2025 Pre-season Poll

[pantherclaw]

Lots of question marks pushed us down. I am thinking(hoping) we will surprise some people. Will say the social media and outreach of the department and team is WAY better then years prior.

https://valley-football.org/news/202...of-finish.aspx

Team (1st-Place Votes)	TOT
1. North Dakota State (39)	417
2. South Dakota State	355
3. South Dakota (3)	349
4. Illinois State	292
5. Youngstown State	211
6. Southern Illinois	208
7. North Dakota	196
8. UNI	130
9. Indiana State	105
10. Murray State	47

Also pretty good selection on the "Watch List" Including 4 on the wait for it........DL

TE

Derek

Anderson

Northern Iowa

OL

Blake

Anderson

Northern Iowa

OL

Keean

Kamerling

Northern Iowa

WR

Jaiden

Ellis-Lahey

Northern Iowa

WR

Tysen

Kershaw

Northern Iowa

WR

JC

Roque Jr.

Northern Iowa

DL	Jack	Kriebs	Northern Iowa
DL	Owen	Ostroski	Northern Iowa
DL	Franz	Reisz	Northern Iowa
DL	Jackson	Stortz	Northern Iowa

LB

Tucker

Langenberg

Northern Iowa

DB

Jonathan

Cabral-Martin

Northern Iowa

DB

Michael

Olowo

Northern Iowa

[06panther10]

Tough but fair. I have zero expectations for this team, and I have no idea what the season's outcome will be.

My hope is that by November, the team has an identity and can at least play some type of disciplined cohesive football. Give us something to build on.

[kochrab]

I think it's the best thing possible for this team to EXCEED expectations rather than be a disappointment. I agree with you, too, 06, I have no expectations either. I would love to be blown away and have a greatly successful season. I'm just ready for this season to get rolling!

[Blue42]

When do the players officially report for fall camp?

[BCPanther]

When do the players officially report for fall camp?

July 29th.

This thing is a full and total rebuild. Not expecting much this year just need to see an identity and the creativity in formation and motion that Stepsis is brining with him.

We'll know by game 17 or 18 (mid 2026) if this thing is going to work or not.

[Blue42]

July 29th.

This thing is a full and total rebuild. Not expecting much this year just need to see an identity and the creativity in formation and motion that Stepsis is brining with him.

We'll know by game 17 or 18 (mid 2026) if this thing is going to work or not.

Put some corners in tight coverage and blitz the QB a few times a game and I might be happy.

At least force the other team to react to what you're doing...and not just complete 8 yard passes in front of soft coverage on 3rd and 5 for 3 hours. I can't watch that any more.

[pnthr53]

It still makes me sick that we are where we are. I do like a lot of the things im hearing/seeing. We stayed status quo for far too long and why we are where we are. The golf outing last Thursday sure was different. I didn't recognize very many people. I will support as best I can but man it still comes down to wins and losses and last year was no fun. Figure out a way.....Go Panthers!

[BCPanther]

Put some corners in tight coverage and blitz the QB a few times a game and I might be happy.

At least force the other team to react to what you're doing...and not just complete 8 yard passes in front of soft coverage on 3rd and 5 for 3 hours. I can't watch that any more.

I might break into tears the first time we get off the field on 4th & 12 in an important moment.

[Blue42]

I might break into tears the first time we get off the field on 4th & 12 in an important moment.

Ha...no doubt

It was near impossible to get off the field last year.

[FOTY]

I have next to no expectations this season and have absolutely no idea how we do or what we look like. All I’m hoping to see is a purple dome and improvement as the season progresses.

[ronfitch]

I have next to no expectations this season and have absolutely no idea how we do or what we look like. All I’m hoping to see is a purple dome and improvement as the season progresses.

I will be happy with better use of time outs and the first time I see something other than a handoff up the middle on a third-and-long.

[BCPanther]

I will be happy with better use of time outs and the first time I see something other than a handoff up the middle on a third-and-long.

Can I interest you in a handoff up the middle out of a funky formation? That lines up with what Stepsis has done in the past.

[MVCBeat]

Haven't really followed too much in the offseason. Any specific new players to be excited about? Same QB situation as last year?

[MVCBeat]

Excitement level through the roof I see.

[pantherclaw]

Haven't really followed too much in the offseason. Any specific new players to be excited about? Same QB situation as last year?

The big off-season transfer get was Owen Ostroski He was a big transfer portal get from Tulsa. He initially committed to SDSU but then switched after we named our new coach and the SDSU coach left along with half the SDSU team. Also brought teammate Bill Jackson(RB)

I think Ryan Crandall could be a contributor he was 5th team all valley @ western illinois in 2023 and had some decent stats for the necks in 2024.

Other transfers in: DL Jaylen Pettus(USF via Iowa Western); LS Kyle Kopzynski (Western Illinois via Dupage); WR Graham friedrichsen(Iowa); DL Jamarion Augustus(Highland CC via North Alabama); CB Joe Hall(Kansas State); K Max Bartachek(Iowa Western CC); DL Ryan Kuennen(Iowa); WR Ayden Price(Iowa);

So some possible contributors especially on the DL where we have struggled.

Same QB situation as last year though I get the feeling its scheckelmans job to lose.