Southern Illinois ranks No. 16 in HERO Sports’ FCS Preseason Top 25.
The Salukis finished 4-8 last year, missing the FCS playoffs.
Here’s a look at the 2025 SIU football squad.
Returning 2024 FCS All-Conference Players (2)
1st Team
S Matthew McClelland (transfer from Morehead State)
Honorable Mention
DT Noah Friedt (transfer from St. Thomas)
D1 Transfer Portal Movement
Transfers Coming In From The FCS (9)
Ethan Goodin (OL), Austin Peay
Fabian McCray (WR), Jackson State
Antonio Ross Jr. (OL), Jackson State
Donnie Wingate (DE), Lindenwood
Matthew McClelland (DB), Morehead State
Bernadin Fleurima Jr. (DT), Robert Morris
Noah Friedt (DL), St. Thomas
Jackson Parker (WR), UAlbany
Jagger Williams (DB), Utah Tech
Transfers Coming In From The FBS (9)
Jacob Katauskas (OL), Coastal Carolina
Blayne Sisson (DB), Illinois
Charlie Whelpley (LB), Iowa State
Ryan Algrim (LS), Minnesota
Dashaun Gibson (DB), Northern Illinois
Kyle Thomas (WR), Northern Illinois
Joshua Tillman (DB), Northern Illinois
Ty Walls (WR), Oklahoma State
Naz Hill (DB), Wyoming
Transfers Lost To The FCS (1)
Patrick Kendall III (DT) to Prairie View A&M
Transfers Lost To The FBS (6)
Allen Middleton (WR) to Bowling Green
Jamir Conn (DB) to Nebraska
Keontez Lewis (WR) to Oklahoma
Jerrian Parker (RB) to Sam Houston
Ben Bogle (LB) to West Virginia
Desman Hearns (DB) to Wyoming
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Offensive Outlook
Offensively, the Salukis return six starters from last year’s squad.
Quarterback DJ Williams had a strong start last season after transferring from Murray State, where he was the 2021 Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year. He started the first three games for SIU before an injury to his throwing hand ended his season. Williams finished 46/72 passing in those three games for 571 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions, plus 242 rushing yards and four scores. Against UIW in a ranked matchup, he threw for 301 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 79 yards and another score.
Williams eyes a healthy 2025 season, as does the SIU team as a whole, which battled through a multitude of injuries last year after being preseason ranked No. 10.
Another big returner is wide receiver Vinson Davis III. He has had a productive career dating back to 2022 when he led Charleston Southern with 56 catches for 425 yards and four touchdowns, earning a spot on the All-Big South Conference Second Team. In 2023 at SIU, he was named All-MVFC Honorable Mention, leading SIU with 54 catches for 659 yards and three scores. Last fall, Davis finished with 38 catches for 382 yards. He entered the transfer portal this offseason before returning to SIU.
Tight end Aidan Quinn is back after being limited to four games last year due to injury. Quinn was a reliable target in 2023, catching at least one pass in 11 games and totaling 27 receptions for 348 yards and three touchdowns.
Jackson State transfer WR Fabian McCray looks to make an impact. He played in just three games last year due to injury, but in 2023 he had 41 catches for 584 yards and four TDs at JSU. Jackson Parker is another experienced FCS transfer wide receiver. In 35 games at UAlbany, he tallied 94 career catches for 1,224 yards and five TDs.
SIU struggled to get its run game going last fall. No player rushed for over 300 yards. Lashaun Lester is back after rushing for 210 yards and a touchdown on 61 carries in 2024. Two seasons ago, he rushed 63 times for 350 yards and four TDs. Edward Robinson is also back. He redshirted last fall after transferring from Duquesne, where he was a 2023 All-NEC selection with 662 yards rushing and eight TDs as a freshman.
On the o-line, Cameron Dye (6’4″ 310 lbs) and Noah Fenske (6’6″ 310 lbs) return after both logging around 600 snaps last season. Derek Harden Jr. (6’3″ 330 lbs) brings back solid experience as well. He was limited to two games last year, but saw 12 starts in 2023 and five starts as a redshirt freshman in 2022.
Defensive Outlook
The Salukis return five starters on defense from last year’s team, including eight of its 19 players who logged at least 250 snaps. SIU also returns its standout linebacker, who missed most of last season, while adding two FCS All-Conference defenders.
SIU will boast a strong group of linebackers in 2025.
Shug Walker and Chris Presto return after finishing No. 4 and 5 on last year’s team in tackles. Walker, who led the 2023 Murray State team in tackles with 78, totaled 76 stops last season, including 4.5 TFLs, three sacks, and four pass breakups. Presto added 66 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, two sacks, and three pass breakups. Colin Bohanek is also back as a top FCS linebacker. Bohanek played in only two games last year before a season-ending injury. In 2023, he transferred to SIU from Eastern Illinois and was named to the MVFC All-Newcomer Team, totaling 62 tackles and 6.5 TFLs. In 2022 at EIU, he was named Second Team All-OVC with 73 tackles and seven TFLs.
Presto recorded more than 630 snaps, and Walker played nearly 550.
Sebastian Vargas Escobar and Jeremiah McClendon bring back experience at cornerback. Vargas played nearly 400 snaps last year with four starts, notching 23 tackles and three pass breakups. McClendon played nearly 300 snaps and logged four starts, tallying 25 tackles, an interception, and a pass breakup.
SIU’s defensive line returns four players who logged between 250 and 350 snaps in 2024.
Peyton Reeves (6’2″ 305 lbs) had 23 tackles in 11 games and five starts. Amir Dwight (6’1″ 272 lbs) totaled 13 tackles in 12 games. Caden Reeves (6’3″ 285 lbs) had 18 tackles and a sack in 11 games and five starts. Jake Parrella (6’2″ 255 lbs) tallied 14 stops in 11 games.
Two FCS transfers come in with All-Pioneer Football League accolades.
Safety Matthew McClelland was a 2024 All-PFL First Team selection at Morehead State, racking up 109 tackles, four pass breakups, and four interceptions. Defensive lineman Noah Friedt (6’2″ 280 lbs) was a 2024 All-PFL Honorable Mention at St. Thomas, totaling 35 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, and 5.5 sacks last fall.
A few more FCS transfers bring valuable playing experience.
Defensive end Donnie Wingate (6’3″ 250 lbs) brings nice experience from Lindenwood, where he had 53 career tackles, including 14 TFLs, 7.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. DL Bernadin Fleurima Jr. (6’0″ 292 lbs) brings in 855 career snaps at Robert Morris. Jagger Williams is a defensive back coming in from Utah Tech, where he had 103 career tackles, two interceptions, and six passes defended.
2025 Preseason Preview Central
Southern Illinois Football Schedule
8/30 vs Thomas More
9/6 at Purdue
9/13 at RV UT Martin
9/20 at SEMO
10/4 vs Indiana State
10/11 at No. 1 North Dakota State
10/18 vs RV North Dakota
10/25 vs Northern Iowa
11/1 at Murray State
11/8 at Youngstown State
11/15 vs No. 4 South Dakota
11/22 at No. 7 Illinois State
Bold indicates MVFC games
HERO Sports’ rankings
RV = Received Votes
