STANFORD – Perhaps the most eventful spring in Stanford football history is coming to a close this week as Stanford finishes its 15th and final practice on Wednesday.
“We’ve got 15 days of practice. We can’t waste a rep, we can’t waste a period,” interim coach Frank Reich said. “And I think the guys understand that and are committed to making the most of every rep we get out there.”
Reich spoke after practice on Monday, three weeks after he was hired by general manager Andrew Luck to coach the 2025 season.
Reich replaced Troy Taylor, who was the subject of two school investigations for hostile and sexist behavior during his two-year tenure. Though Taylor kept his position after both investigations, he was fired by Luck one week after the investigations were made public by ESPN.
The team suffered additional losses this month. Linebacker David Bailey, who led the team with seven sacks and five forced fumbles, transferred to Texas Tech; wide receiver Emmett Mosley V, who was the leading returning receiver in catches (48), receiving yards (525), and touchdowns (six), transferred to Texas; and top lineman Jake Maikkula transferred to Oklahoma.
According to the 247Sports transfer portal, Stanford has had 25 players exit and 12 players enter since the end of the 2024 season. One player already came and went — safety Julian Neal transferred in from Fresno State in December and left for Arkansas after the coaching change.
But Reich said he was excited for the remaining players as Stanford seeks to improve on four straight 3-9 seasons.
“We just have to prove that we can be consistent,” Reich said. “I know we can be good enough. There’s no question about the talent that we have, the players that we have, coaches that we have. I’m excited. But this game comes down to consistent execution, and then playmaking when it really counts. That’s what we have to prove as we keep moving on. I’ve seen a lot of good evidence of it to this point, and when the bullets get live that’s when we get to see what happens.”
With two-year starter Ashton Daniels now at Auburn and wildcat quarterback Justin Lamson at Montana State, QB1 is former four-star recruit Elijah Brown, who completed 28 of 48 passes for 274 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions as a true freshman last season.
Stanford Cardinal quarterback Elijah Brown (2) throws during practice on the practice field at Stanford University in Stanford, Calif., on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)He will have a whole new cast to throw to. Elic Ayomanor is preparing for the NFL Draft, and the next five receivers on last year’s depth chart all transferred out – Mosley, Ismael Cisse (Arkansas), Mudia Reuben (South Florida), Chase Farrell (Northwestern) and Jackson Harris (Hawaii).
Their spots will be filled by transfers C.J. Williams (Wisconsin), Jordan Onovughe (Colorado), Caden High (South Carolina State) and David Pantelis (Yale).
“We’re going to spread the ball around,” Reich said of the wide receiver room. “I don’t want to highlight any one guy. I think they’ve all looked good. What we’re all fighting for is consistency. We want to make the big plays, but we’re fighting for consistency in playmaking and consistency in execution.”
Stanford’s struggles to run the ball have coincided with its recent downturn, but Reich hopes to have a more balanced offense this season. Sophomores Micah Ford (309 yards on 76 carries) and Chris Davis Jr. (288 yards on 54 carries) return after promising freshman years, although no Cardinal running back scored a rushing touchdown last season.
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The spring portal closes on Friday, capping a noteworthy spring and at least allowing Reich to know who will be on the team as it prepares for the season opener Aug. 23 at Hawaii.
“I just feel like we’re getting the right effort, the right kind of energy,” Reich said. “The guys are working hard, getting our schemes down. You can see the execution improving along the way. Man, we have a long way to go, but there are times it looks really good and makes me feel excited about the year.”
Stanford Cardinal wide receiver CJ Williams (8) catches the ball during practice on the practice field at Stanford University in Stanford, Calif., on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) Read More Details
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