GREENVILLE, Pa. (Aug. 27) -- The Thiel College Football team enters the 2026 season looking to take another step forward under fifth-year head coach Sam Bauman.
Leadership and continued growth have been points of emphasis for the Tomcats throughout the offseason as a group of returning players takes on larger roles on both sides of the ball.
Thiel returns quarterback Na'Jier Howard (Youngstown, Ohio/Struthers), who made three starts and appeared in six games as a freshman in 2025. Howard completed 34 passes for 220 yards during his first collegiate season and enters year two with added experience under his belt.
The quarterback room also features returners Robert Doyle (Crowley, Texas/Arlington Heights) and Isaiah Kim (Torrance, Calif./Gardena) as well as freshman Braxton Dente (Akron, Ohio/Tallmadge).
In the backfield, Devin Philips (Frederick, Md./Brunswick) returns, while Drevon Newton (Pittsburgh, Pa./Nazareth Prep) headlines the returning group at tight end. Newton appeared in nine games last season.
Thiel also brings back experience along the offensive line with Mahkye Cortes (Lebanon, Pa./Lebanon) and Jacob Fraley (Cumberland, Md./Allegany) among the returners.
Defensively, Mekhi Carroll (East Syracuse, N.Y./East Syracuse-Minoa Central) returns after appearing in all 10 games last season. Carroll recorded 13 tackles, including four tackles for loss and two sacks, in 2025. Linebackers Deangelo Baker (Memphis, Tenn./Kingsbury) and Dwayne Simpkins (Hopewell, Va./Prince George) also return, along with defensive backs Jayden Matos (Astoria, N.Y./Information Technology), Aubrey Alexander (Plantation, Fla./Plantation) and Zach Mazey (Cortland, Ohio/Mathews).
The Tomcats were picked 10th with 87 points in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Preseason Coaches' Poll.
Pivotal games and dates of significance on the 2026 schedule can be found below. The full schedule can be found here or by clicking the blue box above.
Key Dates
Sept. 5: Season opener on the road against Alfred State at 4 p.m.
Sept. 12: Home opener against Adrian at 1 p.m.
Sept. 19: Open PAC play on the road against Bethany at 2 p.m.
Sept. 26: Host Hiram for Homecoming at 3 p.m. after defeating the Terriers 48-20 last season
Oct. 3: Host Allegheny under the lights at 7 p.m.
Nov. 14: Close the regular season at Grove City in the 41st Mercer County Cup at 1 p.m.
Roster
The 2026 roster can be found here or by clicking the blue box above.
Looking Ahead
The Tomcats open the 2026 campaign Saturday, Sept. 5 on the road against Alfred State. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. in Alfred, N.Y. Thiel returns to Greenville the following Saturday for its home opener against Adrian at Alumni Stadium at Stoeber Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
