2024 Austin College Football Season Preview

SHERMAN, Texas - Year two under head coach Tony Joe White kicks off for the Austin College football team on September 7, and things will be looking a bit different for the 'Roos as they head back to the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. The conference last sponsored football in 2016, and as the sport relaunches this year, Austin College will be looking to make some noise in this new version of the SCAC.

After spending the last few years in the American Southwest Conference, the 'Roos will help shape this new SCAC that also includes Texas Lutheran, McMurry, affiliate member Lyon, and first-year program Centenary. Austin College features both plenty of returning experience as well as a large, deep, and talented incoming class that boasts a number of newcomers who will be looking to challenge for playing time early on in their collegiate careers.

Leading the way on offense will be sophomore quarterback Jaylon Talton, who last season was named the ASC's Tri-Newcomer of the Year after throwing for better than 1,200 yards while also proving dangerous with his feet. With a year of experience under his belt and more weapons added at the skill positions, the second year dual-threat looks poised for big things in the 2024 campaign. One of Talton's top targets last season was fellow sophomore Dakota Lowery, who caught 28 passes for 466 yards - an average of neary 17 yards-per-catch - and added three touchdown grabs. As the top returning pass catcher, he'll be leaned on to help get the offense moving this season.

Also back at the receiver position are tight end Trey Adams, as well as wideouts Michael Cress, Kai Simpson, and Tony Penson, while the 'Roos also welcome in several talented first-year players who should make an immediate impact in the passing game. Christian Johnson returns to help bolster the ground game, finishing second on the team with 235 yards last year, coming in just behind Talton's 244 yards for the team lead. He'll be running behind an offensive line that returns with plenty of starting experience, including Trevor Timmerman, Felix Flores III, Scott Frisbie, Jaivyn McGowan, and Michael Hare. 

On the defensive side of the ball, Austin College will be looking to fifth-year linebacker Colton Gerken for leadership. Last season Gerken was an All-ASC performer, and he'll be joined in the linebacking corps by Brady Dygert, who led the 'Roos with 70 tackles last year, just ahead of Gerken's 67 stops. Pablo Cantu also returns as a starter at linebacker following a year in which he was fourth on the team with 48 tackles. Austin College also returns multiple starters on the defensive line, including ends Nick Chevalier and Cam Hammond, while Chris Walstad, Ian Sharpshair, Kaden McFarland, and Seth Fulencheck bring added experience in the trenches.

The 'Roos will also be bringing back several starters in the secondary, with All-Conference corner Jeramiah Contreras leading the pack. Last season, Contreras led all of NCAA Division III in pass breakups, and is back for his senior season alongside fellow senior Texas Gordon, a difference maker at the safety position. Marques Williams, Evan Dennis, Tre Brewer, and Easy Robertson also bring depth and experience in the defensive backfield, and should all make an impact in the upcoming season.

Austin College opens the 2024 season on September 7 when they travel to Michigan to square off against Kalamazoo, with kickoff set for noon (CDT).