August 21st, 2025 8:00am
As one of NCAA Division II’s premier leagues, the Gulf South Conference enters the 2025 season with momentum—highlighted by top-tier talent, bold new leadership, and a national spotlight that few conferences match. West Florida (11), Valdosta State (17), and West Alabama (23) are all ranked inside the D2Football.com Preseason Top 25, and despite much change within the league during the offseason, the GSC is poised to remain a fixture in the national landscape.
Preseason Poll
Rank School Total (First Place)
1 West Florida 9 (3)
T2 West Alabama 6 (1)
T2 Valdosta State 6
4 Delta State 3
Players to Watch
Delta State
William Carter, Sr., LB, Birmingham, Alabama (2025 D2Football.com Elite 100 Watch List, 2024 All-GSC)
Cole Kirk, Sr., QB, Selmer, Tennessee
Jairus McFarland, Sr., SB, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Valdosta State
Tyler Ajiero, Grad, WR, Tifton, Georgia (2024 All-GSC)
Rance Conner, Sr., DB, Miami, Florida (2024 All-GSC)
James Robinson, Grad., OL, Montgomery, Alabama (2024 All-GSC)
West Alabama
Elijah Guyton, r-Jr., K, Cullman, Alabama (2025 D2Football.com Elite 100 Watch List, 2024 All-GSC)
Brayden Jenkins, So., RB, Irvington, Alabama
Issac Williams, Sr., DB, Mobile, Alabama (2024 All-GSC)
West Florida
Bryon Puryear, Sr., DL, Chicago, Illinois (2025 D2Football.com Elite 100 Watch List)
Corey Scott, r-So., WR, Jacksonville, Florida (2025 D2Football.com Elite 100 Watch List, 2024 All-GSC, 2024 GSC Offensive Freshman of the Year)
Collin Shaw, r-Jr., DL, Largo, Florida (2025 D2Football.com Elite 100 Watch List, 2024 All-GSC)
Must-see Matchups (all times Eastern)
Lenoir-Rhyne at West Florida | Friday, Aug. 29 | 7:00 pm | Pensacola, Fla.
Watching two Top 25 teams square off in Week Zero sets the tone for a high-stakes season opener. These two teams have only met once before, on December 7, 2019, in the postseason. West Florida edged out Lenoir-Rhyne 43–38 in a tight national quarterfinal thriller in Hickory, N.C.
You don’t see playoff pedigree matched up in Week Zero every year. Both teams are battle-tested and hungry—Lenoir-Rhyne pushing to build on last year’s playoff appearance, and West Florida looking to reaffirm its status among D-II’s elite. Expect fireworks early in Pensacola.
Valdosta State at Johnson C. Smith | Saturday, Sept. 6 | 12:00 pm | Charlotte, N.C.
This isn't just another non-conference matchup—it's a season-opening performance that sets the tone for both schools. For Valdosta State, it’s an opportunity to reaffirm their form after last year’s deep playoff run; for Johnson C. Smith, it’s a defining early test with spotlight implications
Charleston (W. Va.) at West Alabama | Saturday, Sept. 13 | 2:00 pm | Livingston, Ala.
This non-conference clash pits two more playoff-caliber programs head-to-head in early-season form—meaning the rhythm of their season could be defined by the outcome of this game. Expectations are high for West Alabama under new head coach Scott Cochran, fresh from SEC powerhouses like Alabama and Georgia.
West Florida at West Alabama | Saturday, Oct. 18 | TBD | Livingston, Ala.
Last year’s meeting saw West Alabama stun No. 12 West Florida in double overtime, 35–33, in a game that redefined GSC expectations. With momentum still fresh and pride at play, this season's rematch promises intensity and revenge on both sides. Early momentum in the Gulf South Conference standings will be on the line as two playoff-proven programs go head-to-head, offering high-level competition and potential postseason implications.
Valdosta State at West Florida | Saturday, Nov. 15 | 3:00 pm | Pensacola, Fla.
This matchup serves as the regular-season finale for both Gulf South Conference heavyweights, with a full view of the playoff picture and conference standings sure to be on the minds of both teams. West Florida is the preseason GSC favorite, and the Blazers will have a chance to prove the voters wrong and put an exclamation mark on the regular season.