MAC · 2026

Kent State

2025 record 5–7 4–4 conference
Postseason No bowl
Head coach Mark Carney
Scheme Spread / 4-3
Conference
D+

DeShields floor vs and bottom-tier title price

Portal
C

Portal #9

Depth
C−

QB continuity helps; defensive production continuity is unresolved on the chart notes

Market odds

To Win MAC
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%
To Make Conf. Championship
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%
Over 3.5 wins
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%

Recruiting ranks

Overall #11 35 commits · 170.8 pts
Portal #9 17 commits· avg 83.25

Roster notes

Leading story

Dru DeShields returns at QB1

Offense

RB Mason King; WR Ardell Banks / Da'Realyst Clark / Wayne Harris; TE Hunter Hopperton. OL: Tyler Meadows / Dustyn Morell / Ben Midea / Jaxon Dunn / Mofe Adewole

Defense

Antonio Bottiggi / Thomas Aden / Darian Blachewicz / Jaihien Roy; Hayden Dawahare / Rocco Nicholl / Semaj Bridgeman; A'tiq Muhammad / Derrick Jackson III / Joel Cordoba / Davion Pritchard / DJ Barnes

Key offense

  1. 01
    Dru DeShields QB
    Returning
    • 2025: 136/240, 2,030 yds, 18 TD, 3 INT. Listed QB1
  2. 02
    Da'Realyst Clark WR
    Returning
    • Listed WR-Z
    • 2025 MAC Special Teams POY / 1st-team KR
  3. 03
    Gavin Garcia RB
    2025 production
    • 2025: 146 carries, 647 yds, 3 rushing TD

Key defense

  1. 01
    Mason Woods LB
    2025 production
    • 2025: 94 tackles
  2. 02
    Jamond Mathis DL
    2025 production
    • 2025: 6.0 sacks
  3. 03
    Rocco Nicholl MLB
    Portal
    • Listed MLB1 on the depth chart