2026 MAC Football Preseason Preview: Sacramento State Hornets

Sacramento State football has been a program in flux for seven years, making their ascension to the FBS and the MAC this offseason one of college football’s most compelling stories. 

In 2019, the Hornets won the Big Sky Conference under head coach Troy Taylor, beginning a dynastic run of three conference titles in four seasons. Taylor’s success didn’t go unnoticed, prompting Stanford to poach the Sacramento-area native as their new head coach. 

Sac State elevated defensive coordinator Andy Thompson, who reached the FCS playoffs in his first season but stumbled to 3-9 in 2024, ending his two-year tenure.

After the program’s worst season in five years, Sac State publicly declared its FBS ambitions despite having no conference invitation in hand– then sought a splashy hire to match them.

Brennan Marion, the eccentric young offensive coordinator who had helped lead UNLV to an 11-3 record and a placement on the AP poll, was a perfect fit. He molded the roster in his image, leaving nearly no holdovers from the prior seasons’ roster while bringing in 72 players via the transfer portal,. 

Among the departures was freshman All-American quarterback Carson Conklin, who transferred to Fresno State after finishing third in voting for the Jerry Rice Award.

The Hornets played one of college football’s most unique brands of football, Marion’s signature Go-Go offense. Sac State rushed for over 250 yards per game, but attempted just single-digit passes in multiple games throughout the year. 

That imbalance persisted through the season-ending loss to rival UC Davis, when the Hornets rushed for more than 300 yards but completed just three passes.

Just two weeks later, Marion would leave the program to become Colorado’s offensive coordinator. Without a head coach or a conference home, things looked bleak as Sac State began to build a schedule as an FCS Independent. 

In December, they found their head coach in Alonzo Carter, and in February, they found their new home, the MAC. 

So that begs the question: just what exactly should we expect to see from Sac State?

What’s New?

This year’s team represents a return to the identity that had brought the Hornets success under Taylor, an identity built on utilizing local talent.

Like Taylor, Alonzo Carter is a Northern California native, born in Oakland. 

Carter spent three decades building his coaching career without leaving the Bay Area, moving from the high school ranks to junior colleges before eventually landing at San Jose State.

In 2023, he took his talents to Arizona, where he served as the assistant head coach and running backs coach before taking the job at Sac State. 

“There was this moment when I sat at the top of the stadium 10 years ago,” Carter said at his introductory press conference. “It was at a camp. Everybody was gone. I looked across the stadium, and I was like, ‘I’m gonna be the head coach here one day.’ I put that in the universe.”

Carter’s first Sac State team features 78 players from the state of California and 14 from the greater Sacramento area, many of whom come from some of the state’s junior college powerhouses. 

In addition to Carter, the program brought in two new coordinators, Adam Clark and Eric Kiesau. 

Kiesau returns to an offensive coordinator role after spending the last three years at Florida as a quality control coach. Prior to Florida, he was Auburn’s OC in 2022 and Boise State’s OC in 2020, and has spent time with Fresno State, Alabama and Kansas in various coaching roles. 

Clark was familiar to Sac State, serving as Big Sky rival Northern Arizona’s defensive coordinator since 2024. Before that, Clark was a part of eight conference championship teams in 20 years across the D2 and FCS levels. 

The Hornets return nine key starters from last season, several of whom had entered the portal prior to the hiring of Carter, but returned. They brought in 27 new players via the portal, headlined by two talented redshirt freshmen safeties in Noah King (Colorado) and Amari Wallace (Miami [FL]). Both earned four-star ratings from 247Sports and would have been the highest-rated recruits in program history had they signed with Sac State out of high school.

Offense

• Key Additions: QB Carson Conklin, WR Matthew Coleman, RB Davion Godley, OT Garrison Blank, WR Elijah Washington, QB Jackson Sharman
• Key Departures: RB Jaquail Smith, RB Damian Henderson II, WR Ernest Campbell, OT Jose Soto, WR Jordan Anderson, QB Jaden Rashada, QB Cardell Williams, OT Aidan Meek, OC Dean Abdullah
• Key Returners: RB Jamar Curtis, TE Jordan Williams, WR Jace Wilson, OL Bryson Summers, OL Jeremiah Stallworth, RB Elias Brown, WR Onterrio Smith Jr.

