SFA begins the offseason looking to build from the success of being the 2025 SLC Champions and FCS Quarterfinalists, with plenty of roles to fill foe 2026 with the departure of several seniors.

* Not sure if any of the seniors could come back as graduate seniors.

8 starters on offense departing

QB: ?

RB: ?

WR: ?

TE: #86 GERARD EDIMO 6-5; 236 (JR.)
OL: ?
OL: ?
OL: #55 ERIK GRAY 6-1; 256 (SR.) (SLC Offensive Lineman of the Year) (1st Team All-SLC)
OL: ?
OL: ?

WR: #21 CLAYTON WAYLAND 6-3; 187 (JR.)

WR: ?

7 starters on defense departing

DL: ?
DL: ?
DL: ?
OLB: ?

LB: ?
LB: #33 MALACHI WILLIAMS 6-1; 220 (SR.)
DB: #13 AARON SEARS 5-10; 182 (SR.) (2nd Team All-SLC)

DB: ?
DB: #38 REDDIC KAMERON 5-10; 186 (JR.)
DB: #19 MICHAEL PATTERSON III 5-11; 168 (JR.)
DB: ?

LS: #60 BLAKE ROBINSON 5-11; 211 (SO.)

P: ?

K: #40 JACOB HAND 5-11; 170 (JR.)

K: #35 CARLOS ALVARADO 5-9; 163 (JR.) (2nd Team All-SLC)

KR: #9 BUGS MORTIMER 5-10; 177 (SR.) (1st Team All-SLC)

Rutherford has to be returning. I can't imagine that he would pass up the opportunity to be qb1. It's his for the taking.

To all HS recruits and everyone entering the portal, if you want to be apart of a program with championship coaches, staff, and a championship future, @SFA_Football is where you want to end up! Come on and chop wood with us!#AxeEm #EastTexasTough @CoachCarthel

— The Sawmill (@SFASawmill) December 13, 2025

I'm doing my part!

2026 Football Schedule so far

Sept. 12 - @ACU
Sept. 26 - Northeastern State (9-3 Div. II team, on a current 7-game win streak and First American Bowl Champions)

Tre Page from Tarleton would be a good pick up at running back... Just entered the portal.

Taking a look at the QB situation for SFA in 2026. (Of course this could all change with sudden departures into the portal.)

QB: #12 GAVIN RUTHERFORD 6-1; 209 (JR.)
G:23;ATT:203;CMP:126;CMP%:62;YDS:1,378;TD:10;INT:4;/R:83;YDS:244;TD:9
QB: #19 JT KITNA 6-3; 221 (SO.)
G:4;ATT:6;CMP:4;CMP%:67.0;YDS:40;TD:1;INT:0;/R:2;YDS:5;TD:1
QB: #13 BRYSON BROADWAY 5-10; 189 (R/FR.)
G:3;ATT:7;CMP:5;CMP%:71.4;YDS:40;TD:1;INT:0;/R:0;YDS:0;TD:0
QB: #18 MYLES LOPEZ 6-1; 201 (R/FR.)
G:1;ATT:2;CMP:1;CMP%:50.0;YDS:-8;TD:0;INT:0;/R:0;YDS:0;TD:0
QB: #00 JACOB JANECEK 6-1; 200 (FR.)
G:0;ATT:0;CMP:0;CMP%:00.0;YDS:0;TD:0;INT:0;/R:0;YDS:0;TD:0

All signs point to Gavin Rutherford to be the next starting QB at SFA with his game time experience and knowledge of the playbook, also the new wriggle to the offense he could bring with his running ability, giving the Jacks a more of a duel threat at QB, one who could offer more zone reads and pass option plays, if that was the direction OC Ross wanted to go in 2026.

JT Kitna will look to compete for the starting job as well, as he did come to SFA for a reason from Bowling Green.

Incoming Freshman Jacob Janecek has the hometown Lovejoy connection in Lucas, with coach Chris Ross who was once his head coach in high school.

Still another player could emerge from the portal and shack things up a little at QB.

The RB situation

RB: #24 JAYLEN JENKINS 5-9; 190 (SR.)
G:31;ATT:217;YDS:1,073;AVG:5.0;TD:10/REC:15;YDS:105;TD:0
RB: #23 BRADEN LEWIS 5-9; 206 (SO.)
G:7;ATT:31;YDS:209;AVG:7.0;TD:0/REC:1;YDS:2;TD:0
RB: #28 PRESTON ALFORD 5-9; 198 (JR.)
G:0;ATT:0;YDS:0;AVG:0.0;TD:0/REC:0;YDS:0;TD:0
RB: #00 JUSTIN MAZE 5-8; 179 (SR.)
G:0;ATT:0;YDS:0;AVG:0.0;TD:0/REC:0;YDS:0;TD:0
RB: #00 CALEB CRENSHAW 5-9; 195 (FR.)
G:0;ATT:0;YDS:0;AVG:0.0;TD:0/REC:0;YDS:0;TD:0

Jaylen Jenkins returns for his senior campaign at RB, which is always by committee, so I would say to look for a portal addition or two at this position, as Braden Lewis is the only other RB on the roster with experience returning.

