Sam Houston Bearkats 2026 College Football Preview
Posted June 1, 2026
2025 Recap
Record – 2-10
ATS – 3-9
YIKES.
One year removed from a 10-win season, and the Bearkats went straight from the penthouse to the outhouse. The 2025 campaign was an absolute disaster — an 0-8 start that had the Huntsville faithful wanting to walk into the nearest swath of PINEY WOODS and never return. But then something remarkable happened. Sam Houston SHOCKED the WORLD with an upset over Oregon State — a game in which they were outgained 474-157 (!) — and followed that up with a win over Delaware. Two moments to celebrate sandwiched inside an otherwise brutal season.
Year two of the Phil Longo era needs to be dramatically better, and the renovated on-campus stadium gives the program a much-needed boost of energy.
Sam Houston Bearkats 2026 Outlook
OFFENSE
2025 By The Numbers (CUSA):
- Scoring: 17.8 PPG (#12 CUSA)
- Total Offense: 316.0 YPG (#12 CUSA)
- Rushing: 131.9 YPG (#7 CUSA)
- Passing: 184.1 YPG (#10 CUSA)
- Sacks Allowed: 36 (#11 CUSA)
Those numbers are UGLY in every direction — dead last in scoring and total offense, and allowing the second-most sacks in the conference. The offense was a genuine DUMPSTER FIRE in 2025 and fixing it is the number one priority heading into fall camp.
The biggest positive development heading into 2026 is KNOWING who the starting QB is from day one — sophomore Landyn Locke takes over after getting thrown into the fire more than planned as a freshman due to injuries (50%, 4-4 TD to INT). He’s not a mobile threat but shows genuine potential as a traditional passer and having a full offseason as the unquestioned starter should accelerate his development considerably.
The RB room is one of the better units on the team and the clear strength of the offense. Two of the top three backs return including Landan “COCO” Brown who led the team in rushing LY (487, 5.8 YPC, 5 TD). Alton McCaskill is back in the mix as well — a dood who scored 16 (!) rushing TDs with Houston back in 2021 and has been relatively quiet since. If he’s found his footing again this could be a very useful depth piece.
The THROW GAME should take a step forward with #1 and #2 receivers both returning — Chris Reed led the team in receiving in 2025 (30-460, 5 TD, 15.3 YPC) and a few spicy-looking transfers are adding to the mix. The most intriguing of the bunch is Christian Zachary who arrives from NC State — he didn’t get much run with the Wolfpack but brings good size and legitimate upside that could make him a difference-maker in this offense. The passing offense ranked #110 in the FBS LY — the ceiling is meaningfully higher in 2026 with continuity at QB and receiver.
The OL is a major work in progress with five new starters — the coaching staff believes significant improvement is coming but we’ll need to see it before we believe it. The one notable addition is interior lineman Josiah Chenault scooped from defending champ Kennesaw St where he played in all 14 games LY. That’s a smart pickup, yo.
DEFENSE
2025 By The Numbers (CUSA):
- Scoring Defense: 37.8 PPG (#12 CUSA)
- Total Defense: 483.5 YPG (#12 CUSA)
- Rush Defense: 207.6 YPG (#12 CUSA)
- Pass Defense: 275.9 YPG (#12 CUSA)
- Sacks: 21 (#8 CUSA)
Dead last in CUSA across the board in scoring defense, total defense, rush defense, AND pass defense — those are historically bad numbers and there is nowhere to go but UP on this side of the football.
The Bearkats have added some interior size to the DL but pass rush threats are unclear — Boston College transfer Jayden Fry could potentially make an impact but played in only one game LY. New faces will need to emerge in a hurry. The LB unit is being largely rebuilt after the departures, which is probably a GOOD THING given the struggles LY. Delaware State transfer Brian Bates Jr is the name to watch — the dood put up 80 tackles, 7 TFL, and 2 sacks while earning First Team All-MEAC honors LY. That kind of production at a lower level translates well and he could be an instant contributor.
The secondary has a couple of holdovers including #3 tackler safety Tyler Bailey as a foundation piece, but the back end looks a bit sketchy overall. Transfer CB Joey Hunter from Memphis is the newcomer most likely to make an immediate impact but secondary buzz has been limited heading into fall camp.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The PK battle is ongoing after going 11/18 on FGAs LY — the coaching staff wants to see better production and competition is wide open. Wake Forest transfer Cal Joseph is the likely punter taking over the boot duties.
Schedule Analysis
Overall — Two winnable non-conference games (Tulsa, Nicholls) but at best they’ll enter conference play at 2-2. The CUSA draw is genuinely brutal — they have to face all three of the BIG ‘UNS and must travel to both Liberty and Jacksonville St.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot — at Jacksonville State (Nov 7)
This is the second of back-to-back road games and the Gamecocks won’t overlook the Bearkats after last year’s nail-biter 29-27 escape. This is a tough road environment so taking the underdog in this spot would take some stones.
Season Win Total
Market consensus – June 1
Over 3.5 +120
Under 3.5 -150
MEGALOCKS says:
No Leanage.
This looks like a three or four-win team. The market appears to have it nailed.
Note – Our official list of season win total investments will be posted in the blog section of the website.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
The Bearkats’ nickname origin is one of the better stories in college sports — in 1923 a student publication MISSPELLED “Bearcats” as “Bearkats” when referring to the football team and the name simply stuck. Sam Houston eventually trademarked the misspelling and it became a cherished part of the school’s identity.
Sam Houston State University is named after one of the most remarkable figures in American history — the man who was President of the Republic of Texas, a U.S. Senator from Texas AND Tennessee, and Governor of BOTH Texas and Tennessee. Sam Houston remains the only person in American history to serve as governor of two different states. The university in Huntsville, Texas — just 70 miles north of Houston — has been honoring his legacy since 1879. Trivia tasters, bay-bee.
The Bearkats went 2–10 last season — and somehow did it with a positive turnover margin (+2). That’s a special kind of bad.
MEGALOCKS Forecast:
The Bearkats rank in the bottom‑10 nationally in both offense and defense, per ESPN’s SP+ metrics heading into 2026, and face one of the toughest schedules in CUSA. The good news is that the talent level appears improved at the skill positions, Locke getting a full offseason as the starter should help, and the renovated on‑campus stadium gives the program a genuine JOLT of energy. The biggest question marks are an entirely new OL and a defense that lacks proven difference‑makers.
We’ll call for three or four wins and better things to come in 2027 — but in the meantime, let’s hope the Bearkats can find a way to pull off an upset or two.
EAT EM UP, KATS!