If you’ve watched Mid-American Conference football for even just a year or two, you know what to expect from the Toledo Rockets: a stacked roster with tons of senior experience, one of the best and most consistent coaching staffs at the non-Autonomous level and sky-high expectations.
Toledo is the type of program which expects to be in the MAC title conversation from Week 1’s kickoff to the final whistle of the conference slate— and often times, they’re right in contention at the end.
The Rockets have
not had a losing record in 15 years; during that stretch, Toledo has gone 107-53 overall, with three division wins (2017, 2022, 2023) and two conference titles (2017, 2022), while also going to a bowl game 12 of the last 15 seasons dating back to 2010.
The last two seasons, however, have brought some stumbling blocks.
2023 saw a potentially historic run squandered right at the finish line, as the then 23rd-ranked Rockets fell to the Miami RedHawks 23-14 in the MAC title game to close the door on a potential College Football Playoff berth. Toledo would go on to lose to Wyoming in the Arizona Bowl to finish 11-3 (8-0 MAC.)
2024 had a promising start, highlighted by a 41-17 spanking of SEC foe Mississippi State on the road to start the season 3-0. However, the Rockets would lay an egg the very next week on the road against Western Kentucky, blowing a 21-10 third-quarter lead to lose 26-21.
Toledo’s stumble in the hills of Kentucky extended into conference play, as they finished 1-3 against the conference’s major contenders (losses to Buffalo, Bowling Green and Ohio; win against Miami) before ending the season acrimoniously with a loss to the 3-8 Akron Zips.
A bowl win prettied up the overall record, but 8-5 is not a mark Toledo strives for, to say the least.
This upcoming season sees Toledo being held to high standards once again, tabbed by coaches as the team from the MAC likeliest to win the title. National media and betting houses have even suggested Toledo to be a favorite to make a run at the College Football Playoff as a non-Autonomous representative, adding even more pressure to the kettle.
What can we expect to see from the squad from Glass City?
What’s New?
The more things change, the more things stay the same.
The coaching staff will largely look the same in 2025 as it did in 2024, with the lone major switch being at defensive line coach. Frank Okam, who had held the position for two seasons, went back to the NFL to be an assistant with the Houston Texans, opening the door for LaTroy Lewis.
Lewis arrives in Toledo after a gap year, with his last stint at Michigan in 2023 as an assistant DL coach. Lewis, who spent his collegiate career at Tennessee, played four seasons in the pros between the NFL and XFL before starting his coaching career in 2020 as a graduate assistant at Akron.
Also of note is additional work for second-year cornerbacks coach Perry Elliano, who now has defensive pass game coordinator duties as well.
Offensive line coach Mike Hallett and quarterbacks coach Robert Weiner are still working together as co-offensive coordinators, while safeties coach Ross Watson is co-defensive coordinator alongside the stalwart six-year defensive coordinator Vince Kehres.
Jason Candle is in his 10th year of service after taking over as the interim head coach following the departure of Matt Campbell for Iowa State. Candle was seen as a shoe-in to follow his mentor to Ames, but instead opted to stay— a decision which has paid dividends for both sides. Candle has even rebuffed interest from various Autonomous schools to be a coordinator, which has been a coaching cycle trend in recent seasons and would have made Candle a handsomely paid man.
Safe to say Toledo fans shouldn’t take for granted what they have in front of them.
As for the roster itself, it hasn’t been picked apart as much as last offseason, with eight returning starters on offense— including at quarterback, running back and four of the five offensive line spots— and five returnees on defense. That said, there’s a lack of proven production in the depth pieces which do return, making for a challenging projection. Toledo’s tried-and-true philosophy of “stack and develop” will be tested, especially on the defensive line.
The staff hopes their transfer class— especially on offense— makes a bit of a splash. Long-time thorn-in-the-side receiver Trayvon Rudolph, who spent the last five seasons with rival Northern Illinois, now suits up as the expected WR1 for the Rockets, while Arizona State transfer running back Chip Trayanum, a former four-star prospect, is projected to handle the starting duties over last year’s starter Conner Walendzak. Former UMass EDGE Louce Julien is the highlight transfer on defense after a five-sack campaign for the Minutemen in 2024.
