On Saturday November 19th, the Catamounts will travel to Homewood, AL to face the Samford Bulldogs on Samford's homecoming weekend. I find it interesting that Samford saved homecoming for their last home game of the season. Maybe, they want some home field advantages against the Cats, seeking revenge for the 50-35 beatdown in Cullowhee last season.
Western is 6-17 overall against the Bulldogs, and only 2-10 in games played in Homewood. However the Cats are currently riding a 3 game win streak going into this game.
Samford enters 2026 in a full rebuild after a dismal 1-11 (1-7 SoCon) season in 2025 that ended with the midseason firing of longtime head coach Chris Hatcher (replaced by interim Scot Sloan for the final two games). IN 2025, the Bulldogs ranked near the bottom of FCS in scoring offense (~14.6 ppg) and were especially poor on the ground (~69 rushing yards per game), while allowing nearly 38 points per game. New head coach John Grass takes over, bringing a strong track record from Jacksonville State (72-26 from 2014–21, six OVC titles, six FCS playoff appearances, and a national championship game berth in 2015) plus four years as an offensive analyst/assistant at Clemson.
Grass has assembled a staff with notable coaching-tree connections (including Mickey Conn as defensive coordinator from Clemson/Alabama roots, plus assistants with ties to Dabo Swinney, Gene Chizik, Brent Venables, and Bear Bryant’s family). The program returns a solid number of lettermen (around 61) but has major holes at skill positions and in the front seven after heavy attrition. Preseason All-SoCon honors went to WR Preston Bird (first team), OL Noah Watts (second team), and DB Jalen Nelson (second team), with the team picked eighth in the coaches’ poll.
Samford enters 2026 in a full rebuild after a dismal 1-11 (1-7 SoCon) season in 2025 that ended with the midseason firing of longtime head coach Chris Hatcher (replaced by interim Scot Sloan for the final two games). IN 2025, the Bulldogs ranked near the bottom of FCS in scoring offense (~14.6 ppg) and were especially poor on the ground (~69 rushing yards per game), while allowing nearly 38 points per game. New head coach John Grass takes over, bringing a strong track record from Jacksonville State (72-26 from 2014–21, six OVC titles, six FCS playoff appearances, and a national championship game berth in 2015) plus four years as an offensive analyst/assistant at Clemson.
Grass has assembled a staff with notable coaching-tree connections (including Mickey Conn as defensive coordinator from Clemson/Alabama roots, plus assistants with ties to Dabo Swinney, Gene Chizik, Brent Venables, and Bear Bryant’s family). The program returns a solid number of lettermen (around 61) but has major holes at skill positions and in the front seven after heavy attrition. Preseason All-SoCon honors went to WR Preston Bird (first team), OL Noah Watts (second team), and DB Jalen Nelson (second team), with the team picked eighth in the coaches’ poll.
The 2025 roster already reflected significant turnover, and further losses compound the rebuild:
-Quarterback production was shared and inconsistent (Quincy Crittendon: ~1,670+ yards, 6 TDs, 6 INTs in limited action; Brady Stober: ~1,240 yards, 7 TDs, 7 INTs). Neither is listed among projected significant returning contributors at QB.
-Receiving corps depth: Calvin Jones (~650+ yards, multiple TDs) was a top target alongside Bird; other contributors like Jaden Gibson also factored in.
-Defensive front-seven and secondary pieces: Heavy losses on the defensive line and at linebacker (projected 0 significant returning EDGE/LB contributors in some analyses), plus earlier portal departures that stripped the secondary in prior cycles.
Overall:
Limited returning experience at several key spots after a season of low production and a coaching change. Lettermen lost were substantial relative to returners in critical areas.
Most Important New Players / Additions
Grass has emphasized in-state/regional recruiting and portal additions to restock:
-Transfers: Notable defensive reinforcements include DE John Scott III (Fordham), DT Dezmon Thomas (Alabama State), DT Aiden Jeter (Fordham), LB Brandon Franklin (UAB), CB Elijah McDowell (Georgia Southern), S Noah Holton (Tuskegee), CB Vaughn Mitchom (Clark Atlanta), and LB Spencer Conn (Murray State). These address the thin front seven and secondary.
-High school class: 13+ signees in the February class (plus earlier ones), heavy on Alabama/Georgia/Florida talent. Emphasis on local OL, skill players, and defenders to build the “footprint” Grass prioritizes. Specific early/high-profile names include various regional prospects at WR, OL, LB, and DB.
