2025 Arkansas State Red Wolves football team

Last updated

2025 Arkansas State Red Wolves football
Arkansas State Red Wolves wordmark.svg
Conference Sun Belt Conference
DivisionWest Division
Record1–0 (0–0 Sun Belt)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Keith Heckendorf (7th season)
Offensive scheme Multiple
Defensive coordinatorGriff McCarley (1st season)
Home stadium Centennial Bank Stadium
Seasons
  2024
2026 
2025 Sun Belt Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
East Division
Appalachian State  0 0   1 0  
James Madison  0 0   1 0  
Coastal Carolina  0 0   0 1  
Georgia Southern  0 0   0 1  
Georgia State  0 0   0 1  
Marshall  0 0   0 1  
Old Dominion  0 0   0 1  
West Division
Arkansas State  0 0   1 0  
Louisiana–Monroe  0 0   1 0  
South Alabama  0 0   1 0  
Texas State  0 0   1 0  
Troy  0 0   1 0  
Louisiana  0 0   0 1  
Southern Miss  0 0   0 1  
Championship: December 5, 2025
As of September 4, 2025
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2025 Arkansas State Red Wolves football team will represent Arkansas State University in the Sun Belt Conference's West Division during the 2025 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Red Wolves will be led by Butch Jones in his fifth year as the head coach. The Red Wolves will play home games at Centennial Bank Stadium, located in Jonesboro, Arkansas. [1] On September 6, the Red Wolves will play the Arkansas Razorbacks for the first time ever. The game will be played in Little Rock at War Memorial Stadium.

Contents

Preseason

Transfers

Outgoing

PlayerPositionDestination
Palmer HarrisLS Arkansas–Monticello
David PaglianiteTE Arkansas Tech
Carter SalzmanWR Benedictine
Timmy McClain QB Bethune–Cookman
Brook HonoreP California
Landon BridgesIOL Central Arkansas
Orlando DanielsEDGE Chattanooga
AJ WallaceS Chattanooga
Brian AlstonDL East Tennessee State
Jacob PequenoOL Emporia State
Websley EtienneS FIU
Jakwon McGinneyDL Georgia Southern
Braxton Nixon-SnellDT Henderson State
Kiandre TerryWR Hinds CC
Elijah ZollicofferOL Kennesaw State
Jayvion ShowersWR Kilgore
Payton GreerRB Lafayette
Dontay JoynerCB Maryland
Ty CollinsQB Memphis
Brock SimmonsOL Missouri Southern
James RexroatTE Missouri State
Trace CorumWR Murray State
Graham McLellandOL Murray State
Aidan EllisonK North Central
Ian JeffriesDL Purdue
Miller McCrumbyTE South Alabama
RJ KellyLB South Carolina State
Tennel BryantWR South Dakota
Calen PresserDE South Dakota
Reginald Harden Jr.WR Tarleton State
DeAubry HoodCB Tarleton State
Tim HardimanDL Tulsa
Makilan ThomasIOL Virginia
Jourdyn BurrussLBUnknown
Kionte CurrySUnknown
Logan EasonLBUnknown
Bobby EngstlerPUnknown
Timothy GulleyDLUnknown
Jayden JonesEDGEUnknown
Kanon LaRussoSUnknown
Takare LipscombWRUnknown
Spencer MakellCBUnknown
Skyler PurifoyTEUnknown
Mike Sharpe IIRBUnknown
Jamil WilliamsLBUnknown
Wyatt WrightLBUnknown

