Sun Belt Football 2025 Predictions

Sun Belt Championship: James Madison over Texas State

East Division

1. James Madison

After a solid 9-4 debut last season, coach Bob Chesney has his sights set on leading James Madison to its first appearance in the Sun Belt Championship in ‘25. The Dukes just missed a trip to the title game last year after losing two Sun Belt games by one score. However, Chesney’s team picked up a massive upset at North Carolina on Sept. 21 and finished the season by beating Western Kentucky in a bowl.

Although there’s some uncertainty surrounding the offense, the outlook for this group is promising. Last season’s starting quarterback Alonza Barnett III suffered a knee injury against Marshall on Nov. 30, leaving his status unknown for ‘25. A pair of transfers in Matthew Sluka (UNLV) and Camden Coleman (Richmond) give Chesney two capable options if Barnett is sidelined for the entire campaign. A rebuilt offensive line looms as JMU’s biggest concern. However, the backfield is stocked with the one-two punch of George Pettaway and Ayo Adeyi. The Dukes must replace their top four statistical receiving options from last year.

A defense that held teams to 20.5 points a game last season has question marks at every level. But Chesney has a solid foundation in place to ease the transition, with Immanuel Bush anchoring the line, senior Trent Hendrick taking charge at the second level, and safety Jacob Thomas returning on the back end. Expect Maine transfer Xavier Holmes to be an impact addition in the trenches. 

2. Georgia Southern

The Eagles are coming off their best season under coach Clay Helton with an 8-5 mark and 6-2 record in Sun Belt play. Even though Helton’s squad has a few holes to fill and faces a tough road slate in league action, Georgia Southern should contend for the Sun Belt title.

An offense that averaged 28 points a contest last year should be the strength of the squad once again. Quarterback JC French is back after throwing for 2,831 yards and 17 touchdowns last year. Also, a strong foundation returns in the trenches to form one of the Sun Belt’s top lines, with Dalen Cobb and Josh Dallas returning to give French a pair of standout weapons on the outside. Running back Jalen White (744 yards) will be missed.

Georgia Southern has room to improve on defense after finishing No. 115 nationally in success rate last year. Five starters are back, including cornerback Chance Gamble and defensive lineman Latrell Bullard. Linebacker Marques Watson-Trent’s transfer to Nebraska was a big loss for this unit. Expect Appalachian State transfer Brendan Harrington to help fill the void at the second level. 

3. Old Dominion

If a sleeper team emerges to win the Sun Belt in 2025, don’t be surprised if it’s Old Dominion. The Monarchs have yet to post a winning record in four years under coach Ricky Rahne, but six of the team’s seven losses were by one score last season. With improvement on both sides of the ball, going from 5-7 to a winning mark and contention for the East Division title is within reach.

Quarterback Colton Joseph is one of the biggest reasons for optimism in Norfolk. As a freshman in ‘24, Joseph averaged 252.7 total yards a game and scored 22 overall times. His emergence was a big reason why the Monarchs averaged 6.6 yards a snap (No. 2 in the Sun Belt) in conference-only matchups. In order for this offense to reach its potential, Rahne needs to find a go-to running back (or two) and restock a receiving corps losing virtually nearly every major contributor from ‘24.

The return of linebacker Jason Henderson from a knee injury and redshirt year is a huge boost to a defense that allowed 28 points a game last year. Henderson, Koa Naotola, Mario Thompson, and Jahleel Culbreath form the Sun Belt’s top linebacker unit. Senior Kris Trinidad is back to anchor the front. Power conference transfers in Botros Alisandro (Purdue) and Nickendre Stiger (Kansas State) will be counted upon to bolster a struggling secondary.

4. Coastal Carolina

After an 8-5 debut in 2023, Coastal Carolina took a step back in coach Tim Beck’s second season with a 6-7 record. Beck reset the roster through a significant overhaul and hired two new coordinators in hopes of getting the Chanticleers back into contention for a Sun Belt East Division title.

New play-caller Drew Hollingshead has roots in the Air Raid attack, and with seven starters back, improvement on last year’s scoring average (26.4 in Sun Belt play) is within reach. Four players - Tad Hudson, MJ Morris (Maryland transfer), Samurai Collier, and Emmett Brown (SJSU transfer) are vying to start under center. Regardless of which quarterback takes the bulk of the snaps, the supporting cast is in good shape with receiver Jameson Tucker (34 catches for 579 yards) anchoring the outside. Four starters also return up front. UMass transfer Jalen John could lead the way in the backfield.

