Arkansas State will renew one of their oldest rivalries on Nov. 21 when they travel to Ruston, Louisiana, to face Louisiana Tech in a game that could have major implications in the Sun Belt Conference West race.

The Red Wolves and Bulldogs will meet as conference foes after Louisiana Tech officially returned to the Sun Belt following 13 seasons in Conference USA. The rivalry dates back nearly seven decades and has produced numerous memorable contests between two programs.

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Arkansas State’s first road game of November could be one of its most intriguing. The Red Wolves travel to Conway on Nov. 14 to face a Coastal Carolina program entering a new era under first-year head coach Ryan Beard, who was hired after three seasons under Tim Beck.

Beard arrives after leading Missouri State through its transition to the FBS level and now faces the challenge of restoring the Chanticleers to the championship form they enjoyed during the Jamey Chadwell era.

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Arkansas State will kick off its 2027 football season a week earlier than originally planned after the athletics department announced Tuesday that the Red Wolves’ road game against Virginia has been moved to Week Zero.

The matchup at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia, will now be played on Aug. 28, 2027, instead of its previously scheduled date of Sept. 18, 2027.

The scheduling change gives Arkansas State a nationally recognized Atlantic Coast Conference opponent to open the season before returning home for its 2027 home opener.

The Red Wolves will host Central Arkansas on Sept. 4 at Centennial Bank Stadium before welcoming Memphis on Sept. 11 in what is expected to be one of the marquee nonconference matchups on the schedule.

Arkansas State will conclude nonconference play on Sept. 25 with a road trip to Missouri State.

Virginia and Arkansas State have met previously, with the Cavaliers defeating the Red Wolves 24-17 in Charlottesville during the 2018 season.

There has never been a better time to be a fan of Sun Belt Conference football.

For years, the Group of Five conversation has revolved around one or two nationally relevant brands. Boise State. Memphis. Tulane. Liberty. More recently, UNLV has emerged as another program capable of crashing the College Football Playoff conversation, while Western Michigan has positioned itself to make noise this season.

Those programs deserve every bit of the attention they receive.

But when the discussion shifts from the best team to the best conference, there is only one answer.

It’s the Sun Belt.

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Arkansas State will open the final month of the regular season at Centennial Bank Stadium when it hosts ULM on Nov. 7, a matchup that could carry significant implications for the Red Wolves’ pursuit of a Sun Belt Conference championship.

For the visiting Warhawks, the contest represents another opportunity to show Bryant Vincent’s rebuilding effort is beginning to gain traction.

Although ULM remains a program searching for consistency after several difficult seasons, there is growing optimism in Monroe. The Warhawks return an experienced nucleus on both sides of the football and enter the season with four preseason All-Sun Belt selections — the program’s highest total since 2020 and the most during Vincent’s tenure.

Two players earned first-team recognition while two more landed on the second team, giving ULM proven talent around which to build.

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Arkansas State shortstop Patrick Engskov will get his opportunity to play professional baseball after signing an undrafted free agent contract with the Atlanta Braves.

Engskov leaves Arkansas State following a standout two-year career in Jonesboro, where he established himself as one of the Red Wolves’ most dependable players on both sides of the ball.

The Little Rock native played a key role in helping Arkansas State post its highest win total since 2016 during the 2026 season. Starting every game for the second consecutive year, Engskov batted .269 with a .352 on-base percentage and a .500 slugging percentage while collecting 56 hits, scoring 42 runs and driving in 39.

He also supplied plenty of power, recording 13 doubles, one triple and 11 home runs, while showcasing his speed on the bases by stealing 11 bases in 13 attempts. His stolen base total ranked second on the team.

Engskov’s consistency made him one of the cornerstones of head coach Mike Silva’s lineup. He started all 106 games during his two seasons with the Red Wolves after transferring back to his home state from Oklahoma.

Defensively, Engskov anchored the middle of Arkansas State’s infield. He compiled a .970 fielding percentage during his Red Wolves career and turned 60 double plays, providing steady defense at one of the game’s most demanding positions.

Before arriving at Arkansas State, Engskov spent two seasons at Oklahoma, where he gained experience in one of college baseball’s premier conferences before returning to Arkansas for the final chapter of his collegiate career.

For the first time since arriving in Jonesboro nearly six years ago, Arkansas State head football coach Butch Jones believes the Red Wolves have the foundation in place to compete for a Sun Belt Conference championship.

That confidence isn’t rooted in preseason accolades or national recognition.

It’s rooted in culture.