Returning nucleus provides a base (strong OL numbers, some skill and secondary pieces), but the new staff’s scheme installation and integration of transfers/freshmen will be key early.
Offense
The unit struggled mightily in 2025 with a spread scheme that generated decent passing volume (~267 ypg) but almost no consistent ground game or scoring. Returning production centers on WR Preston Bird (53 receptions, ~617 yards, 4 TDs—preseason first-team All-SoCon) and a relatively experienced offensive line headlined by Noah Watts (solid pass-protection and run-blocking grades in significant snaps). Two RBs and a TE are projected as significant returners, along with seven OL.
QB is wide open with zero projected significant returning contributors at the position—expect competition involving any holdovers and new additions under QB coach Paul Tyson. Grass’s background suggests a more physical, efficient, run-oriented identity mixed with play-action, leveraging the OL strength and Bird as a primary target. Improvement in the run game and ball security will be essential; the offense has talent to build around but will likely take time to gel in a new system.
-High school class: 13+ signees in the February class (plus earlier ones), heavy on Alabama/Georgia/Florida talent. Emphasis on local OL, skill players, and defenders to build the “footprint” Grass prioritizes. Specific early/high-profile names include various regional prospects at WR, OL, LB, and DB.
Returning nucleus provides a base (strong OL numbers, some skill and secondary pieces), but the new staff’s scheme installation and integration of transfers/freshmen will be key early.
Offense
The unit struggled mightily in 2025 with a spread scheme that generated decent passing volume (~267 ypg) but almost no consistent ground game or scoring. Returning production centers on WR Preston Bird (53 receptions, ~617 yards, 4 TDs—preseason first-team All-SoCon) and a relatively experienced offensive line headlined by Noah Watts (solid pass-protection and run-blocking grades in significant snaps). Two RBs and a TE are projected as significant returners, along with seven OL.
QB is wide open with zero projected significant returning contributors at the position—expect competition involving any holdovers and new additions under QB coach Paul Tyson. Grass’s background suggests a more physical, efficient, run-oriented identity mixed with play-action, leveraging the OL strength and Bird as a primary target. Improvement in the run game and ball security will be essential; the offense has talent to build around but will likely take time to gel in a new system.
Defense
This was a major weakness in 2025 (high points allowed, limited stops). Returning pieces include safeties LaShon Young (44 tackles, 2 INTs) and Jalen Nelson (43 tackles—preseason second-team All-SoCon), plus DT Maxton Woodward (31 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 3 sacks). Three DTs and three safeties are among the projected significant returners, but EDGE, LB, and CB groups start thin (near-zero significant returners projected in some breakdowns).
Defensive coordinator Mickey Conn brings experience and scheme sophistication. Portal additions on the DL and in the secondary should help immediately, while the secondary’s returning experience provides a foundation. Expect a more aggressive, physical style. Progress will depend on developing the front seven and reducing big plays.
Defensive coordinator Mickey Conn brings experience and scheme sophistication. Portal additions on the DL and in the secondary should help immediately, while the secondary’s returning experience provides a foundation. Expect a more aggressive, physical style. Progress will depend on developing the front seven and reducing big plays.
Special Teams
Limited detailed public info, but the unit returns two specialists in some counts and features continuity at kicker/punter spots from the prior year (Jake Garner handled field goals in 2025). New special teams coordinator Will Gilchrist will look to improve coverage and return units, areas that can provide early edge for a rebuilding team. Bird and others have return experience that could be utilized.
Season Prospects
Samford is firmly in rebuild mode under Grass. The schedule is challenging: neutral-site opener vs. North Alabama, home vs. Southern Illinois, road trips to Tennessee Tech (new SoCon member coming off a strong 2025), UAB, Chattanooga, Furman, ETSU, and a tough closer at Auburn, plus home games against VMI, Mercer, Wofford, and Western Carolina.
Realistic expectations are for incremental improvement—perhaps 3–5 wins with competitive showings and the chance to spoil games against mid-tier SoCon foes as the new scheme and roster gel. Contending for a top-half finish or playoffs is unlikely in Year 1, but Grass’s proven ability to build winners quickly at JSU (plus strong regional recruiting and staff pedigree) positions the program for upward trajectory in 2027 and beyond. Culture, toughness, and local talent development are clear priorities. Success will be measured more by progress, competitiveness, and foundational wins than raw record. The Bulldogs should be more physical and better organized; watch Bird, the OL, the secondary, and whoever emerges at QB as barometers.
