

16. Southern Illinois<\/p>\n

DJ Williams is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the subdivision. And he\u2019ll have an array of weapons to work with this fall as the Salukis eye a return to the postseason after a 7-5 finish left them on the 2025 bubble. This SIU team certainly looks like its best since the 2023 squad that nearly made the quarterfinals, suffering a second-round overtime loss at No. 4 seed Idaho.<\/p>\n

RELATED:\u00a02026 FCS Preseason Preview Central<\/a><\/p>\n

15. SFA<\/p>\n

SFA delivered on preseason expectations by making a run to the 2025 quarterfinals. In 2026, the Lumberjacks need to replace the production of QB Sam Vidlak and 1,000-yard receiver Kylon Harris. WR Clayton Wayland and RB Jaylen Jenkins return after productive seasons. Plus, WR\/return specialist Bugs Mortimer is electric with the ball in his hands. All-American Erik Gray anchors the o-line. There is a lot of production to replace defensively, but SFA made a splash transfer portal addition by adding UAB LB Eli Ennis, who was a 2024 FCS All-American at Nicholls.<\/p>\n

14. Austin Peay<\/p>\n

The Govs suffered a regular-season-finale overtime loss at No. 5 Tarleton State, finishing 7-5 and just missing the playoff bracket. They now seem primed to reach the postseason this fall. The return of All-American quarterback Chris Parson is a large reason why, as he\u2019s coming off an electric year. Parson has two great pass-catchers coming back in tight end Jackson Head and wide receiver Jaden Robinson. All-American Joshua Sales Jr. leads the offensive line. An improved defense will be key after allowing 27.3 points per game.<\/p>\n

13. Villanova<\/p>\n

Nova heads to the Patriot League after reaching the 2025 semifinals. A consistent program, the Wildcats have reached at least the quarterfinals three times since 2021. Their preseason slot has fluctuated. I had Nova at No. 10 in late May when it seemed like starting quarterback Pat McQuaide was going to get another year of eligibility. But that request was denied as I was submitting my official ballot. After submitting, though, it was announced that McQuaide got a court injunction, opening the door for him to return in 2026. We\u2019ll see how things progress. But I will bump the Wildcats back up if McQuaide is back and they are looking strong early in the season. They\u2019ll have a dynamite running back duo in Ja\u2019briel Mace and Isaiah Ragland behind an offensive line that returns four players who logged more than 300 snaps last season. Defensively, the Wildcats return seven of 15 players who logged at least 250 snaps last year.<\/p>\n

12. South Dakota<\/p>\n

Only one team has made the FCS quarterfinals in 2023, 2024, and 2025. And that\u2019s South Dakota. The Coyotes have endured key player losses and have been able to reload in recent years. This fall will be the ultimate test of their ability to reload, though. USD has a new head coach for the second year in a row as Matt Vitzthum takes the reins. The Yotes also have to replace veteran QB Aidan Bouman, most of their starting OL, top two receivers, and six of their top 11 tacklers. Linebacker will be a strength, led by Gabriel Hardman and Wade Abrams. And running back should be loaded with 2024 All-American Charles Pierre Jr. and 2024 All-MVFC Keyondray Jones-Logan returning from injury. On paper, USD preseason ranked outside of the Top 10 seems fair. One could also argue the Yotes deserve more benefit of the doubt due to their consistency over the last few years.<\/p>\n

11. Youngstown State<\/p>\n

Motivation is high for YSU this offseason. The last time the Penguins were on the field, they blew a 42-14 third-quarter lead and lost 43-42 to Yale at home in the first round. Despite that stunning loss, expectations are as high as they\u2019ve been for a program with a rich history in this subdivision. A big reason why is the return of Walter Payton Award-winning quarterback Beau Brungard. He\u2019ll have All-MVFC running back Jaden Gilbert by his side, plus a super-experienced offensive line, led by NFL Draft prospect Desmeal Leigh. The defense needs a big improvement, and YSU went out and hired Mercyhurst head coach Ryan Riemedio as its new DC.<\/p>\n

RELATED: FCS Championship Weekend Brought $31.3M In Spending<\/a><\/p>\n

10. Tennessee Tech<\/p>\n

Tennessee Tech was an interesting squad last year. At 10-2 but with no needle-moving wins, the playoff committee wasn\u2019t convinced and gave the Golden Eagles the No. 13 seed. They then lost 31-6 to UND in the opening round, ending a breakout season with a dud (although it was a 10-6 ball game entering the fourth). TN Tech now moves to the SoCon from the OVC-Big South, a step up in competition. It loaded up on talent again via the transfer portal, adding FCS starters Zolten Osborne and Jax Leatherwood to the QB competition, joining Richie Munoz. Gabe Nunez, Ivan Hoyt, and Eric Weatherly join Maury Sullivan and Tre\u2019 Holloway for a talented WR room.<\/p>\n

9. Rhode Island<\/p>\n

Rhode Island seems ready to take the next step. The Rams have finished 11-3 in the last two seasons, but have exited in the second round both times. The playoff committee hasn\u2019t rewarded Rhody\u2019s strong regular-season record with a Top 8 seed, and the CAA\u2019s perception isn\u2019t improving with two more blueblood programs moving out (Villanova, William & Mary). With that said, Rhody should be a good squad this season. The Rams have an All-American QB-WR duo in Devin Farrell and Marquis Buchanan. DL Case Mankins, safety Andre DePina-Gray, and LBs Moses Meus and Rohan Davy anchor the defense as All-CAA performers.<\/p>\n

