Flying into the weekend ✈️#AxeEm x #EastTexasTough pic.twitter.com/WSyujKPr98

— Lumberjack Football (@SFA_Football) June 13, 2025

SFA Football 2025

Offensive returning starters: 9

Defensive returning starters: 4

Key losses on Offense

SLC 2nd Team OL: Nate Adams (Sr.) transferred to South Dakota State; OL: Jaymon Lamb (So.) transferred to North Texas; RB: Qualan Jones (Sr.) NFL

Key losses on Defense

LB: Josiah Cotton (Sr.) graduated; LB: Jermaine Brown (Sr.) graduated; CB: Trashwan Adams (Sr.) NFL; CB: Jaheim Mullins (Sr.) graduated; AP All-American & SLC 1st Team DB: Jeremiah Walker (Sr.) NFL; CB: Azariah Levells (Sr.) transferred to New Mexico; CB: Bruce Harmon (Sr.) NFL; LB: Tony Anywanu transferred to Rice (Sr.) LB: Luke Watson (Sr.) graduated

Key Returners on Offense

SLC Newcomer of the Year & Walter Payton Finalist QB: Sam Vidlak (Sr.) RB: Jaylen Jenkins (Jr.) RB: Jerrell Wimbley (Sr.) All-American & SLC 1st Team WR: Kylon Harris (Sr.) WR: Jordan Nabors (Jr.) WR: Blaine Green (Sr.) Freshman All-American WR: Clayton Wayland (So.) OL: Robert Keller (Sr.) OL: Darren Wiancko (Sr.) OL: Erik Gray (Jr.) OL: Jake Henry (Sr.)

Key Returners on Defense

SLC 2nd Team DL: Aaron Austin (Sr.) SLC 2nd Team DL: Edward Bobino III (Sr.) DL: Xavier Potts (Sr.) DB: Aaron Sears (Jr.) SLC 2nd Team DB: Charles Demmings (Sr.) LB: Jaydon Southard (Sr.)

Special Team Losses

All-American & SLC 1st Team PK: Chris Campos (Sr.) graduated; P: Callum Eddings (Sr.) graduated

Special Team Returners

LS: Tug Sanford (Jr.) PK: Jacob Hand (Jr.)

Transfer additions to the Offense

2022 Freshman All-American & Big 12 Freshman of the Year RB: Richard Reese (Sr.) (Baylor) RB: Dominique Johnson (Sr.) (TCU) WR: Devaughn Mortimer (Jr.) (Western Michigan) TE: Jerrale Powers (Jr.) (Florida State)

Transfer additions to the Defense

All-American & SIAC 1st Team LB: Malike Moore (Sr.) (Tuskegee) DB: Devion Hargrove (Sr.) (HCU) DB: TD Williams (Sr.) (UCA) DB: Ques McNeal (Jr.) (Southern Mississippi)

2024 Season in Review

In 2024 the SFA Lumberjacks finished the season at 7-5 overall and 4-3 in conference play, finished 3rd in the SLC. * All of SFA's conference loses were by 7 or less points.

Head Coach Colby Carthel 6 seasons at SFA (33-35)

2019: 3-9

2020: 6-4

2021: 8-4 (FCS Playoffs)

2022: 6-5 (WAC Conference Champions)

2023: 3-8

2024: 7-5

The Lumberjack Offense

1st in scoring (427 points; 35.6 points a game)

2nd in total offense (432 yards a game)

2nd in passing (272 yards a game)

4th in rushing (160 yards a game)

2nd in 1st down conversions (22.2)

2nd in redzone offense (93.5%)

The Lumberjack Defense

1st in scoring (214 points; 17.8 points against)

2nd in total defense (343 yards a game)

2nd in rushing defense (118 yards a game)

6th in passing defense (225 yards a game)

2nd in sacks (30.0)

2nd in interceptions (17)

3rd in forced fumbles (10)

2nd in fumble recoveries (11)

1st in redzone defense (67.6%)

Football coach and griddle master? What can't he do? 👨‍🍳#AxeEm x #EastTexasTough pic.twitter.com/pwhO1dsCK6

— Lumberjack Football (@SFA_Football) June 14, 2025

75 DAYS 😎#AxeEm x #EastTexasTough pic.twitter.com/ihpHV1VMHj

— Lumberjack Football (@SFA_Football) June 14, 2025

FYI.. Luke Watson and Tony Anywanu are not returning this fall. Anywanu transferred to Rice and Watson is not returning. He either graduated or retired from football. Southard is the only returning SFA LB with significant game time. Some of the transfers are getting looks. LB position appears to be the biggest question mark heading into the fall.

Laces Out Marino said:

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FYI.. Luke Watson and Tony Anywanu are not returning this fall. Anywanu transferred to Rice and Watson is not returning. He either graduated or retired from football. Southard is the only returning SFA LB with significant game time. Some of the transfers are getting looks. LB position appears to be the biggest question mark heading into the fall.

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Looks like Carthel recruited appropriately.

Thanks for the insights.

Watson is done with football.

Laces Out Marino said:

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FYI.. Luke Watson and Tony Anywanu are not returning this fall. Anywanu transferred to Rice and Watson is not returning. He either graduated or retired from football. Southard is the only returning SFA LB with significant game time. Some of the transfers are getting looks. LB position appears to be the biggest question mark heading into the fall.