Speaking during Sun Belt Conference Football Media Days on Thursday, Jones repeatedly returned to one theme while discussing the 2026 Red Wolves — connection.

To Jones, that’s what separates this year’s team from previous seasons.

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Arkansas State head coach Butch Jones knows the question everyone wants answered.

Who will be the Red Wolves’ starting quarterback?

With preseason camp just weeks away, Jones made it clear during Sun Belt Conference Football Media Days that the competition remains wide open, and he’s in no hurry to make a decision.

Instead, he plans to let the position sort itself out naturally.

“I’ve never been one to set timelines,” Jones said. “Why would you restrict yourself on deciding who the quarterback is? It’s got to happen organically.”

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Arkansas State safety Brandon Barnes believes championships are built long before kickoff.

For the veteran defensive leader, that process has centered on developing relationships, strengthening the team’s culture and ensuring one of the Sun Belt Conference’s most experienced rosters is connected before the Red Wolves take the field this fall.

Speaking Wednesday during Sun Belt Conference Football Media Days, Barnes said Arkansas State has emphasized leadership and team chemistry throughout the offseason as the program prepares for what many expect to be a championship-caliber season.

“I think this is one of the closest teams we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Barnes said. “Everybody’s connected, everybody’s bought in, and we’re all working toward the same goal.”

Barnes said that connection has been intentional.

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Chauncy Cobb’s journey at Arkansas State has been anything but overnight.

The preseason All-Sun Belt selection arrived in Jonesboro with little fanfare, played sparingly during his first two seasons and patiently waited for his opportunity.

Now, entering the 2026 season as one of the conference’s most dynamic playmakers, Cobb has embraced a new role — leading one of Arkansas State’s deepest wide receiver rooms while helping usher in a new starting quarterback.

Speaking Wednesday during Sun Belt Conference Football Media Days, Cobb said the competition at quarterback has energized the offense throughout the offseason.

“We’ve got four quarterbacks competing,” Cobb said. “It’s exciting. They all compete. If I could play with all four of them, I’d play with all four of them.”

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Arkansas State head football coach Butch Jones believes the foundation has finally been laid.

Now comes the challenge of proving it.

Speaking Wednesday at Sun Belt Conference Football Media Days, Jones reflected on the Red Wolves’ methodical rebuild while expressing confidence that Arkansas State has developed the culture necessary to compete for a conference championship despite replacing key contributors and breaking in a new quarterback.

“Obviously, we’re really excited about the opportunities that exist this coming season, but also excited about the many challenges that lie ahead,” Jones said.

Jones spent much of his opening remarks explaining why Arkansas State’s rebuild has taken longer than many expected.

When he arrived in Jonesboro before the 2021 season, Jones inherited a roster with just 72 scholarship players and had less than a month to assemble his first recruiting class.

Then came the COVID-19 season, followed almost immediately by the transfer portal era that dramatically reshaped college football.

“There were no quick fixes because there wasn’t a thing called the transfer portal,” Jones said. “You had to do it through development of your players and high school recruiting.”

Jones said Arkansas State’s rebuilding process has coincided with one of the most transformative periods in college football history.

“I call it eras,” Jones said. “Even though they’ve only been one to two years, everything has really been accelerated.”

Despite those challenges, Jones believes the program’s culture has remained constant.

“I think when I look at our football program, one thing that is set in stone in this era is our culture and our connection,” he said.

Turning the Corner

Jones pointed to last season as evidence the program has matured.

Arkansas State opened the year 1-4 after facing one of the nation’s toughest nonconference schedules before rallying to finish with a winning record and another bowl championship.

“We’re the only program in all of college football that started 1-4 and ended with a winning record and a bowl championship,” Jones said. “We’re the only program in the Sun Belt Conference that’s won back-to-back bowl games. We’ve gone to three straight bowl games.”

Jones credited that turnaround to the culture his staff has established.

“Our culture, our expectations, our principles and values are pretty set in stone,” he said.

Plenty of Questions Remain

Even with optimism surrounding the program, Jones acknowledged there are still significant unknowns entering fall camp.

Chief among them is quarterback.

Arkansas State enters preseason practice with four quarterbacks competing to replace Jaylen Raynor, and Jones made it clear he has no timetable for naming a starter.

“I’ve never been one to set timelines,” Jones said. “Why would you restrict yourself on deciding who the quarterback is? It’s got to happen organically.”

Jones added that leadership often determines who ultimately wins the job.

“A lot of times your players dictate who your starting quarterback is by the way they rally around them and their leadership capabilities.”

