2025 Grand Valley State Football Season Preview

Grand Valley State will be under the direction of third-year head football coach Scott Wooster. Wooster has led the Lakers to a 22-4 mark, including two NCAA Division II playoff appearances and a GLIAC title his first two years.

The Lakers will return 45 letterwinners and 11 transfers that played significant roles at their previous institutions.

The GVSU defense will be led by a pair of linebackers, senior Anthony Cardamone and junior Jimmy Downs. Cardamone is an All-America candidate and returns for his third season as a starter. A two-time First-Team All-GLIAC and all-regional honoree, Cardamone enters his senior season with 190 tackles, 28 tackles for loss (-148), 14.5 quarterback sacks (-121). Downs is a postseason honor candidate who tallied 44 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and eight QB hurries as a sophomore.

Offensively, the Lakers return three starters on the offensive line, including All-America candidate Brett Weaver. Senior running back Syone Usma-Harper and junior wide receiver Kellen Reed also return offensively.

Place kicker Mathew Bacik and punters, Trace Hrgich and Evan Sundermann have performed at a high level.