TU Football Receives Votes in NAIA Top-25 Preseason Poll

NAIA Top-25 Poll | MSFA Mideast League Coaches Poll

UPLAND, Ind. – The NAIA announced its 2025 Football Preseason Poll on Monday, with Taylor coming up one spot shy of a spot in the Top-25 on the heels of its 9-2 campaign in 2024.

The Trojans collected 67 points in the preseason rankings, good for the 26th-highest total in the NAIA after closing the 2024 season ranked No. 25 in the NAIA Postseason Poll.

Expectations are high in Upland on the eve of the 2025 season opener inside Turner Stadium, as Taylor was also selected second with one first-place vote in the Mid-States Football Association Mideast League Preseason Coaches Poll.

TU returned 13-of-22 starters from its 2024 unit, including seven on the offensive side of the ball and six from its defensive group. The Trojans figure to be strong up front, returning four starters from its powerful offensive line and in the secondary, where all four starters return.

Sprinkled among those returning starters are six returning All-MSFA standouts, with MSFA Mideast League Offensive Lineman of the Year and VSN All-American, Jonathan Grubbs, headlining the group from his left tackle position. Joining Grubbs as returning all-league performers set to lead Taylor in 2025 are senior quarterback Damon Hockett, senior right guard Brody Crosby, sophomore tight end Nathan Munson, junior safety Reid Messer and senior punter Carter Loveless.

RV Taylor will kick off its 2025 season on Thursday, August 28 with a 7:00 pm start against Olivet Nazarene under the lights at Turner Stadium.