A look at the Citadel Bulldogs

The Citadel Bulldogs 2026 preseason football preview

The Citadel Bulldogs travel to Cullowhee to face the Catamounts in the season final for both teams. For the Catamounts, this is Hall of Fame Day, as well as Senior Day. For the fans it's a 'Purple Out!'  The Cats are 22-27-1 overall vs. the Bulldogs and have a 12-13 record against the Bulldogs in games played in Cullowhee, however, the Cats are on a 3 game win streak against the Citadel, and are 5-1 in the last 6 games played.

The Citadel enters 2026 under fourth-year head coach Maurice Drayton (overall record 9-26 through 2025) after a 4-8 (3-5 Southern Conference) campaign in 2025. The Bulldogs were picked ninth in the SoCon preseason coaches’ poll and return continuity at quarterback and on the offensive line while facing major turnover on defense and at skill positions.

Most Important Losses from 2025
-QB Cobey Thompkins: Shared the position effectively (489 rushing yards, 503 passing yards, 4 TDs); entered the portal.
-LB Mikey Rosa: Second-team All-SoCon, team leader in TFLs/sacks and high tackle total; portal departure (graduation timing noted).
-DB Bradlee Jones: Key secondary piece; portal.
-WR Jihad Marks: Late-season explosive threat (14 catches, 464 yards, 7 TDs, high YPC).
-P James Platte: FCS Punter of the Year and All-American; program record-setter.
Other notable skill and defensive contributors (multiple top receivers and a large share of the tackle leaders), contributing to reports of needing to replace roughly 50%+ of the roster via the portal and graduation.

Most Important New Players
Key additions include:
-LB Zyion Brown (Dartmouth transfer): Immediate impact candidate with prior production (noted for high tackle totals at previous stop).
-RB Gavin Garcia (Kent State).
-DBs Tre McLeod (Furman), Zeb Stroup (Presbyterian), Savionne Rogers (Barton).
-LBs Jalen Wright (Alabama A&M), Boyce Bankhead (Presbyterian), Isaiah Richardson (Eastern Illinois).
-DL Beau Shugarts (Bryant), Trevor Duncan (Tennessee), others such as Eli Shereshovech IV, Brandan Green, D’Angelo Sheppard.

Skill transfers: WRs Derek Kee (Vanderbilt), Nick Armentano (Syracuse), Ismael Zamor (Boston College), Damir Abdullah; additional OL and depth pieces.
High school/recruiting class additions for long-term depth (OL, DL, LB, QB options).

Offense
The offense runs a spread-option scheme under coordinator Lamar Owens and emphasizes the run (210.6 rushing yards per game in 2025, first in the SoCon and ninth in FCS). Quentin Hayes returns as the clear quaarterback after splitting time in 2025; the Enterprise, Ala., product (Air Force transfer) completed 58-of-92 passes (63%) for 897 yards and 8 TDs with 4 INTs while rushing for a team-high 682 yards and 7 TDs (1,579 total yards, 15 total TDs). He earned Preseason All-SoCon first-team honors.

The offensive line is a strength, returning significant contributors including Preseason All-SoCon first-teamer Tyler Heggins-Hill (versatile starter at guard/tackle) and Brady Pickett (high snap counts, solid pass protection and run-blocking grades). Depth here supports the ground game.Skill positions require rebuilding. Only Braylon Knauth returns as a significant contributor among wide receivers (16 catches, 240 yards, 2 TDs in 2025, plus return duties). Top producers Jihad Marks (explosive production late in the year), Javonte Graves-Billips, and others are gone. Running back depth is thin among returners of significant snaps; the group will rely on newcomers and development. Sebastien Boyle and others provide some carryover, but production must be replaced.

Defense
This unit faces the steepest climb. Only about four significant contributors return (per snap-count data), with just two noted starters from 2025 (DL Chris Benton and DB Nick Mirabella/Temarcus Elam among the returners). Top tacklers from 2025 largely graduated or entered the transfer portal. Benton, a senior DL, had a solid 2025 (26 tackles, 5 sacks in limited notes) and prior All-SoCon freshman recognition.

Defensive coordinator Raleigh Jackson’s group must integrate a large influx of transfers. Linebacker and secondary depth were hard-hit; the front will need quick chemistry.

Special Teams
Special teams remain a relative strength under coordinator Tony Coaxum. Long snapper Tommy DiLiegro earned Preseason All-SoCon first-team recognition. Punt duties fall to returners such as Jack Weil and others. Knauth provides return experience.

Season Prospects
The schedule is demanding: SoCon opener at Wofford (Aug. 29), at Charlotte (FBS), vs. Charleston Southern (home opener/Lowcountry Boil Bowl), vs. Chattanooga, at South Carolina State, vs. ETSU, at Texas A&M (Power conference), vs. Tennessee Tech (SoCon newcomer), at Mercer, vs. Furman (Homecoming), at VMI, at Western Carolina. Projected strength of schedule is relatively tough.

Strengths:
Continuity and dual-threat ability at QB with Hayes, a veteran OL that should sustain the run game, special teams culture, and portal reinforcements addressing defensive holes. 

Weaknesses: 

Massive defensive experience loss, thin returning production at RB/WR/TE, and the need for rapid integration of transfers in a military-college environment that emphasizes culture and retention.

Realistic outlook is another rebuilding/competitive-but-challenging year in a competitive SoCon. A step forward toward .500 or better in conference play is possible if the run game clicks, Hayes stays healthy, and the new defensive pieces gel. Upset potential exists in rivalry games (Wofford, VMI, Furman, Charleston Southern), but road games against higher-tier FCS and FBS opponents will be difficult. Success hinges on execution in the trenches, turnover margin, and special teams consistency. Preseason polls and media views place them near the bottom of the conference, but Drayton emphasizes daily improvement over July rankings.

Overall, 2026 is about building continuity and roster stability under Drayton while competing hard in the SoCon.