Toledo Rocket season preview

The Toledo Rockets enter the 2026 season in transition but remain legitimate MAC championship contenders under first-year head coach Mike Jacobs. Jacobs replaces Jason Candle after building a 94-23 career record and winning consecutive Southern Conference championships at Mercer. Toledo returns very little production from last season's 8-5 team, but Jacobs aggressively rebuilt the roster through the transfer portal, bringing in numerous experienced players, including several from Mercer. Quarterback John Alan Richter is taking over the offense, supported by running back CJ Miller, receivers Adjatay Dabbs and Rico Bond, tight end Jacob Newell, and veteran tackle Stephen Gales. Dabbs and Gales headline a group of 15 Rockets named to Athlon's preseason All-MAC teams, suggesting that Toledo still possesses considerable talent despite the roster turnover.

Defensively, Toledo must replace much of the unit that was among the nation's best in 2025, particularly a talented secondary that lost several major contributors. The centerpiece of the rebuilt defense should be Mercer transfer Andrew Zock, the 2025 FCS Defensive Player of the Year, alongside experienced newcomers Julian Fox, Kaleb Hutchinson, Zach Johnson, Langston Long and Donovan Watkins. The preseason publications generally agree that Toledo should remain near the top of the MAC: Lindy's projects the Rockets second, The Sporting News third and Athlon fourth, while the MAC coaches picked them third. With Western Michigan, Miami and Bowling Green among the key conference challenges, Toledo's season will largely depend on how quickly Richter develops and Jacobs' transfer-heavy roster comes together. An 8-4 season and a serious run at the MAC championship appear attainable if the Rockets successfully navigate their extensive personnel changes.