The University of the Cumberlands football team enters the 2025 season with confidence, momentum, and a clear identity under fourth-year head coach Shan Housekeeper. After a strong offseason and an intentional approach to fall camp, the Patriots are embracing a team-first mentality built on preparation, recovery, and daily improvement.
That growth mindset has shaped the tone for the season ahead. The Patriots feature a roster that blends veteran leadership with exciting new playmakers, giving them the tools to compete in a stacked Mid-South Conference. UC enters the year receiving votes in the NAIA Preseason Poll for the first time in over five years and looks to continue to build off that throughout the season.
"The big purpose for us is to continue to improve daily, and I think our kids have done a good job embracing that." - Coach Housekeeper
Execution
For the Patriots, execution is the word of the year. Coach Housekeeper has challenged his team to play fast, confident, and assignment-sound on every snap.
“They have to know what they’re doing every single play, and they’ve got to be able to do it extraordinarily fast and with a lot of confidence.” -Coach Housekeeper
UC’s offense finished strong in multiple game last year, scoring 87 fourth quarter points over their ten-game stretch, while only scoring 40 points in the first quarter of games. Defensively UC came ready to play, giving up just 41 first quarter points, their lowest of any quarter on the season. UC’s ability to consistently execute will be the foundation of its success, from the opening kickoff to the final horn.
Explosive Plays
The Patriots are focused on flipping games with momentum-changing plays on all sides of the ball. Last season, UC averaged just over 25 points per game and recorded a 43-yard completion as their longest play from scrimmage, but Housekeeper believes the ceiling is higher with the talent on the roster. Their special team’s play attributed to the longest plays of the year a season ago with Jahmal Hutsell returning a kick 71 yards while Adam Foulk added a 57-yard return for the two longest plays of the year. Whether it is a deep shot from the quarterback room, a breakout run from a deep backfield, or big gains from explosive wideouts, UC knows it must generate chunk plays to stretch defenses.
On the flip side, the Patriots must also contain their opponent’s big plays while on defense to keep momentum in their favor. Last season, the Patriots held opponents to just 24 points per game, but breakdowns in key moments often came from big gains through the air or long runs. Housekeeper has stressed the importance of discipline and communication across all three levels of the defense to take those plays away, and force opponents to grind for every yard.
TURNOVER BATTLE
Few stats swing a game like turnovers, and the Patriots are putting a premium on both sides of that equation. On offense, UC is emphasizing ball security and smart decision-making as a unit. On defense, the goal is to attack the ball and create takeaways. A year ago, the Patriots forced 13 interceptions and seven fumbles, and with emerging playmakers in the secondary and at linebacker, Housekeeper expects that number to grow.
"We’ve got to protect the football on offense, and we’ve got to generate takeaways on defense,” he said. “If we do that, it can be a big momentum swing for us.”
The Patriots head into 2025 with an offense that looks to be both balanced and versatile, built on an experienced backfield, a deep wide receiver corps, and a revamped offensive line. Head Coach Shan Housekeeper believes this group can be “tough to defend” and praised his staff for developing a plan that is very complimentary to the skill set of their athletes.
Quarterbacks
At quarterback, graduate student Drew Gregg and sophomore Tanner Marsh give UC multiple options under center. Gregg, a 4.0 student and team leader, has taken command of the offense and has grown a lot this past off season.
“He’s exactly what you want at quarterback,” Housekeeper said. “A fantastic mentor, squared-away guy, and a tone-setter for our program.”
Marsh adds a dual-threat dimension with his ability to create in the running game and is described by Housekeeper as “super sharp” with “the potential to be really good.”
The Patriots passing game finished 2024 with 1,721 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging just over 172 yards per contest. Gregg played a key role in that production, appearing in eight games and throwing for 811 yards and seven touchdowns while completing 57% of his passes. He also added a rushing score, giving him eight total touchdowns on the year. That steady play under pressure, combined with his leadership off the field, makes him the most experienced option in the quarterback room heading into the year.
Running Backs
The Patriots established themselves on the ground in 2024, rushing for 1,389 yards and 16 touchdowns as a team, averaging nearly 139 yards per game. That production helps UC control tempo, extend drives, and set up balance in the passing attack, and is something that Coach Housekeeper is striving to build off of.
