FORT WORTH — A new era begins for Texas Wesleyan University football in 2026, but the expectations remain the same.
The Rams enter the season looking to defend their Sooner Athletic Conference championship and return to the NAIA Football Championship Series after making postseason appearances each of the past two seasons. Texas Wesleyan finished 7-5 overall and 7-1 in SAC play in 2025, continuing a run that has established the Rams as one of the conference's premier programs.
This season, however, brings a significant change at the top.
Fran Johnson takes over as head coach after spending the previous five seasons as Texas Wesleyan's offensive coordinator. Johnson was named interim head coach in February before being appointed permanently in March. His familiarity with the program and offensive system provides continuity as the Rams begin a new chapter.
Johnson inherits an offense with six returning starters and a quarterback who has already established himself as one of the SAC's top playmakers.
Cole Francis enters the season as the unquestioned leader of the offense.
The redshirt junior quarterback started all 12 games in 2025 and completed 183 of 329 passes for 2,488 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also rushed for 162 yards and three touchdowns.
Francis showed he could take over a game last season, throwing for a school-record 526 yards against Louisiana Christian and throwing three touchdown passes against both Louisiana Christian and Nelson.
With another season of experience, Francis gives the Rams stability at the most important position on the field.
Francis will have several familiar weapons around him.
Ronnie Schneider returns after leading the Rams in receptions and receiving yards in 2025. Schneider caught 39 passes for 623 yards and produced a team-best 74-yard reception.
TJ Curtis also returns after another productive season, while
Sean Smith enters his second season following a breakout freshman campaign. Smith recorded 32 receptions for 447 yards and produced a 75-yard touchdown reception against Louisiana Christian.
Darren White provides another experienced option at tight end. White was one of the Rams' most productive receiving threats in 2025 and earned All-Sooner recognition.
The Rams also added transfer running back
Ian Jernagin, who will compete for a significant role in the backfield. With several contributors returning, Texas Wesleyan has the pieces to remain productive offensively.
Up front, All-Sooner center
Pola Nuu provides experience and leadership.
The Rams must replace several contributors along the offensive line, making the development of the unit one of the most important preseason storylines. Newcomers such as offensive lineman
Cody Kamfonik will be counted on to add depth and competition.
Protecting Francis and creating opportunities for the running game will be critical as the Rams navigate the early portion of the schedule.
If there is one area that will define the 2026 season, it could be the defense.
Texas Wesleyan returns only four defensive starters, meaning defensive coordinator Darren Drago will have several new pieces to develop.
Safety
Jaden Fisher, linebacker
Ryan Seymour and defensive linemen Easton Shultz and
Izack Villasenor provide a veteran foundation.
Seymour returns after producing 29 tackles and a team-high three forced fumbles in 2025. Shultz contributed 12 tackles, 2.0 assisted sacks and two quarterback hurries.
The Rams also added defensive lineman
Jason Roberts, giving the defensive front another newcomer to watch during preseason camp.
Texas Wesleyan must replace significant production from last year's championship team.
Defensively, the biggest losses include All-SAC performers
Sir Hill,
Deylon Rodgers and
Jaiden Jones.
Hill led the Rams with 73 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. Rodgers finished with 43 tackles and three interceptions, while Jones produced two-interception games against both Nelson and Louisiana Christian.
The Rams also lost quarterback Carson Rodgers, running back Ashton Mitchell-Johnson and offensive linemen Cedrick Malone and Ronald Morrison.
Replacing Hill's production and the leadership of the departing defensive backs will be one of the team's biggest challenges.
Special teams enter the season with valuable continuity.
Punter Tyler Strumilla returns after averaging 52.3 yards on his longest individual punting performance of the 2025 season and producing a 65-yard punt against OUAZ.
Freddy Joya and
Max Luna give Texas Wesleyan experienced options at kicker. Joya connected on five field goals against Oklahoma Panhandle State, while Luna produced a 51-yard field goal against Mary Hardin-Baylor.
Sean Smith also gives the Rams an explosive return option after recording a 97-yard kickoff return against OUAZ.
The Rams open the season Aug. 27 against NCAA Division II opponent Central Oklahoma at Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium.
Texas Wesleyan then travels to McNeese State on Sept. 5 before returning home to face Texas College on Sept. 12 and Nelson on Sept. 26.
The conference schedule continues with road games at Arkansas Baptist, Louisiana Christian and Langston, followed by home games against Mary Hardin-Baylor and Oklahoma Panhandle State.
The regular season concludes with road trips to Ottawa University Arizona and Wayland Baptist.
The five-game home schedule includes Central Oklahoma, Texas College, Nelson, Mary Hardin-Baylor and Oklahoma Panhandle State.
Aug. 27 — Central Oklahoma: The Rams open the season against an NCAA Division II opponent, immediately providing a major test for Johnson's first team.
Sept. 5 — at McNeese State: Texas Wesleyan faces another significant early-season challenge on the road.
Oct. 10 — at Louisiana Christian: The Wildcats are among the SAC's top contenders entering 2026. The matchup could have major championship implications.
Oct. 17 — Mary Hardin-Baylor: The Rams return home for a matchup against one of the region's established Division III programs.
Nov. 14 — at Wayland Baptist: The regular-season finale could have postseason implications and provides one final SAC test before the playoffs.
Cole Francis, QB: The Rams' offensive leader returns after throwing for nearly 2,500 yards.
Ronnie Schneider, WR: Texas Wesleyan's leading receiver in 2025 returns as one of Francis' top targets.
Sean Smith, WR: The sophomore enters 2026 after an impressive freshman season.
TJ Curtis, WR: A veteran playmaker who gives the offense another experienced option.
Pola Nuu, C: The All-Sooner center anchors a reworked offensive line.
Jaden Fischer, S: One of four returning defensive starters.
Ryan Seymour, LB: Returns after leading the Rams in forced fumbles in 2025.
Easton Shultz, DL: Provides experience on a defensive line replacing several key contributors.
Ian Jernagin, RB: Transfer running back expected to compete for a major role.
Cody Kamfonik, OL: New offensive line addition competing for playing time.
Jason Roberts, DL: New defensive lineman expected to add depth to the defensive front.
Can Texas Wesleyan reload quickly enough on defense?
The Rams have the offensive talent and quarterback experience to remain among the SAC's best. The bigger question is how quickly the new defensive pieces can replace the production of last year's veteran group.
With only four defensive starters returning, Texas Wesleyan will need its newcomers and younger players to develop quickly.
The 2026 Rams enter the season with a combination of continuity and change.
Johnson's promotion provides familiarity within the program, while Francis, Schneider, Curtis, Smith and Nuu give the offense an experienced nucleus. At the same time, the defense must replace several of the team's most productive players.
The SAC race is expected to be competitive, with OUAZ and Louisiana Christian joining Texas Wesleyan among the teams expected to contend for the conference championship. Texas Wesleyan was picked third in the SAC preseason prediction by Victory Sports Network.
For the Rams, the mission is straightforward.
Build on four consecutive conference championships. Develop a new-look defense. Continue Francis' progression at quarterback. And, ultimately, make another run at the NAIA postseason.
The 2026 season begins Aug. 27.
A new chapter is about to begin, but the standard remains the same.
