The Mid-South Conference was highly competitive last season, with Georgetown College capturing the conference title and advancing to the postseason. But while the Tigers were the last team standing, they weren’t necessarily dominant over the rest of the league. The 2024 season saw the resurgence of Campbellsville University and Cumberland University, both of which made strong postseason pushes. Lindsey Wilson was on the cusp of a playoff berth before faltering late, while Bethel University spent much of the season ranked in the Top 25 before falling out. Once again, this league promises to be a dogfight at the top.
You have to begin with Georgetown given their sustained success and recent postseason runs. The Tigers enter a new era with John Perin taking over as head coach following Chris Oliver’s transition to an administrative role. Georgetown returns five starters on offense, including All-American running back Darius Neal and wide receiver Chandler Godby. Quarterback Gehrig Slunaker returns to lead the offense—he may not be a stat-sheet stuffer, but he gets the job done. Defensively, six starters return, with Jacob Harmon and Tyler Snell anchoring the defensive line. The Tigers will be strong once again, but they’ll need to develop up front offensively to stay atop the NAIA.
Lindsey Wilson remains one of the NAIA’s most consistently competitive programs. With six starters returning on offense, the Blue Raiders are poised to challenge for a conference title. Quarterback Pryor Lamb is back under center with Davontaye Saunders at running back. Wide receivers Henry Cason and Taborie Reed provide reliable targets, and Larry Montgomery leads the offensive line. The true strength of this team lies on defense, where 10 starters return. Linebacker Cameron Rankins (80 tackles, 10 TFL) and defensive lineman Braden Ford (4 sacks, 12.5 TFL) headline a unit that allowed 22.6 points and 317 yards per game in 2024. Even slight improvements in those areas could put them over the top.
Campbellsville broke out last season with a 9-2 record and now appears on the brink of becoming an elite NAIA program. The Tigers return six offensive starters, including quarterback Jagger Gillis and running back Tre Bass, both pivotal to last year’s success. The defense was quietly dominant in 2024, surrendering just 16.2 points and 285 total yards per game. However, with only four defensive starters returning, there are holes to fill. Linebacker Ellis Reed (75 tackles, 9 TFL) will lead the charge, with DQ Brown providing experience in the secondary and Jayden Cray returning to the defensive line after notching 12 tackles for loss.
Cumberland University finished 7-3 last year and brings back 17 total starters. The Phoenix began 2024 with a four-game win streak and will look to build on that momentum despite needing a new quarterback—likely a transfer. Running back Jacob Cornejo returns after leading the team with 538 rushing yards. Receivers Jarroius Rogers and Isiah Oneal, who combined for nine touchdowns last season, return as top targets. On defense, Coach Tim Mathis returns eight starters from a unit that allowed just 283 yards and 18.3 points per game. Linebacker Boston Follis (67 tackles, 7 TFL) and defensive back Cannon Johnson (3 TFL, 2 INTs) will be key leaders.
Somewhat overlooked in last year’s mix was the University of the Cumberlands, which finished 5-5 but ended the season with three straight losses. Quarterback Drew Gregg, running back JB Carlisle, and wide receiver Adam Foulk return as the offensive leaders. On defense, linebackers Hunter Zirkle and Major Newman are expected to anchor the unit. The Patriots were solid on both sides of the ball last year but lacked the finishing power to compete for a title. With development this summer, they could take a meaningful step forward.
Bethel University welcomes new head coach Chris Springer after a 7-3 campaign in 2024. The Wildcats struggled to find an offensive identity last season but return seven starters, including three offensive linemen. Most of the skill position players will be new faces, as Coach Springer and staff have heavily recruited transfers to reshape the offense. Defensively, the Wildcats were excellent last season, giving up just 264 yards and 13 points per game. Five starters return on that side of the ball.
Faulkner University also enters a new chapter with Dayne Brown taking over as head coach. The Eagles return just seven total starters—a natural turnover for a program coming off back-to-back 2-8 seasons. Expect improvement this fall with several new contributors in the mix. Quarterback Deuce Marshall transitions to wide receiver, joining Davion Liddell as a key target, while Styles Hughes returns at running back. Defensively, Caleb Williams leads the secondary after recording 55 tackles last season.
