Aug. 25, 2025
Ferris State football garners more preseason No. 1 mentions; two D2 Elite 100 All-Americans
The Ferris State University football team, which kicks off the 2025 campaign at home this week, has received further recognition as the nation's preseason No. 1 team from both D2Football.com and FloCollege.
Previously, Ferris State was also picked as the top team in the country in two other D2 preseason polls by the American Football Coaches Association and Lindy's Sports.
Justin Payoute
The D2Football.com Top 25 Poll is determined by votes from members of the D2Football.com staff as well as select members of the media.
The 2025 season kicks off with defending national champion Ferris State at the top. The Bulldogs were a unanimous choice for number one, earning the top spot on all ballots.
GAC co-champion Harding University landed in second place, followed by MIAA champion University of Central Oklahoma in third. Minnesota State University, a national semifinalist in 2024 and Kutztown University, defending PSAC champion, completed the top five. The D2Football.com Top 25 will be updated every Monday from Sept. 1 to November 17.
Ferris State was also picked first by FloCollege, which will air all Bulldog regular-season contests this fall on a pay-per-view basis.
D2 Report columnist Wayne Cavadi also listed the Bulldogs atop his preseason Power 10 in a column posted on NCAA.com.
Jarvis Windom
“The defending champions have two potential Harlon Hill Trophy candidates back to lead the way in their title defense,” Cavadi wrote. “Head coach Tony Annese has led the Bulldogs to three titles in four years and what feels like an endless number of trips to at least the quarterfinals in the years prior to that run. No program has been as consistent as Ferris State, and nothing changes in 2025.”
In addition to the preseason poll, D2Football.com also unveiled its Elite 100 Preseason All-America list and included two Bulldogs in senior center Jarvis Windom from Detroit as a second-team choice and senior defensive back Justin Payoute from Miami Gardens, Florida as an honorable mention team member.
The Bulldogs will open the 2025 season at home, hosting Pittsburg State University in a D2 National Showdown on Thursday, Aug. 28, at Top Taggart Field. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
Both season and single-game tickets are now on sale for all six home contests are on sale now and can be purchased online at FerrisStateBulldogs.com/Tickets.