Season 128 Division 2 Coaches Poll
Welcome to the Season 128 Division 2 Coaches poll. The votes were compiled among D2 coaches in Wilkinson World. I did use some editorial decisions, since the votes were compiled before recruiting came in. I felt the need to drop Virginia Union out of the top 15, since hogly22 did not recruit. I also could not find it in me to include SimAI run Cheyney as well.
Without further ado, here is your top 15 D2 teams, as voted on by you the Division 2 coaches. You are getting a bakers top 15, as I’ve included 16 teams.
16. Texas A&M-Kingsville Javelinas
Coach: streiffman (8th season) (77-29 at Texas A&M-Kingsville)
Season 127 results: 14-2, Lone Star Conference Champion, Advanced to the second round of the playoffs
GUESS Overall Roster: 20th
GUESS Recruiting Roster: 13th
The Javelina offense will be led by redshirt Senior QB Ryan Head, who threw for over 5300 yards and 57 TD’s last season. Toting the rock and catching the ball out of the backfield will be Senior RB Bryan Woods. This is a TE heavy offense with 5 TE’s on the roster. The Javelinas primary TE target is Sr Thomas Turner. There are two very solid WR targets in redshirt So Scott Weaver and true Soph Timothy Arnold. The defense is a mixture of youth and experience. The defensive line is on the young side, but on the back 7, there is a good blend of upperclassmen.
15. Tarleton State Texans
Coach: RoyBatty (2nd season) (10-5 at Tarleton State)
Season 127 results: 10-5, Lost in the first round of the playoffs
GUESS Overall: 9th
GUESS Recruiting Roster: 8th
The Texans are a younger roster, with only 6 senior on the roster, so the better days for the Texans will be ahead of them. One of those Seniors, QB Louis Bowman will be asked to lead the Texans offense, and also groom redshirt Freshman QB George Chamberlain for the future. The Texans offense also features, Jr RB Robert Knapp and redshirt Sr Chad Rosa on offense. The defense is loaded on the back end and only 3 seniors on the roster, so this is a team to watch under coach RoyBatty.
14. Livingstone College Blue Bears
Coach: howarddv (3rd season) (23-8 at Livingstone)
Season 127 results: 13-3, Advanced to the second round of the playoffs
GUESS Overall: 24th
GUESS Recruiting Recruits: 50th
Season 127 was a banner year for the student body at Livingstone College, as coach howarddv was able to get the Blue Bears to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in their history. The Blue Bears will be led by Sr* QB Henry Phillips, coming off a 2600+ yard season and 38 TD’s. There are plenty of seasoned weapons for Phillips to throw to and can rely on Sr* RB Roy Martin to bail him out in the run game, coming off a season where he averaged over 7.0 ypc. Redshirt Soph Jose Huff is the Blue Bears most dangerous weapon in the WR corps, and redshirt Jr* Jerry Hawkins is a reliable TE. The 50th rated GUESS ranking seems to be skewed down, as it was a smaller class and did take on one questionable QB recruit.
13. West Liberty State Hilltoppers
Coach: hypnotoad (3rd season) (29-5 at West Liberty State)
Season 127 results: 14-4, Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Champion, Advanced to Final Four
GUESS Overall: 12th
GUESS Recruiting Results: 4th
Hilltopper coach hypnotoad is not afraid of a challenge, as their out of conference schedule features three top opponents, at South Dakota, Northwood at home and at Tarleton State. That strategy seemed to work in season 127, as they lost 3 in the regular season, but the Hilltoppers were battle tested and advanced to the Final Four last season, something not accomplished at WVSC since they advanced to the National Championship game in Season 52. Sr* QB David Short should have plenty of time to throw, as the offensive line features 5 Seniors to protect the QB. Jr* Larry Ponce and WR* Dean Rich will be Short’s primary offensive targets. On defense, the team is very well balanced out, a return trip to the Final Four would not be a surprise.
12. Slippery Rock Rockets
Coach: cgreenemax (2nd season) (15-1 at Slippery Rock)
Season 127 results: 15-1, Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Champion, Advanced to the Second Round of the playoffs
GUESS Overall: 14th
GUESS Recruiting Results: 6th
The Rock looks poised to take over the PSAC reign, since the departure at Millersville of coaches montourfalls and porkbellybob. Slippery Rock is undergoing a transformation on offense, adding on the Notre Dame Box formation on top of the Pro-Set to add a new dimension to the offense. Redhirt Junior RB Martin Wright is a weapon on offense out of the backfield. Redshirt Junior QB Albert Flores takes the helm of the Rocket offense, after throwing for 71 TD’s last season. WR’s David Hill and Frank Spencer could lead the way for the offense in the receiving game as they alternated 1000+ yrd seasons the past two years.
