Offense
SCHEMERun-first, efficiency-driven attack under OC Dean Kennedy, imported from James Madison - a JMU offense that ranked among 2025's national leaders in rushing and scoring, now with a dedicated OL/run-game coordinator (Chris Smith).
QBNico Iamaleava is the entrenched starter — camp coverage's phrase is that there has never really been any question about it (SI UCLA, Aug 13). The open battle is at backup between his brother Madden Iamaleava and Cal Poly transfer Ty Dieffenbach, and Chesney says no decision has been made.
RETURNIamaleava, QB — second-year starter, only meaningful offensive continuity · Woods, RB — led team in all-purpose yards in 2025 (541); pass-catching change-of-pace
ADDSKnight, RB (James Madison) — 1,373 yards, 9 TD in 2025; AP second-team All-American; projected lead back · Ellis, WR (James Madison) — 36-624-5 in Kennedy's system; likely WR1 · Smith, WR (San Jose State) — 43-688; contested-catch profile · Morgan, WR (Michigan) — slot · Mizell, WR (Florida) — vertical speed · Schmidt, OT (Boise State) and Davis, OT (South Alabama) — projected tackles · Robell and Sweazie, IOL (James Madison) — all-Sun Belt guards, eight OL signed total
Whole unit rebuilt around Iamaleava - eight portal OL, six portal WR, the JMU backfield/receiver spine imported wholesale; the bet is that a functional line plus Knight's downhill run game lifts a bottom-tier 2025 offense.
Defense
SCHEMEDC Colin Hitschler (from JMU) runs a flexible four-down look - two DTs plus a hybrid middle/edge backer (Taylor) - with multiple fronts off a base 4-3.
RETURNPleasant, CB — projected outside starter, top returning cover man · Jackson, CB — senior, other outside spot · Martin, S — strong safety mainstay in 2025 · Woods (Jalen), LB — redshirt senior · Taylor, LB/Edge — sophomore, the hybrid piece in Hitschler's front
ADDSWest, DE (James Madison) — Sun Belt Freshman of the Year, freshman All-American; primary pass-rush threat · Washington, DT (Texas Tech) and Ford, DT (Cal) — projected interior starters · Gobaira, DE (James Madison) · Omosigho, LB (Oklahoma) — projected MIKE · Barksdale, nickel (James Madison) — projected slot corner · Johnson, S (Utah) and Hartford, S (Ohio State)
Beat coverage calls it the roster's strongest unit: nine portal DL, the JMU pressure pieces (West, Gobaira, Barksdale) bolted onto the returning Pleasant-Jackson-Martin secondary. The rebuilt interior DL against B1G run games is the unknown. Camp opened with what Chesney called a completely clean bill of health; the exceptions are DE Ryan McCulloch, still not cleared, and CB Scooter Jackson, whose academic-eligibility issue makes him unlikely for the fall.
Coaching
HCBob Chesney · 1st year NEW 2026
OCDean Kennedy (from James Madison)
DCColin Hitschler (from James Madison)
CHANGESEntire staff new: Chesney from JMU in December 2025, with Kennedy, Hitschler and Canan (ST/TE) in tow. · Replaces the 2025 interim regime (Skipper) after Foster was fired three games into 2025
Chesney is a program-builder (132-52 career; Assumption, Holy Cross, JMU — CFP appearance and Sun Belt title in 2025) running the same coordinator pairing that won at JMU. Proven system, zero Power 4 track record; year one is about installing identity, not ceiling. Derek Carr joined Aug 10 as a special advisor to the quarterback room.
Roster Changes
IN
- Knight, RB (James Madison) — AP second-team All-American
- West, DE (James Madison) — Sun Belt Freshman of the Year
- Morgan, WR (Michigan)
- Hartford, S (Ohio State)
- Schmidt, OT (Boise State)
OUT
- Flores Jr., WR — Virginia
- Gilmer, WR — Nebraska
- Jones, DL — Nebraska
- Jordan Jr., defense — Auburn
- Hasselbeck, QB — Appalachian State
Roughly 40 in, 24 out — one of the largest portal hauls in the country (On3 No. 11 class nationally, No. 2 in the B1G), with ten JMU players following the staff. The 2026 two-deep is majority newcomers; only the secondary and QB carry real 2025 continuity.
Special Teams
Bhaghani back at kicker (20-of-24 in 2025, long of 57; pulled his name out of the portal) with long snapper Abdul-Wahab also returning. Punter is an open competition headlined by Tulane transfer Karoll (42.8 avg in 2024); return roles unsettled.
Vegas
5.5WIN TOTAL · Not specified in market coverage (Fox Sports betting roundup, April 2026)
· +20000 Big Ten (DraftKings, May 2026)
As of Aug 17: the books split on them - 6.5 at BetMGM, 8.5 at DraftKings - and the two Big Ten media polls read 12th and 13th. No odds are posted for the Sept 26 game at our place; the Big Ten's early TV release skipped it, so kick and TV are unset.