He added that all four quarterbacks have impressed him during offseason workouts.

Defensive Growth Key

While the quarterback competition has drawn much of the preseason attention, Jones said another area may be just as important.

Arkansas State returns only two players along its defensive front, forcing the coaching staff to quickly develop chemistry among a largely rebuilt defensive line.

“So much that goes into playing great defense is what we call a pack rush,” Jones said. “How we push the pocket, how we find the quarterback, all those individuals working together.”

New Faces on the Coaching Staff

Jones also praised several offseason coaching additions.

He highlighted new offensive coordinator Garrett Altman, who arrived from Vanderbilt after coaching quarterbacks for the Commodores.

Jones said he admired Vanderbilt’s offensive creativity over the past two seasons and intentionally targeted coaches from programs that had exceeded expectations.

“In the last two years, I found myself gravitating toward Vanderbilt,” Jones said. “I wanted to hire coaches that came from programs that overachieved.”

He also praised new strength and conditioning coach Ben Armor, who joined the Red Wolves from Duke.

Jones said players have already reached career highs in lean muscle mass, speed and strength since Armor arrived in Jonesboro.

Homegrown Leadership

Jones repeatedly emphasized the importance of retaining veteran leaders in an era dominated by the transfer portal.

He pointed to preseason All-Sun Belt wide receiver Chauncy Cobb and safety Brandon Barnes as examples of players who stayed committed to Arkansas State’s long-term vision.

“Both of these individuals have been homegrown and raised in our football program,” Jones said. “They understand our principles, our values, our culture and our expectations.”

Jones noted Cobb did not play during his first season before becoming an All-Sun Belt performer.

“He stayed the course,” Jones said. “When that opportunity presented itself for him to perform, he took great advantage of that opportunity.”

Building Chemistry

Barnes said developing chemistry has been a major offseason emphasis, particularly with 17 transfer additions joining the defensive side of the ball.

The senior safety credited team-building activities, including leadership training with former Navy SEALs and military personnel, for helping unite the roster.

“We’ve been in the Marine Corps program which brought us together closer as a team,” Barnes said. “Every Wednesday we have this thing called 4-to-1 where we break everything down with no football. We talk about each other and each other’s lives... and get closer with our teammates.”

Community Connection

Both Barnes and Cobb also spoke about the relationship between the football program and the Jonesboro community.

Cobb said Red Wolves fans never stopped supporting the team despite last season’s slow start.

“Even when we were going through adversity in our season last year, the fans were still by our side,” Cobb said. “They still came out to support us every home game and some even on the road.”

Barnes recalled one memorable experience during a community service visit to a local school.

After speaking with students about the importance of giving, Barnes said a young girl attempted to give him her last $10.

“I told her, ‘No, baby girl, keep your $10,’” Barnes said. “Then in return, I gave her $20. It’s a beautiful thing to see whenever you can touch another person’s heart.”

Confidence in the Offense

Cobb also addressed the ongoing quarterback competition, saying each of Arkansas State’s four candidates brings different strengths.

“They all compete,” Cobb said. “If I could play with all four of them, I’d play with all four of them. They’re very nice quarterbacks.”

He also expressed confidence in a receiving corps that returns five of its top seven contributors from last season.

“I feel like we’re going to be very explosive,” Cobb said. “We have older guys in the room helping the younger guys buy into the culture so we can have a great season.”

Arkansas State returns home from the road for Homecoming on Oct. 24 when the Red Wolves welcome Georgia State to Centennial Bank Stadium in a matchup featuring two programs entering the season with vastly different expectations.

While Arkansas State begins 2026 with legitimate aspirations of competing for the Sun Belt West Division title, Georgia State arrives in Jonesboro hoping to simply take the next step under third-year head coach Dell McGee after enduring a difficult 1-11 campaign in 2025.

For the Panthers, Year 3 under McGee could determine whether the program is finally beginning to turn the corner.

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As Arkansas State prepares for what many believe could be one of its most anticipated football seasons under head coach Butch Jones, Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Keith Gill made one thing clear Wednesday: the Red Wolves are competing in one of the strongest Group of Five conferences in college football.

During his annual State of the Conference address that opened the 2026 Sun Belt Football Media Days at the New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District, Gill highlighted the conference’s unprecedented success over the past four seasons while pointing to an even brighter future.

“We have enjoyed the best four-year run in conference history, and I believe, the best four-year run of any peer conference,” Gill said. “But I firmly believe, after 50 years of tremendous growth and achievement, our best days are still ahead of us.”

