FORT WORTH – Texas Wesleyan University (TXWES) enters the 2025 football season aiming to defend its first outright Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) and third championship, secured in 2024 with a 10-1 record and a perfect 8-0 mark in conference play.
The Rams led the NAIA with an offense averaging 57.5 points per game and advanced to the second round of the NAIA playoffs. Under second-year head coach Brad Sherrod, the team returns a veteran roster to navigate a challenging 2025 schedule.
Redshirt senior quarterback
Carson Rodgers, the program's all-time leading passer, anchors the offense.
"The expectations are the same as we've had over my career: go 1-0 every week, stay focused on our opponent, and execute," Rodgers said.
Redshirt junior wide receiver
Ronnie Schneider steps into a larger role following the graduation of
AJ Bobb and
Michael Banks, leveraging his familiarity with Rodgers to maintain offensive potency.
Defensively, senior defensive back
Deylon Rodgers leads a younger secondary after key departures. Redshirt senior linebacker
Sir Hill and senior defensive lineman
Daniel Aigbogun provide veteran leadership on the front line.
Newcomers include transfer running back
Jaylen March and transfer wide receiver
Josh Nicholson. Freshmen
Sean Smith and
Cameron Smith who have also shown promise during early practices
"We've got a great group with transfers like Jaylen March and
Josh Nicholson, and freshmen like Sean and
Cameron Smith stepping up," Rodgers said. "I think we'll be able to execute the way we did last year."
The 2025 schedule includes nonconference games, key SAC match-ups, and a Senior Day finale, all with playoff implications. The season starts
Aug. 28 at Lindsey Wilson College, a regular NAIA postseason contender.
SAC play opens
Sept. 13 at Texas College, with a
Sept. 20 road trip to UT Rio Grande Valley (first-year NCAA Division I FCS), offering a profile boost. The road stretch ends
Sept. 27 at Nelson University, a growing SAC rival.
The home opener is on
Oct. 4 against Arkansas Baptist at North Crowley Panther Stadium.
A pivotal mid-October stretch includes an
Oct. 11 home game against Louisiana Christian, a physical SAC match-up with title implications, and an
Oct. 18 road clash against Mary Hardin-Baylor, a perennial NCAA Division III power.
The
Oct. 25 home game against Langston, a historic SAC rivalry, could determine the conference championship.
The season concludes with
Nov. 1 at Oklahoma Panhandle State,
Nov. 8 at home against OUAZ, and
Nov. 15 against Wayland Baptist on Senior Day at Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium, a game with potential playoff seeding implications.
"I believe we'll be better than we were last year," Rodgers said, citing confidence in the team's new and returning talent.
With a veteran core and promising newcomers, Texas Wesleyan is positioned to pursue another SAC title and a deeper NAIA playoff run.
Fans can support the Rams at home games or follow online at
ramsports.net.