One of those Californians brought in by Carter is a familiar face: Carson Conklin. 

In his season away with Fresno State, Conklin began the season as EJ Warner’s backup before earning starting reps in the middle of the season. After a rough first game against San Diego State where he threw two interceptions in a shutout loss, he found a groove and led the Bulldogs to two straight wins against Boise State and Wyoming. 

When he entered the transfer portal at the end of the season, Sac State pounced. 

“Sacramento was always in the back of my mind, but going into the portal, I wasn’t thinking ‘I’m going back to Sac,’” Conklin said. “Sac State reached out, and they honestly blew me away. They exceeded my expectations; it made me excited to return.” 

Conklin’s recruitment was a team effort from Sac State’s new coaching staff, but it was spearheaded by quarterbacks coach Bobby Fresques, a long-time member of the staff and one of the coaches that Conklin attributes his success to. 

It’s hard to judge his tenure at Fresno State, as he was used as a game-manager style quarterback in a run-heavy offense, only gaining 3.7 yards per pass attempt. This is in direct contrast to his time at Sac State where he could be best characterized as a gunslinger, throwing for an average gain of 11 yards per pass attempt. 

His willingness to take risks was noticeably diminished at Fresno State, where he spent much of the season in an active quarterback competition. That won’t be the case at Sac State.

The best case scenario for the Hornets is that Conklin is a direct blend of his 2024 and 2025 seasons, retaining some of the game manager qualities he showed off at Fresno State while keeping the big play potential that he flashed at Sac State. He isn’t afraid to leave the pocket, but it isn't a strength of his game.

Conklin’s strongest weapons on offense are his running backs. The RB room is highlighted by senior Jamar Curtis, who is poised to be the lead back in Carter’s offense. Curtis was limited to just four games due to an ankle injury last season, but still recorded 155 yards in a crowded backfield. 

Prior to last season, Curtis recorded over 3,000 yards at Lafayette, earning a laundry list of accolades. He was an all-Patriot League first teamer and Walter Payton finalist in 2024 and 2023, and an FCS All-American in 2023. 

Behind Curtis is a stable of talented rushers. If he were to miss time, transfer Davion Godley would step into his place. Godley rushed for over a thousand yards for Weber State over the last two seasons, and has a similar frame and running style to Curtis.

Senior Elias Brown has been a standout in camp, and could factor in as a goal-line back due to his hulking six-foot frame and fast first step.

Sophomore Curron Borders is the wild card, a former local high school standout who missed the entirety of last season due to a knee injury. 

Wide receiver is one of the Hornets’ weakest positions, featuring only three upperclassmen in a 14-man room. The de-facto WR1 will be Matthew Coleman, who reunites with Carter and gets a chance to break out after being stuck in crowded but talented WR rooms at San Jose State. 

Coleman is a savvy route-runner with good hands, and can line up in the slot or on the outside. 

He was a major factor in the return game for the Spartans as well, but the Hornets may want to save his talents for offense. Outside of Coleman, Sac State will need one of its inexperienced receivers to emerge.

Jace Wilson, brother of NBA wing Jalen Wilson, could become a red-zone threat with his massive catch radius and combo guard-like athleticism.

Onterrio Smith Jr. has NFL pedigree and has stood out in camp. Khai Taylor and Kenyon Shabazz were JUCO killers, but are unproven at the highest level. 

Conklin’s most reliable pass-catcher outside of Coleman will be tight end Jordan Williams. 

Williams’ 2025 numbers look pedestrian, but when Marion’s pass-averse offense needed a big gain, the ball consistently headed his way. He’s in the mold of a modern receiving tight end: at six-foot-five, Williams is athletic and has excellent body control, giving Conklin a red-zone target he can rely on in the clutch. 

The offensive line group will be one to watch, as Sac State lost most of their key contributors, including three-year starter Aidan Meek. Offensive line coach Kris Richardson has been with the Hornets for eight years and is regarded as one of Carter’s strongest position coaches, but faces his biggest challenge yet in rebuilding a unit to compete in the MAC. 