Incoming

PlayerPositionPrevious school
Noland AsberryDE Alabama
Orlando DanielsEDGE Albion
Trenton Alan YoweS Appalachian State
Zuri MadisonIOL Arkansas
Bobby EngstlerP California
Gavin RansawDL Coastal Carolina
AJ CarlsonTE Dayton
BJ WagnerS Delaware State
Nana BurrisWR FIU
Quan LeeWR Florida A&M
Adam HickersonIOL Gardner–Webb
Cedric FranklinS Georgia Tech
Aaron BlancasWR Idaho State
Trevon HowardS Iowa State
Christopher BotiDL Liberty
Luke WishamCB Louisiana Tech
AG McGheeCB Marshall
Simeon MitchellDL McNeese
Javante MackeyLB Memphis
Kobe WilliamsIOL Memphis
Aaron AlexanderLB Michigan State
Devyn CurtisLB Middle Tennessee
JJ HarrellWR Mississippi State
Wyatt WrightLB NC State
Aiden KehmOL Nevada
Jacob WalkerRB North Greenville
Quincy WrightDL North Texas
Zach PersonTE Northern Michigan
Daniel DemeryLB Ole Miss
Jordan SmartWR Ole Miss
Quincy WrightDT Oregon State
Jax BrownQB Sam Houston
Jackson WallerP SMU
Joedrick LewisCB Southeast Missouri State
Kenyon ClayRB Southern Miss
Ethan CrawfordQB Southern Miss
Wil SaxtonIOL Southern Miss
DeMarcus HendricksEDGE Texas A&M–Kingsville
Gabriel FortsonIOL Tulane
Terry KirkseyLB UConn
Avante Dickerson CB Utah State
Malik McConicoCB Utah State
Tyler FortenberryTE Vanderbilt
Jaylen BonelliWR Wagner
Cody SiglerDL West Alabama

[2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Preseason

Media poll

In the Sun Belt preseason coaches' poll, the Red Wolves were picked to finish third place in the West division. [7]

Kicker Clune Van Andel was named the Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year.

Wide receiver Corey Rucker and defensive lineman Bryan Whitehead were awarded to be in the preseason All-Sun Belt first team offense and defense. [8] Kicker Clune Van Andel and associated press player Ja'Quez Cross were named to the All-Sun Belt first team special teams.

Running back Ja'Quez Cross was named in the second team offense and special teams.