8. Lehigh<\/p>\n

Lehigh had a breakthrough year in 2025, earning the No. 5 playoff seed with an 11-1 record. The promising season fell flat in the second round, though, losing to eventual semifinalist Villanova 14-7. Defensive coordinator Richard Nagy was promoted to head coach this offseason after FCS Coach of the Year Kevin Cahill returned to Yale. Retention was still strong despite the coaching change. The Mountain Hawks return key players like QB Hayden Johnson, All-American RB Luke Yoder, TE Joseph Marranca, offensive linemen Aidan Palmer and Colby Reph, and safety Nick Peltekian.<\/p>\n

7. North Dakota<\/p>\n

UND took a noticeable step forward in 2025 in Eric Schmidt\u2019s first season as head coach. The Fighting Hawks now look to turn close losses against highly-ranked teams into wins this fall. They have the returning core to do so. UND brings back starting quarterback Jerry Kaminski, along with what could be one of the top offensive lines in the FCS. The defense returns seven players who logged at least 250 snaps, led by an All-American defensive end duo in Kaden Vig and Lance Rucker.<\/p>\n

6. Tarleton State<\/p>\n

Tarleton State has been rising in the FCS ranks as a newer member. The Texans reached the 2024 second round in their first season as playoff-eligible. They then advanced to the quarterfinals last fall, losing a 26-21 heartbreaker to Villanova. Tarleton loses a standout senior class, including notable players at quarterback, d-line, and linebacker. Talent hasn\u2019t been an issue for this program, though. Tylan Hines will lead the running back room. And wide receiver B.J. Fleming highlights an impressive transfer class, featuring several players with FCS experience.<\/p>\n

5. Illinois State<\/p>\n

The Redbirds made a historic run to the national championship game as an unseeded team and dang near knocked off Montana State. They were the first team in FCS playoff history to win four straight road games. Is Illinois State here to stay as a title contender? Quarterback, d-line, and cornerback are question marks entering 2026. A solid nucleus is back, however. The Redbirds returned four OL with starting experience, standout RB Victor Dawson, two good receivers in Luke Mailander and Dylan Lord, and standout defenders like All-American LB Tye Niekamp, LB Dexter Niekamp, LB Mason Kaplan, and All-MVFC safety La\u2019Shavion Brown.<\/p>\n

Check out the latest episode on the FCS Football Talk Network. You can also find the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and Spreaker.\u200b\u200b<\/p>\n

SUBSCRIBE:\u00a0FCS Football Talk<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

4. UC Davis<\/p>\n

After back-to-back quarterfinal appearances, is UC Davis ready to make it a round further? The Aggies retained great talent, especially at the skilled positions. Standout receivers Samuel Gbatu Jr. and Stacy Dobbins are back, as is productive tight end Winston Williams and 1,000-yard running back Jordan Fisher. Davis will need a new starting quarterback to step up, and the Aggies have shown they can reload at that spot. The defense has to improve to win games deeper in the bracket, though. All-Big Sky defenders Rex and Porter Connors headline that unit as the twin brothers earned an extra year of eligibility.<\/p>\n

3. South Dakota State<\/p>\n

SDSU fell short of the semifinals for the first time in the 2020s last season. Depth was an issue for the Jackrabbits due to transfer portal losses after a head coaching change and due to injuries. Some of SDSU\u2019s top players (QB Chase Mason, WR Lofton O\u2019Groske, LB Chase Van Tol, DE Reis Kirschenman) missed significant time. All those players return along with most of SDSU\u2019s offensive and defensive production, plus some expected impact transfers from sub-D1 programs. National title expectations remain in Brookings. Will it be a rebound year?<\/p>\n

2. Montana<\/p>\n

A new era begins for the Grizzlies after head coach Bobby Hauck surprisingly stepped down. Bobby Kennedy takes over after previously coaching Montana\u2019s wide receivers. The Griz have a mixed bag of marquee names returning, but also a lot of snaps to replace. All-American QB Keali\u2019i Ah Yat, All-American RB Eli Gillman, and Freshman All-American WR Brooks Davis headline the offense, a unit that has to replace its entire starting o-line. All-Big Sky linebackers Peyton Wing and Solomon Tuliaupupu lead the defense, but it\u2019s a unit that loses eight of its top 11 tacklers. The star power is there. Development and transfer portal hits will be needed to fill other holes.<\/p>\n

1. Montana State<\/p>\n

Montana State returns a bulk of its offensive production and all of its linebackers and safeties from last year\u2019s national championship squad. Defensive line depth and cornerback are areas of uncertainty, but MSU still returns eight of its top 11 tacklers, led by safety Caden Dowler and linebacker Cole Taylor. The offense is littered with All-American talent, including QB Justin Lamson, RB Adam Jones, WR Taco Dowler, and offensive linemen Titan Fleischmann and Braden Zimmer. This looks like the most complete FCS team since the dominant 2023 SDSU squad.<\/p>\n

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