With a full year under Coach Vincent, the ULM football team looks to make a big jump up from last season. A lackluster second half of the 2024 season left many fans excited to see how the Warhawk football team plans to revamp.
Starting off in 2024, the team jumped out to a 5-1 record with their only loss coming to third-ranked Texas. After the last four years of not reaching the five-win mark, Warhawk fans were excited to see what the second half of the season held. Unfortunately, ULM would go on a six-game losing streak to finish the year and miss out on a bowl game.
Also in 2024, ULM saw Ahmad Hardy carry a big chunk of the offensive workload, rushing for 1,351 yards and earning the Sun Belt Conference Fresh man of the Year award. With Hardy entering the transfer portal and joining Missouri, ULM picked up Zach Palmer-Smith and Tyrell Reed Jr. to help offset the now missing production. The Warhawk football team sees that true freshman running back D’Shaun Ford could bring a much-needed impact on the running game.
The Warhawks reworked their receiving core by adding New Mexico transfer Nic Trujillo, a former teammate of Aidan Armenta. Tight ends Rylan Grenn and Julian Nixon are returning after both receiving All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention, adding to a well-rounded receiving core.
ULM’s defense is arguably its biggest strength heading into the 2025 season, with Wells and Pullen leading the defensive front and Jerome Simmons and Jaden Hamlin anchoring the middle. Wells and Pullen combined for nine sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss last season. The defense’s biggest weakness this upcoming season is that zero starting linebackers are returning, and ULM will have to rely on transfers to fill those spots. Noah Flemmings, a transfer from Trinity Valley Community College, should earn a starting spot after recording 105 tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss as a JUCO All-American. The defensive back room has two starters returning in David Godsey Jr. at corner and Carl Fauntroy at safety. They will take a hit with Wydett Williams entering the transfer portal right as the spring window closed.
Though Warhawk fans are optimistic, many are skeptical after the rough 2024 season when Hardy left the SBC for the SEC. There will need to be some upsets if they plan on making a bowl game, as they do not have a light schedule.
If the team remains committed to a successful season, and they win battles at the line of scrimmage, I have no doubt they will steal some games on their schedule.