Personnel

2025 Arkansas State Red Wolves football team roster
PlayersCoaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
WR 0Nana Burris Redshirt.svg  Sr
QB 1 Jaylen Raynor Jr
RB 2 Ja'Quez Cross Redshirt.svg  Sr
WR 3Hunter Summers Redshirt.svg  So
WR 4JJ Harrell Redshirt.svg  Fr
RB 5Kenyon Clay Redshirt.svg  Jr
QB 6Ethan Crawford Redshirt.svg  Jr
WR 7Corey Rucker Redshirt.svg  Sr
QB 8Josh Flowers Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 9Jordan Smart Redshirt.svg  Sr
WR 10Jaylen BonelliJr
WR 11Demarcco BlantonJr
QB 13Tyrell LewisFr
WR 14Andre FeastFr
WR 15Andrew JonesFr
WR 16Chauncy Cobb Redshirt.svg  So
TE 17Jabari Bush Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 18Romel StevensFr
TE 19Tyler Fortenberry Redshirt.svg  Jr
WR 20Aaron BlancasSr
WR 21Quan Lee Redshirt.svg  Jr
RB 22Cedric Hawkins Redshirt.svg  So
WR 23Caleb Donaldson Redshirt.svg  Fr
RB 24Devin SpencerSo
QB 26Jax BrownFr
RB 27Jacob WalkerSo
RB 28DD MurrayFr
RB 30Damon Sisa Redshirt.svg  Fr
RB 32Nasir AllenFr
RB 33Kameron Thomas Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 50Wil Saxton Redshirt.svg  Jr
OL 51Cade ChannellFr
OL 52Mason Myers Redshirt.svg  So
OL 54Walker Davis Redshirt.svg  So
OL 55Aleric Watson Redshirt.svg  Jr
OL 57Dan'tay Ward Jr.Fr
OL 58Cameron Ambrose Redshirt.svg  Jr
OL 59Zuri Madison Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 64Noah HackerFr
OL 65Noah Smith Redshirt.svg  Sr
OL 68Tristian Smith Redshirt.svg  Jr
OL 70Royce Baucom Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 71Chace Stratford Redshirt.svg  Sr
OL 73Kobe Williams Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 76Trason Hunt Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 77Gabe Fortson Redshirt.svg  So
OL 78Riley McGeheeSo
OL 79Baker North Redshirt.svg  Fr
TE 81Javeon FricksFr
TE 82Ezra BurgessSo
WR 84Reed LinderJr
WR 85TJ Starks Redshirt.svg  Fr
TE 86AJ Carlson Redshirt.svg  Fr
TE 87Tyler LittleJr
TE 88Andrew StatenFr
RB Omarion BrownFr
OL Adam Hickerson Redshirt.svg  Jr
QB Jerry HorneFr
OL Aiden Kehm Redshirt.svg  Fr
Defense
Pos.#NameClass
CB 0Trenton Yowe Redshirt.svg  Sr
CB 1Braden JacksonSo
LB 2Chris PearsonJr
DE 3Javante Mackey Redshirt.svg  Jr
DE 4Bryan Whitehead Redshirt.svg  Sr
LB 5Terry Kirksey Redshirt.svg  Sr
S 6AG McGheeSr
CB 7Courtney PattersonFr
S 8Brandon BarnesSo
CB 9 Avante Dickerson Redshirt.svg  Sr
DE 10Demarcus Hendricks Redshirt.svg  Sr
DE 11Drew Collins Redshirt.svg  Fr
DE 12Marcus Bradley Redshirt.svg  Sr
CB 13Kyle Williams Redshirt.svg  Fr
CB 14DJ WatkinsFr
S 15Brandon GreilJr
S 16BJ Wagner Redshirt.svg  Sr
DT 17Chris BotiSr
S 18Malekhi WeedonFr
CB 19James Reed III Redshirt.svg  Jr
LB 20Kyle Taylor Redshirt.svg  Sr
S 21Malik McConicoJr
LB 22Nigel NelsonFr
CB 23Cedric Franklin Redshirt.svg  Fr
CB 24Josh Stone Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 25Aaron AlexanderJr
LB 26Kemari Nix Redshirt.svg  Fr
DE 27Noland AsberrySr
LB 28Daniel Demery Redshirt.svg  So
LB 30Andrew Agapos Redshirt.svg  Sr
LB 31Devyn Curtis Redshirt.svg  Sr
DL 32Ethan Hassler Redshirt.svg  Sr
S 33TJ Hill Redshirt.svg  Fr
CB 34Marquis WilliamsFr
S 36Demarcus BakerFr
S 38Joe DrewFr
LB 41Aidan WrightFr
DE 42Shaun WilliamsFr
LB 43Chase Bogle Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 44Jordan Sample Redshirt.svg  So
LB 45Nick MillerFr
DT 47Lucas BanksSr
DE 52Gideon Herbert Redshirt.svg  Fr
DT 54Ryan ReeseFr
DT 75Landon CanadyFr
DE 90Lincoln StueveFr
DT 92Odi Udom Redshirt.svg  Fr
DT 93Gavin Ransaw Redshirt.svg  Sr
DT 94Cody Sigler Redshirt.svg  Jr
DE 96Ronnie BlossomFr
DE 97Tony CarterFr
DT 97Simeon MitchellSr
DT 98Alex Martin Redshirt.svg  Fr
DT 99Quincy WrightJr
LB Coleman ParmerFr
Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
K 25Clayton AmayaSo
P 29Jackson WallerFr
DS 31Xavier Ross Redshirt.svg  Fr
K 34Clune Van AndelJr
K 39Ethan BowmanFr
P 40Jaxson Dunn Redshirt.svg  Fr
DS 41Drew Nicolson Redshirt.svg  So
LS Kyle NillFr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injury icon 2.svg Injured
  • Redshirt.svg Redshirt

