The Newberry College Wolves football team is preparing for the 2026 season with aspirations of repeating as South Atlantic Conference (SAC) champions. This would mark their second conference title in the last decade, following a historic 2025 season where they finished with a 9-1 regular season record and advanced to the Division II playoffs, ultimately falling to defending champions Ferris State.
Head coach Todd Knight, who earned SAC Coach of the Year and Division II Coach of the Year honors in 2025, faces the challenge of replacing key players, including starting quarterback Reed Charpia and center Davion Pyles. Charpia, the SAC Offensive Player of the Year and a Harlon Hill trophy finalist, and Pyles, a third-team All-American, have departed the program. Senior wide receiver Keith Desaussure was named a first-team All-American, and linebacker Mikey Blandin also received third-team All-American recognition.
The quarterback position is a primary focus for the Wolves, with Izayah Whiteside and Coleman Gray, who were with the program last season, emerging as frontrunners during spring camp. Transfer quarterback Mason Kidd is listed on the SAC Player to Watch preseason list and is expected to be the starting quarterback at the beginning of fall camp. Sophomore Tushawan Richardson also showed promise during spring camp.
The offense will feature returning talent, including wide receiver De’Andre Coleman, who was second on the team in receptions with 56 and receiving yards with 842 in 2025. Other receivers to watch include Will Young V, Jacorey Martin, Gage Hunter, and Troy Reid. The running back group is also strong, with Kenmane Brunson, Quez Spells, and Jonah Harris returning. Brunson and Spells each rushed for over 400 yards in 2025, with Brunson averaging 6.3 yards per carry and having an 84-yard run. Harris led the team with six rushing touchdowns.
Defensively, senior linebacker Mikey Blandin will lead the unit after recording a team-high 124 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks in 2025. Nose guard Jaydon Eason, who had 61 total tackles, six tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks last season, will anchor the defensive line. Mason Grier will bolster the linebacker corps, and Avery McFadden, who had three interceptions and eight pass breakups in 14 games, will be a leader in the secondary.
The 2026 schedule for the Wolves includes home games against Reinhardt University on September 5 for Hall of Fame Weekend, Lenoir-Rhyne University on September 12, UVA Wise on October 3, Virginia University of Lynchburg on October 24 for Homecoming, Tusculum University on October 31, and Anderson University on November 14 for Senior Day.
