After taking a quick look at the Pac-12 and Independent teams in our first Preview Series breakdown, we now turn our attention to our first full-sized conference: the Sun Belt Conference.
The SBC has seen a ton of player turnover through the transfer portal, and the talent pool has lessened conference-wide. While there are a couple of teams still with some fighting power, it projects to be a down year in the SBC and a fairly easy guess at who the top teams will be in 2025.
1. James Madison Dukes
2024 Record (Conference Record): 9-4 (4-4)
2025 Projected Record: 10-2 (8-0)
James Madison is a program quickly ascending the ranks and turning into a low-level but legitimate contender. Bob Chesney has secured the Dukes’ reputation as an up-and-coming FCS-to-FBS program with a committee-based run game that is likely to continue into 2025.
The Dukes are likely to be without redshirt junior QB Alonza Barnett III as he continues to recover from a leg injury that has had him doubtful for months. Chesney brought in multiple QBs to fill the hole, with dual-threat QB Matthew Sluka looking like the best chance at continuing success. Overall, James Madison will still be focused on letting RBs George Pettaway and Wayne Knight lead the way.
JM’s defense isn’t as intact as the offense from last year, but Chesney is taking swings on big FCS talent like Xavier Holmes to fill gaps. If Chesney’s talent evaluation is as good as it looks, expect a couple of new stars to appear in Harrisonburg.
Key Returning Players:
RB George Pettaway (RS JR)
S Jacob Thomas (SR)
OT Pat McMurtrie (GR)
LB Trent Hendrick
Key Incoming Transfers:
QB Matthew Sluka (RS SR)
C Zach Greenberg (RS SR)
DE Aiden Gobaira (RS JR)
DE Xavier Holmes (RS SR)
2. Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
2024 Record (Conference Record): 10-4 (7-1)
2025 Projected Record: 9-3 (6-2)
Louisiana has been an underrated program over the past decade, mostly due to a couple of lesser seasons in 2022 and 2023. After a strong 2024 that was derailed at the end by injuries, the Ragin’ Cajuns are a favorite to take the Sun Belt title.
Former top prospect Walker Howard will take over at quarterback with very little playing experience under his belt. The Cajuns will likely need to rely on their defense early in the season while Howard builds chemistry with his receivers, most of whom were not playing a ton of snaps in 2024. Expect to see a lot of Zylan Perry toting the ball, and don’t be surprised if Louisiana transitions to a truly run-heavy offense in 2025.
Key Returning Players:
RB Zylan Perry (RS JR)
OG Jax Harrington (RS SR)
DE Cameron Whitfield (RS SR)
Key Incoming Transfers:
QB Walker Howard (RS JR)
WR Shelton Sampson Jr. (RS SO)
CB Curley Reed III (RS SO)
CB Trae Tomlinson (SR)
3. South Alabama Jaguars
2024 Record (Conference Record): 7-6 (5-3)
2025 Projected Record: 8-4 (6-2)
South Alabama bled young talent this offseason, with several high-potential players leaving in the transfer portal. Losing Fluff Bothwell and Gio Lopez set them back severely, and while there are options at QB and RB, it’s difficult to see a world in which South Alabama competes for the Sun Belt this year.
If they do, it will be on the shoulders of RB Kentrell Bullock, who performed well despite splitting carries with Bothwell. Zach Pyron is the presumed starter at QB, and while he has some experience, he doesn’t provide the type of game-changing play to make the Jaguars a serious contender.
Key Returning Players:
RB Kentrell Bullock (SR)
OT Jordan Davis (JR)
LB Blayne Myrick (RS JR)
Key Incoming Transfers:
QB Zach Pyron (RS JR)
WR Brendan Jenkins (JR)
CB Jayvon Henderson (RS JR)
S Tywon Wray Jr. (RS SO)
4. Georgia Southern Eagles
2024 Record (Conference Record): 8-5 (6-2)
2025 Projected Record: 7-5 (5-3)
Georgia Southern had a strong 2024, and in returning the majority of their starters, are looking at another big year in a conference in flux. The Eagles have an offense that, on paper, has the potential to be better, with big additions to the receiving game in Gary, Brown and River Helms. However, QB JC French IV needs to clean up his game for any of that to matter, as his interceptions bogged down his dynamic dual-threat ability.
The Eagles’ defense didn’t do much of note last year, and they haven’t added much on that side of the ball to change things. Expect the Eagles to live and die by the passing game in 2025.
Key Returning Players:
QB JC French IV (RS JR)
OG Pichon Wimbley (SR)
OG Caleb Cook (RS SR)
CB Chance Gamble (RS SR)
Key Incoming Transfers:
WR Dylan Gary (RS JR)
WR Camden Brown (SR)
TE River Helms (RS SR)
S Antonio White Jr. (RS FR)
5. Arkansas State Red Wolves
2024 Record (Conference Record): 8-5 (5-3)
2025 Projected Record: 8-4 (5-3)
Our surprise team of the conference, the Red Wolves had a good 2024 after bouncing between different levels of mediocre the last few years. Butch Jones hasn’t had a great run overall in Arkansas, but they do seem primed for a solid Sun Belt run in 2025.