Dannelly’s Mid South Conference Prediction
- Campbellsville
- Georgetown
- Lindsey Wilson
- Bethel TN
- Cumberland TN
- University of the Cumberlands
- Faulkner
Mid-South Conference Profiles
Bethel University (TN) (2024 Record: 7-3)
Head Coach: Chris Springer
Offensive Coordinator: Drew Chance
Defensive Coordinator: Kris Beauchamp
Special Teams Coordinator: Mike Salerno
Returning Starters on Offense: 7
Key Offensive Returners: Jaden Taylor OL, Christian Harden OL, Ramirez Young OL, Jordan Cason RB, Ethan Bunch WR,
Key Offensive Losses from 2024: Avont Burrus WR
Returning Starters on Defense: 5
Key Defensive Returners: Darrien Lewis LB, Tyson Hornbuckle LB, TJ Hart DL, Travis Shaw DL, Amari Chapman DL,
Key Losses on Defense: Jacious Clark DB, Dee Hines DB, Jamel Goulbourne DL
Key Returners on Special Teams: Brayden Johnson Punter
Key Losses on Special Teams: Graham Lyell
Key Recruits or Transfers: Destin Chance – QB Illinois College, Rashawn Harvey- WR West Liberty Univ, Jayden Pressey – WR Presbyterian College, Karim McCune – WR Fresno State, Aaron Robinson – OL Point Univ., Jordan Jackson -DL Northeast CC, Deshawn Love – DL Lane College, Sean Martin – DB West Texas A&M, Kadarious Rancifer – DB Univ of Ark. Monticello, Caleb Garner LB- Mississippi College
Campbellsville University (2024 Record: 9-2)
Head Coach: Jake Russell (19-23)
Offensive Coordinator: Jake Russell
Defensive Coordinator: Jody Ford
Special Teams Coordinator: Ryan Beatty
Returning Starters on Offense: 6
Key Offensive Returners: Jagger Gillis (QB), Tre Bass (RB), Aquan Evans (LT), Ashton Auker (WR), Jack Busey (TE)
Key Offensive Losses from 2024: Cade Crume (RT), CJ Dills (RG), Luke Sheperson (WR), Andre Siler (WR)
Returning Starters on Defense: 4
Key Defensive Returners: Ellis Reed (LB), DQ Brown (S), Malachi Moten (DL)
Key Losses on Defense: Jeremiah Pauling (LB), Jayden Cray (DE), Quinterrius Tanksley (DL), Myles Butler (LB)
Key Returners on Special Teams: Alain Lopez (P), Colin Fratus (K)
Key Recruits or Transfers: Ben Banks (LS), Chase Maynard (LB)
Cumberland University (2024 Record: 7-3)
Head Coach: Tim Mathis
Offensive Coordinator: Bobby Brown
Defensive Coordinator: Patrick Miller
Special Teams Coordinator: Shawn Henry
Returning Starters on Offense: 9
Key Offensive Returners: Will Sanchez OL, Jacob Cornejo RB, Jarroius Rogers WR, Isiah Oneal WR, Saylor Tull OL
Key Offensive Losses from 2024: Luke Holloway QB, Brody Hall OL
Returning Starters on Defense: 8
Key Defensive Returners: DeMarcus Brown DB, Boston Follis LB, Josh Jones DL, Cannon Johnson DB
Key Losses on Defense: Dez Wallace DL, Jalen Brown DL
Key Returners on Special Teams: Jarrious Rogers Returner, Jack Katner K
Key Recruits or Transfers: Theo Brown WR, Austin Johnson OL, Kelan Roberson OL, Luke Parker QB, Jake Parker QB, Rashod Daniel RB, Samuel Willoughy WR, Jack Brenk LB, Mason Tootill LB, Sam Wooten TE
Faulkner University (2024 Record: 2-8)
Head Coach: Dayne Brown (0-0)
Offensive Coordinator: Nick Anderson
Defensive Coordinator: Jeremy Perkovich
Special Teams Coordinator: Camden Trice