At his disposal are returners like Jeremiah Stallworth and Bryson Summers, who both earned starting snaps towards the end of last season. Vae Soifua and Garrison Blank feel like two obvious contenders to join the starting unit given their experience and pedigree, respectively, but this is a position group that will likely remain fluid until games are played. 

Defense

• Key Additions: CB Dionte Thornton, SAF Noah King, SAF Amari Wallace, CB Nikko Klemm, ILB Tim Thomas, SAF Boogsie Silvera, SAF Donovan Turner, OLB Darson Jeanty, OLB Ivan Moore Jr.
• Key Subtractions: CB Jason Oliver, S Koa Akui, DL DeSean Watts, CB Ricky Lee III, DL Dylan Hampsten, DL Syncere Massey, CB Anta’veon McKenzie, DL Jayland McGlothen 
• Key Returners: DL Xavier Williams, DL Malik Tullis, ILB Derek Houston, ILB Diego Davis, CB Elias Mullican, DL Miles Bailey, DL Brodie Tagaloa, ILB Alex Rocha, OLB Dylan Gooden, OLB Fata Puloka

Sacramento State’s defense is quietly their strong suit. 

The defensive line was one of the Hornets’ strengths last season– strong enough to allow defensive line coach Ed McGilvra to leave for the same position at Cal. Three of their best linemen exited via the portal as well to pursue other opportunities, meaning a fresh start for new DL coach Manako Tuifua. 

Tuifua still inherits several impact players, including sixth-year senior Xavier Williams, one of Sac State’s veteran leaders. He’s coming off a career year in which he recorded six sacks, eight tackles-for-loss and 32 tackles. Williams can play any lineman position, but will be utilized primarily as an edge rusher this season. 

He’ll be flanked by MAC alum Malik Tullis, who transferred from Eastern Michigan in 2024. Tullis played in nine games for the Hornets, earning more playing time as the season progressed. His pass breakup proved to be the defining moment in a crucial win over Northern Colorado. Tullis earned starting snaps with his ability to clog running lanes, a strength shared by fellow interior lineman Brodie Tagaloa.

Tagaloa, a transfer from Nebraska, was supposed to be a key contributor last season. In Sac State’s opening game, he recorded two tackles and a half sack before sustaining a knee injury that ended his year. 

Senior Miles Bailey will factor in as well, having played in all twelve of the Hornets’ games last season, as will edge rushers Darson Jeanty and MAC alum Ivan Moore Jr., who last played with Northern Illinois. 

The true wild card of the defensive front is Dylan Gooden, a former four-star recruit who began his career at Maryland. Gooden missed all of last season with a knee injury, and injuries have plagued his career thus far, but he enters this season healthy.

Linebacker is the position with the most continuity for the Hornets, as their three key contributors all return to play under new linebackers coach Kenwick Thompson.

That continuity nearly took a hit after Marion’s departure, when junior linebacker Derek Houston entered the portal before Carter wooed him back.

The local product broke out last season, recording 32 tackles and a sack in just six games as the starting middle linebacker. Injuries cut his season short, but he’ll be one of Sac State’s most important players.

Alongside Houston, seniors Diego Davis and Alex Rocha will reprise their roles as versatile linebackers who can impact the pass rush and play in coverage. Davis recorded 27 tackles, 15 of which were solo stops. Rocha made 63 tackles across the last two seasons, and forced one fumble and recovered another. 

Fresno State transfer Tim Thomas and five freshmen, highlighted by three-star recruit Leki Holani from California high school powerhouse Santa Margarita, round out the linebacking corps.

While the linebackers are defined by continuity, the Hornets will feature an overhauled secondary that, on paper, is one of the strongest in the conference.

After losing nearly all of their starters to the portal, Sac State went into the offseason needing major reinforcements.

They began that process by retaining senior Elias Mullican, who started each of the last two seasons for the Hornets. Mullican has been a reliable coverage corner, recording two interceptions and 11 pass breakups over the last two seasons, and is poised to take on a bigger role in his final year.

Sac State brought in a blend of experience and upside to build around Mullican, starting with Portland State’s Dionte Thornton and South Florida’s Boogsie Silvera.