The Red Wolves will have a lot of continuity on offense, bringing back QB Jaylen Raynor, RB Ja’Quez Cross, and WR Corey Rucker, while adding an underrated transfer pickup in WR Jaylen Bonelli. The defense will rely heavily on new starters, but they were able to bring in some strong talent for the conference and could be lining themselves up for a Sun Belt Championship game.
Key Returning Players:
QB Jaylen Raynor (JR)
RB Ja’Quez Cross (RS SR)
DE Bryan Whitehead (RS SR)
WR Corey Rucker (RS SR)
Key Incoming Transfers:
WR Jaylen Bonelli (JR)
DT Cody Sigler (RS JR)
DE Demarcus Hendricks (RS SR)
LB Aaron Alexander (RS JR)
6. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
2024 Record (Conference Record): 6-7 (3-5)
2025 Projected Record: 6-6 (4-4)
The Chanticleers don’t have much to hang their hat on from last year, as most of their main players aren’t coming back. CC will have new starters at QB and RB, and neither position group is blowing anyone away.
The defense will be starting transfers at the majority of positions, so there’s a serious question of chemistry. There are those who believe a strong sum of parts is coming for CC in 2025, but we’re not among them.
Key Returning Players:
WR Jameson Tucker (RS SR)
NT Sawyer Goram-Welch (GR)
S Xamarion Gordon (RS SR)
OT Nick Del Grande (RS JR)
Key Incoming Transfers:
QB MJ Morris (RS JR)
WR Colton Hinton (JR)
LB Dontae Lunan (RS SR)
7. Troy Trojans
2024 Record (Conference Record): 4-8 (3-5)
2025 Projected Record: 7-5 (4-4)
The Trojans suffered a big falloff in 2024, which can be attributed to their roster changing drastically and losing a majority of their starting talent. Now, they walk into 2025 with questions at key positions, but talent in the trenches.
Goose Crowder is once again the starting quarterback for Troy, but he’s a mid-level talent on a mid-level team and doesn’t have the tools to elevate. Crowder will be well protected, and the defense is well equipped to stop the run, but the passing game on both ends of the field looks to be the Achilles’ heel of these Trojans.
Key Returning Players:
QB Goose Crowder (RS SR)
OG Eli Russ (RS SR)
NT Julian Peterson (RS SR)
S Justin Powe (RS JR)
Key Incoming Transfers:
WR Rara Thomas (SR)
WR Kristian Tate (RS SO)
C Vysen Lang (RS SO)
RB Dennis Palmer (SO)
8. Appalachian State Mountaineers
2024 Record (Conference Record): 5-6 (3-5)
2025 Projected Record: 6-5 (5-3)
The Mountaineers will be relying on athletic potential and an offense heavily rebuilt through the transfer portal. AJ Swann is the likely starter at QB, with two years of eligibility and starting experience at Vanderbilt.
While the Mountaineers had a strong recruiting class, there’s no guarantee the final product will impress. This team will likely be boom or bust in 2025, with more questions than answers going into the season opener.
Key Returning Players:
DL Thomas Davis (RS SR)
DE Shawn Collins (RS SR)
OG Griffin Scroggs (RS JR)
Key Incoming Transfers:
QB AJ Swann (RS JR)
OT Tyriq Poindexter (RS SR)
LB Brayshawn Littlejohn (RS SO)
WR Davion Dozier (RS SO)
9. Texas State Bobcats
2024 Record (Conference Record): 8-5 (5-3)
2025 Projected Record: 6-6 (3-5)
College teams ride and die by their starting quarterback, and the Bobcats are in the unenviable position of not knowing who that is right now. After the departure of Jordan McCloud, G.J. Kinne pushed to bring in three transfer QBs with the hope that one will prove to be starting caliber. As of now, the jury is still open.
Along with replacing the QB, the Bobcats will be finding new starters at most of their skill positions. Kinne is an offensively minded coach and will likely find ways to produce yards and points. However, their defense will need to be on par or better than last year if the Bobcats have any hope of having another successful season.
Key Returning Players:
DE Kalil Alexander (RS SR)
RB Lincoln Pare (RS SR)
CB Trez Moore (RS SR)
S Ryan Nolan (JR)
Key Incoming Transfers:
QB Gevani McCoy (RS SR)
QB Nate Yarnell (RS SR)
DT Michael Nwokocha (RS SR)
WR Tyrin Smith (RS SR)
10. Old Dominion Monarchs
2024 Record (Conference Record): 5-7 (4-4)
2025 Projected Record: 4-8 (2-6)
Old Dominion is not a program that’s been able to accomplish much over the past decade, rattling off losing seasons repeatedly. The Monarchs were unable to bring in any transfers to right the ship, and while QB Colton Joseph and RB Devin Roche are promising young prospects, they aren’t ready to lead a team to a winning record.