Offense
| Stat | Total | MAC Rank (of 13) | National Rank (of 134) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass Yards Avg. | 254.2 | 1 | 40 |
| Passing TDs | 28 | 1 | 22 |
| Completion % | 60.9 | 5 | 71 |
| Rush Yards Avg. | 115.7 | 10 | 108 |
| Rushing TDs | 13 | 10 | 112 |
| Total Offense Avg. | 369.9 | 6 | 86 |
| Points Per Game | 28.3 | 1 | t-64 |
| Turnovers | 19 | 9 | t-72 |
| Sacks Allowed Avg. | 1.54 | 3 | t-43 |
| Tackles-for-loss Allowed Avg. | 5.38 | 4 | t-60 |
| Third-down % | 35.3 | 8 | 111 |
| Fourth-down % | 54.3 | 8 | 63 |
- Key departures: WR Jerjuan Newton (graduation), TE Anthony Torres (graduation), HBs Jacquez Stuart and Sevaughan Clark (graduation), OT Allen Jones (graduation), OC Jakob James (graduation)
- Key arrivals: WR Trayvon Rudolph (Northern Illinois), HB Chip Trayanum (Ohio State via Kentucky), TE Jacob Peterson (FCS Holy Cross), OC Terrance Moore (Pittsburgh)
- Key returnees: QBs Tucker Gleason and John Alan Ricter, HB Conner Walendzak, WR Junior Vandeross III, OGs Ethan Spoth and Carter Fouty, OTs Cole Rhett and OT Stephen Gales
The Rockets played below their usual rate offensively in 2024, due in part to a lack of production in the run game.
Offensive line proved to be the major issue, with Candle and his staff having to replace all five starters in the offseason. This was most noticeable on the ground, as Toledo finished 108th in the NCAA in rushing yards per game, averaging 3.45 yards per rush— a notable decline from 2023, which saw 5.3 yards per rush.
The good news for Toledo is that four of the line’s biggest 2024 contributors will be back. Ethan Spoth and Carter Fouty project to stay at guard, while tackles Cole Rhett (13 starts in ‘24) and Stephen Gales (10 games, three starts in ‘24) could be back in the fold at the tackles. Penn State transfer OT Ibrahim Traore (13 games in ‘24) could also figure into the rotation. Former Pittsburgh starter Terrance Moore brings with him 34 games of experience (10 starts) over three seasons as a Panther and should immediately anchor the center spot.
Connor Walendzak (team-leading 128 carries, 458 yards, one touchdown) does return to the roster to lend experience to the backfield, but all eyes will be on the oft-traveled transfer back Chip Trayanum, a former four-star prospect who has 1,258 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns over four seasons between Arizona State, Ohio State and Kentucky. Last year at Kentucky saw him nursing an injury, so he hopes to be able to show off his promise with a clean bill of health in 2025.
The passing offense should be as prolific as ever. Toledo has always taken pride in owning the skies, and this year’s look on paper could be the best in the conference by year’s end.
Quarterback Tucker Gleason returns for his swan song season, and that’s great news if you like watching entertaining football. Gleason was the engine that made the offense go in 2024, tossing the ball for 2,808 yards, 24 touchdowns and only eight interceptions in 12 contests, while also picking up 364 net rushing yards (513 gained before sacks) and leading the team in rushing touchdowns (seven.) When Gleason went down with injury late in last season’s campaign, John Alan Ricter (497 yards, four touchdowns, no interceptions on 64.2 percent completion) proved more than capable of carrying the load, making Toledo’s QB room one of the deepest in the MAC.
Jerjuan Newton and his dynamic production (72 receptions, 1,048 yards, 11 touchdowns in ‘24) will certainly be missed in the receiving room, but the staff is confident they can replace the production with a combination of Junior Vandeross III (team-leading 85 receptions, 958 yards, five touchdowns) and four-time all-MAC honoree Trayvon Rudolph (151 catches for 2,032 yards and 10 touchdowns over four seasons at Northern Illinois.)
Depth in the receiving corps is harder to project. Reliable redzone target Anthony Torres (31 catches, 404 yards, nine touchdowns) has graduated at the tight end spot, while Jacquez Stuart (16 receptions, 180 yards) and his backfield receiving ability will be tough to replace. Former Iowa State transfer Terrell Crosby is a favorite to be the potential WR3 option, while Eric Holley, Thomas Zsiros and Zy’marion Lang (30 receptions, 334 yards, three touchdowns combined) all bring back experience with the playbook. FCS Holy Cross transfer Jacob Peterson (34 catches for 504 yards and six touchdowns over 10 starts in ‘24) figures in to be the projected starter at tight end.