New coordinator Jeremiah Johnson guided Louisiana Tech’s defense to marked improvement in his only season in Ruston and hopes are high for a similar impact for Coastal Carolina in ‘25. The Chanticleers bring back only three starters off a unit that ranked No. 84 nationally in success rate and struggled mightily to stop the run.

5. Appalachian State

A new era begins at Appalachian State in 2025, as former NFL assistant and South Carolina offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains takes over following coach Shawn Clark’s dismissal at the end of last year. The Mountaineers won nine games in ‘23 but posted their first losing record (5-6) last season since moving to the FBS level in ‘14.

Loggains will have his work cut out right away, as Appalachian State returns only one starter on offense. However, the new staff landed a handful of promising transfers, including quarterbacks JJ Kohl (Iowa State) and AJ Swann (LSU) and running back Rashod Dubinion (Arkansas). Receiver Dalton Stroman returns to give Swann or Kohl a go-to target on the outside. An offensive line navigating major turnover is the team’s biggest question mark.

Appalachian State’s usually rock-solid defense regressed last season. This unit surrendered 33.4 points in Sun Belt play and struggled to stop the run (No. 131 in success rate). Safeties DJ Burks and Jordan Favors provide a solid foundation for new coordinator DJ Smith in the secondary, with Thomas Davis, Kyle Arnholt, and Missouri transfer Brayshawn Littlejohn forming an intriguing second level. If the line improves, this unit could take a big step forward under Smith’s tutelage. 

6. Georgia State

The Panthers went 3-9 in coach Dell McGee’s debut last season, but optimism is high entering 2025. McGee landed the Sun Belt’s No. 1 recruiting class (per 247Sports) and continued to overhaul the roster with one of the conference’s top transfer hauls. Getting to a bowl this fall might be too much to ask. However, a strong foundation is in place for this program with McGee in charge.

New offensive play-caller (and longtime NFL coach) Hue Jackson is tasked with jumpstarting a unit that ranked 12th in the Sun Belt in scoring and ninth in yards per play last season. Receiver Ted Hurst (56 catches for 961 yards) briefly entered the portal in the spring but opted for a return to Georgia State as one of the top playmakers at the Group of 5 level. The backfield is stocked with intriguing transfers, including Branson Robinson (Georgia), Djay Braswell (South Carolina), Jordon Simmons (Ole Miss), and Rashad Amos (Memphis/Miami, Ohio). The line is navigating significant turnover, while the quarterback battle between Christian Veilleux, Cameran Brown (Texas Tech transfer), and PJ Hatter (Texas State transfer) will continue into the fall.

Georgia State’s defense has plenty of room to improve under new coordinator Travis Pearson. This unit allowed 35.5 points in Sun Belt play last season and suffered a couple of portal losses in the spring that thinned out the returning starter total to just two for ‘25. Linemen Henry Bryant and Fuches Lewis II are back to lead the way up front, while the secondary can lean on returning safety D-Icey Hopkins and transfers in Jordan Huff (East Carolina), Bernard Causey (LSU), and Tyler Scott (Auburn) to restock after spring losses. 

7. Marshall

Massive change is the biggest storyline for Marshall in 2025. The Thundering Herd are the defending Sun Belt champions, but there’s a new coach (Tony Gibson) and a roster that features over 60 new players. In ESPN’s returning production metric, Marshall ranks last (No. 136 overall).

New offensive coordinator Rod Smith (previously at Jacksonville State) inherits just two returning starters (tight end Toby Payne and offensive lineman Jalen Slappy), with a quarterback battle between Zion Turner (Jacksonville State transfer) and Carlos Del Rio-Wilson (Syracuse transfer) continuing into the fall. New faces at running back (Jo’shon Barbie from McNeese State and Michael Allen from NC State) and at receiver (Antonio Harmon from Mississippi State, Jakolbe Baldwin from NC State, and Zavier Short from Appalachian State) must emerge at the skill spots.

