During the first few months of last season, ULM wasn’t just one of the big storylines among the Group of Five, but the Warhawks were being talked about nationally. They were 5-1 in head coach Bryant Vincent’s first year guiding the program — their best start through six games in over a decade. Their preseason Over/Under win total heading into last season was set at 2.
The success fizzled, however, and ULM didn’t win another game, finishing the season on a six-game losing streak and missing out on that elusive postseason appearance they haven’t had since 2012.
There’s plenty for Bryant and ULM to build on from last season that could help them compete in the Sun Belt this year, including a strong defensive front, some quality transfers, and a returning quarterback that gained valuable experience as a redshirt freshman in 2024 in Aidan Armenta.
ULM Football’s Sun Belt Title Betting Odds
ULM’s odds to win the Sun Belt are +5000, via BetMGM.
ULM Football’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
- ULM’s win total Over/Under is 4.5.
- Over 4.5 is at -105.
- Under 4.5 is at -115.
ULM Football’s 2025 Schedule
- 8/28 vs. Saint Francis
- 9/6 at Alabama
- 9/20 at UTEP
- 9/27 vs. Arkansas State
- 10/4 at Northwestern
- 10/11 at Coastal Carolina
- 10/18 vs. Troy
- 10/25 at Southern Miss
- 11/1 vs. Old Dominion
- 11/15 vs. South Alabama
- 11/22 at Texas State
- 11/29 at Louisiana
Bold indicates Sun Belt contests
Key ULM Football Returners
2024 All-Sun Belt 2nd Team
DE Kevontay Wells
3rd Team
DE Billy Pullen
Honorable Mention
OL Elijah Fisher
TE Rylan Green
TE Julian Nixon
DB David Godsey Jr.
ULM Football 2025 Preview
I don’t think it would be an overstatement to say that Ahmad Hardy carried the Warhawks’ offense last season. The first-team All-Sun Belt selection led the league in rushing with 1,351 yards and was the conference Freshman of the Year. Hardy transferred to Missouri, meaning there’s a large chunk of production that needs to be replaced and a new face of the offense will likely emerge.
Zach Palmer-Smith, Tyrell Reed Jr. Among ULM’s RBs
Running backs Zach Palmer-Smith and Tyrell Reed Jr. join the Warhawks via the transfer portal and should help replace that rushing production. Palmer-Smith rushed for 1,001 yards and was a second-team All-Coastal Athletic Association selection at Wagner last season. Reed saw limited action with Arkansas. It’s also anticipated that true freshman RB D’Shaun Ford could have a significant impact on this offense.
While ULM is likely to continue to be a run-first offense — especially with an offensive line that returns two interior starters and adds some size — I think we can expect a little more of a passing attack from Armenta and the Warhawks offense than what we saw in 2024. In eight starts, he passed for 1,292 yards and nine touchdowns.
Nic Trujillo Added To ULM’s Receiving Corps
New Mexico transfer Nic Trujillo — and Armenta’s former teammate — should bolster ULM’s receiving core. ULM also returns Jake Godfrey, Tyler Griffin, and Javon Campbell, who were three of the Warhawks’ top four wideouts last season. Not to mention those two all-conference honorable mention tight ends in Green and Nixon.
ULM’s Defensive Outlook
The strength of this team is arguably the defensive front. With Wells and Pullen coming off the edge, opposing offensive lines should have their hands full. The duo combined for nine sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss last season. Nose guards Jerome Simmons and Jaden Hamlin should anchor the middle.
The defensive back room took a hit when Wydett Williams entered the portal right before the spring window closed. Still, ULM returns two starting DBs with Godsey Jr. back at corner and Carl Fauntroy returning at safety.
With no starting linebackers returning, ULM could turn to transfers to fill those spots. Noah Flemmings should earn one of the starting nods after transferring in from Trinity Valley Community College where he tallied 105 tackles and 8.5 TFLs and was a JUCO All-American.
ULM Football Prediction
I don’t predict ULM will win the Sun Belt or reach a bowl game. But I do think the Warhawks have the potential to reach five wins.
If they are going to do that, they’re going to need to do what they did last year and pull off some upsets.
The schedule isn’t light, but I think ULM will remain a gritty squad and winning battles at the line of scrimmage will lead to a few victories.