Roster
Last update: 26 July 2025

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 306:00 p.m. Southeast Missouri State * ESPN+ W 42–2418,241
September 64:00 p.m.at Arkansas * SECN+/ESPN+
September 133:00 p.m. Iowa State *
  • Centennial Bank Stadium
  • Jonesboro, AR
ESPN2
September 205:00 p.m.at Kennesaw State *ESPN Networks
September 27at Louisiana–Monroe
October 46:00 p.m. Texas State
  • Centennial Bank Stadium
  • Jonesboro, AR
October 146:30 p.m.at South Alabama ESPN2
October 256:00 p.m. Georgia Southern Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Centennial Bank Stadium
  • Jonesboro, AR
November 1at Troy
November 8 Southern Miss
  • Centennial Bank Stadium
  • Jonesboro, AR
November 206:30 p.m. Louisiana
  • Centennial Bank Stadium
  • Jonesboro, AR
ESPN
November 29at Appalachian State
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • All times are in Central time

[9] [10]

Game summaries

Southeast Missouri State (FCS)

Pregame lineOver/under
Arkansas State15.559.5
Southeast Missouri State Redhawks (FCS) (0–0) at Arkansas State Red Wolves (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Redhawks (FCS)7301424
Red Wolves7217742

at Centennial Bank StadiumJonesboro, Arkansas

  • Date: August 30
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 86 °F (30 °C) • Wind: SE at 7 miles per hour (11 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 18,241
  • Referee: Marshall Lewis
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Graham Doty (play-by-play), Pete Cordelli (analyst), and Darrell Greene (sideline reporter)
Game information
First quarter
  • (13:05) ARST – Ja'Quez Cross 7-yard run, Clune Van Andel kick (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 1:55; Arkansas State 7–0)
  • (9:18) SEMO – Brandon Epton Jr. 8-yard run, Justin Keller kick (Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 3:47; Tied 7–7)
Second quarter
  • (14:03) SEMO – Justin Keller 40-yard field goal (Drive: 19 plays, 68 yards, 8:10; Southeast Missouri State 10–7)
  • (10:13) ARST – Ja'Quez Cross 4-yard pass from Jaylen Raynor, Clune Van Andel kick (Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 3:50; Arkansas State 14–10)
  • (9:05) ARST – Devin Spencer 43-yard run, Clune Van Andel kick (Drive: 2 plays, 43 yards, 0:14; Arkansas State 21–10)
  • (0:35) ARST – Kenyon Clay 2-yard run, Clune Van Andel kick (Drive: 11 plays, 72 yards, 3:13; Arkansas State 28–10)
Third quarter
  • (12:28) ARST – Corey Rucker 9-yard pass from Jaylen Raynor, Clune Van Andel kick (Drive: 3 plays, 64 yards, 1:17; Arkansas State 35–10)
Fourth quarter
  • (8:56) ARST – Jaylen Bonelli 10-yard pass from Jaylen Raynor, Clune Van Andel kick (Drive: 10 plays, 68 yards, 5:20; Arkansas State 42–10)
  • (7:51) SEMO – Donnie Cheers 60-yard pass from Jax Leatherwood, Justin Keller kick (Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:05; Arkansas State 42–17)
  • (1:23) SEMO – Cam Pedro 31-yard pass from Jax Leatherwood, Justin Keller kick (Drive: 7 plays, 82 yards, 2:20; Arkansas State 42–24)
StatisticsSEMOARST
First downs2025
Total yards364492
Rushing yards92147
Passing yards272345
Passing: Comp–Att–Int26–36–026–32–0
Turnovers11
Time of possession29:0830:52
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Southeast Missouri StatePassingJax Leatherwood26/36, 272 yards, 2 TD
RushingBrandon Epton Jr.14 carries, 61 yards, TD
ReceivingDonnie Cheers4 receptions, 96 yards, TD
Arkansas StatePassing Jaylen Raynor 26/32, 345 yards, 3 TD
RushingDevin Spencer3 carries, 42 yards, TD
ReceivingChauncy Cobb5 receptions, 85 yards

at Arkansas

Arkansas State Red Wolves (1–0) at Arkansas Razorbacks (1–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Red Wolves0
Razorbacks0

at War Memorial Stadium StadiumLittle Rock, AR

  • Date: September 6, 2025
  • Game time: 4:00 PM CDT
  • TV announcers (SECN+/ESPN+): Richard Cross (play-by-play) and Taylor McHargue (analyst)
Game information
StatisticsARSTARK
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Arkansas StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
ArkansasPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Iowa State

