# 2025 Ohio Bobcats football team

The 2025 Ohio Bobcats football team will represent Ohio University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 2025 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bobcats are led by Brian Smith in his first year as the head coach. The Bobcats will play home games at Peden Stadium, located in Athens, Ohio.

## Offseason
### Coaching staff changes
#### Departures

| Name | Position | New school | New position |
| Tim Albin | Head coach | Charlotte | Head coach |
| Nate Faanes | co-defensive coordinator/Special teams coordinator/linebackers | Charlotte | Defensive coordinator/Linebackers |
| Kurt Mattix | Defensive ends/Pass Rush Specialist | Charlotte | Co-defensive coordinator/Defensive line |
| Brian Metz | Recruiting Coordinator/Tight ends | Charlotte | Tight ends/Recruiting coordinator |
| Allen Rudolph | Offensive line | Charlotte | Offensive line/Run game coordinator |

#### Additions

| Name | Position | Previous school | Previous position |
| Matt Butterfield | Special Teams Coordinator/Running Backs | Arizona State | Assistant Special Teams Coordinator |
| Jeff Phelps | Pass Rush Specialist/Defensive Ends Coach | Wyoming | Defensive Tackles |
| Tavita Thompson | Offensive Line Coach | Central Michigan | Run game coordinator/Offensive Line Coach |
| Kyle Obly | Tight Ends | Ohio | Graduate Assistant |
| Chris Woods | Linebackers | Arlington Renegades | Linebackers |

#### Internal Changes

| Name | New Position | Previous position |
| Brian Smith | Head Coach | Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/running backs |
| John Hauser | Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator | Defensive Coordinator/Safeties |
| Scott Isphording | Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks | Passing game coordinator/quarterbacks |

### Transfers

Source:
Positions key :
| C | Center | CB | Cornerback | DB | Defensive back | DE | Defensive end |
| DL | Defensive lineman | DT | Defensive tackle | FB | Fullback | FS | Free safety |
| G | Guard | K | Kicker | KR | Kickoff returner | LB | Linebacker |
| LS | Long snapper | MLB | Middle linebacker | OT | Offensive tackle | OL | Offensive lineman |
| OLB | Outside linebacker | NT | Nose tackle | P | Punter | PR | Punt returner |
| QB | Quarterback | RS | Return specialist | RB | Running back | S | Safety |
| SS | Strong safety | TE | Tight end | WR | Wide receiver |
* 1 2 May sometimes be referred to as an edge rusher (EDGE)
* ↑ Also known as offensive guard (OG)
* ↑ Also known as placekicker (PK)
* ↑ Also known as inside linebacker (ILB)

#### Outgoing

| Player | Position | Destination |
| Bradley Weaver | DL | Rutgers |
| Parker Startz | EDGE | Charlotte |
| Bryce Butler | TE | |
| Stellan Bowman | LB | Charlotte |
| Rickey Hunt Jr. | RB | Tulsa |
| CJ Doggette | DL | Florida Atlantic |
| Austin Brawley | S | New Mexico |
| Jacob Dennison | T | Wake Forest |
| Gianni Spetic | K | Memphis |
| Reise Collier | LB | |
| Xander Karagosian | S | |
| Colby Garfield | LS | Charlotte |

#### Incoming

| Player | Position | Transferred From |
| Nick Hemer | OL | Hutchinson Community College |
| Anas Luqman | EDGE | Arkansas–Pine Bluff |
| Rickey Hyatt | S | South Alabama |
| Evan Herrmann | EDGE | Vanderbilt |
| David Dellenbach | K | UCLA |
| Sieh Bangura | RB | Minnesota |
| Alfred Jordan Jr. | WR | Idaho State |
| Jaymar Mundy | Pierre Kemeni Jr. | Western Kentucky |
| Pierre Kemeni Jr. | CB | New Mexico |
| Nehemiah Dukes | DL | Youngstown State |
| Colton Grover | WR | South Dakota Mines |
| Josh Waite | ILB | Shippensburg |

