Toledo Rockets

Toledo enters 2026 with a largely rebuilt roster under first-year head coach Mike Jacobs, who brought 14 players with him from FCS Mercer. The Rockets lost many key contributors from last year's squad, including potential first-round safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and tight end CC Ezirim, who transferred to WKU. Jacobs has a strong track record, with a 94-23 career record over 10 years, and his Mercer teams went 15-1 in Southern Conference play over the past two seasons. The transition is significant, but the program has not had a losing season in 16 years, and the new staff believes they can maintain that standard.

Junior quarterback John Alan Richter takes over as the starter after serving as a backup for two seasons. He has completed 66% of his passes with seven touchdowns and one interception in limited action, including three starts in 2024. The running back room features CJ Miller, who transferred from Mercer after amassing 1,267 yards from scrimmage and 17 touchdowns last season, alongside Connor Walendzak, who led the Rockets in rushing two years ago. The receiving corps is filled with transfers, including Kalvin Gilbert Jr. from Southeast Missouri State, Anthony Simpson from Michigan, and Adjatay Dabbs from Mercer, while Bryson Hammer, a two-time MAC punt return leader, adds depth. The offensive line returns four starters, anchored by All-MAC candidate Stephen Gales at left tackle.

The defense is headlined by Andrew Zock, the 2025 FCS Defensive Player of the Year, who recorded 11.5 sacks and 20 tackles for loss at Mercer and chose to follow Jacobs to Toledo despite Power 4 offers. He is joined by All-SoCon linebackers Julian Fox and Isaac Prince, also from Mercer. Kari Jackson, a Penn State transfer, made an early impression in spring practice. The secondary includes safety Armorion Smith, who started seven games at Michigan State, and corner Cam Jones, an All-Patriot League performer from Holy Cross. Former Division III nickel Mo Conteh also turned heads in the spring. This unit has talent, but it has yet to prove itself against Power 4 or even MAC competition.

Toledo opened the season with a 20-30 loss at Michigan State, a game played in heavy rain. The Rockets covered the 10.5-point spread, but the loss highlighted the challenges of fielding a new team against a Power 4 opponent. The defense, led by Zock, showed some resilience, but the offense struggled to keep pace. The short 86-mile road trip did not provide any advantage, and the hostile Big Ten environment was a new experience for many of the Mercer transfers. The result was not unexpected, as the prediction market gave Toledo only a 22% chance to win, but it underscored the gap in experience and talent that the Rockets must close as they move into conference play.

Toledo returns home for Week 2 against Central Connecticut, a team with a much lower power rating, and the Rockets are heavy favorites with a 98% win probability. This game offers a chance to build confidence and work out offensive kinks before the MAC schedule begins. The key question for the rest of the season is how quickly the Mercer transfers and other newcomers can adapt to the higher level of competition. If the pass rush, led by Zock, can consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks, and if Richter can manage games effectively, Toledo has the potential to be competitive in the MAC. However, the team's inexperience and the loss of key veterans from last year's squad make consistency a major concern. The Rockets' 16-year streak of non-losing seasons will be tested as they navigate a challenging schedule.