Returning Starters on Offense: 3
Key Offensive Returners: Styles Hughes -RB; Deuce Marshall-WR; Davion Liddell-WR; Braylon Mostella-OL
Key Offensive Losses from 2024: Cam Bulluck WR, La’Derrick Bell WR, Zach Tucker WR
Returning Starters on Defense: 4
Key Defensive Returners: Marvin Payton LB, Myles Boyd DL, Elisha McNeil LB, Caleb Williams DB
Key Losses on Defense: Jerrell Williamson DB, Jailen “Roc” Clemons DB, Avian Morgan DB, Kylan Wimbish DB
Key Returners on Special Teams: Jacob Champion LS
Key Losses on Special Teams: Cole Poarch P/K
Key Recruits or Transfers: Bo Cagle OL, Promise Williams DL (Transfer from Point)
Georgetown College (2024 Record: 9-3)
Head Coach: John Perin (0-0)
Offensive Coordinator: Caleb Corrill
Defensive Coordinator: Devvon Gage
Special Teams Coordinator: Multiple Coaches
Returning Starters on Offense: 5
Key Offensive Returners: Darius Neal RB, Gehrig Slunaker QB, Luke Olive TE, Chandler Godby WR
Key Offensive Losses from 2024: Blake Gossett OL, Dillon Warren WR, Chandler McDonald OL, Matt Miller WR
Returning Starters on Defense: 6
Key Defensive Returners: Jacob Harmon DL, John Carter Myers SAF, Trevaun Allen SAF, Javyn Martin CB, Tyler Snell DL
Key Losses on Defense: Chad Holleran LB, Justin Richardson CB, Jayson Hayes SAF
Key Returners on Special Teams: Drew Rader P, Nate Craft PK
Key Losses on Special Teams: Dillon Warren RET
Lindsey Wilson University (2024 Record: 5-4)
Head Coach: Phil Kleckler (22-9)
Offensive Coordinator: Jay Bright
Defensive Coordinator: Daniel Cotter
Special Teams Coordinator: Phil Kleckler
Returning Starters on Offense: 6
Key Offensive Returners: Pryor Lamb – QB, Davontaye Saunders – RB, Seth Phillips – TE, Henry Cason – WR, Taborie Reed – WR, Larry Montgomery – OL
Key Offensive Losses from 2024: Corey Teague – OL, James Hancock – OL, Eli Sherrard – OL
Returning Starters on Defense: 10
Key Defensive Returners: Braden Ford – DL, Darius Moore – DL, Troy Churchill – DL, Cameron Rankins – LB, Lou Burchfield – LB, Jamarques Frank – LB, Ronnie Carr – DB, Chevis Elliot – DB, Howie Gant – DB, Emari Young – DB
Key Losses on Defense: DJ Holden – DB
Key Returners on Special Teams: Davontaye Saunders – RET, Cale Johnson – LS
Key Losses on Special Teams: Harris Nichols – K/P
Key Recruits or Transfers: Matt Jenner – QB, Cam Williams – WR, Max Gainey – WR, Khia Sherrard – WR, Wyatt Seekford – OL, Chase Murray – OL, Quadarious Lightner – DB, Jaydan Walker – DB, Lee Levingston – DB, Sam Taylor – DB
University of the Cumberlands (2024 Record: 5-5)
Head Coach: Shan Housekeeper (16-14)
Offensive Coordinator: Adam Morris
Defensive Coordinator: Starr Thompson
Returning Starters on Offense: 4
Key Offensive Returners: Drew Gregg QB / JB Carlisle RB / Adam Foulk WR
Key Offensive Losses from 2024: Curtis LeFores TE / Nick Buzzell OL / Braylun Smith OL
Returning Starters on Defense: 2
Key Defensive Returners: Hunter Zirkle OLB / Major Newman OLB
Key Losses on Defense: Adam Caudle ILB / Damon Burns-Mitchell Safety
Key Returners on Special Teams: Jamal Hutsell Returner / Job Matossian Kicker
