The dust has finally settled on the 2025 season, and honestly, if you weren't paying attention to Jonesboro, you missed one of the gutsiest turnarounds in recent Sun Belt history. Butch Jones somehow dragged a 1-4 start into a bowl victory. Now, looking at the Arkansas State depth chart heading into the 2026 campaign, things look a lot different than they did during that snowy night at the Xbox Bowl.
Rosters in the G5 world are basically revolving doors now. You've got guys like Bryan Whitehead hitting the portal after a massive year, and then you've got a fresh crop of recruits and transfers trying to figure out where they fit in the locker room at Centennial Bank Stadium.
The Quarterback Room: It's Jaylen Raynor's World
Let's not kid ourselves. Everything starts with Jaylen Raynor. Entering his junior year in 2026, he’s the undisputed face of the program. People keep waiting for him to hit a ceiling, but he just keeps running through it. Last year, he put up over 3,300 yards through the air and was the reason this team didn't collapse in October.
Behind him, it gets a little interesting. Josh Flowers is the likely backup, but don't sleep on the young guys like Tyrell Lewis. Lewis came in as a three-star out of Ohio with a lot of hype. In a system that rewards mobility, having a guy like Lewis waiting in the wings is a luxury Butch Jones hasn't always had.
- Starter: Jaylen Raynor (Jr.)
- Primary Backup: Josh Flowers (So.)
- The Future: Tyrell Lewis (R-Fr.)
It’s a stable situation. Probably the most stable on the entire Arkansas State depth chart.
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Skill Positions: Replacing the Production
Losing some of the veteran presence in the wideout room is gonna sting, but keeping Corey Rucker for his final ride is massive. Rucker is basically a cheat code at this level. He’s closing in on legendary status in Jonesboro. Pair him with Chauncy Cobb, and you have arguably the best receiving duo in the conference. Cobb is a burner, and even though he had a weird 2025 where he didn't find the end zone as much as you'd expect, his value as an all-purpose threat is sky-high.
The running back situation is a "two-headed monster" deal. Kenyon Clay, the Southern Miss transfer, has found a home here. He’s got that North-South violence that complements Ja'Quez Cross’s shiftiness.
Honestly, the wild card is the tight end spot. Tyler Fortenberry came in from Vanderbilt and started showing flashes of being a real mismatch nightmare. If he takes another step, this offense becomes almost impossible to bracket.
The Defensive Rebuild: Life After Whitehead
This is where things get dicey. Bryan Whitehead leaving for the portal is a gut punch. You don't just replace 9.5 tackles for loss and that kind of veteran leadership overnight. The Arkansas State depth chart on the defensive line is going to rely heavily on Cody Sigler and Demarcus Hendricks.
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Hendricks was a first-team All-Sun Belt guy last year for a reason. He’s a disruptor. But he needs someone on the other side to keep offenses from sliding protection his way every single snap. Look for some of the newer names like Tim Hardiman or maybe even a freshman like Luca Akirtava to get early looks in the rotation.
The Secondary Outlook
- Cornerbacks: Avante Dickerson is back for his senior year. He's a lockdown guy who doesn't get enough national credit.
- Safeties: AG McGhee is the glue back there. He's experienced and rarely out of position.
- New Faces: Keep an eye on Joedrick Lewis and Trevon Howard. They were brought in specifically to add length to a secondary that occasionally got bullied by bigger West Division receivers.
Special Teams: The Schexnayder Factor
One of the most underrated moves this offseason was Butch Jones snagging Kody Schexnayder from Ole Miss to run the special teams. Schexnayder has deep roots in the SEC and already knows the A-State landscape.
Replacing a punter is always a headache, but Jaxson Dunn is the projected guy to take over. On the kicking side, Clune Van Andel is as reliable as they come. He hit 21 field goals last year. In a league where games are regularly decided by three points, having a kicker who doesn't blink is worth his weight in gold.
Why the Depth Chart Matters More Now
In the current era of college football, a depth chart is a living document. It changes on Tuesday and then changes again on Thursday. Arkansas State is one of those programs that has learned to thrive in the chaos. They aren't just recruiting high schoolers; they are hunting for specific fits in the portal who have something to prove.
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The 2026 schedule is brutal early on, with a trip to Memphis right out of the gate. If the offensive line—which is arguably the biggest question mark outside of the edge rushers—doesn't gel quickly, Raynor is going to be running for his life. Guys like Makilan Thomas and Wil Saxton have to be the anchors.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're tracking the Arkansas State depth chart for betting or just pure fandom, watch the "OR" designations on the official release in August. Usually, when Butch Jones puts an "OR" between two guys at left tackle or defensive end, it means a rotation is coming, not necessarily a lack of a starter. Also, keep an eye on the snap counts for the redshirt freshmen in the first three games. With the new redshirt rules, the staff will be aggressive in seeing who can actually play at game speed before they burn a year of eligibility.
Check the transfer portal entries one last time before spring ball starts. The Red Wolves have a history of adding one more veteran linebacker or offensive lineman late in the cycle to shore up the "two-deep" before the heat of August practices begins.