Defense
| Stat | Total | MAC Rank (of 13) | National Rank (of 134) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass Yards Allowed Avg. | 207.9 | 6 | 47 |
| Passing TDs Allowed | 16 | t-3 | 35 |
| Completion % | 57.5 | 2 | 24 |
| Rush Yards Allowed Avg. | 150.7 | 6 | 70 |
| Rushing TDs | 16 | 4 | 41 |
| Total Defense Avg. | 358.6 | 5 | 54 |
| Points Per Game Allowed | 23.2 | 5 | 48 |
| Turnovers | 20 | t-4 | t-43 |
| Sacks | 33 | t-3 | t-34 |
| Tackles-for-loss | 89 | 4 | 26 |
| Third-down % | 38.2 | 7 | 62 |
| Fourth-down % | 48 | 5 | 39 |
- Key departures: SAF Maxen Hook (NFL), LB Daniel Bolden, LB Jackson Barrow, EDGE Darius Alexander (NFL Draft), DL Deshawn Holt (graduation), LB D’Andre Ragin (graduation), DL Cavon Butler (graduation), LB Lance Dixon (NFL)
- Key arrivals: EDGE Louce Julien (UMass), DE Avery Dunn (Michigan State), DL Nate Chandler (FCS Sacred Heart), LB Hudson Miller (Purdue)
- Key returnees: DBs Braden Awls and DB Nasir Bowers, SAFs Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and Jaden Dottin, DT Esean Carter
The 2020s have been a golden generation to be a Rocket defender, with at least one pick in the last four NFL Drafts, including EDGE Darius Alexander (New York Giants), cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (Philadelphia), defensive lineman Desjuan Johnson (Los Angeles Rams) and defensive backs Samuel Womack (San Francisco) and Tycen Anderson (Cincinnati).
That’s even before considering the undrafted free agents they’ve graduated on that side of the ball, with Maxen Hook and Lance Dixon finding spots with the Philadelphia Eagles after this year’s draft, Dallas Gant (Minnesota), Judge Culpepper (Miami) and Chris McDonald (Tampa Bay) all landing contracts in 2023’s UDFA cycle. 2022 saw Dyontae Johnson (New York Giants) and Jamal Hines (Kansas City) find NFL homes as well.
Suffice to say Toledo has been on the professional scouting map since the hiring of Vince Kehres as defensive coordinator after the 2019 season.
This year’s Rocket defense could be a bit of a soft reload, as its depth will certainly be tested with a lot of new parts and pieces going into this season. Altogether, Toledo loses eight of their top 12 tacklers from 2024, including every starting member of the defensive line (including former first-team all-MAC EDGE Darius Alexander), every starter at linebacker, and tackles leader Maxen Hook (107 total in ‘24.)
A slew of transfers arrive to try and fill the gaps along the D-line, headlined by UMass transfer Louce Julien (43 tackles, five sacks in ‘24) on the edge and FCS transfer-up Nate Chandler (36 tackles, 4.5 sacks at Holy Cross) at defensive tackle. Michigan State transfer Avery Dunn (three starts, 41 tackles in three seasons) could also figure in to the EDGE rotation, while on-roster option Esean Carter (22 tackles, two sacks in 27 games for Toledo) will likely fight for a spot at tackle.
Linebackers sees all new faces in 2025, with Malachai Davis (20 tackles, two sacks, two TFLs in ‘24), Damon Ollison Jr. (27 tackles last two years), Chris D’Appolonia (12 tackles last two years) and Jeremiah Peters (31 tackles, 3.5 sacks, four TFLs in two seasons) all potential on-roster options fighting for a starting role at the various positions. Toledo brought in two Autonomous-level transfers this season, with Hudson Miller (42 tackles, two PBUs in five starts for Purdue in ‘24) and Langston Long (54 career tackles between Virginia and USF) to provide experienced depth for the room and push for starting reps.
Secondary will be important as ever for the Rockets, as they have reliably been one of the best units in the NCAA for nearly five seasons.
Both starting corners from last season’s roster return, with Nasir Bowers (44 tackles, five PBUs, two interceptions) and second-team all-MAC’er Avery Smith (58 tackles, 14 PBUs, two interceptions) combining for 22 starts and 75 games of experience.
Nickleback Braden Awls led the team in interceptions last season (four) and will be the lynchpin to the success of the 2025 unit, as he provides important speed to the middle of the defense in the slot and as a box safety. Awls was an underrated part of the 2024 effort, with 72 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, six pass break-ups and a team-leading four interceptions. Former receiver Jadin Dotton completed the transition to free safety well, mostly contributing on special teams in 2024 but poised to start in 2025 after collecting 16 tackles. He’ll have Wisconsin transfer Braedyn Moore (seven games, two tackles in ‘24) as competition in camps.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, considered to be Toledo’s next major draft prospect, will get one last chance to impress pro scouts in 2025. The strong safety prospect brings pro-ready size (six-foot-two, 212 lbs.) and length to the position, and finished with 61 tackles, 1.5 TFLs and five passes defensed in eight games last season, missing his last five due to injury. 2023 was McNeil-Warren’s breakout, earning five starts at season’s end and compiling 69 tackles, four TFLs, three PBUs and two interceptions in 14 appearances.
In fact, McNeil-Warren— along with Avery Smith—was recently selected to the Senior Bowl 300 watchlist, an indication of how serious pro interest really is.
