2025 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team

2025 Western Illinois Leathernecks football
ConferenceOVC–Big South Football Association
Record0–0 (0–0 OVC–Big South)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorBrad Wilson (2nd season)
Defensive coordinatorLandon Fox (1st season)
Home stadiumHanson Field
2025 OVC–Big South football standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Charleston Southern   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Eastern Illinois   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Gardner–Webb   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Lindenwood   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Southeast Missouri State   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Tennessee State   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Tennessee Tech   0 – 0     0 – 0  
UT Martin   0 – 0     0 – 0  
  0 – 0     0 – 0  
As of July 7, 2025
Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2025 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team will represent Western Illinois University as a member of the OVC–Big South Football Association during the 2025 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They are expected to be led by second-year head coach Joe Davis. The Leathernecks play their home games at Hanson Field in Macomb, Illinois.

Offseason

Transfers

Outgoing

Player Position Destination
Cameren Smith RB Charlotte
Ryan Merklinger OL Chattanooga
Elijah Aragon WR Coastal Carolina
Curtis Horras WR Grand View
Ludovick Choquette RB LIU
Jordan Anderson DB Mississippi Valley State
Dallas Parker WR New Mexico Highlands
Ryan Crandall LB Northern Iowa
Kamal Mukarram DB Roosevelt
Jerrod Cameron DB UT Permian Basin
Matthew Henry WR Western Kentucky
Jeremiah Piper DB Youngstown State
Braylen Brooks DB Unknown
Torrance Farmer Jr. RB Unknown
Noah Epley LB Unknown
Jayce Parsons RB Unknown
Mills Dawson QB Unknown
Isaiah Loera DB Unknown

Incoming

Player Position Previous school
Kevin Washington Jr LB Bethune–Cookman
Michael Forney OL Black Hills State
Wyatt Milkovic LB Boise State
Austin Young LB Butte
Nigel Cheeks RB/WR Ellsworth
Justin Richardson DB Georgetown (KY)
Amare Bickham DB Iowa
David Dunston DL Lackawanna
Brinston Williams RB Mississippi State
Esteban Guillory DB Murray State
David Borchers DL Nebraska
Keith Moko DB Northern Iowa
Eric Denham WR Portland State
Markell Holman RB Saint Francis (PA)
Buju Aumua-Tuisavura DB Saint Francis (PA)
Clement Ulale OL Southwest Baptist
Matthew Perry DB St. Francis (IL)
Steve Oberst DL Stetson
Fabian Baez WR Stetson
Jerrod Cameron DB UMass
LeBron Morgan DB UT Martin
AJ Harris WR Walsh
T.C. Molk QB Walsh
James Durand OL Wisconsin

Preferred Walk Ons

Player Position Previous school
Troy Mills LB California Lutheran
Luke Droegemueller K/P Concordia (WI)
Ernest Temple RB DuPage
Harlon May DB Missouri Southern
Carter Campbell TE Ohio Wesleyan
Jaylen Olokun LB Roosevelt
Joseph Tumilty WR St. Francis (IL)

[1][2][3][4]

Recruiting class

Name Position Height Weight Hometown High School
Sage Yazzie TE 6-5 215 Waukee, IA Waukee
Cason Carswell QB 6-3 185 Mason, MI Mason
Tyler Sulsberger OL 6-7 295 Hornick, IA Westwood
Ryan McCombs OL 6-5 280 Jacksonville, IL Jacksonville
Morgan Quiri WR 6-5 175 Tucson, AZ Salpointe Catholic
Cameron Nickel LB 6-2 218 Metamora, IL Metamora
Joe Edwards LB 6-3 215 Downers Grove, IL Downers Grove North
Aa'Zoriyon Bonner DB 6-3 180 Sandusky, OH Sandusky
Charlie Stec DL 6-4 225 Orland Park, IL Brother Rice
Kacper Lobas K 6-3 185 Summit, IL Argo Community
Joel Salien WR 6-0 177 Miami, FL Immaculata-LaSalle
Luca Siamashvili OL 6-6 335 Hawthorn Woods, IL Adlai E. Stevenson
Donpaul Keith DB 6-2 179 Taylor, MI River Rouge
Joel Salien WR 6-0 178 Miami, FL Immaculata-LaSalle
Tommy Lamberti OL 6-8 300 Vernon Hills, IL Carmel Catholic
Jamesly Jean Louis DL 6-5 246 Immokalee, FL Immokalee
Justin Buckner LB 6-0 205 Tinley Park, IL St. Rita

[5]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResult
August 296:30 p.m.at Illinois*
Peacock
September 56:30 p.m.at Northwestern*
BTN
September 13TBAValparaiso*
ESPN+
September 20TBAat Eastern Washington*
ESPN+
September 27TBAEastern Illinois
  • Hanson Field
  • Macomb, IL
ESPN+
October 4TBAat Tennessee Tech
ESPN+
October 112:00 p.m.at UT Martin
ESPN+
October 18TBACharleston Southern
  • Hanson Field
  • Macomb, IL
ESPN+
October 25TBAat Tennessee State
ESPN+
November 8TBALindenwood
  • Hanson Field
  • Macomb, IL
ESPN+
November 15TBASoutheast Missouri State
  • Hanson Field
  • Macomb, IL
ESPN+
November 2212:30 p.m.at Gardner–Webb
ESPN+

[6]

Game summaries

at Illinois (FBS)

