After watching last year’s Spring Game, I couldn’t help but to admire freshman QB Jaylen Raynor’s abilities behind center. The kid was barely 18, and while he made some mistakes, Raynor was clearly a too-good-to-bench talent. Later that summer, I wrote: Raynor will likely bide his time behind redshirt freshman Jaxson Dailey and Colorado transfer JT Shrout, but one wonders if an electric player like Raynor can be kept long on the sideline.

Raynor would indeed become the Red Wolves’ starting quarterback, and will most certainly lead the huddle when Arkansas State opens against UCA this season. Some guys you have a good feeling about and the feeling turns out to be truth.

This season, the Red Wolves have the talent to punch a hole in the Sun Belt West – and maybe even compete for the SBC title. Who will be the playmakers that rise to the surface? Last season, after a slow start, Jeff Foreman became the reliable, big play wide receiver that the program had missed since the departure of Jay Adams. Transfer center Jacob Bayer was the keystone to an effective offensive line, and both Melique Straker and freshman Javante Mackey provided incredible run-stopping at linebacker. Those guys are gone or, in the case of Bayer, injured. The obvious selections notwithstanding (Raynor, Ja’Quez Cross, Justin Parks, etc), who will be the new starts of the Arkansas State Red Wolves?

Justin Hodges, Senior, Cornerback

Hodges, who transferred from UCF in 2023, made several starts last season and collected 26 tackles through his high-voltage style of play. With the departure of seasoned CB Samy Johnson, the 6’2″ Hodges will be relied on to marshal his emotions and deliver more big plays.

Blayne Toll, Senior, Defensive End

Since arriving to Jonesboro via Arkansas/Colorado in 2022, fans have waited for the 6’6″ 260-pound native of Hazen to make a big impact on the gridiron. Last year, something finally began to click in Toll, when he appeared in all 13 games and recorded 19 tackles, 4.5 TFL and 2.0 sacks. Word is that Toll will see action at end and within the defensive interior this season, giving the former three-star more opportunities to excel.  

Cedric Hawkins, Sophomore, Running Back

Everybody loves a homegrown star, and the Stuttgart native proved too good to sideline last season, when he recorded 156 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns in limited touches as a sophomore. This season, a beefed-up Hawkins is expected to part of a three-headed Hydra led by Zak Wallace and Ja’Quez Cross. But we’ll likely see plenty of Hawkins’ speed this season.

Adam Jones, Redshirt Senior, Wide Receiver

Not the team’s flashiest wide receivers, Jones showed fans last season that his reliable hands and courage in the flat can deliver a huge reception and even an occasional 100-yard game. Jones is injury prone, but when he’s on the field, he plays taller than his 6’2″ frame. If he stays healthy, look for Jones to be a productive member of a deep receivers corpse.

Ethan Hassler, Senior, Defensive Lineman

Hassler looked to be finding a starring role on the defensive line last season before an injury sustained against Memphis robbed him of several starts. When he’s healthy, he’s unstoppable, like when he put up seven tackles against Coastal. The 6’2″, 248-pound Hassler appears ready to shine his senior season.

PHOTO CREDITS: Me