### Recruiting class

College recruiting information :
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date |
| Michael Taylor RB | Pickerington, OH | Pickerington North | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | Jun 30, 2024 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 74 ||||||
| Ike Ackerman EDGE | Omaha, NE | Central | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 240 lb (110 kg) | Nov 16, 2024 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 73 ||||||
| Jermaine Minnis LB | Hyattsville, MD | DeMatha Catholic | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | Jul 5, 2024 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 74 ||||||
| Charlie Christopher LB | Uniontown, OH | Lake | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | May 9, 2024 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ||||||
| Irving Brown RB | Teachey, NC | Wallace-Rose Hill | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 193 lb (88 kg) | Oct 25, 2024 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ||||||
| Ty Neubert DL | Columbus, OH | St. Francis De Sales | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 250 lb (110 kg) | Jun 23, 2024 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ||||||
| Angelo Delucia DL | Canfield, OH | Canfield | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 255 lb (116 kg) | Aug 6, 2024 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ||||||
| Tyson Long CB | Pickerington, OH | Pickerington North | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | Sep 20, 2024 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 76 ||||||
| Kolten Bartles P | Richmond, MI | Richmond Community | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | Aug 2, 2024 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 74 ||||||
| Brandon Weaver DL | Hilliard, OH | Hilliard Darby | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 250 lb (110 kg) | Dec 17, 2024 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ||||||
| Hype Grande QB | Pasadena, CA | Pasadena | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | Jan 26, 2025 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ||||||
| Overall recruiting rankings: ||||||
| ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "Rivals commits". Rivals.com. Retrieved January 20, 2025. "ESPN commits". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 20, 2025. "2025 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved January 20, 2025. "247Sports commits". 247sports.com. Retrieved January 20, 2025. ||||||

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV |
| August 30 | TBA | at Rutgers* | SHI StadiumPiscataway, NJ | TBA |
| September 6 | TBA | West Virginia* | Peden StadiumAthens, OH | TBA |
| September 13 | TBA | at Ohio State* | Ohio StadiumColumbus, OH | TBA |
| September 20 | TBA | Gardner–Webb* | Peden StadiumAthens, OH | TBA |
| September 27 | TBA | Bowling Green | Peden StadiumAthens, OH | TBA |
| October 4 | TBA | at Ball State | Scheumann StadiumMuncie, IN | TBA |
| October 18 | TBA | Northern Illinois | Peden StadiumAthens, OH | TBA |
| October 25 | TBA | at Eastern Michigan | Rynearson StadiumYpsilanti, MI | TBA |
| November 4 | TBA | Miami (OH) | Peden StadiumAthens, OH (Battle of the Bricks) | TBA |
| November 11 | TBA | at Western Michigan | Waldo StadiumKalamazoo, MI | TBA |
| November 18 | TBA | UMass | Peden StadiumAthens, OH | TBA |
| November 28 | TBA | at Buffalo | UB StadiumBuffalo, NY | TBA |
| *Non-conference gameAll times are in Eastern timeSource: ||||||||

## Game summaries
### at Rutgers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | Total |
| Bobcats | | | 0 |
| Scarlet Knights | | | 0 |
at SHI Stadium • Piscataway, New Jersey
* Date: August 28
* Game time: TBA EDT
* TV: TBA
* Pregame line: •
| Statistics | OHIO | RUTG |
| First downs | | |
| Total yards | – | – |
| Rushing yards | – | – |
| Passing yards | | |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | –– | –– |
| Time of possession | | |
| Team | Category |
| Ohio | Passing |
| Ohio | Rushing |
| Ohio | Receiving |
| Rutgers | Passing |
| Rutgers | Rushing |
| Rutgers | Receiving |

### vs. West Virginia

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | Total |
| Mountaineers | | | 0 |
| Bobcats | | | 0 |
at Peden Stadium • Athens, Ohio
* Date: September 6
* Game time: TBA EDT
* TV: TBA
* Pregame line: •
| Statistics | WVU | OHIO |
| First downs | | |
| Total yards | – | – |
| Rushing yards | – | – |
| Passing yards | | |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | –– | –– |
| Time of possession | | |
| Team | Category |
| West Virginia | Passing |
| West Virginia | Rushing |
| West Virginia | Receiving |
| Ohio | Passing |
| Ohio | Rushing |
| Ohio | Receiving |

### at Ohio State

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | Total |
| Bobcats | | | 0 |
| Buckeyes | | | 0 |
at Ohio Stadium • Columbus, Ohio
* Date: September 13
* Game time: TBA EDT
* TV: TBA
* Pregame line: •
| Statistics | OHIO | OSU |
| First downs | | |
| Total yards | – | – |
| Rushing yards | – | – |
| Passing yards | | |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | –– | –– |
| Time of possession | | |
| Team | Category |
| Ohio | Passing |
| Ohio | Rushing |
| Ohio | Receiving |
| Ohio State | Passing |
| Ohio State | Rushing |
| Ohio State | Receiving |

