Areas that should improve for 2026

[GoldstoneCat]

In 2025 we were building for 2026 but got all caught up in winning a championship. Dammit!!

It’s going to take a massive onslaught of injuries to derail this 2026 team.

This team isn’t resting on their laurels. I think they’re super-motivated to win again or they wouldn’t have so many returning.

I also think they have something to prove after playing so substandard in the championship game.

This sounds hyperbolic but you're 100% correct. Last year was the build for 2026. This feels like south Dakota state after they won their first one. A favorite, even against the field.

SDSUs second championship team was one of the best teams in FCS history. I’d put that team up there with the best NDSU teams.

Another thing I like about next year’s team is that they won’t have the 1984 thing hanging over their heads. With it being 41 years only exacerbated things for them. Add in losing the year before and that’s a lot of pressure. I doubt any team at MSU (or anywhere) has had to handle anything like that.

For sure. That team was loaded. I don't know that our team next year is nearly at that level of talent, but there are parallels. Potential all Americans in every position group on offense. Veteran O-line. The core of the defense back. I think we're going to be very good to great all the way up the center of the defense, like they were. Solid, veteran special teams. Our question is on the edge of the defense up front and on the back end. If we have answers to those, this team could approach that level of dominance.

[TomCat88]

TE's... and Cats already use them more than most FCS teams do but Rocky has the skill set to be something special. You couple him with Schlepp and Valcin who I think is also going to be very good and they are potent. Lencioni had 6 TDs but I think most if not all were that pop pass sweep play. More of a rushing TD than passing but he really started to show something down the field at the end of the season. I really think we can put opposing defenses in uncomfortable positions using 22 personal with Lencioni or Valcin lined up as a RB. Cats will be able to have serious passing threats with what is usually a running formation.

I remember 1 pop pass TD for Lencioni, Cat Griz. The rest were pass plays in my mind, unless I totally missed the other pop passes?

Watching Bobcat football highlights is fun, so I went back and checked all six of Lencioni's TDs. Three of them were on that "sweep" pass play where he comes across the formation and takes a short pass from Lamson behind the line of scrimmage. The first was against NAU, then the first score of the game against UNC, and finally the Cat/Griz playoff game when MSU went up 27-23.

The more you know.

While he scored a bunch of TDs I don't think that's the best part of his game. He's a really good blocker - improved a lot of the season - and he can get open in a traditional TE sense. His catch vs the Griz in the semis that led to the 41-23 lead was big time.

[Prodigal Cat]

TE's... and Cats already use them more than most FCS teams do but Rocky has the skill set to be something special. You couple him with Schlepp and Valcin who I think is also going to be very good and they are potent. Lencioni had 6 TDs but I think most if not all were that pop pass sweep play. More of a rushing TD than passing but he really started to show something down the field at the end of the season. I really think we can put opposing defenses in uncomfortable positions using 22 personal with Lencioni or Valcin lined up as a RB. Cats will be able to have serious passing threats with what is usually a running formation.

I remember 1 pop pass TD for Lencioni, Cat Griz. The rest were pass plays in my mind, unless I totally missed the other pop passes?

Watching Bobcat football highlights is fun, so I went back and checked all six of Lencioni's TDs. Three of them were on that "sweep" pass play where he comes across the formation and takes a short pass from Lamson behind the line of scrimmage. The first was against NAU, then the first score of the game against UNC, and finally the Cat/Griz playoff game when MSU went up 27-23.

Rocky’s second TD in the Idaho State game was the same play but they gave a RPO look with Jones this time. Justin pulled it and threw it to Lencioni who was open in the flat after the sweep motion. So I guess 4 of the 6 came off of the same play.

I had forgotten that first TD for Rocky in that game. From the stands I thought Lamson had completely over thrown the pass. Didn’t see Rocky dragging across the back.

[technoCat]

My big question for next year is if we can find someone to take Brott's place. Sure, we have guys with reps and some up and comers, but can anyone just take over games like Paul would do.

[TomCat88]

My big question for next year is if we can find someone to take Brott's place. Sure, we have guys with reps and some up and comers, but can anyone just take over games like Paul would do.

I wholeheartedly believe that Marsh can replace Brott. They aren't the exact same player, but Marsh is very gifted. He's got an incredibly strong lower body. Another year in the weight room and with Herrin is going to be big for him. I think you'll see a lot of growth at DT, and I think MSU might be just as good with its 4-man rotation there.

[BelligerentBobcat]

My big question for next year is if we can find someone to take Brott's place. Sure, we have guys with reps and some up and comers, but can anyone just take over games like Paul would do.

