Offseason moves in college football have as many twists and turns as the season itself. With the transferring basically in the rear-view mirror, Craig Haley updates his FCS football preseason Top 25 rankings from just after North Dakota State’s most-recent national title.
Change is … not good?
That’s the best way to the look at the Never-Too-Early FCS Top 25 Rankings, where consistency and little flip-flipping afterward are embraced.
Before the 2024 season, the top 10 rankings in January remained unchanged four months later. This year, we have the same 10 teams leading the way since the rankings were released in January; it’s the order that is slightly different.
Quite simply, the ever-increasing FCS transfers to FBS programs are the type of changes that can’t be ignored with the preseason rankings. Additionally, the changes include Southern Illinois, Western Carolina and Abilene Christian, who added transfers, entering the rankings.
Consider this the first of 56 votes that will be cast for the preseason Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll on Aug. 4.
It’s not so early anymore – the 2025 season will be 100 days away on May 15. From there, all roads lead to Nashville, Tennessee, where the FCS championship game will be held the night of Jan. 5.
Craig Haley’s FCS Football Preseason Top 25 Rankings
1. North Dakota State Bison
Final 2024 Record: 14-2, 7-1 MVFC; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 1 Two Games to Know: South Dakota (Sept. 27); at South Dakota State (Oct. 25) Notable: Despite the transfer of Jerry Rice Award-winning running back CharMar Brown, the championship pedigree is strong, from coach Tim Polasek on down to wide receiver Bryce Lance, linebacker Logan Kopp and especially strength coach Jim Kramer (a part of all 10 FCS national titles).2. Montana State Bobcats
Final 2024 Record: 15-1, 8-0; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 4 Two Games to Know: South Dakota State (Sept. 6); at Montana (Nov. 22) Notable: FBS drop-down quarterback Justin Lamson and running back Adam Jones will operate behind a retooled offensive line, anchored by Titan Fleischmann and JT Reed. Coach Brent Vigen’s squad has a schedule that is both front- (at Oregon and home versus South Dakota State) and back-loaded (versus UC Davis and at Montana).3. UIW Cardinals
Final 2024 Record: 11-3, 7-0 Southland; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 3 Two Games to Know: Abilene Christian (Sept. 27); Stephen F. Austin (Oct. 4) Notable: The transfer portal gives, but it too often takes away, with wide receiver Roy Alexander and running back Dekalon Taylor spring casualties for coach Clint Killough. The potent offense still boasts All-America receivers in Jalen Walthall and Chedon James.4. South Dakota Coyotes
Final 2024 Record: 11-3, 7-1 MVFC; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 2 Two Games to Know: at North Dakota State (Sept. 27); South Dakota State (Nov. 8) Notable: The Coyotes have lost key starting offensive linemen and tackle leader Gary Bryant III since their never-too-early No. 2 ranking. The regrouping under first-year coach Travis Johansen starts in the offensive backfield with quarterback Aidan Bouman (22-9 as a starter) and running back Charles Pierre Jr.5. South Dakota State Jackrabbits
Final 2024 Record: 12-3, 7-1 MVFC; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 5 Two Games to Know: North Dakota State (Oct. 25); at South Dakota (Nov. 8) Notable: Following the graduation and transfer losses, first-year coach Dan Jackson has rallied the program with a staff that knows the MVFC well. Quarterback Chase Mason has a solid receivers unit to pair with the nice addition of former Fordham running back Julius Loughridge.(Jackrabbits lead FCS football in wins during the 2020s)
6. Illinois State Redbirds
Final 2024 Record: 10-4, 6-2 MVFC; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 6 Two Games to Know: North Dakota State (Oct. 4); South Illinois (Nov. 22) Notable: South Dakota and South Dakota State aren’t just back on the schedule, they’re on the road. Quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse leads a loaded squad that appears primed for the challenge.7. Rhode Island Rams
Final 2024 Record: 11-3, 7-1 CAA; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 8 Two Games to Know: at Stony Brook (Sept. 6);New Hampshire (Oct. 11) Notable: First-team All-America linebacker A.J. Pena’s return from Memphis was one of the bigger transfer additions of the offseason. The Brock Bethea-led offensive line returns a combined 57 starts last season.MORE FCS FROM OPTA ANALYST
