The college football season is upon us, and while many are excited about the SEC, Big Ten, and other FBS teams, I am locked in on the Eastern Kentucky Colonels. EKU enters the season with a new QB and several new members of the coaching staff. Coach Walt Wells enters his fifth year leading the Colonels, and he is determined to succeed. Wells made several changes to his coaching staff but retained all three of his coordinators. EKU will open their season in Starkville, Mississippi against Mississippi State. What does this EKU team look like heading into the season? Here is my 2024 EKU football season preview.
Offense
Andy Richman is working with new weapons this year, and after five seasons with Parker McKinney behind center, the Colonels call on Western Illinois transfer Matt Morrissey. Morrissey has a strong arm and has earned the respect of his teammates very quickly.
McKinney is not the only big loss, RB Braedon Sloan transferred out, and now Joshua Carter is THE running back. Carter had a solid season splitting touches with Sloan in 2023. He had 714 yards and four touchdowns, and two games of 100+ yards. Backups Brayden Latham and Jalen Montgomery will add depth to the run game.
The passing game will be stacked with talent, but not experience. Transfer Ron Vann Jr (NMSU) and Bryant Johnson are two receivers I have my eye on this season. There is a ton of depth with the likes of Dequan Stanley, Jakob Dixon, Marcus Calwise, and Jaycob Horn. The tight ends are incredibly talented. Hunter Brown is back for his second season, and newcomer Caleb Schacter (South Alabama) is primed for a big year. Zach Russell has been impressive this off-season and should see the field often as well.
ALL UAC LT Paton Collins anchors the offensive line, and Vincent Munlin returns with a move from guard to right tackle. Two other starters, center John Stone and guard Isaiah Bunn, give the Colonels a lot of experience on the line. Transfer Liam Coppinger takes the fifth spot on the line, while Kent State transfer Nick Bryan adds needed depth.
Defense
The defense struggled against big plays in 2023, and DC Jake Johnson has had back-to-back rough seasons. His job in 2024 is to find consistency in this group. It starts with veteran production.
The defensive line returns a handful of experience. Ryan Jackson, Jeremiah Bailey, Darrian Baker, and Marvion Field bring back a ton of snaps. The whole room has experience and very good depth with Darius Sterling, Brad Gurly, Bryce Tapp, and Gabe Fletcher to name a few. We could see ten different defensive linemen this season. New DL coach Eric Mathies has brought an energetic, motivational style to the line, and it is showing.
The linebackers have been hit hard by the injuries to Jaylen Herrud and Kylan Robinson. While Kyle Kelly played a lot last season and returns, Maddox Marcellus is being called upon to step up this season. Transfer Braden Sullivan (Highland CC) appears to be a solid addition on the inside as well. On the outside, the Colonels return key players like Gabe Stephens, Frank Lee, and Cam Junior. Transfer Jacquez McGowan (Tennesse Tech) is a big addition to the room.
The cornerbacks had a rough season last year, but have had a strong summer. Former Kentucky Wildcat Vito Tisdale transferred in from Colorado and has added leadership, energy, and swagger to the DBs. Returning corners Jordan Thomas and Tre Goodin have made forward strides, and transfer Garnell Wilds (City College of San Francisco) has earned the respect of the staff.
Safety Mike Smith Jr has earned preseason recognition and returns as a leader on the defense. Two transfers Moses Sarweh (Dodge City CC) and Jaheim Ward (Austin Peay) bring some added talent. Jaylen Houston has had a solid summer and should see snaps as well.
Special Teams
Patrick Nations is back which brings a lot of confidence to the kicking units. Long-snapper Jonathan Duff returns for his final season, and redshirt freshman Jacob Baker takes over as the punter. Baker has had a great end to the summer and has been showing off his leg as of late.
The return team takes a hit with the loss of Braedon Sloan, but a slew of Colonels have been competing as returners. I expect Dequan Stanley, Jalen Montgomery, and Vito Tisdale to be names we will see returning kicks and punts.
Keys to the EKU Season
While quarterback play is important for every team, the EKU offense is going to be successful they need Matt Morrissey to play well. Josh Carter and the offensive line will be fine in the run game, the passing game will need to complement them.
Defensive consistency is a must! Two straight seasons of struggle must come to an end. EKU has some talented pass rushers, and run stuffers, they need every level of the defense to take a couple of steps forward.
EKU Key Players
- QB Matt Morrissey
- WR Ron Vann Jr.
- CB Vito Tisdale
- S Mike Smith Jr
- DT Ryan Jackson
- DE Jeremiah Bailey
- P Jacob Baker
10 Best EKU Players
- Payton Collins, LT
- Vito Tisdale, CB
- Joshua Carter, RB
- Hunter Brown, TE
- Ryan Jackson, DT
- Mike Smith JR, S
- Cam Junior, LB
- Vincent Munlin, RT
- Darrian Baker, DE
- Marvion Field, DE
EKU Season Prediction
I have heard people who think EKU is a six-win team and others who think they are a nine-win team. The schedule is tough to start with road games against Mississippi State and Western Kentucky. I do think this is a team that will find success in the conference games. I think EKU ends the year at 8-4. They easily could win nine, and once we see them in real game action, I may lean towards that. The biggest game on the schedule is their home matchup against Central Arkansas on November 9.
Tune into the Sports Stove Podcast each week as Ryan Jackson and I preview and recap every game. Each week, we are joined by members of the EKU football team. Follow me on X for more EKU opinions. All pictures used in this article were taken by members of the EKU staff.