### vs. Gardner–Webb (FCS)

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | Total |
| Runnin' Bulldogs (FCS) | | | 0 |
| Bobcats | | | 0 |
at Peden Stadium • Athens, Ohio
* Date: September 20
* Game time: TBA EDT
* TV: TBA
* Pregame line: •
| Statistics | GWEB | OHIO |
| First downs | | |
| Total yards | – | – |
| Rushing yards | – | – |
| Passing yards | | |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | –– | –– |
| Time of possession | | |
| Team | Category |
| Gardner–Webb | Passing |
| Gardner–Webb | Rushing |
| Gardner–Webb | Receiving |
| Ohio | Passing |
| Ohio | Rushing |
| Ohio | Receiving |

### vs. Bowling Green

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | Total |
| Falcons | | | 0 |
| Bobcats | | | 0 |
at Peden Stadium • Athens, Ohio
* Date: TBA
* Game time: TBA EDT
* TV: TBA
* Pregame line: •
| Statistics | BGSU | OHIO |
| First downs | | |
| Total yards | – | – |
| Rushing yards | – | – |
| Passing yards | | |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | –– | –– |
| Time of possession | | |
| Team | Category |
| Bowling Green | Passing |
| Bowling Green | Rushing |
| Bowling Green | Receiving |
| Ohio | Passing |
| Ohio | Rushing |
| Ohio | Receiving |

### at Ball State

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | Total |
| Bobcats | | | 0 |
| Cardinals | | | 0 |
at Scheumann Stadium, Muncie, IN
* Date: TBA
* Game time: TBA EDT
* TV: TBA
* Pregame line: •
| Statistics | OHIO | BALL |
| First downs | | |
| Total yards | – | – |
| Rushing yards | – | – |
| Passing yards | | |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | –– | –– |
| Time of possession | | |
| Team | Category |
| Ohio | Passing |
| Ohio | Rushing |
| Ohio | Receiving |
| Ball State | Passing |
| Ball State | Rushing |
| Ball State | Receiving |

### vs. Northern Illinois

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | Total |
| Huskies | | | 0 |
| Bobcats | | | 0 |
at Peden Stadium • Athens, Ohio
* Date: TBA
* Game time: TBA EDT
* TV: TBA
* Pregame line: •
| Statistics | NIU | OHIO |
| First downs | | |
| Total yards | – | – |
| Rushing yards | – | – |
| Passing yards | | |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | –– | –– |
| Time of possession | | |
| Team | Category |
| Northern Illinois | Passing |
| Northern Illinois | Rushing |
| Northern Illinois | Receiving |
| Ohio | Passing |
| Ohio | Rushing |
| Ohio | Receiving |

### at Eastern Michigan

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | Total |
| Bobcats | | | 0 |
| Eagles | | | 0 |
at Rynearson Stadium • Ypsilanti, Michigan
* Date: TBA
* Game time: TBA EDT
* TV: TBA
* Pregame line: •
| Statistics | OHIO | EMU |
| First downs | | |
| Total yards | – | – |
| Rushing yards | – | – |
| Passing yards | | |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | –– | –– |
| Time of possession | | |
| Team | Category |
| Ohio | Passing |
| Ohio | Rushing |
| Ohio | Receiving |
| Eastern Michigan | Passing |
| Eastern Michigan | Rushing |
| Eastern Michigan | Receiving |

### vs. Miami (OH) (Battle of the Bricks)

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | Total |
| RedHawks | | | 0 |
| Bobcats | | | 0 |
at Peden Stadium • Athens, Ohio
* Date: TBA
* Game time: TBA EDT
* TV: TBA
* Pregame line: •
| Statistics | M-OH | OHIO |
| First downs | | |
| Total yards | – | – |
| Rushing yards | – | – |
| Passing yards | | |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | –– | –– |
| Time of possession | | |
| Team | Category |
| Miami (OH) | Passing |
| Miami (OH) | Rushing |
| Miami (OH) | Receiving |
| Ohio | Passing |
| Ohio | Rushing |
| Ohio | Receiving |

### at Western Michigan

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | Total |
| Bobcats | | | 0 |
| Broncos | | | 0 |
at Waldo Stadium • Kalamazoo, MI
* Date: TBA
* Game time: TBA EDT
* TV: TBA
* Pregame line: •
| Statistics | OHIO | WMU |
| First downs | | |
| Total yards | – | – |
| Rushing yards | – | – |
| Passing yards | | |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | –– | –– |
| Time of possession | | |
| Team | Category |
| Ohio | Passing |
| Ohio | Rushing |
| Ohio | Receiving |
| Western Michigan | Passing |
| Western Michigan | Rushing |
| Western Michigan | Receiving |

