Butch Jones knows what Arkansas State will eventually become.
What the Red Wolves’ coach doesn’t know yet is exactly how long it will take them to get there.
With a roster featuring plenty of new faces, an unsettled quarterback situation and a season opener on the road against a Memphis team that already has one game behind it, Jones believes Arkansas State will learn plenty about itself Saturday.
Jones said the Red Wolves had a productive preseason camp, but cautioned that they remain in the early stages of developing the personality that will ultimately define the 2026 team.
“We’re in the infant stages of building our identity,” Jones said. “Back in the day when you didn’t have the portal, it probably took two or three games to kind of build your identity. I think in today’s world, it can take up to six to seven games to build your identity.”