Incoming freshman Caleb Crenshaw could get some early playing time, the Austin ISD all-time leading rusher and rushing TD holder.

WR & TE

WR: #21 CLAYTON WAYLAND 6-3; 187 (JR.)
G:22;REC:53;YDS:730;TD:8
WR: #9 BUGS MORTIMER 5-10; 177 (SR.)
G:35;REC:60;YDS:636;TD:1;KRTD:4
WR: #11 DERRICK BOHLER 6-0; 201 (JR.)
G:21;REC:24;YDS:289;TD:5
WR: #18 AIDEN MEEKS 5-10; 178 (JR.)
G:9;REC:7;YDS:119;TD:0
WR: #85 TA'ERIK TATE 5-11; 187 (JR.)
G:5;REC:2;YDS:30;TD:0
WR: #81 STETSON SARRATT 5-9; 159 (JR.)
G:14;REC:2;YDS:17;TD:0
WR: #83 CANNON LEMBERG 5-9; 176 (JR.)
G:13;REC:1;YDS:13;TD:0
WR: #80 CAMERON KELLEY 6-4; 203 (JR.)
G:11;REC:0;YDS:0;TD:0
WR: #20 ISAAC JONES 5-11; 187 (JR.)
G:9;REC:0;YDS:0;TD:0
WR: #27 BRAEDEN MUSSETT 5-11; 187 (R/FR.)
G:3;REC:0;YDS:0;TD:0
WR: #00 PHOENIX MANZANERO 6-3; 185 (R/FR.)
G:0;REC:0;YDS:0;TD:0
WR: #00 CALEB GADDIS 6-2; 190 (FR.)
G:0;REC:0;YDS:0;TD:0
WR: #00 JATHEN JOHNSON 6-0; 170 (FR.)
G:0;REC:0;YDS:0;TD:0
WR: #00 CADE WALLACE 6-0; 175 (FR.)
G:0;REC:0;YDS:0;TD:0
WR: #00 ANTHONY COLON 6-4; 200 (FR.)
G:0;REC:0;YDS:0;TD:0
WR: #00 MICAH LOCKETT 6-4; 190 (FR.)
G:0;REC:0;YDS:0;TD:0
WR: #00 DEUCE WILLIAMS 5-11; 190 (FR.)
G:0;REC:0;YDS:0;TD:0

TE: #86 GERARD EDIMO 6-5; 236 (JR.)
G:17;REC:5;YDS:118;TD:1
TE: #44 AMAREUS WALKER 6-3; 229 (JR.)
G:9;REC:0;YDS:0;TD:0
TE: #84 SAIMONE DAVIS 6-3; 219 (SO.)
G:2;REC:0;YDS:0;TD:0
TE: #87 RILEY ELLEFSON 6-7; 250 (R/FR.)
G:1;REC:0;YDS:0;TD:0
TE: #89 JERRALE POWERS 6-3; 222 (JR.)
G:0;REC:0;YDS:0;TD:0

Clayton Wayland returns for the Jacks with the most game time, and look for Derrick Bohler who has really stepped upped his game after a 20 plus catch and 5 TD season, and should have the inside track at one of the starting positions at WR along with Bugs Mortimer.

Lots of players return at this position, but not many with much playing time as 6 incoming freshmen are set for 2026, also look for portal additions as well at WR.

Gerard Edimo easily the starter for the coming season at TE with a solid 2025 season under his belt at a position that I feel is not utilized enough.

SFAXE93 said:

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The RB situation

RB: #24 JAYLEN JENKINS 5-9; 190 (SR.)
G:31;ATT:217;YDS:1,073;AVG:5.0;TD:10/REC:15;YDS:105;TD:0
RB: #23 BRADEN LEWIS 5-9; 206 (SO.)
G:7;ATT:31;YDS:209;AVG:7.0;TD:0/REC:1;YDS:2;TD:0
RB: #28 PRESTON ALFORD 5-9; 198 (JR.)
G:0;ATT:0;YDS:0;AVG:0.0;TD:0/REC:0;YDS:0;TD:0
RB: #00 JUSTIN MAZE 5-8; 179 (SR.)
G:0;ATT:0;YDS:0;AVG:0.0;TD:0/REC:0;YDS:0;TD:0
RB: #26 JAVARI JOHNSON 5-8; 169 (R/FR.)
G:0;ATT:0;YDS:0;AVG:0.0;TD:0/REC:0;YDS:0;TD:0
RB: #00 CALEB CRENSHAW 5-9; 195 (FR.)
G:0;ATT:0;YDS:0;AVG:0.0;TD:0/REC:0;YDS:0;TD:0

Jaylen Jenkins returns for his senior campaign at RB, which is always by committee, so I would say to look for a portal addition or two at this position, as Braden Lewis is the only other RB on the roster with experience returning.

Not sure what happened to one of the highest recruited players in program history with Javari Johnson, even if he redshirted they usually get a look on the field for a game or two.

Incoming freshman Caleb Crenshaw could get some early playing time, the Austin ISD all-time leading rusher and rushing TD holder.