Head coach Ricky Rahne can expect another tough year and will just need to hope that 2026 looks a little brighter.
Key Returning Players:
QB Colton Joseph (RS SO)
RB Devin Roche (RS SO)
LB Jason Henderson (RS SR)
Key Incoming Transfers:
WR Ja’Cory Thomas (JR)
WR Tre Brown (RS SO)
CB Botros Alisandro (SR)
11. Marshall Thundering Herd
2024 Record (Conference Record): 10-3 (7-1)
2025 Projected Record: 4-8 (1-7)
The Marshall Thundering Herd won the Sun Belt last year behind the stellar play of eventual Baltimore Raven EDGE Mike Green. Unfortunately, things rapidly went downhill after the 2024 season.
Head coach Charles Huff’s exit led to a stampede of players out the door, and first-year head coach Tony Gibson is now doing his best to pick up the pieces. With the program still trying to figure out who their new QB is between Zion Turner and Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, and with a depth chart nearly devoid of returning talent, the instability in the Herd will almost certainly lead to a sharp downturn in wins.
Key Returning Players:
LB Jadarius Green-McKnight (RS SR)
OG Jalen Slappy (RS JR)
TE Toby Payne (RS JR)
Key Incoming Transfers:
QB Zion Turner (RS JR)
QB Carlos Del Rio-Wilson (RS SR)
WR Adrian Norton (JR)
OT Tyler McDuffie (RS SR)
12. ULM Warhawks
2024 Record (Conference Record): 5-7 (3-5)
2025 Projected Record: 3-9 (1-7)
ULM will feature a run-heavy offense while bringing back some of their strongest defensive talent. A great 5-1 start was let down by a winless six-game finish in 2024, so it’s hard to know which version of this team will show up. The Warhawks don’t have a shot at the Sun Belt Championship with their current scheme and roster, so it will be more important for them to find young potential in 2025.
Key Returning Players:
DE Kevontay Wells (SR)
LB Billy Pullen (SR)
QB Aidan Armenta (RS JR)
Key Incoming Transfers:
RB Zach Palmer-Smith (SR)
S Quentin Murphy (RS FR)
CB Jay Harper (RS FR)
13. Georgia State Panthers
2024 Record (Conference Record): 3-9 (1-7)
2025 Projected Record: 2-10 (1-7)
The Georgia State Panthers weren’t good in 2024, and things are projecting the same for 2025. QB Christian Veilleux is an incomplete prospect who doesn’t have the arm talent to fully take advantage of WR Ted Hurst, and RB Branson Robinson would be a bigger pull if he were able to stay healthy.
The defense is mostly unchanged, with few game-changing transfers coming in. While HC Dell McGee is doing his best, there’s not enough talent to expect much.
Key Returning Players:
QB Christian Veilleux (RS SR)
WR Ted Hurst (SR)
S D-Icey Hopkins (RS JR)
NT Henry Bryant (RS SR)
Key Incoming Transfers:
LB Zavier Carter (RS SR)
RB Branson Robinson (RS JR)
TE Camden Overton (SR)
14. Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles
2024 Record (Conference Record): 1-11 (0-8)
2025 Projected Record: 2-10 (0-8)
There was nothing golden about the Golden Eagles in 2024, going winless in-conference on the way to a 1-11 record. The massive crash led to a complete organizational shift, as former Marshall head coach Charles Huff came to Southern Miss and brought in more transfers than you can count.
There are some interesting players joining the team in 2025, but this roster’s starting lineup is made up of roughly 75 percent transfers. Between last year’s poor showing and this year’s uncertainty, Southern Miss remains a team with little expectation.
Key Returning Players:
CB Brendan Toles (RS SR)
DE Eric Thomas Jr. (SR)
TE Kyirin Heath (SR)
Key Incoming Transfers:
QB Braylon Braxton (RS SR)
WR Chuck Montgomery (RS SR)
OG Aloali’i Maui (SR)
S Ahmere Foster (JR)
Championship Game Prediction:
James Madison defeats Louisiana
Games To Circle
Louisiana at James Madison (Oct. 11)
Our top two teams in the Sun Belt battle to round out the first half of the season. If the conference plays the way we expect, this matchup will be pivotal in creating momentum for whichever championship-bound team can pull it out.
South Alabama at Auburn (Sept. 13)
The Jaguars’ matchup against the Auburn Tigers will be one of the biggest non-conference Sun Belt games of the year and is primed for an upset. If South Alabama can pull out a win against Auburn, they would have a huge ranking advantage against other top SBC teams who don’t have the same level of competition.
Coastal Carolina at South Carolina (Nov. 22)
Nothing like a good old regional rivalry game to help wind down the year. The Chanticleers will need a huge performance to pull out a win against the Gamecocks, but there’s always a little extra fire in these in-state battles. Regardless of who wins, it should be entertaining.
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