See also: 2025 Illinois Fighting Illini football team
Game One – Western Illinois Leathernecks (0–0) at Illinois Fighting Illini (FBS) (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Leathernecks 0 0 000
Fighting Illini (FBS) 0 0 000

at Memorial Stadium • Champaign, IL

  • Date: Friday August 29, 2025
  • Game time: TBA
  • TV announcers (TBA): TBA
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics WIU ILL
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Northwestern (FBS)

See also: 2025 Northwestern Wildcats football team
Game Two – Western Illinois Leathernecks (0–0) at Northwestern Wildcats (FBS) (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Leathernecks 0 0 000
Wildcats (FBS) 0 0 000

at Martin Stadium • Evanston, IL

  • Date: Saturday September 6, 2025
  • Game time: TBA
  • TV announcers (TBA): TBA
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics WIU NU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Northwestern Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs. Valparaiso

See also: 2025 Valparaiso Beacons football team
Game Three – Valparaiso Beacons (0–0) at Western Illinois Leathernecks (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Beacons 0 0 000
Leathernecks 0 0 000

at Hanson Field • Macomb, IL

  • Date: Saturday September 13, 2025
  • Game time: TBA
  • TV announcers (TBA): TBA
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics VAL WIU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Valparaiso Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Western Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Eastern Washington

See also: 2025 Eastern Washington Eagles football team
Game Four – Western Illinois Leathernecks (0–0) at Eastern Washington Eagles (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Leathernecks 0 0 000
Eagles 0 0 000

at Roos Field • Cheney, WA

  • Date: Saturday September 20, 2025
  • Game time: TBA
  • TV announcers (TBA): TBA
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics WIU EWU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Eastern Washington Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs. Eastern Illinois

See also: 2025 Eastern Illinois Panthers football team
Game Five – Eastern Illinois Panthers (0–0) at Western Illinois Leathernecks (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Panthers 0 0 000
Leathernecks 0 0 000

at Hanson Field • Macomb, IL

  • Date: Saturday September 27, 2025
  • Game time: TBA
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBA
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics EIU WIU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Eastern Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Western Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Tennessee Tech

See also: 2025 Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles football team
Game Six – Western Illinois Leathernecks (0–0) at Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Leathernecks 0 0 000
Golden Eagles 0 0 000

at Tucker Stadium • Cookeville, TN

  • Date: Saturday October 4, 2025
  • Game time: TBA
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBA
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics WIU TNTC
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Tennessee Tech Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at UT Martin

See also: 2025 UT Martin Skyhawks football team
Game Seven – Western Illinois Leathernecks (0–0) at UT Martin Skyhawks (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Leathernecks 0 0 000
Skyhawks 0 0 000

at Graham Stadium • Martin, TN

  • Date: Saturday October 11, 2025
  • Game time: TBA
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBA
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics WIU UTM
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving
UT Martin Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs. Charleston Southern

See also: 2025 Charleston Southern Buccaneers football team
Game Eight – Charleston Southern Buccaneers (0–0) at Western Illinois Leathernecks (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 0 0 000
Leathernecks 0 0 000

at Hanson Field • Macomb, IL

  • Date: Saturday October 18, 2025
  • Game time: TBA
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBA
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics CHSO WIU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Charleston Southern Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Western Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Tennessee State

See also: 2025 Tennessee State Tigers football team
Game Nine – Western Illinois Leathernecks (0–0) at Tennessee State Tigers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Leathernecks 0 0 000
Tigers 0 0 000

at Nissan Stadium • Nashville, TN

  • Date: Saturday October 25, 2025
  • Game time: TBA
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBA
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics WIU TNST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Tennessee State Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs. Lindenwood

See also: 2025 Lindenwood Lions football team
Game Ten – Lindenwood Lions (0–0) at Western Illinois Leathernecks (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Lions 0 0 000
Leathernecks 0 0 000

at Hanson Field • Macomb, IL

  • Date: Saturday November 8, 2025
  • Game time: TBA
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBA
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics LIN WIU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Lindenwood Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Western Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs. Southeast Missouri State

See also: 2025 Southeast Missouri State Redhawks football team
Game Eleven – Southeast Missouri State Redhawks (0–0) at Western Illinois Leathernecks (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Redhawks 0 0 000
Leathernecks 0 0 000

at Hanson Field • Macomb, IL

  • Date: Saturday August 30, 2025
  • Game time: TBA
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBA
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics SEMO WIU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Southeast Missouri State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Western Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Gardner–Webb

See also: 2025 Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs football team
Game Twelve – Western Illinois Leathernecks (0–0) at Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Leathernecks 0 0 000
Runnin' Bulldogs 0 0 000

at Ernest W. Spangler Stadium • Boiling Springs, NC

  • Date: Saturday November 22, 2025
  • Game time: TBA
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBA
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics WIU GWEB
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Gardner–Webb Passing
Rushing
Receiving

References

  1. ^ "2025 FCS-to-FCS Transfers". herosports. December 16, 2024.
  2. ^ "2025 FBS-to-FCS Transfers". herosports. December 16, 2024.
  3. ^ "2025 FCS-to-FBS Transfers". herosports. December 14, 2024.
  4. ^ "WIU Football Adds 22 Mid-Year Signees to 2025 Roster". goleathernecks. January 16, 2025.
  5. ^ "WIU Football Signs Nine To 2025 Class On National Signing Day". goleathernecks. November 25, 2024. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  6. ^ "2025 Western Illinois Football Schedule". FBSchedules. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
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