Special Teams
| Stat | Total | MAC Rank (of 13) | National Rank (of 134) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Field Goal % | 71.4 | 9 | 90 |
| Extra Point % | 97.6 | 6 | 80 |
| Punts Per Game | 4.7 | 5 | 31 |
| Yards Per Punt | 40.6 | 8 | 106 |
| Kickoff Return Avg. | 24.1 | 2 | 22 |
| Punt Return Avg. | 13.3 | 1 | 19 |
- Key departures: RET Jacquez Stuart (graduation), PK Luke Pawlak (transfer portal)
- Key arrivals: PK Robert Hammond (Florida Atlantic), PK/P Anthony Ruggles (freshman)
- Key returnees: P/PK Emilio Duran, PK/P Dylan Cunanan, LS James Roe, LS Matthew Bailey, RET Bryson Hammer
The ninth-best special teams unit in the NCAA will look a little different this season, but it should still largely be as efficient in 2025 unless something goes absolutely wrong.
Luke Pawlak left through the portal this summer and is no longer listed on the roster, while the adventurous Dylan Cunanan (15-of-21 on field goals) returns. He’ll likely face a battle with two incoming placekickers in true freshman Anthony Ruggles and transfer Robert Hammond— neither of which have experience in-game at the Division I level. Emilio Duran could also figure in as a cross-trained specialist, but will more likely return as punter, where he averaged 38.8 net yards per punt (with 21 of 60 total punts inside the 20-yard line) in 2024.
Long snapper could see a battle, as last year’s starter James Roe will go up against sixth-year senior Matthew Bailey, who was the starter in 2023 before getting injured early last season.
With the departures of both Jacquez Stuart and Jerjuan Newton, the team will likely turn to second-team all-MAC returner Bryson Hammer (13.4 yards per punt return in ’24) to field at least one of, if not both, return positions. Trayvon Rudolph could also figure into the mix at return duties, with 1,312 kick return yards and a touchdown over four seasons at NIU.
Outlook
A lot of national prognosticators have Toledo as a runaway favorite to win the MAC, and they are certainly justified to believe so. Toledo has one of the league’s most prolific offenses, and a defensive secondary which can cut opposing offenses— especially in-conference— at the knees.
Historically under Jason Candle, Toledo is a top contender for the MAC title every season, finishing lower than third only twice in his tenure: 2019 (a 6-6 year when he fired both his offensive and defensive coordinators) and 2024. The Rockets will be looking to finish better than tied for sixth in the upcoming football season.
This year’s schedule is reasonable as far as out-of-conference slates go; they open the season on the road with a potential upset special against a Kentucky Wildcats team which went 4-8 last season, then have a chance to pull a rain check victory against Western Kentucky to open the home slate.
Assuming a win over FCS Morgan State, a late game against a wounded Washington State team rounds out what could possibly be a 3-4 win non-league slate, should all go according to plan.
The conference schedule is comically favorable. Toledo avoids Ohio and Buffalo totally, while also hosting Ball State, Kent State and Akron— all on Saturdays. Even their rivalry game against Bowling Green (which will also be on a Saturday) will be coming off a BYE week. The most crucial stretch of games will be under the weeknight lights, as Toledo leaves a mini-BYE to face NIU on the road and then travels to Miami to kick off the November slate. (Coincidentally, these are their only two weeknight games of the season.)
It is completely reasonable to assume Toledo can get to 10 wins with this schedule. The question will be if they can. Last year saw some stunning losses which were assumed wins in the preseason, and if they’re not careful, this season could see the same. All said, however, 9-12 wins and a chance at the MAC title game is the absolute expectation.
Schedule
All dates and times are current as of publication.
| Week | Opponent | Date | Time (All ET) | TV/Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | @ Kentucky | Sat. Aug. 29 | 12:45 p.m. | SEC Network |
| 2 | WKU | Sat. Sept. 6 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| 3 | Morgan State (FCS) | Sat. Sept. 13 | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| 4 | @ Western Michigan | Sat. Sept. 20 | TBA | TBA |
| 5 | Akron | Sat. Sept. 27 | TBA | TBA |
| 6 | BYE | |||
| 7 | @ Bowling Green | Sat. Oct. 11 | TBA | TBA |
| 8 | Kent State | Sat. Oct. 18 | TBA | TBA |
| 9 | @ Washington State | Sat. Oct. 25 | 3:30 p.m. | The CW |
| 10 | BYE | |||
| 11 | Northern Illinois | Wed. Nov. 5 | 7:00/8:00 p.m. | Choice (ESPN Networks) |
| 12 | @ Miami [OH] | Wed. Nov. 12 | 7:00 p.m. | Choice (ESPN Networks/CBSSN) |
| 13 | Ball State | Sat. Nov. 22 | TBA | TBA |
| 14 | @ Central Michigan | Sat. Nov. 29 | TBA | TBA |
| 15 | MAC Championship | Sat. Dec. 6 | Noon | ESPN |
