Western Carolina will begin the 2025 college football season inside the national top 25 – and on top of our preseason FCS statewide power rankings.
We’ve been bullish on the Catamounts all spring and summer, and we’re not about to stop now. But there’s no shortage of challengers for the mantle of top FCS program in the Old North State, with North Carolina Central, Elon and others ready to make their case.
With that as the backdrop, we’re debuting a new weekly feature at NC Football News: FCS Xtra – a deeper dive into our state’s “other” Division I football programs. North Carolina’s FCS ranks are seven strong, each with its own style, traditions and storylines.
Each week, we’ll bring you updated power rankings, game previews, player spotlights, historical nuggets and a few insider notes you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re a die-hard alum, huge fan or just curious about what’s happening beyond the FBS spotlight, FCS Xtra will keep you in the know all season long.
Without further ado, let’s jump in:
📊 North Carolina FCS Power Rankings (Preseason)
Each week once the season starts, we’ll size up all seven of North Carolina’s FCS programs. Here’s where they stand now in our eyes, with changes noted from our “way-too-early” spring rankings. Disagree? Let us know. Tag us on X and sound off!
(⬆️ moved up | ⬇️ moved down | ➖ no change from spring rankings)
1. Western Carolina Catamounts (7-5 | 6-2 SoCon in 2024) ➖
High-powered offense, Kerwin Bell’s QB factory, and a defense ready to level up. Early tests vs. Gardner-Webb, Elon and Campbell will help set the in-state pecking order.
2. North Carolina Central Eagles (8-3 | 4-1 MEAC) ⬆️ 1
Celebration Bowl champs in 2022, playoff trip in ’23, eight wins in ’24 — Trei Oliver reloads, not rebuilds. Season debuts Aug. 23 in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge against Southern University – the first NC team to see the field in 2025.
3. Elon Phoenix (6-6 | 5-3 CAA) ⬇️ 1
Tony Trisciani’s squads are upset specialists but need a new QB and must replace some departed talent at other spots. The Phoenix open at Duke, then hit the road to WCU and ETSU in Weeks 3 and 4.
4. Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs (4-8 | 3-5 Big South/OVC) ⬆️ 1
Six one-score games in ’24, plus a near upset of Charlotte. After a heavy portal rebuild, Reisert is adding strong high school talent. Could surge if the roster mix gels.
5. Campbell Camels (3-9 | 1-7 CAA) ⬇️ 1
Deep QB room and much deeper front lines than 2024. Now it’s on coach Braxton Harris and the Camels to turn recruiting success into wins.
6. North Carolina A&T Aggies (1-11 | 0-8 CAA) ➖
Shawn Gibbs takes over, aiming to restore Aggie swagger. Tough early slate, but expect a more competitive product.
7. Davidson Wildcats (6-5 | 4-4 PFL) ➖
First year under Saj Thakkar brings a shift from the triple option. Still dangerous with RB duo Mari Adams and Mason Sheron taking handoffs.
📈 Stat Spotlight: Western Carolina Starts Year Nationally Ranked
WCU enters 2025 ranked No. 18 in both the Stats Perform FCS Preseason Top 25 and HERO Sports Top 25.
- This is only the third preseason national ranking for the Catamounts since 1994 (No. 20 in 2024, No. 17 in 1994).
- They’re one of just two SoCon teams in the Stats Perform Top 25, joining Mercer (No. 11). Chattanooga and ETSU received votes.
- WCU was picked third in the SoCon preseason coaches’ poll after finishing runner-up in 2024.
- North Carolina Central among those “receiving votes” in both preseason polls
💥 FCS vs. FBS: Eight Shots at an Upset
North Carolina’s FCS teams will get eight cracks at FBS opponents in 2025. Every program except Davidson has at least one such game, while Campbell and Gardner-Webb face two apiece.
The last FCS-over-FBS win from our state came in 2018, when North Carolina A&T stunned East Carolina. Can it happen again? Here’s our upset meter — ranked from most likely to least:
1️⃣ Western Carolina at Wake Forest (Sept. 6) — The Deacs are rebuilding under new coach Jake Dickert, while the Catamounts have SoCon title ambitions. WCU is 0-for-62 all-time vs. FBS. Could this be the breakthrough?
2️⃣ Gardner-Webb at Ohio (Sept. 20) — MAC champs lost coach Tim Albin to Charlotte. GWU’s Cris Reisert is an Ohio native who’ll want to show out and be a giant killer.
3️⃣ NC Central at Old Dominion (Sept. 6) — The Eagles are battle-tested against FBS foes, traveling to UNC and UCLA in recent years. ODU is rising in the Sun Belt but could be in for a fight.
4️⃣ Elon at Duke (Aug. 30) — Phoenix defense held up last year in Durham. Still, the program is 0-16 all-time vs. FBS.
5️⃣ Gardner-Webb at Georgia Tech (Sept. 6) — The Runnin’ Bulldogs nearly shocked Tech in 2008 (10-7). This Yellow Jacket team has designs on breaking into the upper echelon of the ACC, though.
6️⃣ Campbell at East Carolina (Sept. 6) — Led early in 2022 before fading in a 49-10 loss.
7️⃣ NC A&T at UCF (Sept. 6) — Both programs under new coaches with deep school ties — Gibbs at A&T, Scott Frost back at UCF.
8️⃣ Campbell at NC State (Oct. 4) — First-ever meeting, slotted between Virginia Tech and Notre Dame for the Pack so maybe NCSU will be distracted?
🔥 In Focus: Campbell’s Deep Running Back Room
Campbell lists six running backs on its roster heading into fall — a blend of local standouts and transfers — making the position one of the team’s brightest spots heading into 2025.
Top Returnees:
- Mark Biggins – 406 yards, 3 TDs in 2024. Grad transfer from Cal Poly.
- JJ Cowan – 365 yards, 1 TD last season. Former Triton High star (Dunn, NC).
New Faces to Watch
- De’Von Thomas – Rolesville High product (4A state runners-up in 2024). Piled up nearly 5,000 rushing yards and 59 TDs in high school. Big recruiting win for Camels.
- Naieem Kearney – Transfer from Georgetown; rushed for 362 yards, 6 TDs in 2024
- Ethan Lawrence – JUCO first-team all-conference at Northeast Oklahoma.
- Emmanuel Chambers – Freshman from Anson High (Wadesboro, N.C.).
With proven veterans and high-upside newcomers, Campbell’s ground game has the tools to keep defenses honest — and possibly tilt a few games in the Camels’ favor.
🗣 Coach’s Corner: Saj Thakkar, Davidson
New Wildcats head coach Saj Thakkar isn’t taking his first Division I opportunity lightly:
“The thing about the head coaching jobs is it’s kind of like you got one shot to do it,” Thakkar told the Charlotte Observer. “If you don’t do well your first time, you may never get that opportunity again. That’s why it’s important to be prepared for the job you want — because if you’re not, you may never get that opportunity again.”
Thakkar’s preparation includes time as a head coach at the D3 level and a deliberate approach to shifting Davidson away from its long-running triple-option scheme.
📅 FCS Xtra — Every Week, All Season Long
This is just the first edition of FCS Xtra, our in-depth look at North Carolina’s FCS football scene. Each week, we’ll bring you fresh power rankings, player spotlights, game previews, and insider notes from across the state’s seven programs.
Whether you follow one school or want the full statewide picture, FCS Xtra will keep you in the loop from Week Zero through the postseason. Check back every week for the latest.
Have feedback, story ideas or questions? Tag us on X or send an email to publisher Eric Lusk at eric@ncfootballnews.com.