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Final 2024 Record: 9-5, 5-3 Big Sky; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 7 Two Games to Know: Idaho (Sept. 27); Montana State (Nov. 22) Notable: After a Week 1 bye, the transfer-fortified Griz have a schedule with eight home games, with the first road trip not until October. Running back Eli Gillman is the only Jerry Rice Award recipient in the 2020s not to transfer up to the FBS level.9. Villanova Wildcats
Final 2024 Record: 10-4, 6-2 CAA; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 9 Two Games to Know: at Monmouth (Sept. 20); Stony Brook (Nov. 15) Notable: Redshirt senior linebacker Shane Hartzell (294) could become the fourth player in program history to record 400 career tackles. This is a good year in the ever-changing CAA, to have a strong offensive line, and the Wildcats do with Jake Picard and Temi Ajirotutu.10. Tarleton State Texans
Final 2024 Record: 10-4, 6-2 UAC; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 10 Two Games to Know: Chattanooga (Sept. 20); at Abilene Christian (Nov. 1) Notable: Coach Todd Whitten has guided five straight winning records since the Texans’ rise to Division I. Running back Braelon Bridges and wide receiver Cody Jackson will thrive in larger roles.11. Sacramento State Hornets
Final 2024 Record: 3-9, 1-7 Big Sky; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 12 Two Games to Know: at South Dakota State (Aug. 30); at UC Davis (Nov. 22)12. Lehigh Mountain Hawks
Final 2024 Record: 9-4, 5-1 Patriot; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 13 Two Games to Know: Richmond (Aug. 30); at Lafayette (Nov. 22)13. Idaho Vandals
Final 2024 Record: 10-4, 6-2 Big Sky; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 11 Two Games to Know: at Montana (Sept. 27); at Eastern Washington (Oct. 18)14. Mercer Bears
Final 2024 Record: 11-3, 7-1 SoCon; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 14 Two Games to Know: UC Davis (Aug. 23); at Western Carolina (Nov. 8)15. UC Davis Aggies
Final 2024 Record: 11-3, 7-1 Big Sky; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 15 Two Games to Know: at Montana State (Nov. 15); Sacramento State (Nov. 22)16. Southern Illinois Salukis
Final 2024 Record: 4-8, 2-6 MVFC; Never-Too-Early Ranking: NR Two Games to Know: at Southeast Missouri (Sept. 20); at Youngstown State (Nov. 8)17. Monmouth Hawks
Final 2024 Record: 6-6, 4-4 CAA; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 16 Two Games to Know: Villanova (Sept. 20); Stony Brook (Oct. 18)18. Southern Utah Thunderbirds
Final 2024 Record: 7-5, 6-2 UAC; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 18 Two Games to Know: at UC Davis (Sept. 20); at Tarleton State (Oct. 4)19. Stony Brook Seawolves
Final 2024 Record: 8-4, 5-3 CAA; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 17 Two Games to Know: Rhode Island (Sept. 6); at Villanova (Nov. 15)20. Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles
Final 2024 Record: 7-5, 5-2 Big South-OVC; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 19 Two Games to Know: at Tennessee State (Sept. 27); UT Martin (Nov. 22)21. Western Carolina Catamounts
Final 2024 Record: 7-5, 6-2 SoCon; Never-Too-Early Ranking: NR Two Games to Know: at Chattanooga (Nov. 1); Mercer (Nov. 8)22. Jackson State Tigers
Final 2024 Record: 12-2, 8-0 SWAC; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 21 Two Games to Know: at Southern (Sept. 27); at Florida A&M (Nov. 1)23. Harvard Crimson
Final 2024 Record: 8-2, 5-2 Ivy; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 22 Two Games to Know: Dartmouth (Nov 1); at Yale (Nov. 22)(FCS programs that seek their first playoff bid)
24. Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks
Final 2024 Record: 7-5, 4-3 Southland; Never-Too-Early Ranking: 24 Two Games to Know: at UIW (Oct. 4); Nicholls (Oct. 18)25. Abilene Christian Wildcats
Final 2024 Record: 9-5, 7-1 UAC; Never-Too-Early Ranking: NR Two Games to Know: at UIW (Sept. 27); Tarleton State (Nov. 1)Dropped Out of FCS Football Preseason Top 25
Chattanooga Mocs (7-5, 5-3 SoCon) Youngstown State Penguins (4-8, 3-5 MVFC) Richmond Spiders (10-3, 8-0 CAA – joining Patriot League)Top photo credit, from left: UIW, NDSU, Montana State and Illinois State Athletics.
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Crystal Ball: Craig Haley’s 2025 FCS Football Preseason Top 25 Rankings Opta Analyst.
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