The Paladins finished the 2025 season at 6-6 overall (4-4 SoCon) under head coach Clay Hendrix (now in his 10th season). They showed flashes of competitiveness with wins over William & Mary, Samford, ETSU, The Citadel, and VMI but struggled in losses to stronger conference foes like Western Carolina, Wofford, Mercer, and Chattanooga.
Furman returns significant experience (around 30+ lettermen and double-digit projected starters) and has been active in the portal and high school recruiting to address gaps, positioning them as a competitive SoCon squad with playoff potential, if key units gel.
Significant Losses from 2025
Key departures include several experienced contributors who helped stabilize the 2025 roster:
All-SoCon performers and veterans on the offensive line (some starters graduated or moved on), tight ends, and secondary.
Graduated or transferred players at positions like edge rushers, corners, and skill players. Notable 2025 standouts like some offensive line anchors and secondary pieces left eligibility or moved via the portal.
Overall, the 2025 team relied on transfers and young players, so the losses seem to be manageable with the incoming class.
Significant Gains (Portal + Freshmen):
Overall, the 2025 team relied on transfers and young players, so the losses seem to be manageable with the incoming class.
Significant Gains (Portal + Freshmen):
Portal additions include QB Jake Garcia (Michigan/ECU experience), OL Parker Peterson (Memphis) and Alofaletauia Maluia (West Georgia), WRs like Daniel Haughton (Dartmouth), Luke Shields (Tennessee Tech), and Dwartney Wortham (UCF), TE Nick Segarra (Ohio), S Joshua Tarver (Yale), DE Elihu Lipscomb (Wingate), CB Aaron Davis/Trae Williams, and others like Connor Ackerley (QB). These bring immediate experience, size, and production.
High school freshmen (December/February signees and early enrollees) feature QBs Banks Bouton (local legacy, Gaffney HS) and Trey Smith, OLs (e.g., Cooper Sanders, Tim Hyrbu, Jaxon Corey), WRs (Jay Duncan, Vernon Stephens, Jerrod Williams Jr.), TE Cameron James, LB Braylon Hood, DE Robert Lange Jr., DB Ethan Washington, and others. Depth at skill positions and lines are bolstered.
Offense Outlook:
High school freshmen (December/February signees and early enrollees) feature QBs Banks Bouton (local legacy, Gaffney HS) and Trey Smith, OLs (e.g., Cooper Sanders, Tim Hyrbu, Jaxon Corey), WRs (Jay Duncan, Vernon Stephens, Jerrod Williams Jr.), TE Cameron James, LB Braylon Hood, DE Robert Lange Jr., DB Ethan Washington, and others. Depth at skill positions and lines are bolstered.
Offense Outlook:
The unit returns pieces like RB Gavin Hall (emerging playmaker), WRs Ben Ferguson, Devin Hester Jr., Ja'Keith Hamilton, and Evan James, plus potential at TE (Joshua Burrell, additions like Segarra/Clyburn). The QB battle is key—veteran/transfer options like Trey Hedden (experienced), Jake Garcia, Connor Ackerley, and young guns like Bouton.
The offensive line returns experience (e.g., Luke Petit and others) and adds graduate transfers for depth and toughness. Expect an improved, more balanced attack with better protection and playmaking from transfers/freshmen. Strengths: Skill talent and emerging RBs. Concerns: QB consistency and integrating new pieces. Outlook: Solid improvement potential, capable of moving the ball effectively in SoCon play.
The offensive line returns experience (e.g., Luke Petit and others) and adds graduate transfers for depth and toughness. Expect an improved, more balanced attack with better protection and playmaking from transfers/freshmen. Strengths: Skill talent and emerging RBs. Concerns: QB consistency and integrating new pieces. Outlook: Solid improvement potential, capable of moving the ball effectively in SoCon play.
Defense Outlook
Joshua Stoneking (DE) is a game-changer and one of the top FCS players nationally after leading the country in sacks (14.5) and TFLs (23) in 2025 as a redshirt sophomore. He anchors the front.
Returns include inside LBs like Ryan Earl and Raleigh Herbert, safeties (AK Burrell, Billy Lewis), and depth on the line (e.g., additions like Lipscomb, returning lettermen). Secondary benefits from transfers (Tarver, corners). DC Chad Byers (promoted) oversees the group.
Strengths: Elite pass-rush presence and returning talent in the front seven. Concerns: Depth/integration in the secondary and replacing graduated production. Outlook: Potentially a strength, with Stoneking creating havoc and the unit improving overall.
Special Teams Outlook
Returns include inside LBs like Ryan Earl and Raleigh Herbert, safeties (AK Burrell, Billy Lewis), and depth on the line (e.g., additions like Lipscomb, returning lettermen). Secondary benefits from transfers (Tarver, corners). DC Chad Byers (promoted) oversees the group.
Strengths: Elite pass-rush presence and returning talent in the front seven. Concerns: Depth/integration in the secondary and replacing graduated production. Outlook: Potentially a strength, with Stoneking creating havoc and the unit improving overall.
Special Teams Outlook
Experience returns in kicking/punting and returners (e.g., Hester). Depth and competition from freshmen/transfers should maintain or improve reliability in field position and scoring. Generally stable with room for big plays.
2026 Season Projection
2026 Season Projection
Furman has a challenging non-conference slate (e.g., at Tennessee, South Carolina State, Richmond) and a competitive SoCon schedule. With strong returning talent (Stoneking, skill players, line pieces), double-digit starters back, and quality portal/high school additions, they should compete for a top-half SoCon finish and FCS playoff berth.
Projected record: 7-5 overall (5-4 SoCon) — enough for a possible playoff appearance if they handle winnable games and steal one or two against stronger foes. Upside exists for wins with seamless integration; variance could drop them to 6-6 if QB play or secondary lags. Expect physical, competitive Paladin football with Hendrix's program momentum continuing.
Projected record: 7-5 overall (5-4 SoCon) — enough for a possible playoff appearance if they handle winnable games and steal one or two against stronger foes. Upside exists for wins with seamless integration; variance could drop them to 6-6 if QB play or secondary lags. Expect physical, competitive Paladin football with Hendrix's program momentum continuing.
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