For Arkansas State, Gill’s comments reinforce just how difficult the climb to the top of the Sun Belt has become.

After consecutive winning seasons and bowl victories under Jones, the Red Wolves enter the 2026 season with legitimate aspirations of competing for a West Division title. Doing so will require navigating a conference that has established itself as arguably the nation’s premier Group of Five league.

The Sun Belt reached another milestone in 2025 when James Madison became the conference’s first representative in the College Football Playoff. That accomplishment followed another historic baseball season as Troy advanced to the Men’s College World Series, giving the conference back-to-back appearances in Omaha.

Gill credited the league’s sustained success to its overall depth rather than the accomplishments of a handful of programs.

“In the first 14 seasons of Sun Belt football, we produced three 10-win teams,” Gill said. “In the last 11 seasons we’ve produced 22, including multiple 10-win teams in eight-straight seasons.”

The commissioner noted the conference has also dramatically increased its postseason success.

“In those first 14 seasons the league had 25 bowl participants,” Gill said. “In the last 11 we have had 73, including averaging 10 bowl-eligible teams over the past three years.”

Those numbers illustrate the challenge awaiting Arkansas State.

Unlike conferences where one or two teams dominate annually, the Sun Belt has become one of the deepest leagues in the country, with multiple programs capable of competing for conference championships each season.

Gill also highlighted the conference’s success against Power Four opponents.

“From 2022 to 2025, we earned 12 wins over autonomy conference football programs and led our peer conferences in Bowl Season participation each year,” Gill said. “Over the last seven years, six Sun Belt teams have finished in the final College Football Playoff Top 25, and we’ve hosted ESPN’s College GameDay three times.”

For Arkansas State, those achievements provide additional opportunities to elevate the program nationally.

If the Red Wolves can emerge from the Sun Belt race this season, they’ll have accomplished it against one of the most respected Group of Five conferences in college football.

Gill also discussed the addition of Louisiana Tech, which officially joined the Sun Belt on July 1.

The Bulldogs immediately become a West Division rival for Arkansas State and renew a series that dates back decades.

“Louisiana Tech is an ideal fit for our conference, bringing a strong record of competitive success and a geographic fit that strengthens our footprint,” Gill said.

He specifically pointed to the rivalry opportunities created by the move.

“Their addition renews in-state rivalries with ULM and Louisiana, creates compelling matchups with Southern Miss and Arkansas State, improves travel and gives fans more games that matter,” Gill said. “They make us stronger in a myriad of ways.”

The addition of Louisiana Tech continues what Gill described as a strategic approach to conference expansion.

Rather than stretching the league’s geographic footprint, the Sun Belt has focused on adding regional rivals capable of strengthening competition across multiple sports.

“Since 2021, the Sun Belt has taken a different path by strategically adding five brands that strengthen our conference in football, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and softball,” Gill said. “These additions deepen rivalries in both divisions, create compelling matchups, increase fan engagement and improve travel efficiency for our schools and fans.”

While football remains the conference’s highest-profile sport, Gill emphasized the Sun Belt’s recent success across the athletic department.

“The Sun Belt excels well beyond football,” he said.

The conference placed eight baseball and softball teams into NCAA Tournament play this past season while also qualifying multiple teams in men’s soccer and men’s golf.

Gill also addressed issues facing college athletics, including possible expansion of the College Football Playoff and federal legislation designed to create more consistency in transfer and eligibility rules.

“There’s significant discussion about the College Football Playoff and whether it should expand,” Gill said. “The Sun Belt could reasonably support the largest possible expansion to create more opportunities for our teams. But the issue is more complicated than that.”

He also expressed support for portions of the proposed Protect College Sports Act, particularly provisions addressing the transfer portal.

“The untold story is the transfer student-athletes who do not find another school,” Gill said. “They have nowhere to play.”

While Wednesday’s activities focused on East Division programs, Arkansas State and the rest of the Sun Belt West will take center stage Thursday.

Jones, junior wide receiver and return specialist Chauncy Cobb, and junior safety Brandon Barnes are scheduled to represent the Red Wolves during media day activities.

Arkansas State enters the season after being selected to finish third in the Sun Belt West Division in the preseason coaches poll, but with seven preseason First Team All-Sun Belt selections—the most in the conference—the Red Wolves will arrive in New Orleans with expectations that continue to rise.

If Gill’s assessment of the Sun Belt is accurate, Arkansas State won’t simply have to be good to compete for a conference championship.