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Is Johnson the kid from Texarkana? If so he is gone and never really got started..

This aged well…..Mutz is out and headed to Georgia Southern. Who will Carthel go hire now? Anyone on the staff worth promoting? Or any past coaches who would come back?

Didn't see any bios of defensive coordinators on the defensive side. Of the guys that have left, the d line coach from a few years back has been killing it as the DC in d2 Pueblo. 2 titles in 2 years. That's Caid Faske. Has a history with Carthel. We've hired two offensive coaches from that D2 these last couple of years. Might be a good place to look.

Jacks4460 said:

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SFAXE93 said:

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The RB situation

RB: #24 JAYLEN JENKINS 5-9; 190 (SR.)
G:31;ATT:217;YDS:1,073;AVG:5.0;TD:10/REC:15;YDS:105;TD:0
RB: #23 BRADEN LEWIS 5-9; 206 (SO.)
G:7;ATT:31;YDS:209;AVG:7.0;TD:0/REC:1;YDS:2;TD:0
RB: #28 PRESTON ALFORD 5-9; 198 (JR.)
G:0;ATT:0;YDS:0;AVG:0.0;TD:0/REC:0;YDS:0;TD:0
RB: #00 JUSTIN MAZE 5-8; 179 (SR.)
G:0;ATT:0;YDS:0;AVG:0.0;TD:0/REC:0;YDS:0;TD:0
RB: #26 JAVARI JOHNSON 5-8; 169 (R/FR.)
G:0;ATT:0;YDS:0;AVG:0.0;TD:0/REC:0;YDS:0;TD:0
RB: #00 CALEB CRENSHAW 5-9; 195 (FR.)
G:0;ATT:0;YDS:0;AVG:0.0;TD:0/REC:0;YDS:0;TD:0

Jaylen Jenkins returns for his senior campaign at RB, which is always by committee, so I would say to look for a portal addition or two at this position, as Braden Lewis is the only other RB on the roster with experience returning.

Not sure what happened to one of the highest recruited players in program history with Javari Johnson, even if he redshirted they usually get a look on the field for a game or two.

Incoming freshman Caleb Crenshaw could get some early playing time, the Austin ISD all-time leading rusher and rushing TD holder.

---

Is Johnson the kid from Texarkana? If so he is gone and never really got started..

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Thanks, yes that is him, I was thinking he must be gone.

ExJackAA1988 said:

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This aged well…..Mutz is out and headed to Georgia Southern. Who will Carthel go hire now? Anyone on the staff worth promoting? Or any past coaches who would come back?

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That's the problem with success at this level, especially with young coaches there's no way to keep someone with more money and resources from calling.

Ryan Hodges and Tony Annese from Ferris State University they are co-defensive coordinators.

• Angelo State Rams: Gary Salgado
• UT Permian Basin Falcons: Jake Shaw and Devin Gaulden (co-defensive coordinators)
• Jamison Bisch (Texas A&M-Kingsville, DC/ILB)

Adam Pilapil linebacker coach at Colorado State, Skyler Cassity at OSU should be available, Justin Deason (New Braunfels Canyon Assistant, formerly A&M-Commerce/UIW DC)

Caid Faske (Colorado State-Pueblo, DC, formerly SFA DL Coach)

SFASawmillGuy said:

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ExJackAA1988 said:

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This aged well…..Mutz is out and headed to Georgia Southern. Who will Carthel go hire now? Anyone on the staff worth promoting? Or any past coaches who would come back?

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That's the problem with success at this level, especially with young coaches there's no way to keep someone with more money and resources from calling.

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Yes, this is true, SFA is a farm system for coaches.

SFAXE93 said:

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What about bringing back JaMarkus McFarland at TCU, he was a hell of a recruiter, knows the lay of the land.

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That would actually be one of the first people I would call if I was Carthel.

I do worry how long the DC search could take, because I could see an exodus of players following Mutz if a solid replacement isn't made quickly.

Ok it's been a few days, have we gotten any interested names in the hat for Mutz replacement? This thing is live recruiting 365 , all hands on deck. Everybody on the line!

BREAKING: Texas has fired DC Pete Kwiatkowski and hired Will Muschamp as its next defensive coordinator, the school announced👀https://t.co/tjPQoa0Ugi pic.twitter.com/Qm4ht1HkFj

— On3 (@On3sports) December 18, 2025

Oh look, the DC who coached the top 5 defense in the FBS is now looking for a job. I need whoever correctly predicted we were getting Foster Sawyer years back to work their magic again.

https://instagr.am/p/DSdhLhdjRUs

Xavier Potts is gone

SFASawmillGuy said:

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https://instagr.am/p/DSdhLhdjRUs

Xavier Potts is gone

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Ugh.

I agree I had him off the roster for 2026, wasn't planning on him being back.

We have to expect a few to leave with Mutz being gone. Gotta hope the new guy can hit it hard when he gets here.

ExJackAA1988 said:

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If who I am hearing as the new DC is correct… we will be just fine and we will reload fast. One of the best in the business

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What I like to hear!

Ifs there any possibility that any coaches follow Mutz? Hopefully that doesn't happen or at least happened by now