### vs. UMass

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | Total |
| Minutemen | | | 0 |
| Bobcats | | | 0 |
at Peden Stadium • Athens, Ohio
* Date: TBA
* Game time: TBA EDT
* TV: TBA
* Pregame line: •
| Statistics | MASS | OHIO |
| First downs | | |
| Total yards | – | – |
| Rushing yards | – | – |
| Passing yards | | |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | –– | –– |
| Time of possession | | |
| Team | Category |
| UMass | Passing |
| UMass | Rushing |
| UMass | Receiving |
| Ohio | Passing |
| Ohio | Rushing |
| Ohio | Receiving |

### at Buffalo

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | Total |
| Bulls | | | 0 |
| Bobcats | | | 0 |
at Peden Stadium • Athens, Ohio
* Date: TBA
* Game time: TBA EDT
* TV: TBA
* Pregame line: •
| Statistics | OHIO | BUFF |
| First downs | | |
| Total yards | – | – |
| Rushing yards | – | – |
| Passing yards | | |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | –– | –– |
| Time of possession | | |
| Team | Category |
| Ohio | Passing |
| Ohio | Rushing |
| Ohio | Receiving |
| Buffalo | Passing |
| Buffalo | Rushing |
| Buffalo | Receiving |

## Personnel
### Coaching staff

Since December 18, 2024, the head coach of the Ohio Bobcats has been Brian Smith. He heads a staff of ten assistant coaches, four graduate assistants, a director of football operations, and numerous other support staff.
| Name | Position | Years at Ohio | Alma mater |
| Brian Smith | Head Coach | 2022 | University of Hawaii 2002 |
| John Hauser | Associate Head Coach / Defensive Coordinator | 2022 | Wittenberg University 2002 |
| Scott Isphording | Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks | 2014 | Hanover College 1994 |
| Matt Butterfield | Special Teams Coordinator/Running Backs | 2025 | University of Colorado 2010 |
| De'Angelo Smith | Defensive Passing Game Coordinator/Cornerbacks Coach/Director of Player Development | 2017 | University of Cincinnati 2008 |
| Tremayne Scott | Def. Running Game Coordinator/Defensive tackles | 2018 | Ohio University 2012 |
| Jeff Phelps | Pass Rush Specialist/Defensive Ends Coach | 2025 | Ball State University 1999 |
| Tavita Thompson | Offensive Line Coach | 2025 | Oregon State University 2008 |
| Andre Allen | Wide receivers | 2023 | Ashford |
| Chris Woods | Linebackers | 2025 | Davidson College 1991 |
| Kyle Obly | Tight Ends | 2025 | Ohio University 2022 |
| Jeremiah Covington | Assistant athletic director for football operations | 2022 | Wingate University 2011 |
| Reagan Fornshell | Graduate assistant – offense | | |
| Brandon Pahl | Graduate assistant – offense | | |
| Garrett Pruss | Graduate assistant – defense | | |
| Nick Auriemma | Graduate assistant – defense | | |

### Support staff

| Name | Position | Years at Ohio | Alma mater |
| Sarah Newgarde | Director of athletics administration and football communications | 2021 | Ohio University |
| Matthias Reiber | General Manager | 2025 | University of Cincinnati |
| Jerry Lin | Staff Athletic trainer (football, swim & dive) | 2022 | University of South Carolina |
| Will Fife | Director of equipment | 2022 | Ohio University |
| Caleb Moon | Assistant director of equipment services | | |
| Thomas Turnbaugh | Director of video and recruiting services | 2018 | Ohio University |
| Joe Tressy | Recruiting assistant | 2024 | Ohio State University |
| Elaine Goodfellow | Administrative assistant | | |
| Jaydin Schrantz | Football operations assistant | 2024 | |
| Jessica Arquette | Ohio athletics sports dietitian | | Bowling Green State University |
| Joseph Benish | Staff Athletic Trainer (Football/Track) | 2023 | Penn State University |
| Tyler Shumate | Director of Strength and Conditioning | 2024 | University of Virginia |
| John Bowman | Director of Sports Medicine & Athletics Health Care Administrator | 1994 | Ohio University |
| Dr. Sergio Ulloa | Team Orthopedic Physician | | Ohio University |
| Dr. Katherine Guran | Head Team Physician | | Northeast Ohio Medical University |
| James Odenthal | Staff Physical Therapist | 2016 | Ohio University |