Toledo Rebuilds Through the Portal as Mike Jacobs Takes the Reins
Toledo went 8-5 and 6-2 in the MAC in 2025, a season that ended with a 22-27 loss to Louisville in the Boca Raton Bowl and marked another year without a losing record, a streak that now stretches back 16 seasons. The defining offseason development was the departure of Jason Candle, who left for UConn after a long run atop the conference, and the arrival of Mike Jacobs, who takes over for his first season in charge. Jacobs comes from Mercer with a career mark of 94-23 across 10 years and a 15-1 record in Southern Conference play over his final two seasons, and he brought a large transfer contingent with him, roughly 14 former Mercer players, as the Rockets rebuilt almost the entire roster.
The result is a team that turned over nearly all of its starting lineup, with essentially one returning starter on the roster and portal additions filling out nearly every unit. How quickly that group of newcomers adjusts will decide the season.
Offense
Amid all the turnover, quarterback is one of the more settled spots. Junior John Alan Richter returns after serving as a backup the past two seasons and has flashed in limited chances. He started three games as a redshirt freshman in 2024 and saw reserve duty in 2025, completing 66 percent of his throws with seven touchdowns against a single interception. Khamoni Robinson is listed behind him.
The receiver room was rebuilt almost entirely through the portal, with Kalvin Gilbert Jr. from Southeast Missouri State, Anthony Simpson from Michigan and Adjatay Dabbs from Mercer all making early impressions. Bryson Hammer, to this point primarily a punt returner, could also work his way into the rotation. At tight end, Jacob Newell projects as the starter after the position lost a productive contributor in CC Ezirim, who transferred to Western Kentucky.
CJ Miller is expected to lead the backfield after following Jacobs over from Mercer, where he piled up 1,267 yards from scrimmage and scored 17 touchdowns. Connor Walendzak, who led the Rockets in rushing two years ago, should also factor into the mix, with Autavius Ison providing depth.
The line brings back four players with starting experience, headlined by All-MAC candidate Stephen Gales at left tackle. That figure blends returnees with transfers who started elsewhere, since the overall roster carries only about one true returning starter, so the group's cohesion will be a storyline early in the year.
Defense
The most significant arrival from Mercer is defensive end Andrew Zock, the FCS Defensive Player of the Year in 2025 after posting 20 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. Zock stayed with Jacobs despite interest from Power 4 programs and steps in as the leader of the defense. Caden Camese anchors the interior, with Damon Ollison II working off the edge opposite Zock.
The linebacker corps leans on transfers as well. Kari Jackson, who spent two seasons at Penn State, drew notice in the spring, while Julian Fox and Isaac Prince both earned All-Southern Conference honors at Mercer. Langston Long adds another option in the middle.
The secondary must replace a potential first-round safety who moved on, and it too was reshaped through the portal. Armorion Smith is spending his final season at Toledo after seven starts at Michigan State, corner Cam Jones was an All-Patriot League selection at Holy Cross, and former Division III nickel Mo Conteh turned heads during spring work. Nicholas Thompson and Donovan Watkins round out the safety picture.
Kicker Reice Griffith arrives from Mercer, where he hit 14 of 17 field goals last season with half of his makes coming from beyond 40 yards. The punting job is open between returner Emilio Duran and a pair of newcomers. Hammer projects as the primary punt returner after leading the MAC in punt return yardage each of the past two seasons.
Overview and Prediction
The schedule opens with a trip to Michigan State before nonconference dates against Central Connecticut State, Temple and San Diego State, then rolls into a MAC slate that includes Ball State, Buffalo, Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan, Sacramento State, UMass, Bowling Green and a finale at Ohio. Preseason opinion on where Toledo lands within the conference varies, with projections falling anywhere from the top of the standings to the middle of the pack, a spread that reflects both the program's resources and the scale of its roster overhaul.
Jacobs has won at every stop, and Toledo's financial backing and long track record of success mean the Rockets cannot be counted out even in what amounts to a rebuilding year. The make-or-break question is straightforward: how well the sizable Mercer transfer contingent adapts to the MAC will determine whether Toledo stays in the upper tier of the conference or slips during the transition.