I wholeheartedly believe that Marsh can replace Brott. They aren't the exact same player, but Marsh is very gifted. He's got an incredibly strong lower body. Another year in the weight room and with Herrin is going to be big for him. I think you'll see a lot of growth at DT, and I think MSU might be just as good with its 4-man rotation there.

I thought Talon did much better in pass situations than run situations last season. Had a tendency to get washed out I thought. I love the DT's we have coming back, but I think replacing Eckert and Brott is a definite concern. Excited to see how Asuega does with his first college offseason under his belt.

[catatac]

My big question for next year is if we can find someone to take Brott's place. Sure, we have guys with reps and some up and comers, but can anyone just take over games like Paul would do.

I wholeheartedly believe that Marsh can replace Brott. They aren't the exact same player, but Marsh is very gifted. He's got an incredibly strong lower body. Another year in the weight room and with Herrin is going to be big for him. I think you'll see a lot of growth at DT, and I think MSU might be just as good with its 4-man rotation there.

I thought Talon did much better in pass situations than run situations last season. Had a tendency to get washed out I thought. I love the DT's we have coming back, but I think replacing Eckert and Brott is a definite concern. Excited to see how Asuega does with his first college offseason under his belt.

Yep, slight concern here with that position group, and CB... but as others have stated, I think those are the only two position groups where it's even a possibility we take a step back. I also remember last year with the crazy talent we lost off the secondary - and got better. Same thing happened a few years ago with the OL. I have faith in Vigen and co to be as good or better in every single position group... we'll see.

One other factor here is think about all the extra practices, development, game reps our entire roster got through that run. That's one of the huge benefits of making it all the way, and it may very well have been the reason (Making it all the way in 2024) we had enough gas in the tank to win it all this year.

[iaafan]

My big question for next year is if we can find someone to take Brott's place. Sure, we have guys with reps and some up and comers, but can anyone just take over games like Paul would do.

I wholeheartedly believe that Marsh can replace Brott. They aren't the exact same player, but Marsh is very gifted. He's got an incredibly strong lower body. Another year in the weight room and with Herrin is going to be big for him. I think you'll see a lot of growth at DT, and I think MSU might be just as good with its 4-man rotation there.

I thought Talon did much better in pass situations than run situations last season. Had a tendency to get washed out I thought. I love the DT's we have coming back, but I think replacing Eckert and Brott is a definite concern. Excited to see how Asuega does with his first college offseason under his belt.

Everyone is going to be blown away by Asuega.
The rotation will be at least as good. Asuega is going to be great. He has the potential to be the best DT MSU has ever had.

Marsh is going to kill it next year. He’s an incredibly athletic guy for his size.

[TomCat88]

My big question for next year is if we can find someone to take Brott's place. Sure, we have guys with reps and some up and comers, but can anyone just take over games like Paul would do.

I wholeheartedly believe that Marsh can replace Brott. They aren't the exact same player, but Marsh is very gifted. He's got an incredibly strong lower body. Another year in the weight room and with Herrin is going to be big for him. I think you'll see a lot of growth at DT, and I think MSU might be just as good with its 4-man rotation there.

I thought Talon did much better in pass situations than run situations last season. Had a tendency to get washed out I thought. I love the DT's we have coming back, but I think replacing Eckert and Brott is a definite concern. Excited to see how Asuega does with his first college offseason under his belt.

Everyone is going to be blown away by Asuega.
The rotation will be at least as good. Asuega is going to be great. He has the potential to be the best DT MSU has ever had.

Marsh is going to kill it next year. He’s an incredibly athletic guy for his size.

Asuega is my No. 1 pick to be a breakout player next season. Seth Brock is up there. Offensively, I think Thornton will be a dude and Reed is very intriguing and a player I've heard the coaches are thinking could breakthrough.

[blueandgoldblitz]

Anyone know how Drake Schneider or AJ Tanupo looked this year? I was really impressed with their tape when they committed/signed.

[Counter Assault]

False starts by the o-line should get better. For one, a key culprit is graduating. And two, it seems impossible it could be any worse!

[AFCAT]

Anyone know how Drake Schneider or AJ Tanupo looked this year? I was really impressed with their tape when they committed/signed.

Drake Schneider looked great but he graduated quite a few years ago and was a track star. Graysen Schneider red shirted this past year.

[blueandgoldblitz]

Anyone know how Drake Schneider or AJ Tanupo looked this year? I was really impressed with their tape when they committed/signed.

Drake Schneider looked great but he graduated quite a few years ago and was a track star. Graysen Schneider red shirted this past year.

Haha I should have known better!

[technoCat]

Anyone know how Drake Schneider or AJ Tanupo looked this year? I was really impressed with their tape when they committed/signed.

