Valdosta State Football 2025 Season Preview | GSC Football

The Valdosta State Blazers claimed the Gulf South Conference title and nearly went undefeated in 2024 if not for their final game of the season against Ferris State. The Blazers hadn’t lost a game heading into the NCAA DII National Championship, but took a hearty 49-14 loss against the Bulldogs.

It was Valdosta State’s best season since 2018, when they truly did go undefeated, and it came as no surprise, as the Blazers had weapons at every position. 

Senior quarterback Sammy Edwards threw a whopping 3,291 yards and 32 touchdowns and only two interceptions, often looking to graduate student and wide receiver Rodney Bullard to take the ball down the field. Bullard notched over 1,000 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, recording four games with over 100 yards each. At running back, graduate student Blake Hester also contributed over 1,000 yards on the ground and 13 touchdowns. 

But heading into the 2025 season, Valdosta State must fend off opponents without the help of Edwards, Bullard, or Hester. Backup quarterback Seth Smith looks likely to take on the starting role, appearing in nine games for the Blazers last season with one touchdown. 

The team’s six best receivers are all out of the question, leaving Sammuel Curry to step up in their wake, while Joseph McKay is the most promising returning running back. 

Valdosta State stands as just one of four remaining teams in the Gulf South Conference in 2025 and could see itself atop the conference once again if head coach Graham Craig can build an equally dominant offense. 

Who Is The Valdosta State Head Coach?

The Blazers have welcomed a brand new head coach, but also a familiar face with Graham Craig, who served as the offensive coordinator for the program in 2024. 

Craig helped lead Valdosta State to its 11th Gulf South Conference title and a runner-up finish in the NCAA DII National Championship. His offense finished 11th nationally in yards per game and first in the GSC at 448.6, similarly landing eighth nationally in scoring offense with 40.1 points per game.

Valdosta State Football 2024 Record

*NCAA DII Playoffs

**NCAA DII National Championship

• August 31 – Albany State – W, 42-10
• September 7 – Newberry College – W, 27-14
• September 14 – Fayetteville State – W, 34-0
• September 21 – Erskine College – W, 73-0
• October 5 – Shorter – W, 59-6
• October 12 – North Greenville – W, 32-24
• October 19 – Mississippi College – W, 35-10
• November 2 – Chowan – W, 52-0
• November 9 – Delta State – W, 49-20
• November 16 – West Florida – W, 28-7
• November 30 – Miles College – W, 33-17*
• December 7 – Virginia Union – W, 49-14*
• December 14 – Minnesota State – W, 35-21*
• December 21 – Ferris State – L, 14-49**

Valdosta State Football 2025 Schedule

All times Eastern. 

• August 30 – 1:15 p.m. – Clark Atlanta
• September 6 – 12:00 p.m. – Johnson C. Smith
• September 20 – 1:00 p.m. – Chowan
• September 27 – 4:00 p.m. – UNC Pembroke
• October 4 – 4:00 p.m. – Lenoir-Rhyne 
• October 11 – 2:00 p.m. – The Citadel
• October 25 – 3:00 p.m. – North Greenville
• November 1 – 1:00 p.m. – West Alabama
• November 8 – 4:00 p.m. – Delta State
• November 15 – 3:00 p.m. – West Florida

Valdosta State Football 2025 Roster

• Jonah Allen    K/P   
• Braylon Anderson    DB  
• Cody Anderson    LB   
• Josiah Anderson    LB   
• Wyatt Anderson    OL
• McCall Bennett    K/P   
• Jordan Billups    DB    
• Chance Black    RB  
• Ja’Darien Boykin    DL 
• Josh Brown    CB  
• Victor Cameron    OL    
• Emmanuel Cannon    DL    
• Rance Conner    DB   
• Antonio Culbreth    DL     
• Samuel Curry    WR  
• Jalan Davis    TE   
• Caleb Dawson    LB    
• Dav’Juan Dezeme    LB 
• Ethan Eddins    K/P   
• Anthony Fernandez    LB   
• Javerius Franklin    DL    
• Riley Frasu    OL     
• Connor Gilbert    OL      
• Armar Gordon    QB  
• Andre Hall, Jr.    WR    
• Ja’Corey Hammett    LB   
• Armani Hayes    WR     
• Alcivial Henrisme    LB   
• Pate Hogan    QB    
• Joel Houndenou    TE   
• Greg Hudgins    DL     
• Jovon Jackson    S     
• Jordan Jakes    WR    
• Daniel Jean    DB   
• Donovan Jones    RB      
• Alex Jorge    OL     
• Kyshon Kenny    WR      
• Solomon Leslie    RB     
• Jhebari Martin    OL     
• Jonathan Martin    DL       
• Steven Mauro    OL    
• Joseph McKay    RB      
• Ty Merkle    OL   
• Jacob Miles    OL      
• Tyler Morehead    LB      
• Ethan Nation    DB    
• Tyree Nelson    RB     
• Abe Nyang    DB     
• Jalen Oliver    WR     
• Julius Pascal    DB       
• Ostin Perkins    RB      
• KyJuan Phillips    OL     
• Jake Pippin    OL        
• Travion Pope    LB    
• Rickey Ransom    DB       
• Brayden Rasnek    OL     
• Ashaud Roberson    RB   
• Dallas Robinson    DB    
• James Robinson    OL    
• Mark Robinson    DL    
• Seth Smith    QB    
• Sam Sternberger    LS      
• Theron Stroops    DB     
• Jemarrlowe Sykes    DL    
• Rico Watkins    DB     
• Eric Watts    RB       
• Kentravius Williams    OL       
• Logan Williams    DL     
• Xyre Wilson    WR        
• Al-Nour Yacoub    TE   

Valdosta State Football Coaching Staff

• Graham Craig – Head Coach
• Alex Nelson – Wide Receivers / Pass Game Coordinator
• Giovanni Spadaro – Defensive Line
• Sean Fogarty – Offensive Line / Run Game Coordinator
• Greg Harris – Defensive Coordinator / Assistant Head Coach
• Tyson Kee – Defensive Backs
• Malik Slater – Linebackers
• Aidan Panni – Special Teams Coordinator / Tight Ends
• Tyray Devezin – Running Backs
• Luke Byrne – Assistant Offensive Line

Valdosta State Football 2024 Season Highlights

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