11. Valdosta State Blazers
Coach: columbusbuck (5th season) (43-14 at Valdosta State)
Season 127 results: 13-2, Advanced to the Second Round of the playoffs
GUESS Overall: 11th
GUESS Recruiting Results: 23rd
The Blazers expect to rely heavily again on redshirt Senior running back Justin Scott, who rushed for nearly 2000 yards in season 127. Waiting in the wings at the running back position is redshirt Jr Louis McCray and redshirt Fr RB Claude Anthony and they may take some carries away from Scott when he needs a breather. When the Blazers do decide to throw, redshirt Junior Dennis Salazar can look to redshirt Jr Marvin Pitts. After a couple of 5 loss seasons at Valdosta State, coach columbusbuck turned the corner last season and got the Blazers into the second round. The schedule does not get difficult until back to back contests against Henderson State and Delta State. Those two will be the two key games to see where the Blazers get seeded for the playoffs.
10. Humboldt State Lumberjacks
Coach: benzil (10th season) (108-24)
Season 127 results: 14-2, Advanced to the Third Round of the playoffs
GUESS Overall: 10th
GUESS Recruiting Results: 5th
The corner may have turned at Humboldt State, as coach benzil advanced the Lumberjacks to the Third Round of the playoffs for the first time under his watch. The roster is young, with 21 freshman and redshirt freshman on the roster, so a slight setback may occur this season. The roadblock for the Lumberjacks remain South Dakota, who has controlled the division since season 106. On offense, the Lumberjacks will be looking to redshirt Senior QB Kenneth Bullock, who is getting his first significant action under center. Because of the inexperience, Humboldt State may rely heavily on Redshirt Junior running back Mark Wright, who nearly eclipsed the 1000 yard mark on the ground last season. When Bullock does decide to throw, he will be looking to a pair of experienced WR’s to get open and catch passes, JR Timothy Browne and Sr Ralph Barker.
9. Millersville Marauders
Coach: bentschnride (1st season)
Season 127 results: 12-3, Lost in the First Round of the playoffs
GUESS Overall: 8th
GUESS Recruiting Results: 19th
The Marauders tapped coach bentschnride on the shoulder to take over the squad after porkbellybob took a promotion to Division 1AA. Coach bentschnride comes to the Marauders from Wilmington (OH) after leading them to two conference championships and playoff appearances. The jury will be out on the Marauders until the games 8 and 9, when they play their only human opponents. The roster is well stockpiled and with an easy schedule out of the gate, Millersville should coast into conference play unscathed. Running backs George Baker and James Brown should carry the bulk of the load for the Marauders in the ground game, but the stable at RB is full. A QB rotation is expected as Jr Walter Devine and So* Ronald Kelley should split time under center.
8: Stonehill Skyhawks
Coach: mikesy (1st season)
Season 127 results: 11-4, Lost in the First Round of the Playoffs
GUESS Overall: 18th
GUESS Recruiting Results: 17th
Another new coach comes into take over at Stonehill. coach mikesy grabs the headset for the Skyhawks. The pressure will be on, as no doubt coach stixx06 at Southern Connecticut State will use this ranking as bulletin board material for his squad. That should be the only test for the Skyhawks during the regular season, a rematch in the conference championship for the Northeast 10 Conference seems destined. The offense will be in transition, but expect the Skyhawks to focus on an offense based around Jr* QB Joseph Cox, Sr RB Victor Johnson and a WR combo of Richard French and Brian Crosby.
7: Truman State Bulldogs
Coach: tigerpark135 (4th season) (46-4 at Truman State)
Season 127 results: 15-1 Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletics Association conference champion, Advanced to the Second Round of the playoffs.
GUESS Overall: 7th
GUESS Recruiting Results: 10th
This Bulldog roster is loaded with depth all over, led by a 13 seniors. This is the first season coach tigerpark135 could really put his stamp on the roster, so the Bulldogs could be ready to take off. One leftover, from the previous regime is Sr* QB James Martin, who is expected to have significant time under center leading the Bulldog offense. A backfield combination of Sr David Owens and So* William Ortiz are expected to get the lion’s share of the work. When Martin decides to air things out, he will look to a pair of wideouts in Jr* Richard Ellison and Jr Norman Perkins.
6: Northwood Timberwolves
Coach: PhilFulmer98 (2nd season) (15-1 at Northwood)
Season 127 results: 15-1, Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion, advanced to the second round of the playoffs
GUESS Overall: 6th
GUESS Recruiting Results: 2nd
The Timberwolves have been on the cusp of a championship for several seasons now, and with coach PhilFulmer98 in his second season at Northwood, they could be on the brink for more greatness. The Timberwolves addressed defensive back heavily during the recruiting season, building on an already strong DB stable. There is a question at QB to see which QB will run the Timberwolves offense. I expect to see a heavy dose of Jr* Jose Reynolds under center, but there is also Sr* QB Robert West that is capable of leading Northwood to victory. Expect the wide receiver tandem of Timothy Dougherty and Tim Toney to get plenty of action. The backfield will rely on Jr* RB Ronnie Dean to carry and catch the rock.
