Bulldogs Look to Build on Breakthrough Season with Strong Preseason Poll Showing

The Truman State University Bulldogs are gearing up for the 2026 football season with high expectations, following a remarkable 2025 campaign that saw the team return to the NCAA Division II Football Championship for the first time in over two decades. The Bulldogs have been picked to finish second in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) preseason coaches poll, with 58 points and two first-place votes, trailing only the Indianapolis Greyhounds, who received 63 points and seven first-place votes.

Under the guidance of head coach Kellen Nesbitt, who is entering his third season at the helm, the Bulldogs are looking to build on their impressive 8-4 overall record and 7-1 mark in GLVC play from last season. Nesbitt's leadership played a significant role in the team's success, earning him the GLVC Coach of the Year award. With 17 returning starters and several All-GLVC performers, the Bulldogs are poised to make another deep run in the postseason.

On offense, senior quarterback Dylan Hair will lead the charge, after throwing for 2,463 yards and accounting for 33 total touchdowns in 2025. Hair will have one of his top targets available in senior wide receiver Nathan Ryan, a Second Team All-GLVC selection who caught nine touchdown passes last season. The offensive line will be anchored by First Team All-GLVC selections Greg Krupa and Wyatt Bonnett, providing valuable experience up front.

Defensively, the Bulldogs will rely on senior linebacker Jack Weltha, who earned First Team All-GLVC honors after recording 94 tackles in 2025. Linebacker Logan Montoya and defensive linemen Tucker McDowell and Tyler Shanks will also play key roles in one of the conference's top defenses. The special teams unit will also be a strength, with senior punter Mason Gessert and sophomore kicker Diego Perez returning for the 2026 season.

The Bulldogs have also added some new talent to the roster, with over 20 newcomers joining the team during the offseason, including three transfers and several freshmen. The class is highlighted by transfer quarterback Askia Bullie, defensive back D'Javonte Richmond, and cornerback Idrique Carmichael. The coaching staff has also undergone some changes, with Dominic Stoneking being promoted to defensive backs coach and Mike Glass joining the team as wide receivers coach.

The 2026 season will kick off on August 29, when the Bulldogs host the Washburn Ichabods at Stokes Stadium. The schedule will also feature nonconference matchups against Davenport and Northeastern State, before conference play begins on September 19 against the Missouri S&T Miners. A key early-season showdown awaits on September 26, when the Bulldogs travel to Indianapolis to face the Greyhounds in a matchup featuring the top two teams in the GLVC preseason poll.

As the Bulldogs look to build on their breakthrough season, they will have to navigate a challenging schedule, with six home games at Stokes Stadium, including Homecoming on October 24 against the Southwest Baptist Bearcats and Senior Day on November 14 against the McKendree Bearcats. With a strong veteran nucleus and some exciting new additions, the Bulldogs are poised to make a deep run in the postseason and bring excitement to the GLVC in 2026.

The GLVC preseason poll is a significant indicator of the team's potential, and the Bulldogs' second-place finish is a testament to their hard work and dedication. As the season gets underway, fans will be eagerly watching to see if the Bulldogs can live up to their preseason billing and make a run at the GLVC championship.