Thornton started all 12 of the Vikings’ games, recording 34 tackles and five pass breakups. His six-foot-four frame makes him especially valuable when targeted in the red zone and on deep balls. He has FBS experience as well, starting his career at Boise State, where he played sparingly in two seasons. 

Silvera played in just a handful of games for the Bulls, but starred for McNeese in the two years prior, recording 153 tackles and a pair of interceptions with the Cowboys. He’ll have an opportunity to win the lion's share of snaps at the safety position for the Hornets, who hope he’ll return to his 2023 and 2024 production. 

Nikko Klemm and Donovan Turner add further FBS experience to the room after arriving from Power Four programs, but the secondary’s most intriguing additions may also be its youngest.

Redshirt freshmen Amari Wallace and Noah King arrive in Sacramento with the kind of recruiting pedigrees rarely seen in the program’s history.

Wallace was one of the top safety recruits in the nation and earned offers from Florida, Auburn and Alabama, but ultimately chose to go to his hometown school, Miami. Wallace is beyond explosive, possessing strong instincts and footspeed, making him a dynamic threat in the secondary and on special teams.

King brings a different skill set but similar pedigree. The six-foot-three safety was a four-star recruit out of Ohio and one of the state’s top high school players in his class. He initially committed to Kansas State before eventually landing at Colorado for his freshman season. King is an excellent open-field tackler, able to stay low and maintain his balance despite his taller frame.

The secondary’s lack of experience playing together creates some uncertainty, but few teams in the MAC can match its combination of size, athleticism and pedigree. If the defensive front can withstand its offseason losses, Clark has enough talent at all three levels to make the defense the strength of Sac State’s first FBS team.

Special Teams

• Key Additions: LS Kelan Sutton, P Jay Brockhaus
• Key Subtractions: P Cal McGough, LS Adam Johnston
• Key Returners: K Grant Meadors, P Mark Melancon

Sac State’s special teams, or as Carter likes to call them, “we-fense,” were a strong suit last season and should continue to be a strength under special teams coordinator Milo Austin.

Their starting kicker will be Oregon transfer Grant Meadors, who was steady for the Hornets last season. He missed just two of his 15 field goal attempts, one of which would have sent their game against Nevada into overtime. He set his career high with a 42-yarder against Northern Colorado, one of four he’d make in that game, earning him a Big Sky Player of the Week nod. 

There is a competition in camp for the starting punter role between senior Mark Melancon, junior Jay Brockhaus and redshirt freshman Hamish Adams. 

Melancon and Adams were part of the program last year, but neither appeared in a game. The inside track belongs to newcomer Jay Brockhaus, who stood out at Southeastern, landing 30 percent of his punts inside the 20-yard line and recording a career-long 73-yarder against Faulkner.

The return corps is not fully defined yet, but the Hornets have no shortage of options at their disposal. Sophomore Jaxon Fresques, son of Bobby Fresques, returned several kicks and punts last season and will likely do so again. Dynamic sophomore Ajon Bryant will see action as a kick returner as well. Matthew Coleman also has significant return experience from San Jose State, though the Hornets may prefer to keep his workload focused on offense.

Outlook

Sacramento State enters its first FBS season as one of the MAC’s biggest wild cards. The Hornets have more talent than the typical newcomer, but nearly every level of the program is undergoing some form of transition.

The defense should be the team’s strong suit. There is proven talent along the defensive front, continuity at linebacker and a rebuilt secondary that, on paper, has the size and athleticism to compete immediately in the MAC. Offensively, Carson Conklin’s return gives Sac State a familiar option at quarterback, while Jamar Curtis headlines a deep running back room. The bigger questions come at wide receiver and along a rebuilt offensive line.

There will undoubtedly be growing pains as Carter’s new staff and a roster filled with newcomers adjust to FBS competition. But the Hornets have enough experience and upside to avoid looking like a program simply happy to have made the jump. If Conklin can rediscover some of the big-play ability from his first stint in Sacramento and the defense lives up to its potential, Sac State has the talent to make its inaugural MAC season an interesting one.

Schedule

All dates and times are current as of publication. An asterisk (*) denotes a conference game.