Honestly, looking at the Kent State football depth chart right now feels a bit like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube while someone keeps changing the colors on the stickers.
It’s messy. It’s young. But, if you’ve actually been watching Mark Carney’s transition from interim to the official 24th head coach of the Golden Flashes, there is a method to the madness. After a 5-7 finish in 2025—a season where they looked like world-beaters against Akron but got absolutely dismantled by Oklahoma—the 2026 roster is basically a "prove it" project.
Most people look at a Mid-American Conference (MAC) depth chart and expect a bunch of seniors holding the line. Not here.
The Quarterback Room: A Multi-Way Mess
You can’t talk about this team without starting at quarterback.
Last year, we saw Dru DeShields take some massive steps forward. He’s got that 6’2” frame and the kind of escapability that makes MAC defensive coordinators lose sleep. But he’s not alone in the building anymore. The competition in the 2026 spring and fall camps is going to be centered around whether DeShields can hold off the young guns like Nolan Good and Deante Ruffin.
Ruffin is a redshirt freshman from Philly who a lot of the coaching staff is high on. He’s got a live arm. Then you have Jett Hilding hanging around too.
Basically, Mark Carney and OC Clay Patterson have a "problem," but it’s the good kind. They have four or five guys who could realistically start on a Tuesday night in November. If DeShields doesn't improve his efficiency—he had some ugly moments in that 44-0 shutout against Oklahoma—don't be surprised if the leash is short.
Why the "Starter" Label is a Lie
At Kent State, the depth chart is more of a suggestion. Patterson runs a spread option that burns through players. You'll see two or three quarterbacks play meaningful snaps in a single month. It isn’t about who starts; it’s about who finishes the third-down conversions.
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The Dark Side Defense: Rebuilding the Trenches
They call it the "Dark Side," but lately, it’s been more of a "work in progress."
DC Cherokee Valeria is dealing with a lot of new faces. The defensive line is the big question mark. We know Thomas Aden and Jelani Davis are the veterans. They provide the bulk. But look at the edge rushers. Jamond Mathis and Antoine Campbell Jr. are expected to be the primary disruptors.
Mathis is a redshirt sophomore who looks like he was built in a lab. If he can turn that raw athleticism into consistent sack production, the Golden Flashes might actually stop somebody this year.
Defensive Standouts to Watch:
- A’tiq Muhammad (DB): A redshirt senior who has seen it all. He’s the glue in the secondary.
- Nylan Brown (LB): He’s the thumper in the middle. At 235 pounds, he’s one of the few guys on this roster who can genuinely stonewall a Big Ten transfer running back.
- TeJuan Barbour (CB): A 6'3" freshman. Yeah, you read that right. He’s huge for a corner and was a massive get in the 2026 signing class.
The Skill Positions: Who Replaces the Production?
Losing guys to the portal or graduation is the tax every MAC team pays.
But Chrishon McCray and Luke Floriea left some massive shoes to fill at wide receiver. The 2026 Kent State football depth chart at receiver is currently a battleground. Da'Shawn Martin is the name everyone is circling. He’s a junior from Springfield who has been waiting for his "WR1" moment.
Then there’s Ardell Banks. He’s 6’3”. In the red zone, he is a nightmare.
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The running back room is a bit more stable. Ky Thomas (if he uses his final year) or the younger rotation of Curtis Douglas and the incoming freshmen like Brandon White will be the focal point. White is a name you need to know. He was a superstar at St. Edward High School in Ohio—1,822 rushing yards as a senior. You don't leave a kid like that on the bench for long.
The Tight End "Swiss Army Knife"
Coach CJ Conrad (who also handles special teams) has turned the tight end room into a weapon. Hunter Hopperton is back after an ACL injury. Honestly, the way he recovered is nothing short of incredible. He’s a leader. He blocks like an extra tackle but has soft hands.
Along with Christian Berry, the tight ends are the most reliable part of the offense. If the QB competition gets shaky, expect a lot of safe, short passes to these guys.
Special Teams: The Da’Realyst Factor
You cannot mention Kent State without talking about Da’Realyst Clark.
The man is a G5 All-American for a reason. He’s a threat to score every single time he touches the ball on a kickoff. In the 2025 opener against Merrimack, he had a 100-yard return that literally saved the game.
When you’re a team like Kent State playing a schedule that includes South Carolina and other heavy hitters, you need a "eraser." Clark is that guy. He erases mistakes by creating points out of nowhere.
The specialists at a glance:
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- Will Hryszko: Kicker. Reliable enough from inside 40 yards.
- Chase Mantooth: The new long snapper. It’s an overlooked position until a snap goes over the punter’s head. He’s a freshman, so keep an eye on his nerves in the opener.
What to Actually Expect in 2026
The schedule is brutal. Opening at South Carolina is a "get paid and hope nobody gets hurt" kind of game. But the MAC is wide open.
Mark Carney’s first full season as the non-interim head coach is about identity. Are they a high-flying spread team, or are they going to lean on that "Dark Side" defense? The depth chart suggests they want to be fast. They’ve recruited length—look at the secondary and the receivers.
The Reality Check:
The biggest misconception is that Kent State is a "rebuilding" program. They aren't. They are a "reloading" program in the age of the transfer portal. If three of those freshman signees like Kale Webb (DL) or Messiah Mickens (RB) hit early, this team is a bowl contender. If the offensive line (which struggled mightily against Florida State and Texas Tech last year) doesn't gel, it’s going to be a long season for Dru DeShields.
To truly understand this roster, you have to look at the "OR" on the official sheet.
There are at least six positions on the current Kent State football depth chart listed as "Player A OR Player B." That’s not a lack of talent. It’s a coach telling his team that nobody’s job is safe.
If you want to keep up with the moving pieces, your next step is to monitor the post-spring transfer portal window in April. That is when the final 22-man starting lineup actually takes shape, as Carney will likely look for one more veteran offensive tackle to protect his quarterback's blind side.