Early preseason rankings can be difficult due to the transfer portal and inconsistencies in who gets extra years of eligibility if they played at a lower level. But this offseason, no spring portal window made rosters more intact. And at the FCS level, roster retention was better than some casual fans may think, especially for some of the top teams.
As I look ahead to the 2026 season, I am fascinated by a strong group of Tier 2 teams. The top-heaviness of the subdivision won’t change this fall as Montana State has a loaded roster coming back from its national championship team, and there are only one or two legit challengers (it seems on paper) to MSU’s throne. So Tier 1 is small, as it has been in the FCS for the last 10 years. But Tier 2 is very interesting in 2026.
I consider Tier 2 as “teams that aren’t good enough to win a national title, but I think are good enough to be a quarterfinal-level team.”
Tier 2 goes about 12 teams deep for me in the preseason. Obviously, there isn’t room for that many teams in the quarterfinals. That math checks out. But it will make for a fun season as several teams should feel they can make a nice playoff run. And who knows. As one side of the bracket showed in 2025, parity can still be a thing in the FCS.
I’ll wait to do my full preseason Top 25 when media poll ballots are due in August. There are about 10 teams battling for the final five spots, so that’ll require more digging. For today, here’s my preseason Top 15.
FCS Preseason Top 15
1. Montana State
Montana State returns a bulk of its offensive production and all of its linebackers and safeties from last year’s national championship squad. Defensive line depth and cornerback are areas of uncertainty, but MSU still returns eight of its top 11 tacklers, led by safety Caden Dowler and linebacker Cole Taylor. The offense is littered with All-American talent, including QB Justin Lamson, RB Adam Jones, WR Taco Dowler, and offensive linemen Titan Fleischmann and Braden Zimmer. This looks like the most complete FCS team since the dominant 2023 SDSU squad.
2. Montana
A new era begins for the Grizzlies after head coach Bobby Hauck surprisingly stepped down. Bobby Kennedy takes over after previously coaching Montana’s wide receivers. The Griz have a mixed bag of marquee names returning, but also a lot of snaps to replace. All-American QB Keali’i Ah Yat, All-American RB Eli Gillman, and Freshman All-American WR Brooks Davis headline the offense, a unit that has to replace its entire starting o-line. All-Big Sky linebackers Peyton Wing and Solomon Tuliaupupu lead the defense, but it’s a unit that loses eight of its top 11 tacklers. The star power is there. Development and transfer portal hits will be needed to fill other holes.
3. South Dakota State
SDSU fell short of the semifinals for the first time in the 2020s last season. Depth was an issue for the Jackrabbits due to transfer portal losses after a head coaching change and due to injuries. Some of SDSU’s top players (QB Chase Mason, WR Lofton O’Groske, LB Chase Van Tol, DE Reis Kirschenman) missed significant time. All those players return along with most of SDSU’s offensive and defensive production, plus some expected impact transfers from sub-D1 programs. National title expectations remain in Brookings. Will it be a rebound year?
4. UC Davis
After back-to-back quarterfinal appearances, is UC Davis ready to make it a round further? The Aggies retained great talent, especially at the skilled position. Standout receivers Samuel Gbatu Jr. and Stacy Dobbins are back, as is productive tight end Winston Williams and 1,000-yard running back Jordan Fisher. Davis will need a new starting quarterback to step up, and the Aggies have shown they can reload at that spot. The defense has to improve to win games deeper in the bracket, though. All-Big Sky defenders Rex and Porter Connors headline that unit as the twin brothers earned an extra year of eligibility.
5. Illinois State
The Redbirds made a historic run to the national championship game as an unseeded team and dang near knocked off Montana State. They were the first team in FCS playoff history to win four straight road games. Is Illinois State here to stay as a title contender? Quarterback, d-line, and cornerback are question marks entering 2026. The Redbirds returned four OL with starting experience, standout RB Victor Dawson, two good receivers in Luke Mailander and Dylan Lord, and standout defenders like All-American LB Tye Niekamp, LB Dexter Niekamp, LB Mason Kaplan, and All-MVFC safety La’Shavion Brown.
6. Tarleton State
Tarleton State has been rising in the FCS ranks as a newer member. The Texans reached the 2024 second round in their first season as playoff-eligible. They then advanced to the quarterfinals last fall, losing a 26-21 heartbreaker to Villanova. Tarleton loses a standout senior class, including notable players at quarterback, d-line, and linebacker. Talent hasn’t been an issue for this program, though. Tylan Hines will lead the running back room. And wide receiver B.J. Fleming highlights an impressive transfer class, featuring several players with FCS experience.
7. Lehigh
Lehigh had a breakthrough year in 2025, earning the No. 5 playoff seed with an 11-1 record. The promising season fell flat in the second round, though, losing to eventual semifinalist Villanova 14-7. Defensive coordinator Richard Nagy was promoted to head coach this offseason after FCS Coach of the Year Kevin Cahill returned to Yale. Retention was still strong despite the coaching change. The Mountain Hawks return key players like QB Hayden Johnson, All-American RB Luke Yoder, TE Joseph Marranca, offensive linemen Aidan Palmer and Colby Reph, and safety Nick Peltekian.