Gibson’s background on defense should help Marshall minimize the transition period for a unit returning only one starter and was decimated by departures, including standouts in end Mike Green, defensive back Josh Moten, and linebacker Jaden Yates. Similar to the offense, expect new faces from the portal to make an impact right away at all three levels. Safety Jadarius Green-McKnight is the unit’s top returning player.

West Division

1. Texas State

It’s a close call between the top five teams in the Sun Belt West Division for the No. 1 spot in ‘25. And with all of the contenders dealing with a good bit of turnover from last year, this is one of the toughest preseason picks at the FBS level. Under coach GJ Kinne’s watch, the Bobcats have posted back-to-back 8-5 campaigns and 9-7 in Sun Belt play over the last two years. If Texas State is going to make its first appearance in the league championship, a heavy portal class needs to deliver.

Despite the loss of coordinator Mack Leftwich, quarterback Jordan McCloud, running back Ismail Mahdi, and the team’s top three receivers from ‘24, Kinne should keep the offense firing on all cylinders. Redshirt freshman Brad Jackson has the inside track to replace McCloud, but a trio of transfers in Nate Yarnell (Pitt), Holden Geriner (Auburn), and Keldric Luster (SMU) will get another chance in the fall. The cupboard isn’t bare at the skill spots. Lincoln Pare (554 yards) steps into the No. 1 role, with Beau Sparks and Chris Dawn (63 combined receptions in '24) headlining the next wave of options at receiver.

Similar to the offense, Texas State lost a ton of talent on defense. However, optimism is high for this unit to not slip too far on the stat sheet. Edge rusher Kalil Alexander (11 TFL in ‘24) is back after a disruptive breakout season, while promising sophomore Jo'Laison Landry returns to anchor the other side of the line. The Bobcats are counting on help from the portal to solidify all three levels this fall.

2. Louisiana

After back-to-back 6-7 seasons, coach Michael Desormeaux guided Louisiana to a breakout campaign in ‘24. The Ragin’ Cajuns went 10-4 overall, claimed the Sun Belt West Division title, and earned a trip to the New Mexico Bowl. Desormeaux has this program on solid footing but only seven starters are back in ‘25.

For Louisiana to return to the Sun Belt title game, it’s likely to rest on a breakout year from transfer quarterback Walker Howard. The former LSU and Ole Miss signal-caller ranked as one of the top prospects in the ‘22 signing class and is primed to deliver on his potential with the Ragin’ Cajuns. He will have to navigate significant turnover at receiver and just two starters back up front. However, the ground game will remain strong behind the one-two punch of Bill Davis and Zylan Perry.

After ranking as one of the Sun Belt’s top defenses last season, the ‘25 campaign is likely to be a transition year for this unit. Coordinator Jim Salgado’s group returns only three starters and suffered significant losses at cornerback and linebacker. Lineman Jordan Lawson (5.5 sacks in ‘24) should be the focal point of the rebuilding effort. 

3. South Alabama

Major Applewhite posted a solid debut in 2024 by guiding South Alabama to a 7-6 mark, which included a bowl win over Western Michigan. But the Jaguars also had a bit of a missed opportunity. The program lost four games, including three Sun Belt games by one score.

South Alabama’s hopes of a West Division title suffered a setback in the spring when quarterback Gio Lopez opted to transfer to North Carolina. Although Lopez will be missed, Bishop Davenport played well in limited snaps (including a start in the bowl) and should be a solid starter in this offense. The junior won’t lack for skill talent, as running back Kentrel Bullock steps into the No. 1 role following Fluff Bothwell’s transfer to Mississippi State, and the receiving corps is headlined by Devin Voisin. Three starters provide a strong foundation up front.

With a defense in transition, the Jaguars likely need to lean on their offense to win early in ‘25. Coordinator Will Windham’s group brings back three starters and suffered significant attrition in the trenches and in the secondary. However, the outlook is significantly better on the second level. Linebackers Blayne Myrick and Darius McKenzie are both contenders for all-conference honors. 

4. Arkansas State

After a 5-19 start to his tenure, coach Butch Jones is 14-12 at Arkansas State over the last two seasons. Also, the Red Wolves are coming off their best year (8-5) under Jones and are 9-7 in conference action since ‘23. The overall trendline on this program is headed in the right direction. The schedule includes key swing games at home against Texas State, Louisiana, and Georgia Southern.