5. Henderson State Reddies
Coach: z32fanatic (4th season) (44-5 at Henderson State)
Season 127 results: 16-1, Gulf South Conference champion, advanced to the playoff quarterfinals.
GUESS Overall: 3rd
GUESS Recruiting Results: 3rd
The Reddies offense is extremely dangerous, featuring a trio of upperclassmen running backs, led by Jr* Fred Franklin. But, don’t forget about So* Joseph Hamilton, as he is expected to get an increased role in coach z32fanatic’s offense. The passing combination of redshirt Junior Robert Patterson to senior wide receiver Larry Davis is expected to produce significant results for the Reddies offense. Coach z32fanatic has molded this roster into a perennial National Championship contender and could be hoisting the trophy come the end of season 128.
4. West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats
Coach: slid64er (6th season) (80-5 at West Virginia Wesleyan)
Season 127 results: 15-2, South Atlantic Conference champion, advanced to the third round of the playoffs.
GUESS Overall: 5th
GUESS Recruiting Results: 16th
Coach slid64er is a legend of the game and season 128 could very well be the season that the Bobcats are having a parade down Main Street in Buckhannon, WV. The offense and defense are balanced out with upperclassmen and developmental Sophs and Frosh ready to replace the graduates. This team scores points by the bunches, led by redshirt Senior QB Patrick Lindsey, looking to take over an offense that is a well-oiled machine after throwing for nearly 3500 yards and 59 TD’s last season. On the receiving end of Lindsey’s targets will be a trio of players. Jr* Jose Willis, Sr* WR Jim Burton and Sr TE Donald Harris. Each of those three accounted for over 1500 yards last season, so defending the Bobcat offense will be a challenge.
3: Colorado School of Mines Orediggers
Coach: 0bigzeke0 (30th season) (493-43)
Season 127 results: 16-1, Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference champion, advanced to the third round of the playoffs
GUESS Overall: 4th
GUESS Recruiting Results: 7th
Coaches in division 2 start to get very anxious every few seasons, realizing that impending doom is coming to anyone that stands in between Colorado-Mines and a National Championship. This season, coaches palms will become very sweaty when looking at the roster of the Orediggers, as an inexperienced, young roster has blossomed into 25 experienced and talented players. Leading the way on the ground in Golden, CO will be a pair of backs in Gene Salinas and Herbert McDonald. Waiting in the wings at RB is Fr* Earl Arnold. Redshirt Junior QB Chris Curry will call signals for the Orediggers, looking to target WR Chris Donnelly when they do throw the ball. The defense is littered with many upperclassmen and will be difficult to gain upon.
2: Saint Joseph’s Pumas
Coach: gators06 (47th season) (758-54)
Season 127 results: 18-1, Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion, advanced to the National Championship game
GUESS Overall: 2nd
GUESS Recruiting Results: 11th
The Pumas have been on a roll the past 7 seasons, advancing to the National Championship game 5 times, winning twice. This has become very familiar territory for St. Joseph’s to be perched high in the rankings. The cupboard at St. Joe’s is very full. The Puma backfield is incredible led by redshirt Senior Andrew Humphrey and redshirt Jr Paul Ramirez. The Puma attack is very balanced in the run versus the passing game, giving head coaches across division 2 nightmares. Mario Aaron gets his opportunity to run the St. Joseph’s for the first time as a senior and will be looking to WR Robert Murphy and TE Randy Olsen in addition to the backfield combination. The defense is loaded, led by Sr DB Christopher Dennis and LB Robert Costa.
1: South Dakota Coyotes
Coach: Jmurphy8587 (11th season) (178-8)
Season 127 results: 19-0, North Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion, National Champion
GUESS Overall: 1st
GUESS Recruiting Results: 1st
You never know how well a coaching change is going to work out in WIS. After alphaflight left South Dakota, it could’ve turned south rather quickly depending on which coach took over. The faithful for the Coyotes are delighted with the results that head coach Jmurphy8587 has delivered in Vermillion, SD for the past 10 seasons, continuing the excellence that the Coyote faithful have enjoyed since season 111. They have not lost a conference game since season 110, dominating opponents. The Coyotes are looking to get back to back National Championships for the first time since seasons 118-119. There is a new man under center in redshirt Sophomore Angel Rodrigues. That is really the only knock one can have with this roster, as it’s littered with talent all over. The depth is incredible at OL, DL and DB, as they have them stockpiled to defend against the various types of offenses the Coyotes could see on the road to a title. Sr* RB John Allison and Jr* RB will look to carry the workload and give time for Rodrigues to get some experience under his belt. Sr* WR Anthony Reyes will be Rodrigues’ security blanket in the passing game.
Good luck to all Division two coaches in season 128.