The Red Wolves will have to navigate what has become one of the deepest and most competitive conferences in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Continuity may be the biggest reason for optimism surrounding Arkansas State baseball entering the 2027 season.

Head coach Mike Silva and his staff retained all 13 players with remaining eligibility who made at least one start during the 2026 campaign while adding 10 newcomers through the transfer portal and high school recruiting as the Red Wolves prepare for Silva’s third season at the helm.

The incoming class includes seven players announced this summer, joining earlier additions Harrison Engskov, Clayton Kline and Keaton Mathis.

The combination gives Arkansas State a veteran nucleus supplemented by experienced transfers and promising freshmen as the program looks to continue its upward trajectory under Silva.

Perhaps the most impressive accomplishment of the offseason came before any newcomers arrived.

Silva and his staff successfully retained every eligible starter from last season, giving the Red Wolves one of the most experienced returning rosters in the Sun Belt Conference.

Those returning starters accounted for 225 of Arkansas State’s 530 starts in 2026, representing approximately 42 percent of the team’s total starts.

Leading the returning position players are Ashton Quiller and Lane Walton, both of whom are expected to anchor the offense after productive 2026 campaigns.

Sophomore infielder Derek Martinez also returns after earning Second Team All-Sun Belt Conference honors and a spot on the Sun Belt All-Freshman Team during an impressive rookie season.

Joey McLaughlin, Aidan Houseworth and Cole Manuel also return after making significant contributions both offensively and defensively last season.

On the mound, Arkansas State welcomes back much of its pitching staff, including Tyler Weimer, Andrew Allen, Collin Maloney and Ryan Ashford, while Ckyler Tengler and Houston Tomlinson are also expected to play larger roles in 2027.

The Red Wolves will also receive a boost from the return of two players sidelined by injuries.

Pitcher Jack Hibbard returns after an impressive freshman season in which he made 12 starts, threw 56 1/3 innings and struck out 45 batters.

Outfielder Jalen Foxx, who opened the 2026 season as Arkansas State’s starting left fielder, is also back after missing significant time.

While the returning roster provides stability, Silva also addressed several needs through the transfer portal.

One of the most experienced additions is junior infielder Tyler Herb, who arrives from Florida Gulf Coast.

Primarily a shortstop during his two seasons with the Eagles, Herb started 59 games while compiling a .276 career batting average, a .351 on-base percentage and 30 RBIs. Defensively, he posted a .975 fielding percentage while turning 25 double plays.

Arkansas State also added Austin Haley, a versatile two-way player from Kansas State.

Before joining the Wildcats, Haley earned NJCAA Division II First Team All-America honors at Murray State College after leading his team in nearly every offensive category. Last season at Kansas State, Haley posted a 3.80 ERA over 21 1/3 innings while also seeing limited action at the plate.

The pitching staff received another experienced arm with the addition of Cole Simoneaux from Nicholls.

The right-hander appeared in 39 games over two seasons with the Colonels, striking out 74 batters in 55 innings while holding opponents to a .239 batting average.

Noah Redmon also joins the Red Wolves after two seasons at Indiana Tech.

The right-hander compiled a 12-4 career record with 152 strikeouts in 119 1/3 innings and twice recorded 10-strikeout performances during the 2025 season.

Silva also continued to invest in the program’s future through high school recruiting.

Among the incoming freshmen is Alabama middle infielder Marcus Lawler, who was ranked the No. 40 overall player and No. 2 second baseman in the state’s 2026 recruiting class by Prep Baseball. Lawler also earned MaxPreps Alabama Preseason All-State recognition.

Outfielder Eric Flores arrives from Wellington Sports Academy in Florida after batting .352 while leading his team with 14 extra-base hits during the program’s inaugural season.

Pitcher Tyler Kenast gives Arkansas State another highly regarded prospect.

The Winter Springs, Florida, native carries a Perfect Game rating of 9.0 and helped lead his high school to the FHSAA Class 5A state championship game.

Overall, Silva signed five transfers and five high school recruits, creating a balanced recruiting class that addresses immediate needs while also strengthening the program’s future.

The offseason retention may prove just as important as the additions.

In an era where roster turnover has become commonplace throughout college baseball, Arkansas State enters the 2027 season with continuity, experience and a veteran core that has already played together.

For Silva, that combination could provide the foundation necessary for the Red Wolves to take another step forward as they pursue a return to postseason play during his third season leading the program.

Arkansas State’s trip to Hattiesburg on Oct. 17 will feature more than just another Sun Belt Conference matchup.

