Northern Arizona ranks No. 19 in HERO Sports’ FCS Preseason Top 25.
The Lumberjacks finished 8-5 last year, losing 24-0 at Abilene Christian in the first round of the FCS playoffs.
Here’s a look at the 2025 NAU football squad.
Returning 2024 FCS All-Conference Players (6)
2nd Team
OL Steven Eakins (transfer from Southern Utah)
Honorable Mention
DL Micah Carreon
LB Ammon Allen
LB Brandon Wong
PR Isaiah Eastman
P Ben D’Aquila
D1 Transfer Portal Movement
Transfers Coming In From The FCS (7)
Terrance Caldwell (OL), Weber State
Tak Tateoka (QB), St. Thomas
Cooper LeDuc (CB), Southern Utah
Steven Eakins (OL), Southern Utah
Michael Hurst (S), Portland State
Jaylan Wesley (DB), Lindenwood
Logan MacGregor (LS), Alabama A&M
Transfers Coming In From The FBS (5)
Nason Coleman (TE), BYU
Jai Rodriquez (OL), New Mexico State
Cooper Sheehan (OL), New Mexico State
Jayson Raines (WR), Stanford
Quentin Moten (CB), UNLV
Transfers Lost To The FCS (6)
Carson Berry (OL) to Eastern Washington
Tyler Jones (DB) to Norfolk State
BJ Fleming (WR) to North Dakota
Zach Lewis (DB) to North Dakota
Evan Morris (WR) to Northern Colorado
Brevin Czosnyka (DB) to Utah Tech
Transfers Lost To The FBS (8)
Angel Flores (QB) to Central Michigan
Al Ashford III (CB) to Marshall
Kevin Miniefield Jr. (DB) to Middle TN State
Marcus Lye (K) to UMass
Cory Hall (DL) to UNLV
Ta’ir Brooks (WR) to UTEP
Clinton Azubuike (OL) to Vanderbilt
Alex McLaughlin (DB) to Washington
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Offensive Outlook
NAU returns its 2024 Big Sky Newcomer of the Year at quarterback, top two running backs, No. 2 pass-catcher, and three starting offensive linemen while adding two FCS transfer linemen with starting experience. The Lumberjacks averaged 28.3 points per game in 2024.
Ty Pennington is back at quarterback. He followed head coach Brian Wright to NAU last year from Pittsburg State. As a sophomore and the Big Sky Newcomer of the Year, Pennington finished 187/287 (65%) for 2,288 yards, 13 touchdowns, and two interceptions while rushing 104 times for 437 yards and seven scores. He graded out as PFF’s No. 8 FCS quarterback.
Last year’s No. 1 wide receiver Kolbe Katsis returns, also arriving from Pittsburg State in 2024. He caught 35 passes for 498 yards and two touchdowns, not far behind tight end Bryzai White’s team-leading 42 catches for 578 yards and four TDs. Isaiah Eastman is another returner at WR, recording 20 receptions for 238 yards and a touchdown last fall. Eastman was an All-Big Sky punt returner as well, returning 28 punts for 319 yards.
The Lumberjacks will enjoy the return of their top two running backs. Seth Cromwell led the way with 681 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 125 carries as a redshirt freshman. Darvon Hubbard added 99 carries for 408 yards and four scores.
NAU’s offensive line returns three starters, highlighted by Seth Smith (6-6, 285 lbs), who led the offense with 785 snaps in 2024. Ethan Kramer (6-5, 300 lbs) was close behind with 781 snaps, and Connor DePrez (6-4, 285 lbs) added 759 reps.
The unit also adds two FCS transfers with starting reps.
Steven Eakins (6-4, 300 lbs) was a great portal get. He arrives from Southern Utah, where he played more than 600 snaps and earned All-UAC Second Team honors last fall. Terrance Caldwell (6-2, 315 lbs) is a veteran addition, logging nearly 1,800 career snaps between two seasons at Cornell and last year at Weber State.
Defensive Outlook
NAU allowed 18.8 points per game last season, ranking No. 15 in the FCS. The Lumberjacks return six of their top 11 tacklers and eight of their top 15 leaders in snaps.
Strong experience at linebacker anchors the unit. Ammon Allen is the top returning tackler after finishing No. 4 on last year’s squad despite missing three games. He totaled 63 stops, 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and two pass breakups in nearly 400 snaps, earning All-Big Sky Honorable Mention. Brandon Wong was another All-Conference Honorable Mention selection, adding more than 350 snaps, 43 tackles, and 4.5 TFLs. Another returner at LB is Travis Arena, who played over 300 snaps and had 43 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and two pass breakups.
Micah Carreon (6-1, 275 lbs) leads the defensive line following an All-Big Sky Honorable Mention season. He was No. 5 in team tackles and snaps, playing more than 560 reps and recording 46 tackles, seven TFLs, and two QB hurries. Tausagafou Ho Ching (6-1, 285 lbs) added more than 520 snaps and had 37 tackles, four TFLs, one sack, and three quarterback hurries. Defensive end Alani Ma’afu (6-2, 274 lbs) played nearly 400 snaps in 2024, contributing 16 tackles and three TFLs.
NAU’s secondary has to replace its top two safeties and top cornerback in snaps.
Mikale Greer is back after playing more than 400 snaps and totaling 17 tackles, five pass breakups, and a team-high four interceptions. Safety Canyon Moses logged nearly 300 snaps as a redshirt freshman last season, recording 31 tackles, three TFLs, and five pass breakups.
Michael Hurst adds experience via the transfer portal. At Portland State, he played over 1,100 snaps in the last two seasons with nearly 100 tackles. Jaylan Wesley, another safety, logged over 500 snaps in 2024 at Lindenwood and had 39 tackles, one interception, and four pass breakups.
2025 Preseason Preview Central
Northern Arizona Football Schedule
8/30 at Arizona State
9/6 vs Utah Tech
9/13 at RV Southern Utah
9/20 vs No. 5 UIW
9/27 at Portland State
10/4 vs No. 2 Montana State
10/11 at No. 11 UC Davis
10/25 at Idaho State
10/31 vs No. 10 Idaho
11/8 vs Northern Colorado
11/15 vs Cal Poly
11/22 at Weber State
Bold indicates Big Sky games
HERO Sports’ rankings
RV = Received Votes