Contending for a spot in the conference title game is within reach for Jones’ squad. Quarterback Jaylen Raynor (243.8 yards a contest) is among the Sun Belt’s top returning offensive players. Joining Raynor is receiver Corey Rucker (1,053 yards in ‘24) and a solid stable of running backs, headlined by Ja’Quez Cross. Question marks remain up front with left tackle Noah Smith the lone returning starter.

The Red Wolves have plenty of room to improve on defense under new play-caller Griff McCarley. This unit allowed 31.5 points a game in Sun Belt snaps and ranked No. 133 nationally in success rate. End Bryan Whitehead is the only returner among the team’s top 15 tacklers last season. Jones and McCarley hit the portal hard for help, including end/linebacker Javante Mackey, who returned to Arkansas State after a season at Memphis.

5. Southern Miss

Southern Miss bottomed out with a 1-11 record last season. But the outlook for ‘25 and beyond has significantly improved with the hire of Charles Huff from Marshall as the program’s new coach. In four seasons with the Thundering Herd, Huff guided the team to a 32-20 mark and a Sun Belt title (2024).

Marked improvement on both sides of the ball is within reach for the Golden Eagles. Huff imported several players off Marshall’s roster to Hattiesburg, including quarterback Braylon Braxton (2,234 total yards last year). The senior should thrive under new play-caller Blake Anderson, while transfers in Matt Jones (Ole Miss) and Jeffery Pittman (Mississippi State) restock the backfield and at receiver with Elijah Metcalf and Chuck Montgomery (Marshall).

Huff’s work in the portal to bring former Marshall players to Southern Miss also translated to the defensive side. Defensive back Josh Moten is among the Sun Belt’s top returning defenders, with linemen Isaiah Gibson, J.J. Hawkins, and Jabari Ishmael joining from the portal to boost the trenches. After giving up 37.8 points a contest last season, the personnel is in place for the defense to take a major step forward.

6. Troy

First-year coach Gerad Parker had big shoes to fill in 2024. The Trojans went 23-5 with two Sun Belt titles from 2022-23 under former coach Jon Sumrall, and the roster was hit hard by departures. Growing pains were expected from a team in transition, but Troy rebounded late with three wins in its final four games to finish 4-8.

Does more experience translate into wins in 2025? Potentially. However, there are plenty of question marks for Parker to navigate. Offensively, Troy brings back four starters. Quarterback Goose Crowder missed most of ‘24 due to injury but returns as the frontrunner to take the first snap. Losing running back Damien Taylor (Ole Miss) and receiver Devonte Ross (Penn State) to the transfer portal was a setback. The news isn’t all bad for Parker though. Three starters are back up front to form one of the Sun Belt’s better offensive lines. Also, Georgia Tech transfer Trey Cooley should be an impact pickup from the portal at running back.

Improvement across the board on defense is needed to return to a bowl. The Trojans led the Sun Belt in rush defense (conference-only games) and brought back a solid foundation there to potentially match last year’s production. Safety Justin Powe and versatile senior Devin Lafayette headline the experienced options in a secondary that finished ‘24 ranked 10th in the Sun Belt in pass efficiency defense.

7. ULM

After a promising 5-1 start, ULM finished 2024 on a six-game losing streak in coach Bryant Vincent’s debut. Despite the late-season slide, the Warhawks clearly made progress under Bryant. Building on that improvement in ‘25 won’t be easy. However, ULM has enough pieces in place to push for a bowl this fall.

If the Warhawks are going to make a bowl in Vincent’s second year, getting more balance on offense is a must. Top running back Ahmad Hardy transferred to Missouri, but transfer Zach Palmer-Smith (Richmond) and true freshman D’Shaun Ford should keep the ground game performing at a high level. Quarterback Aidan Armenta is also back, but ULM ranked last in the Sun Belt in passing offense in ‘24.

ULM’s defense took a step forward under coordinator Earnest Hill last year by holding Sun Belt opponents to 28.3 points a game (down from 38.8 in ‘23). Lineman Kevontay Wells (11 TFL in ‘24) returns after briefly entering the transfer portal in the spring to anchor the front. The senior’s return provides optimism the Warhawks can stop the run better after giving up 200.1 yards a game last fall. Stopping the pass was a strength of Vincent’s ‘24 defense and this unit should be steady once again with cornerback David Godsey Jr. and safety Carl Fauntroy returning.