Southern Illinois ranks No. 9 in HERO Sports’ FCS Preseason Top 25.
The Salukis finished 8-5 last year, exiting in the FCS second round with a 20-17 loss at Idaho.
Here’s a look at the 2024 SIU football squad.
Returning 2023 All-Conference Players (1)
Honorable Mention
AP Vinson Davis III (WR)
D1 Transfer Portal Movement
Transfers Coming In From The FCS (7)
Eddie Robinson (RB), Duquesne
Nah’shawn Hezekiah (WR), Howard
Kenny Butler III (DL), Indiana State
Kris Butler (DL), Indiana State
Nick “Shug” Walker (LB), Murray State
DJ Williams (QB), Murray State
Bradley Clark (WR), Tennessee Tech
Transfers Coming In From The FBS (9)
Andrew Behm (LB), Akron
Alex Robarge (OL), Akron
Jeremiah McClendon (DB), FIU
Sebastian Vargas (DB), Florida
Cameron Dye (OL), Georgia State
Johnny Schmitt (DB), Illinois
Willtrell Hartson (RB), Ohio State
Vontrell Chairse (LB), Toledo
Keontez Lewis (WR), Wisconsin
Transfers Lost To The FCS (2)
Zac Willingham-Davis (RB) to Butler
Dune Smith (LB) to UIW
Transfers Lost To The FBS (4)
Nathan Torney (P) to Louisiana
Izaiah Hartrup (WR) to Ole Miss
Mark Davis Jr. (DB) to Vanderbilt
Branson Combs (LB) to Wake Forest
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Offensive Outlook
SIU’s offense returns six starters, including four on the offensive line. The Salukis averaged 25.5 points per game last year, ranking No. 61 in the FCS.
The big question mark is replacing multi-year starting quarterback Nic Baker.
SIU has four QBs currently on its 2024 roster — freshmen Jake Curry and ET Harris, junior Hunter Simmons, and junior transfer DJ Williams. Williams previously started two seasons at Murray State. He was the 2021 OVC Freshman of the Year, throwing for 1,020 yards and rushing for 532 with 10 total touchdowns. After missing 2022 with an injury, he returned last year in Murray State’s first season in the MVFC, passing for 1,529 yards and 11 TDs.
Simmons played in five games last year as Nic Baker’s backup and only has 35 college career passes.
Wide receiver Vinson Davis III returns after leading the Salukis in catches last year, tallying 54 for 659 yards and three touchdowns. SIU’s top tight end Aidan Quinn is back as well. Quinn had 27 catches for 348 yards and three TDs. Six-foot-5 TE Ryan Schwendeman is another target looking to emerge more in 2024 after four starts last year, including six catches for 50 yards.
The Salukis lost their top two rushers from 2023 — Ro Elliott (570 yards, 11 TDs) and Justin Strong (355 yards, 5 TDs). Shaun Lester Jr. will step into a larger role after carrying the ball 63 times for 350 yards and four TDs. Jaelin Benefield can be a threat as well. He had 43 rushes for 132 yards last season while adding 20 catches for 164 yards and a touchdown.
SIU also added transfer RB Eddie Robinson from Duquesne, an All-NEC selection last season after rushing for 662 yards and eight TDs as a freshman.
The offensive line will be a strength with four returning starters — Chase Evans (6’4” 300 lbs), Derek Harden Jr. (6’3” 330 lbs), Abdou Toure (6’6” 300 lbs), and Jake Green (6’5” 310 lbs).
SIU landed two FCS transfers at wide receiver — Tennessee Tech’s Bradley Clark and Howard’s Nah’shawn Hezekiah. Clark led his team last year with 42 catches for 491 yards and a touchdown. Hezekiah totaled 46 catches for 552 yards and four TDs in 28 career games.
Portal additions via the FBS are Akron OL Alex Robarge (6’5” 310 lbs), who has 11 career starts, Georgia State OL Cameron Dye (6’4” 300 lbs), Ohio State RB Willtrell Hartson (a 3-star HS recruit), and Wisconsin WR Keontez Lewis (played in all 13 games for the Badgers in 2022 and ranked third on the team with 20 catches for 313 yards and 3 TDs).
Defensive Outlook
SIU’s defense was terrific last season, allowing 16.2 points per game to rank No. 4 in the FCS.
But the unit will need some rebuilding in 2024. Four starters return, and only two of the top five tacklers are back.
The secondary should be strong, led by safeties Ubayd Steed and Iverson Brown. Steed tallied 83 tackles, two interceptions, and four pass breakups last year. Brown had 33 tackles and one pass breakup. Cornerback David Miller also returns after missing last year due to injury. He’s a 2021 and 2022 starter with a combined 95 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, four interceptions, and seven pass breakups. Safety Desman Hearns has some solid experience as well, starting two games in 2023 and totaling 36 tackles, two TFLs, and one interception.
The d-line will see a new cast of starters. DE Dewey Greene (298 snaps last year), DT Peyton Reeves (204 snaps), and DE Caden Reeves (142 snaps) didn’t start, but they had a good amount of reps in 2023.
Colin Bohanek leads the linebackers after an MVFC All-Newcomer Team season, totaling 62 tackles and 6.5 TFLs. Ben Bogle looks to step up after recording 32 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, and two sacks.
A few transfers will have a shot at plugging defensive holes.
Shug Walker was a good portal get this offseason. The linebacker led Murray State with 78 tackles last year.
SIU signed four FBS transfers on the defensive side: Akron LB Andrew Behm (7 career starts), FIU CB Jeremiah McClendon (played in 10 games at Charleston Southern in 2022 with 35 tackles, 1 INT, 7 PBUs), Illinois S Johnny Schmitt (a 2-star HS recruit), Toledo LB Vontrell Chairse (a 3-star HS recruit).
2024 Preseason Preview Central
Southern Illinois Football Schedule
8/31 at BYU
9/7 at Austin Peay
9/14 vs No. 12 UIW
9/21 vs SEMO
9/28 at No. 5 South Dakota
10/5 vs No. 24 Illinois State
10/12 vs No. 2 North Dakota State
10/26 at Indiana State
11/2 at Missouri State
11/9 vs No. 23 Youngstown State
11/16 at No. 1 South Dakota State
11/23 vs Murray State
Bold indicates MVFC games
HERO Sports’ rankings
