Stephen F. Austin ranks No. 21 in HERO Sports’ FCS Preseason Top 25.
The Lumberjacks finished 7-5 last year, missing the FCS playoffs.
Here’s a look at the 2025 SFA football squad.
New Customer Offers at BetMGM
Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l Terms
Returning 2024 FCS All-Conference Players (5)
1st Team
WR Kylon Harris
2nd Team
QB Sam Vidlak
OLB Aaron Austin
DT Edward Bobino III
CB Charles Demmings
D1 Transfer Portal Movement
Transfers Coming In From The FBS (9)
Richard Reese (RB), Baylor
JT Kitna (QB), Bowling Green
Saimone Davis (TE), BYU
Jerrale Powers (TE), Florida State
Torren Coppage-El (DL), Houston
Preston Alford (RB), Oregon
Ryan Damron (QB), Tennessee
Aiden Meeks (WR), Texas Tech
Bugs Mortimer (WR), Western Michigan
Transfers Lost To The FCS (1)
Nate Adams (OL) to South Dakota State
Transfers Lost To The FBS (2)
Azariah Levells (DB) to New Mexico
Jaymon Lamb (OL) to North Texas
For more FCS coverage, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Offensive Outlook
Stephen F. Austin averaged 35.6 points per game last fall, which ranked No. 8 in the FCS. From that unit, SFA returns its All-Conference quarterback, No. 2 and 3 running backs, top six wide receivers led by a preseason All-American, and four starting offensive linemen. It also added a former Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year at running back.
Sam Vidlak is back at quarterback as a preseason All-American. He enjoyed a breakout year in 2024 after transferring from Montana. Despite missing three games, Vidlak threw for 2,387 yards, 27 touchdowns, and four interceptions on 174/257 passing (67.7%). He ranked No. 3 in FCS passing efficiency. Vidlak earned All-Southland Second Team honors and was named the conference’s Newcomer of the Year.
He’ll have a terrific and experienced group of wide receivers to throw to, led by another preseason All-American, Kylon Harris. A First Team All-Southland selection last fall, Harris had 87 catches for 1,039 yards and 10 touchdowns. SFA’s next five wide receivers all return as well: Jordan Nabors (29 catches, 524 yards, 6 TDs), Blaine Green (22 catches, 395 yards, 3 TDs), Isaiah Davis (15 catches, 241 yards, 2 TDs), Rohan Fluellen (21 catches, 221 yards, 2 TDs), and Clayton Wayland (13 catches, 204 yards, 3 TDs).
Last year’s leading rusher, Qualan Jones (147 carries, 779 yards, 8 TDs), has departed for the NFL. Jaylen Jenkins returns after rushing 96 times for 554 yards and three touchdowns. Jerrell Wimbley is also back. He ran for 330 yards and three touchdowns on 60 carries. Wimbley has had productive seasons earlier in his career, including more than 600 yards in 2022 and more than 700 yards in 2023.
The returning experience continues on the offensive line.
Four starters are back. Robert Keller (6-7, 310 lbs) returns after leading the offense with more than 740 snaps. Darren Wiancko (6-2, 300 lbs) played more than 660 snaps, Jake Henry (6-3, 290 lbs) added more than 650, and Erik Gray (6-1, 280 lbs) played more than 500.
A new name to keep an eye on is running back Richard Reese, a transfer from Baylor. Reese was a 2022 Freshman All-American and the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year after rushing for 972 yards and 14 touchdowns. He started eight games in 2023, rushing 66 times for 306 yards and two TDs. Last year, Reese started two games for the Bears and had 58 carries for 241 yards and one TD.
Defensive Outlook
The Lumberjacks ranked No. 9 in FCS scoring defense last year, allowing 17.8 points per game. They lose their top three tacklers, but return seven of their top 13 tacklers. In snaps, SFA returns 10 of the 17 defenders who played 285 or more snaps in 2024.
Two preseason All-Americans lead the unit. Edward Bobino III (6-2, 340 lbs) sets the tone up front and is a three-time All-Conference performer. He has 135 career tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks. Last season, he totaled 42 tackles and six TFLs. Charles Demmings is a pro prospect at cornerback. He is coming off an All-Conference season where he recorded 19 tackles, two interceptions, and 10 pass breakups.
Another returning 2024 All-Southland selection is outside linebacker Aaron Austin. He is the top returning tackler for SFA after finishing No. 4 on last year’s squad, totaling 50 tackles, nine TFLs, 2.5 sacks, and 11 quarterback hurries. Austin also finished No. 3 in defensive snaps played, logging more than 580.
Also back at linebacker is Jaydon Southard, who finished No. 7 on the team with 47 tackles in 340+ snaps. Cornerback Michael Patterson III added another 340+ snaps and had 19 tackles. Tyler Hutcherson, another corner, logged about 315 snaps and recorded 18 stops and two pass breakups.
Along with Bobino, the defensive line returns four more players who played between 285 to 405 snaps: Xavier Potts (6-0, 315 lbs) had 34 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks. Ky Thomas (6-3, 250 lbs) notched 26 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, three sacks, and eight quarterback hurries. Victor Idusuyi (6-1, 325 lbs) added 24 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, and two sacks. And Elijah Fields (5-11, 270 lbs) tallied 22 stops, four TFLs, and 2.5 sacks.
Defensive back Aaron Sears provides returning experience as well. He missed most of last year, but in 2023, Sears had 55 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and three pass breakups, earning FCS Freshman All-American honors.
2025 Preseason Preview Central
SFA Football Schedule
8/28 at Houston
9/6 at No. 24 Abilene Christian
9/13 vs Sul Ross State
9/20 vs Cal Poly
9/27 vs McNeese
10/4 at No. 5 UIW
10/18 vs Nicholls
10/25 at East Texas A&M
11/1 vs UT Rio Grande Valley
11/8 at Houston Christian
11/15 vs Lamar
11/20 at Northwestern State
Bold indicates Southland games
HERO Sports’ rankings
