Northwest Wayne News

Over the next six weeks, Wayne State University will be previewing each position on its 2025 football team. Head coach Tyrone Wheatley and former Warrior Brady Beedon will highlight their respective units.

The Wayne State football team will see significant changes both on the field and within the coaching staff in 2025. Third-year head coach Tyrone Wheatley's full-time coaching staff includes two holdovers, Rosco Byrd, Jr. and Antwon Robinson, four newcomers—DeJuan Garland, Jimmy Hill, J.C McDonald, and Ahmed Saleh—and one coach elevated to full-time status, Mustafa Khaleefah.

On the field, the Warriors have 18 returning letterwinners. This includes senior safety Elijah Fowlkes as a three-time letterwinner. There are also ten two-time letterwinners and seven one-time letterwinners returning.

Fifty players return from the 2024 roster along with nearly 50 freshmen and over 20 transfers. WSU returns five starters on offense: offensive linemen Will Edwards and Jayden Lewin, tight end Nick Ostas, quarterback Champion Edwards, and running back XaVior Tyus. Three additional letterwinners also return: wide receiver Justyz Tuggle, offensive lineman Ethan Gates, and running back/special teams Brayden McKenna.

Defensively, six starters return: defensive ends Colby Horn and Jaiden Acker; linebacker Quincy Salter; safety Elijah Fowlkes; cornerbacks Anthony Walk Jr., Kejuan Houston/Jonathan Tillman; plus Chris Gillam, Devon Brown, CJ Gordon, Roshaun McGee; along with Joe Clark Jr., a 2023 letterwinner.

In special teams news: long snapper Nico Davis departed while punter Jeremy Taras and place-kicker Griffin Milovanski graduated.

The Warriors finished their last season at 2-9 after winning their final two games. They played against tough opponents who had a combined .615 winning percentage (67-42). Highlights included outscoring Findlay by 27-7 in the second half; leading Truman State at halftime; trailing Michigan Tech closely late into third quarter among others.

This fall's GLIAC schedule mirrors last year's but takes place at opposite locations for each game including non-conference matches against Tiffin & Findlay which follow suit too! In week three however brings something new when traveling Wisconsin-La Crosse first time ever followed by hosting Quincy week later marking another first meeting between schools since November '72 loss Milwaukee (28–7).

Fall practice starts Monday August eleventh preceded weekend player reporting ahead opener Thursday September fourth facing off Tiffin Dragons home turf kick-off set six pm sharp! Season single-game tickets available now online!