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We seem to have recruited pretty well at the LB position but yes, that will be the biggest question mark. Our best bet against UH honestly will be if they try to throw on us like Texas Tech did a few years ago. I trust our pass defense to be able to apply enough pressure to stall them out.

I do expect us to allow some big runs, at least early in the season while the new LBs get used to the system, but I think we'll be able to settle in pretty early with it like we have been able to do.

SLC getting to kick things off on national TV.

Talk to 'em, @Chris_____Grant 🎤

UIW vs. Nicholls
📆 Saturday, Aug. 23
📺 ESPN2
🕛 NOON CT

📰 https://t.co/MRJDblMjdT pic.twitter.com/UQPSMx7Tq4

— Southland Conference (@SouthlandSports) June 18, 2025

Our Lumberjacks are sharpening the axe 🪓 – get your season tickets now.

🎟💥: https://t.co/uzCkcdhu26 #AxeEm x #EastTexasTough x #SeeYouThere pic.twitter.com/zF2yGG38nA

— Lumberjack Football (@SFA_Football) June 19, 2025

There's an art to it 🎨#AxeEm x #EastTexasTough pic.twitter.com/PfvwwlY1sE

— Lumberjack Football (@SFA_Football) June 23, 2025

Love this group of guys! https://t.co/bITn6zXO7d

— Sam Vidlak (@SamVidlak7) June 25, 2025

So, I guess McElyea and Damron are gone?

Not SFA-related, but for lack of a better parking spot for now, I'll stick it here...

Texas State is expected to join the PAC-12 and be its 8th full-time football member. The PAC-12 needed that 8th team in order to qualify for the College Football Playoffs and the additional $$$ that will come with it.

Wow. That would be a giant step up.

Glad for them.

They're not great at sports but there's no reason they couldn't be.

SFA Jack Fanatic said:

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Not SFA-related, but for lack of a better parking spot for now, I'll stick it here...

Texas State is expected to join the PAC-12 and be its 8th full-time football member. The PAC-12 needed that 8th team in order to qualify for the College Football Playoffs and the additional $$$ that will come with it.

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That's great for them, but with all the choices I'm really surprised it was them that got that call.

Still good to see a former SLC foe taking an actual step forward instead of a lateral move and killing one of the longest standing rivalries in college football.

SFASawmillGuy said:

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SFA Jack Fanatic said:

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Not SFA-related, but for lack of a better parking spot for now, I'll stick it here...

Texas State is expected to join the PAC-12 and be its 8th full-time football member. The PAC-12 needed that 8th team in order to qualify for the College Football Playoffs and the additional $$$ that will come with it.

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That's great for them, but with all the choices I'm really surprised it was them that got that call.

Still good to see a former SLC foe taking an actual step forward instead of a lateral move and killing one of the longest standing rivalries in college football.

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AAC buyouts were too high, so that ruled out a lot of Texas options.

It's all about us.#AxeEm x #EastTexasTough pic.twitter.com/ChbdYfeTPL

— Lumberjack Football (@SFA_Football) July 3, 2025

𝐒𝐄𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐒𝐎𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐀𝐍 𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐎 🚗

Head Coach @CoachCarthel, @SamVidlak, and Ky Thomas will represent the Lumberjacks at this year's @SouthlandSports Opening Drive!#AxeEm x #EastTexasTough pic.twitter.com/fvHbLIYJuH

— Lumberjack Football (@SFA_Football) July 7, 2025

Don't miss out on this year's Meet the Jacks, Presented by The Fredonia Rotary Club!#AxeEm pic.twitter.com/X0iCnpmChf

— Lumberjack Football (@SFA_Football) July 8, 2025

2025 Southland Conference Preseason Poll
Team (First-place votes) | Points
1. UIW (15) | 158
2. SFA (3) | 137
3. Southeastern (1) | 136
4. Lamar (1) | 112
5. Nicholls | 91
6. McNeese | 85
T7. East Texas A&M | 59
T7. HCU | 59
9. Northwestern State | 39
10. UTRGV | 24

Well, at least three conference coaches are awake.

Any highlights from Media day besides us being voted at 2nd best in conference?

SCH890 said:

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Any highlights from Media day besides us being voted at 2nd best in conference?

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Vidlak says he's 100% healthy and has been for a while. He says the offensive line is much better than last year, new transfer RB is extremely explosive, and the receiving room is very deep. He noted how last year he only had a fall camp to get chemistry with the guys, and now in year 2 it's much better.

Ky and Carthel noted that the defense is going to be very good again too, with Ky saying he believes it'll be as good as the offense.

Everyone noted that the team feels they have a lot to prove since last year. Basically all the reporters at the media day were confused why SFA wasn't the unanimous number 1 team for the preseason. Everyone was pointing out the returning talent and coaches as well as very favorable schedule(only 1 out of state game).

It was also said though about how SFA found ways to lose, the McNeese game specifically was referenced a few times.

The reporters continually asked the players and coaches how SFA would have finished the season if Vidlak didn't get hurt, with Ky noting that SFA was trending upward.

Both players talked about the NWST game and how bad they wanted the new trophy, and said how they want to do what they did to NWST to everyone.

Carthel also talked about the enrollment numbers have skyrocketed this fall. So that's a good sign for our little east Texas school.

Outside of SFA, HCU might end up being a team that surprises a lot of people. 24 FBS transfers will make them a night and day different team from a year ago.

Also McNeese's new uniforms look ugly.