The anticipation is palpable as the 2025 Division II college football season draws near, and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) is ready to deliver another round of drama, grit, and gridiron glory. With every team looking to either defend, reclaim, or surprise, this year’s preview offers a comprehensive look at the squads, new coaching faces, and opening week matchups that will set the tone for the months ahead.
Miles College, the defending SIAC champions, enter the 2025 campaign with a target on their backs. The Golden Bears, fresh off a ten-win season and a conference title over Clark Atlanta, also managed a playoff victory against Carson-Newman before bowing out to national runner-up Valdosta State in the second round. But this season, the Bears will be under new leadership as Chris Goode, a former NFL player with a proven track record in player development, takes the reins from SIAC Coach of the Year Sam Shade. Shade, after orchestrating Miles’ championship run, has moved on to a Division I post at Alabama A&M.
Senior quarterback Kamren Ivory will once again marshal the Miles offense. Ivory’s 2024 campaign saw him throw for 1,476 yards and 14 touchdowns against just five interceptions, a testament to his poise and efficiency. However, the team will need to replace leading rusher Jonero Scott, turning instead to junior Javonta Leatherwood, who notched 411 yards and an impressive 11 touchdowns last year. The wide receiver group is almost entirely new, as the top four pass catchers from 2024 have moved on, putting pressure on fresh faces to deliver right away.
Defensively, Miles was a powerhouse last season, leading the SIAC in scoring defense (18.2 points allowed per game) and ranking second in total defense (299.8 yards per game). However, all six players who tallied over 50 tackles are gone, forcing young linebacker Carson Pritchett, who had 33 tackles in a reserve role, into a much larger spotlight. Special teams remain a strength, with Roderick Smith returning as both punter and kicker.
The Golden Bears open their season at a neutral venue—Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio—against Virginia Union, the defending CIAA champions and a 2025 Division II playoff quarterfinalist. It’s a heavyweight bout to kick off the year, but the prediction leans toward Virginia Union, 34-17.
Fort Valley State, coming off a 6-2 conference mark, faces a season of transition. Head coach Shawn Gibbs has departed for North Carolina A&T, replaced by Marlon Watson, formerly of Prairie View A&M. The Wildcats’ offense was potent last season, but with quarterback Kelvin Durham transferring and both top rushers and receivers gone, a heated competition for starting roles is underway. The defense, number one in the SIAC for total yards allowed (269.3 per game), also faces significant turnover, especially at linebacker. Fort Valley State opens at historic Legion Field against playoff-tested West Alabama, with a predicted close win for the Wildcats, 24-20.
Albany State, after a 6-4 campaign, brings back plenty of firepower. Graduate quarterback Isaiah Knowles returns after a stellar 2024 in which he completed nearly 66 percent of his passes for 2,555 yards and 32 touchdowns. Top receivers Jamill Williams, Javion Jackson, and Devon Dorsey are back, as is leading rusher Tiant Wyche. The defense, anchored by returning stars Andrew Ruffin, Aydin Henningham, and sack leader Derrick Drayton, looks to build on last year’s top-three ranking in total defense. Albany State opens at Shaw University, seeking revenge for a 43-40 loss last year, and the prediction favors the Golden Rams, 38-20.
Clark Atlanta, who tied for second in the SIAC and reached the conference title game, will again be an offensive juggernaut if they can replace quarterback David Wright III, whose status remains uncertain. Running back Trayvon Pinder and senior receivers Jamal Jones and Armone Harris (who combined for nearly 2,000 yards and 13 touchdowns last year) return to lead the charge. Defense, however, was a trouble spot, ranking tenth in scoring defense. Free safety James Summersett, who had 65 tackles, will be back to anchor the secondary. Clark Atlanta faces a daunting opener against Valdosta State at Legion Field, with the prediction favoring Valdosta State, 52-28.
Tuskegee University, historically a conference powerhouse, is looking to rebound from a rare losing season (5-6 overall). Quarterback Raequan Beal returns alongside all five top running backs, promising a balanced attack. The defense, which was ninth in total yards allowed but third in scoring defense, brings back linebacker Kaquon Kimber and playmaker Mikael King Jr., who was named to the D2football.com Elite 100 list. Tuskegee opens against Winston-Salem State in the Red Tail Classic at Cramton Bowl, with a predicted win for the Golden Tigers, 24-20.
Savannah State had a tale of two seasons in 2024, starting 1-3 but finishing 5-5. The offense, which struggled for much of the year, will rely on new quarterback Christian Burks and returning rusher Joseph Hampton. The defense, led by linebackers Darrian Bell and Gary Davis Jr., along with edge rusher Xavier Esquillen, is expected to be the team’s strength. Savannah State opens with a conference matchup against Edward Waters, and the prediction is a narrow win for Savannah State, 20-14.
Other notable openers include Kentucky State versus Central State at Ford Field, with Kentucky State predicted to win 34-21. Benedict, with transfer Cam Wilson bolstering the defense and senior quarterback Tre Simmons at the helm, faces Fayetteville State in a tossup game, with Fayetteville State edging Benedict 17-16. Lane College, under new head coach Stanley Conner, opens against Lincoln (Mo) and is predicted to win 34-17. Allen faces a tough FCS opponent in Morehead State, with Morehead State favored 34-24, while Morehouse looks to bounce back against Johnson C. Smith in the Essence HBCU Classic, where they are predicted to fall 45-16. Central State, now led by NFL veteran Tony Carter, will look for a fresh start against Kentucky State.
With coaching changes, quarterback battles, and revamped rosters, the SIAC’s 2025 football season promises high drama and plenty of surprises. As teams take the field for opening weekend, fans can expect a blend of new faces and seasoned veterans vying for glory. The predictions are in, but as always, the real story will be written on the field.