Graduate back JB Carlisle returns after leading UC with 680 yards and five touchdowns last season, a steady and proven option that Housekeeper calls “big time” for the Patriots. Junior Juan Bullard Jr. has also emerged as a key piece after a strong offseason, with his head coach praising him as “a guy that sees things really well, tough to tackle, a big, physical kid.”
Sophomore Jayden Clayton is another runner who continues to impress with steady progress, as Housekeeper noted, “he steadily gets better from where we were in spring ball to where we are now, and I feel like as the season goes along, he’s going to keep getting better.”
Freshman Keylan Syam may be the wild card of the group, already earning attention for his strength and playmaking ability. “He’s explosive, he’s thick, he’s physical, and he’s really tough to tackle,” Housekeeper said. “I think he’s another guy that fans will get to know pretty quick.” With that rotation, UC’s backfield gives them the depth and physicality to grind down defenses while also producing explosive plays.
WIDE RECEIVERS
The Patriots’ receivers combined for 1,746 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2024, giving UC a balanced passing attack to complement its ground game. The group averaged nearly 175 yards per game through the air, with multiple players emerging as reliable targets and red-zone options. Building on that production will be key to creating the explosive plays that Coach Housekeeper has emphasized as a major point of focus for 2025.
Leading the way is senior Adam Foulk, who paced the team with 28 catches for 366 yards and four touchdowns a year ago. Graduate DK Edwards added 307 yards on 21 receptions, while junior Cade Lamb posted 230 yards and two scores. Housekeeper highlighted Lamb as “a guy that’s going to get highlighted quite a bit,” praising his ability to move the chains and make big plays.
Senior Jalavis Wilson (94 yards, 1 TD) and junior Maddux McKinney (84 yards, 2 TDs) provide additional size and versatility, while newcomers like freshmen Ronye Watson and Michael Petty alongside transfer Skylar Adams have already impressed in camp with their explosiveness.
“We’ve got a couple of young guys that are going to become household names pretty quick,” Housekeeper said. “When you add them to the experience we already have, it’s going to be a nice combination.”
The Patriots’ defense took strides in 2024, holding opponents to just over 24 points per game while forcing 13 interceptions and recording 28 sacks as a unit. That ability to create negative plays and take the ball away was a key factor in UC’s success, and it remains a point of emphasis heading into the new season. Head Coach Shan Housekeeper has consistently stressed the importance of execution on defense — containing explosive plays, swarming to the football, and generating turnovers. With a mix of experienced returners and emerging young talent across all three levels, the Patriots expect their defense to once again be a tone-setter in 2025.
LINEBACKERS
The linebacker corps underwent transition after losing experienced playmakers like Adam Caudle and Walker Dunn, but the Patriots enter 2025 confident in the next wave of impact defenders. Last season, UC’s linebackers combined for over 150 tackles and helped lead a front seven that racked up 28 sacks. This fall, much of that responsibility shifts to younger players stepping into leadership roles.
Housekeeper singled out junior Major Newman and sophomore Hunter Zirkle as tone-setters on the outside. Newman recorded 21 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and an interception a year ago, and has continued to elevate his game. “Major is a guy that’s going to take what Walker [Dunn] set and be able to continue to elevate that position,” Housekeeper said. Zirkle added 23 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks in 2024, showing the disruptive potential that excites the staff.
“His growth over the last year has been incredible,” Housekeeper noted. “I think he’s going to have a fantastic, positively impactful season.”
On the inside, UC will look for a committee approach to replace production lost to graduation. Veterans like senior Jaylin Berrian and junior Ritt Tankersley, along with a sophomore like Deandre Williams, provide depth and physicality. Several younger players are also in the mix, giving the Patriots both experience and developmental talent in the heart of the defense.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Up front, the Patriots return a deep rotation that helped UC notch 28 sacks and 70 tackles for loss as a defense last season. While the unit loses some veteran snaps, it brings back multiple players with game experience and adds young talent ready to make an immediate impact. The goal, according to Coach Housekeeper, is simple: continue to develop technique and fundamentals while building a disruptive front.