8. Rhode Island
Rhode Island seems ready to take the next step. The Rams have finished 11-3 in the last two seasons, but have exited in the second round both times. The playoff committee hasn’t rewarded Rhody’s strong regular-season record with a Top 8 seed, and the CAA’s perception isn’t improving with two more blueblood programs moving out (Villanova, William & Mary). With that said, Rhody should be a good squad this season. The Rams have an All-American QB-WR duo in Devin Farrell and Marquis Buchanan. DL Case Mankins, safety Andre DePina-Gray, and LBs Moses Meus and Rohan Davy anchor the defense as All-CAA performers.
9. North Dakota
UND took a noticeable step forward in 2025 in Eric Schmidt’s first season as head coach. The Fighting Hawks now look to turn close losses against highly-ranked teams into wins this fall. They have the returning core to do so. UND brings back starting quarterback Jerry Kaminski, along with what could be one of the top offensive lines in the FCS. The defense returns seven players who logged at least 250 snaps, led by a standout defensive end duo in Kaden Vig and All-American Lance Rucker.
10. Villanova
Nova heads to the Patriot League after reaching the 2025 semifinals. The Wildcats have reached at least the quarterfinals three times since 2021. They’ll have a dynamite running back duo in Ja’briel Mace and Isaiah Ragland behind an offensive line that returns four players who logged more than 300 snaps last season. A big unknown as of this writing is whether QB Pat McQuaide will get another year of eligibility. Defensively, the Wildcats return seven of 15 players who logged at least 250 snaps last year.
11. Tennessee Tech
Tennessee Tech was an interesting squad last year. At 10-2 but no needle-moving wins, the playoff committee wasn’t convinced and gave the Golden Eagles the No. 13 seed. They then lost 31-6 to UND in the opening round, ending a breakout season with a dud (although it was a 10-6 ball game entering the fourth). TN Tech now moves to the SoCon from the OVC-Big South, a step up in competition. It loaded up on talent again via the transfer portal, adding FCS starters Zolten Osborne and Jax Leatherwood to the QB competition, joining Richie Munoz. Gabe Nunez and Ivan Hoyt join Tre’ Holloway for a talented WR room.
12. Youngstown State
Motivation is high for YSU this offseason. The last time the Penguins were on the field, they blew a 42-14 third-quarter lead and lost 43-42 to Yale at home in the first round. Despite that stunning loss, expectations are as high as they’ve been for a program with a rich history in this subdivision. A big reason why is the return of Walter Payton Award-winning quarterback Beau Brungard. He’ll have All-MVFC running back Jaden Gilbert by his side, plus a super-experienced offensive line, led by NFL Draft prospect Desmeal Leigh. The defense needs a big improvement, and YSU went out and hired Mercyhurst head coach Ryan Riemedio as its new DC.
RELATED: 2026 FCS Preseason Preview Central
13. South Dakota
Only one team has made the FCS quarterfinals in 2023, 2024, and 2025. And that’s South Dakota. The Coyotes have endured key player losses, yet have been able to reload in recent years. This fall will be the ultimate test of their ability to reload. USD has a new head coach for the second year in a row as Matt Vitzthum takes the reins. The Yotes also have to replace veteran QB Aidan Bouman, most of their starting OL, top two receivers, and six of their top 11 tacklers. Linebacker will be a strength, led by Gabriel Hardman and Wade Abrams. And running back should be loaded with 2024 All-American Charles Pierre Jr. and 2024 All-MVFC Keyondray Jones-Logan returning from injury. On paper, USD preseason ranked outside of the Top 10 seems fair. One could also argue the Yotes deserve more benefit on the doubt due to their consistency over the last few years.
14. Austin Peay
The Govs suffered a regular-season-finale overtime loss at No. 5 Tarleton State, finishing 7-5 and just missing the playoff bracket. They now seemed primed to reach the postseason this fall. The return of All-American quarterback Chris Parson is a large reason why, as he’s coming off an electric year. Parson has two great pass-catchers coming back in tight end Jackson Head and wide receiver Jaden Robinson. All-American Joshua Sales Jr. leads the offensive line. An improved defense will be key after allowing 27.3 points per game.
15. SFA
SFA delivered on preseason expectations by making a run to the 2025 quarterfinals. In 2026, the Lumberjacks need to replace the production of QB Sam Vidlak and 1,000-yard receiver Kylon Harris. WR Clayton Wayland and RB Jaylen Jenkins return after productive seasons. Plus, WR/return specialist Bugs Mortimer is electric with the ball in his hands. All-American Erik Gray anchors the o-line. There is a lot of production to replace defensively, but SFA made a splash transfer portal addition by adding UAB LB Eli Ennis, who was a 2024 FCS All-American at Nicholls.
Next group (alphabetical order): Abilene Christian, Idaho State, Mercer, Northern Arizona, Southeastern Louisiana, Southern Illinois, Yale