Iowa State Cyclones (0–0) vs Arkansas State Red Wolves (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Cyclones0
Red Wolves0

at Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR

  • Date: September 13, 2025
  • Game time: 3:00 PM CDT
  • TV: ESPN2
Game information
StatisticsISUARST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Iowa StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Arkansas StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Kennesaw State

Arkansas State Red Wolves (0–0) vs Kennesaw State Owls (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Red Wolves0
Owls0

at Fifth Third StadiumKennesaw, GA

  • Date: September 20, 2025
  • Game time: 6:00 PM EDT
Game information
StatisticsARSTKENN
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Arkansas StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Kennesaw StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Louisiana–Monroe

Arkansas State Red Wolves (0–0) vs Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Red Wolves0
Warhawks0

at Malone StadiumMonroe, LA

  • Date: September 27, 2025
Game information
StatisticsARSTULM
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Arkansas StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Louisiana–MonroePassing
Rushing
Receiving

Texas State

Texas State Bobcats (0–0) vs Arkansas State Red Wolves (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Bobcats0
Red Wolves0

at Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR

  • Date: October 4, 2025
Game information
StatisticsTXSTARST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Texas StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Arkansas StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

at South Alabama

Arkansas State Red Wolves (0–0) vs South Alabama Jaguars (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Red Wolves0
Jaguars0

at Hancock Whitney StadiumMobile, AL

  • Date: October 14, 2025
  • Game time: 6:30 PM CDT
Game information
StatisticsARSTUSA
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Arkansas StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
South AlabamaPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Georgia Southern

Georgia Southern Eagles (0–0) vs Arkansas State Red Wolves (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Eagles0
Red Wolves0

at Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR

  • Date: October 25, 2025
Game information
StatisticsGASOARST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Georgia SouthernPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Arkansas StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Troy

Arkansas State Red Wolves (0–0) vs Troy Trojans (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Red Wolves0
Trojans0

at Veterans Memorial StadiumTroy, AL

  • Date: November 1, 2025
Game information
StatisticsARSTTROY
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Arkansas StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
TroyPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Southern Miss

Southern Miss Golden Eagles (0–0) vs Arkansas State Red Wolves (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Golden Eagles0
Red Wolves0

at Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR

  • Date: November 8, 2025
Game information
StatisticsUSMARST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Southern MissPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Arkansas StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

Louisiana

Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns (0–0) vs Arkansas State Red Wolves (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Ragin' Cajuns0
Red Wolves0

at Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR

  • Date: November 20, 2025
  • Game time: 6:30 PM CST
Game information
StatisticsULLARST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
LouisianaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Arkansas StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Appalachian State

Arkansas State Red Wolves (0–0) vs Appalachian State Mountaineers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Red Wolves0
Mountaineers0

at Kidd Brewer StadiumBoone, NC

  • Date: November 29, 2025
Game information
StatisticsARSTAPP
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Arkansas StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Appalachian StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

References

  1. "Staff Directory". Arkansas State Red Wolves. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  2. "Arkansas State Football Transfer Portal". ON3.
  3. "Arkansas State Red Wolves 2025 College Football Transfer Portal". 247Sports.
  4. "2025 FBS-to-FCS Transfers". herosports.
  5. "2025 FCS-to-FBS Transfers". herosports.
  6. Hudgison, Chris (December 9, 2024). "Arkansas State football roster moves (2024-25)". KAIT . Retrieved April 14, 2025.
  7. "Sun Belt Announces Football Preseason Awards & Poll". sunbeltsports.org. July 21, 2025. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  8. "Van Andel Tabbed SBC Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year; Four Red Wolves Named Preseason All-Sun Belt". Arkansas State University Athletics. July 21, 2025. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  9. "2025 Arkansas State Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  10. "2025 Football Schedule". Arkansas State Red Wolves. Retrieved March 14, 2025.