Junior Solomon Dupree and sophomore Hunter Zirkle (who also slides into hybrid linebacker roles) both flashed last season. Dupree totaled 22 tackles, five tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks, while Zirkle’s 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks made him one of UC’s most consistent disruptors. Junior Chris Gooden added two sacks in limited action, and junior Kantrel Smith contributed three tackles for loss while Mando Ferrell and Coby Walker also return as part of the experienced D-line.
Housekeeper also highlighted new names set to emerge in 2025. Senior transfer Jackson Ray and freshman D’Lante Overstreet both impressed in spring and fall camp, with Overstreet earning praise for his explosiveness.
“He’s super explosive, very powerful, plays with great leverage,” Housekeeper said. “He’s a young guy that you’re going to get to know pretty quick.”
With experienced returners anchoring the group and young talent pushing for snaps, the Patriots’ defensive line looks positioned to once again be a strength in 2025.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
The Patriots’ secondary was opportunistic in 2024, recording 13 interceptions as a unit, a top-26 mark in the NAIA last season. That ability to flip momentum remains central to UC’s defensive identity, and this year’s group blends seasoned returners with young talent ready to grow into bigger roles.
Seniors Jalen Yearby and Jeremy Hamilton bring valuable experience. Hamilton tallied 21 tackles and two interceptions a year ago, while Yearby added 19 tackles and one interception. Junior Brandon Burke contributed 10 tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss in 2024, while junior safety Jonathan Heralus added 8 tackles across five games. Freshman Ethan Jackson has already impressed through camp, with Housekeeper noting, “It seems like every day he makes some sort of really good play. He’ll be tested early as a young kid, but he’s got a ton of talent.”
With Yearby anchoring UC’s secondary with a promising mix of returners like Hamilton, Burke, and Heralus supporting the younger players, UC’s secondary has the tools to continue creating turnovers and shutting down explosive plays in 2025.
Special teams proved to be one of UC’s biggest strengths in 2024, providing consistency in the kicking game and flipping field position throughout the season. The Patriots averaged nearly 43 yards per punt, converted 81% of their field goal attempts, and ranked among the conference leaders in kickoff coverage. With All-American kicker/punter Job Matossian returning, along with experienced long snappers and return specialists, UC enters 2025 confident that its special team’s unit can once again be a game-changing factor every Saturday.
Kickers
Few teams in the NAIA boast a more reliable weapon in the kicking game than senior Job Matossian. A two-time All-American, Matossian handled both kicking and punting duties for the Patriots last season. He converted 13 of 16 field goals (81%), the sixth most FG’s by any player in the country, including a long of 47 yards, while going a perfect 22-for-22 on PATs. As a punter, he averaged nearly 43 yards per attempt, with 20 of his 42 punts pinned inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. His consistency made him UC’s leading scorer with 61 points.
Kick Returners
UC also showcased explosiveness in the return game, averaging over 27 yards per kick return as a team, the third most in the NAIA. Senior Jahmal Hutsell was a standout, tallying 616 return yards on 20 attempts with a long of 71, while Foulk added 220 yards as UC’s main punt returner. Both are back in 2025, giving the Patriots proven threats to flip the field on special teams. Combined with Matossian’s leg and experienced specialists, UC’s special teams unit has the ability to not only control field position but also provide game-changing moments this fall.
Continuity remains a strength for the Patriots heading into 2025, as UC returns nearly its entire coaching staff for another season together. Head Coach Shan Housekeeper values that stability for his team.
“The consistency is really important on the field, but it’s also very important in recruiting. Our coaches know the standards, they know the systems, and we enjoy our time together — which is pretty critical.” That cohesion extends to a roster built on both veteran leadership and emerging young talent that has played at UC, giving the program a unified vision as it prepares for the season ahead.
The 2025 slate will test that unity quickly, featuring four matchups against NAIA Top-25 opponents. The season starts with the Battle for the Brass Lantern in Barbourville, KY as the Pats take on Union Commonwealth. Highlighting the schedule is a marquee showdown in Williamsburg, as UC hosts second-ranked Keiser in one of the biggest home games of the year. The Patriots also face three other ranked Mid-South Conference foes, setting up a challenging league run where consistency and execution will be vital. With a veteran staff and a roster built to compete, the Patriots enter 2025 prepared to prove themselves against some of the nation’s best.