For the first time as a head coach, Southern Miss’ Blake Anderson will stand on the opposite sideline from the Arkansas State program he helped elevate into one of the Group of Five’s premier programs.

It’s a storyline that adds another layer of intrigue to a game that could have major implications in the Sun Belt West Division.

Anderson, who led Arkansas State from 2014-20, guided the Red Wolves to six bowl appearances, two Sun Belt championships and a 51-37 record before departing for Utah State. Now, after stops in Logan and a return to the coaching ranks, he’s tasked with rebuilding one of the conference’s most tradition-rich programs.

For Arkansas State fans, it will be a reunion.

For Anderson, it will be business.

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Arkansas State’s October schedule opens with one of its most familiar Sun Belt rivals when the Red Wolves welcome South Alabama to Centennial Bank Stadium on Oct. 8.

While the Jaguars have consistently fielded one of the league’s more athletic rosters over the last several seasons, 2026 will be a year of transition in Mobile as South Alabama looks to replace several key contributors from last year’s team while continuing to compete in one of the Sun Belt’s deepest divisions.

For Arkansas State, the matchup represents another critical opportunity in conference play against a program that has become one of the league’s toughest weekly challenges.

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Arkansas State enters the 2026 football season with one of the most decorated rosters in the Sun Belt Conference.

The Red Wolves placed a league-high seven players on the 2026 Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference First Team, the conference office announced Monday, while also being picked to finish third in the West Division in the league’s preseason coaches poll.

Arkansas State’s seven first-team selections tied Georgia Southern for the second-most overall selections among the conference’s first- and second-team honorees. Marshall led the league with nine total selections.

Leading the way for the Red Wolves was junior wide receiver Chauncy Cobb, who earned first-team recognition at three different positions — wide receiver, return specialist and all-purpose player.

Joining Cobb on the first team were senior running back Kenyon Clay, senior offensive lineman Tristian Smith, senior safety AG McGhee and senior kicker Clune Van Andel.

The recognition reflects the veteran talent returning to a program looking to build on consecutive postseason appearances under head coach Butch Jones.

Cobb enters the season as one of the nation’s most dynamic all-around players after earning Walter Camp Preseason Second Team All-America honors as a kick returner.

Last season, Cobb established himself as one of the most dangerous return specialists in the Football Bowl Subdivision. He was one of only four FBS players to return multiple kickoffs for touchdowns, scoring on a 98-yard return against Arkansas and a 93-yard return against Louisiana.

He finished eighth nationally with 538 kickoff return yards while averaging 26.9 yards per return.

Cobb was equally productive as a receiver, catching 73 passes for 797 yards and a touchdown while appearing in all 13 games. His best receiving performance came against ULM, where he totaled 126 yards, and he added a touchdown reception in Arkansas State’s 34-28 victory over Missouri State in the inaugural Xbox Bowl.

Clay also returns after emerging as one of the Red Wolves’ top offensive weapons during the 2025 season.

Appearing in all 13 games with five starts, the senior running back finished second on the team with 523 rushing yards while scoring six total touchdowns, including three rushing and three receiving scores.

His best outing came against Georgia Southern when he rushed for a career-high 124 yards and a touchdown.

Up front, Smith returns after an injury-shortened season in which he established himself as Arkansas State’s top offensive lineman before suffering a season-ending injury after nine games.

According to Pro Football Focus, Smith earned a 90.5 pass-blocking grade and a 77.1 run-blocking grade while allowing just one sack in 679 offensive snaps.

His play helped the Red Wolves average 382.7 yards of total offense per game before his injury.

Defensively, McGhee returns after starting all 13 games at safety last season.

An honorable mention All-Sun Belt selection in 2025, McGhee finished third on the team with 83 tackles, including 45 solo stops. He added an interception, five pass breakups and a quarterback hurry while recording a career-high 12 tackles against Louisiana.

Van Andel once again earned recognition after another standout season as one of the conference’s premier kickers.

The senior connected on 21 of 27 field-goal attempts and converted 36 of 37 extra points, finishing with a career-high 99 points.

Among his highlights were a 54-yard field goal in Arkansas State’s Xbox Bowl victory over Missouri State and a 38-yard game-winning field goal as time expired to lift the Red Wolves to a 15-14 comeback victory over South Alabama.

While the individual honors highlight the talent returning to Jonesboro, the league’s coaches still see room for Arkansas State to climb the standings.

The Red Wolves were picked to finish third in the Sun Belt West Division with 69 points.