Drake Schneider looked great but he graduated quite a few years ago and was a track star. Graysen Schneider red shirted this past year.

Thank you! I knew that name wasn't right but sounded familiar!

[imacat]

We had new offensive and defensive coordinators last season. I think both did a good job but I think one year of experience will lead to tweaks that result in improvement.

[Catsrgrood]

We had new offensive and defensive coordinators last season. I think both did a good job but I think one year of experience will lead to tweaks that result in improvement.

This could be an underrated thing. Specifically on offense you could tell early in the season there was a lot of figuring things out going on.
New OC, new QB, reshuffled O line. They all found their groove as the season went on obviously, but they should be a couple steps ahead this year going into week 1 vs this last season.

[VimSince03]

Anyone know how Drake Schneider or AJ Tanupo looked this year? I was really impressed with their tape when they committed/signed.

Drake Schneider looked great but he graduated quite a few years ago and was a track star. Graysen Schneider red shirted this past year.

Thank you! I knew that name wasn't right but sounded familiar!

Josiah Asuego has been ahead of them. He and Schneider were true freshman last year while Tanupo will be going into his 3rd year next fall. AJ and Hudson Weins need to take a step or they'll continue to be passed by younger players. Not a bad problem to have. The Top 4 DTs heading into Spring are Black, Marsh, Sharbono, and Asuego.

[MrGoodKat]

Here's my comprehensive two cents:

Should Improve:

-Quarterback: Lamson came into this season with very minimal playing time in college and you could see the improvement as the season went along. There's the possibility that he has more unrealized potential, but at a minimum the Cats won't have the early season learning curve.

-Wide Receiver: The top three WR's in terms of receptions are all coming back and two of them, Steel and Woods, were freshmen in 2025 who consistently flashed big time ability.

-Tight End: This spot takes a blow from the loss of Provience, but Lencioni looked like a pro-level talent as the primary pass catcher and he was only a freshman. Schlepp is more than capable of being the TE2, while Valcin was another promising freshman in the HB/FB role. On top of that, Carter Curnow was a big time recruit who redshirted in 2025.

-Offensive Line: The Cats return three starters and, in my opinion, their two best OL in Fleischmann and Zimmer. They have two slots to fill and tons of talent in the pipeline with which to do so: Thornton, Carr, Rollins, Kaplan, Nilson, Ezekiel, Nyland, Noble, Luhmann, Wirkus, Winters... if people don't trust the pipeline at OL by now, I don't know what to tell them.

-Linebacker: There are four starting level players coming back in Taylor, Daily, Grebe, and Ahrens. By the end of the season, Taylor looked like the best linebacker in the conference. Ahrens was playing as a true freshman. Daily and Grebe were both playing through injuries and should be healthier. The group is going to be ferocious in 2026.

-Safety/NB: The Cats are super deep in the secondary once you get away from the outside corner position. Dowler, Uluilakepa, Gray, Dolan, Meredith, Petre, Ross, Thomas, Dethman and more are all either currently startable or strike me as starting level talent.

Could Regress:

-Running Back: Adam Jones was good all season and stellar over the back half, but they have a 170 Julius Davis rush attempts to replace and running backs of his quality don't grow on trees. Someone could definitely step up and play on that level, but I think it's more realistic to project a step back at that spot.

-Defensive Line: I am bullish on the talent that's coming back, but any time you lose all four starters on the DL, it's fair to wonder if the group will take a collective step back. I'm more concerned at DE than DT. On the inside, I think that Marsh, Black, Sharbono, Asuega, and Wiens will all be ready to play well. At end, I love the trio of Crews, Solano, and Brock, but the depth behind them is unknown to me.

-Cornerback: Again, I like the talent that will be back, but when you lose your top three at one position, it's fair to wonder whether the group will be as good. I'm grateful Carr is back as a steadying presence and I expect big things out of Boyd. Otherwise, it's an unknown: is Marcus Coleman going to be ready? Could Tayden Gray or Tim Thomas play outside? We shall see.

Now if they decide to strategically employ the portal at some of these spots, I could easily see any of the concerns express above being irrelevant.

And remember, Lamson's transfer was announced in March, Davis' in May, Long's in May... it's has not been unusual for the Cats to find impact transfers late in the off-season.

[BelligerentBobcat]

Regarding the late transfers last year, I don't believe that there is a spring transfer period any longer, and Lamson was only able to transfer because the coach at Bowling Green left.

[AFCAT]

Regarding the late transfers last year, I don't believe that there is a spring transfer period any longer, and Lamson was only able to transfer because the coach at Bowling Green left.

I’ll bet Lamson is irked he missed out on Bowling Greens 4-8 season and had to settle for an FCS National Championship.