Expectations are rising, but Arkansas State's path to a Sun Belt title will be decided in fall camp

Expectations are high for Butch Jones' team entering the 2026 season, but fall camp will play a major role in determining whether the Red Wolves are ready to contend for a Sun Belt championship. (Justin Manning Photo)

For the first time in years, Arkansas State enters fall camp carrying something it hasn’t had often during the Butch Jones era.

Expectations.

National preseason publications believe the Red Wolves have positioned themselves to contend for a Sun Belt Conference championship after making significant strides over the past two seasons.

Athlon Sports projects Arkansas State to finish second in the Sun Belt’s West Division behind defending division champion Troy, placing the Red Wolves ahead of Louisiana Tech, Louisiana, South Alabama, Southern Miss and ULM. Lindy’s Sports is nearly as optimistic, predicting Arkansas State will finish third behind Troy and Louisiana, with Louisiana Tech picked fourth in its first season as a member of the Sun Belt.

Those projections reinforce what Jones and his staff have been building toward since arriving in Jonesboro. The Red Wolves have assembled one of the conference’s deepest rosters and enter 2026 as a legitimate contender to reach the program’s first Sun Belt Championship Game.

But preseason predictions aren’t won in magazines.

They’re earned during August.

Every practice, every position battle and every personnel decision over the next several weeks will determine whether Arkansas State is ready to challenge for a championship or spend another season trying to close the gap on the league’s elite.

While the spotlight naturally falls on the quarterback competition, the Red Wolves’ path to a successful season stretches far beyond replacing Jaylen Raynor.