Defending division favorite Troy topped the poll with 96 points and 12 first-place votes. Louisiana finished second with 75 points and one first-place vote, followed by Arkansas State, Louisiana Tech, Southern Miss, South Alabama and ULM.

In the East Division, James Madison was selected as the preseason favorite after receiving 94 points and 11 first-place votes. Old Dominion finished second, followed by Marshall, Georgia Southern, Coastal Carolina, Appalachian State and Georgia State.

The preseason honors and coaches poll come just days before the conference gathers in New Orleans for Sun Belt Football Media Days.

Media Days begin Wednesday with East Division programs before concluding Thursday with the West Division schools.

Arkansas State will be represented Thursday by Jones, Cobb and junior safety Brandon Barnes, who are scheduled to take the main stage at 2 p.m. as the Red Wolves continue preparations for what many believe could be one of the program’s most competitive seasons in recent years.

2026 SUN BELT CONFERENCE FOOTBALL PRESEASON AWARDS
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, Marshall (RS Sr., QB – Atlanta, Ga.)

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Donnie Smith, Troy (Sr., DL – Greenville, Miss.)

Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year
Evan Crenshaw, Troy (Sr., P – Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.)

Preseason All-Sun Belt First Team Offense
QB – Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, Marshall (RS Sr., QB – Atlanta, Ga.)
RB – Kenyon Clay, Arkansas State (RS Sr., RB – Union, Miss.)
RB – Devin Roche, Old Dominion (RS Jr., RB – Baltimore, Md.)
OL – Tristian Smith, Arkansas State (RS Sr., OL – Crossett, Ark.)
OL – Zach Greenberg, James Madison (Gr., OL – Livingston, N.J.)
OL – AJ Vinson, ULM (Sr., OL – Social Circle, Ga.)
OL – Tariq Montgomery, Marshall (RS Sr., OL – Akron, Ohio)
OL – Jalen Slappy, Marshall (RS Sr., OL – Columbus, Ohio)
TE – Toby Payne, Marshall (RS Sr., TE – Poca, W.Va.)
WR – Chauncy Cobb, Arkansas State (RS Jr., WR – Clewiston, Fla.)
WR – Shelton Sampson Jr., Louisiana (RS Jr., WR – Baton Rouge, La.)
WR – Adrian Norton, Marshall (Sr., WR – Huber Heights, Ohio)

Preseason All-Sun Belt First Team Defense
DL – Aiden Benton, App State (RS Jr., DL – Clayton, Ga.)
DL – MJ Stroud, Georgia Southern (RS Sr., DL – Covington, Ga.)
DL – Amar Thomas, James Madison (RS Sr., DL – Upper Marlboro, Md.)
DL – Donnie Smith, Troy (Sr., DL – Greenville, Miss.)
LB – Colton Phares, App State (RS Jr., LB – Beaufort, S.C.)
LB – Noah Flemmings, ULM (Sr., LB – Austin, Texas)
LB – Kolbe Fields, Louisiana Tech (Gr., LB – New Orleans, La.)
DB – AG McGhee, Arkansas State (RS Sr., DB – Chipley, Fla.)
DB – Ja’Marion Wayne, Coastal Carolina (Gr., DB – St. Louis, Mo.)
DB – Chance Gamble, Georgia Southern (6th Yr., DB – Fitzgerald, Ga.)
DB – Brent Gordon Jr., Louisiana (So., DB – Cecilia, La.)
DB – Daytione Smith, Marshall (RS Sr., DB – East Highland Park, Va.)

Preseason All-Sun Belt First Team Special Teams
K – Clune Van Andel, Arkansas State (Sr., K – Grand Rapids, Mich.)
P – Evan Crenshaw, Troy (Sr., P – Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.)
RS – Chauncy Cobb, Arkansas State (RS Jr., RS – Clewiston, Fla.)
AP – Chauncy Cobb, Arkansas State (RS Jr., AP – Clewiston, Fla.)

Preseason All-Sun Belt Second Team Offense
QB – Goose Crowder, Troy (Sr., QB – Gardendale, Ala.)
RB – George Pettaway, James Madison (RS Sr., RB – Suffolk, Va.)
RB – Keenan Phillips, South Alabama (Jr., RB – Bainbridge, Ga.)
OL – Tyriq Poindexter, App State (RS Sr., OL – Roanoke, Va.)
OL – Kaden Moreau, Louisiana (RS Sr., OL – Pineville, La.)
OL – Ethan Hubbard, South Alabama (RS Jr., OL – Hoover, Ala.)
OL – Kenton Jerido, South Alabama (RS Sr., OL – Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
OL – Jordon Jones, Troy (Sr., OL – Ashland, Ky.)
TE – Eli Finley, Louisiana Tech (Sr., TE – Heath, Texas)
WR – Josh Dallas, Georgia Southern (RS Sr., WR – Sharpsburg, Ga.)
WR – Nic Trujillo, ULM (Sr., WR – Rio Rancho, N.M.)
WR – Anthony Eager, South Alabama (RS Jr., WR – Mobile, Ala.)

Preseason All-Sun Belt Second Team Defense
DL – Anthony Bynum, Georgia Southern (RS Jr., DL – Covington, Ga.)
DL – Fitzgerald West Jr., Louisiana (RS Sr., DL – Lafayette, La.)
DL – Braydin Ward, Marshall (RS Jr., DL – Montgomery, W.Va.)
DL – Chris Forbes, Old Dominion (RS So., DL – Upper Marlboro, Md.)
LB – Tray Brown, Coastal Carolina (RS Sr., LB – Margate, Fla.)
LB – Brandon Tyson, Georgia Southern (RS Sr., LB – Whiteville, N.C.)
LB – Javae Gilmore, Marshall (RS Sr., LB – Amite, La.)
DB – Myles Woods, Coastal Carolina (Jr., DB – Grayson, Ga.)
DB – Jabari Tiller, ULM (Sr., DB – Sumter, S.C.)
DB – Mario Easterly, Old Dominion (RS Sr., DB – Harrisburg, Pa.)
DB – Zion Frink, Old Dominion (RS Jr., DB – Chesapeake, Va.)
DB – Justin Powe, Troy (Sr., DB – Mobile, Ala.)

Preseason All-Sun Belt Second Team Special Teams
K – Tripp Bryant, Georgia Southern (So., K – Lexington, S.C.)
P – Alex Smith, Georgia Southern (Sr., P – Melbourne, Australia)
RS – Xayvion Turner-Bradshaw, Marshall (RS Sr., RS – Bluefield, Va.)
AP – Jordan Lovett, Troy (Jr., AP – Statesboro, Ga.)

2026 SUN BELT CONFERENCE FOOTBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
(First-Place Votes)

East Division
1. James Madison – 94 Points (11)
2. Old Dominion – 73 Points (1)
3. Marshall – 67 Points
4. Georgia Southern – 53 Points (1)
5. Coastal Carolina – 45 Points (1)
6. App State – 43 Points
7. Georgia State – 17 Points

West Division
1. Troy – 96 Points (12)
2. Louisiana – 75 Points (1)
3. Arkansas State – 69 Points
4. Louisiana Tech – 55 Points
5. Southern Miss – 47 Points (1)
6. South Alabama – 31 Points
7. ULM – 19 Points

The start of Sun Belt Conference play rarely comes easy, and that will certainly be the case for Arkansas State in 2026.

After navigating a demanding nonconference schedule against Memphis, West Georgia, TCU, and Kennesaw State, the Red Wolves open league play with a trip to Lafayette, Louisiana, where they’ll face a Louisiana program that continues to be one of the conference’s most consistent contenders under head coach Michael Desormeaux.

The Oct. 3 matchup could carry major implications in the Sun Belt West Division race, as both teams are expected to compete for postseason positioning.

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It may sound bold in July, but don’t dismiss the possibility that Arkansas State could be playing for a Sun Belt championship in December.

After years of rebuilding, Butch Jones appears to have assembled the deepest roster of his tenure, and national analysts are beginning to notice what Red Wolves fans have hoped for — the program may finally be ready to challenge for the top of the conference once again.

Several of the preseason publications project Arkansas State to finish among the Sun Belt contenders in 2026, and while the Red Wolves still have questions to answer before the season begins, there’s growing evidence this team has the pieces necessary to make a legitimate run at a conference title.

Here are five reasons why Arkansas State can compete for a Sun Belt championship this season.

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Arkansas State’s nonconference schedule doesn’t offer much of a breather in September.

After opening the season on the road against Memphis, hosting West Georgia in its home opener and traveling to face Big 12 member TCU, the Red Wolves return to Centennial Bank Stadium on Sept. 26 for perhaps the most intriguing game of the nonconference slate when defending Conference USA champion Kennesaw State comes to town.

On paper, the matchup may not jump off the page to casual fans. But a closer look reveals Arkansas State will be facing one of the nation’s biggest surprise teams from a year ago.

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