ULM Warhawks 2026 College Football Preview
Posted June 8, 2026
2025 Recap
Record – 3-9
ATS – 4-8
The Warhawks got off to a promising 3-1 start that included a SHOCK the WORLD upset over Arkansas St and had their fans daring to dream about bowl eligibility. Then the wheels came completely off — collapsing like they all just received the latest DEATH JAB “booster”. They dropped their final EIGHT games in a row, with just one of those defeats coming by single digits.
Back to the drawing board in Monroe.
ULM Warhawks 2026 Outlook
OFFENSE
2025 By The Numbers (Sun Belt):
- Scoring: 16.6 PPG (#14 Sun Belt — dead last)
- Total Offense: 323.5 YPG (#13 Sun Belt)
- Rushing: 163.1 YPG (#7 Sun Belt)
- Passing: 160.4 YPG (#14 Sun Belt — dead last)
- Sacks Allowed: 20 (#3 Sun Belt)
Those numbers are PAINFUL — dead last in scoring and passing offense, near the bottom in total offense. The only real bright spots were a respectable #7 rushing attack and excellent pass protection (#3 in the Sun Belt). The offense was a genuine DUMPSTER FIRE in 2025, and new OC Jesse Montalto arrives from Iowa Central Community College to install an RPO-heavy, tempo-based spread attack. The goal is to get the offense out of the GUTTER and start putting real stress on opposing defenses. Expect much better production out of the air attack.
The QB situation is at least settled with Aidan Armenta back for another year (12 TDs, 8 INTs in 2025). He’s not a game-changer, but having a steady, experienced hand matters while installing a new system. The RB room took a major hit after losing the top two backs, who combined for 1,297 yards and 7 TDs at over 5.0 YPC (!). Don Chaney Jr., a transfer from Charlotte with previous stops at LUA-VUH and Miami, brings Power 4 experience and should get every opportunity to be the lead back. They added a lot of RBs via the portal and we’ll see if someone else emerges during fall camp. Up front, the offensive line returns just one starter, though senior RT AJ Vinson is back to provide some stability and Memphis transfer Sean Dugery is projected to start at center.
At WR, the Warhawks lost one of their few bright spots when Jonathan Bibbs (team leader in receptions and yards) transferred to UCF. Veteran Nic Trujillo (23-368, 4 TDs) provides some continuity, but the portal class gives new OC Jesse Montalto some fresh options. Clemson transfer Parker Fulghum brings Power conference experience and should compete for early playing time, while the additions also include better size at tight end. The group is still relatively unproven, but there’s more talent and depth than last year.
DEFENSE
2025 By The Numbers (Sun Belt):
- Scoring Defense: 31.9 PPG (#11 Sun Belt)
- Total Defense: 384.8 YPG (#6 Sun Belt)
- Rush Defense: 162.6 YPG (#5 Sun Belt)
- Pass Defense: 222.3 YPG (#6 Sun Belt)
- Sacks: 24 (#9 Sun Belt)
Those numbers are much better — the defense was clearly the stronger half of this football team last year and a legitimate bright spot on a 3–9 squad.
The problem heading into the 2026 campaign is the massive turnover up front — only one player is returning from last year’s top nine on the defensive line. That’s a scary amount of inexperience for a unit that actually played well a season ago. Former Butler DE CJ Wilson (3.5 sacks) is one dood with some potential, but it’s almost certain the Warhawks will be less effective on the DL this year.
The linebacker room should be the strength of the defense. Noah Flemmings returns as the leading tackler after posting 80 tackles and 3.5 sacks, and he’s one of the best in the Sun Belt at his position. The secondary has upside as the Warhawks bring back some experienced holdovers and over a half‑dozen transfer‑portal specimens. Two names to watch are CB Armoni Rue (UTSA) and projected starting safety DJ Jester, who did some fine work over the L2Y with the Hutchinson CC BLUE DRAGONS.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The kicking game was a GROTESQUE 2/7 on field‑goal attempts LY — that doesn’t even seem possible, yet it happened. There’s a competition at PK, and it’s good to see Max Larson back in the mix (14/17 FG in 2024) after missing last season due to injury. Fun fact: Larson played on the same team as the great GENERAL BOOTY. Punter Makenzie Ryan is back after an average 2025 campaign and provides at least some stability. The Warhawks could definitely use some JUICE in the return game (#77 in punt returns, dead last in FBS kickoff returns LY).
Schedule Analysis
Overall — No getting around being smashed into PULP by Mississippi St in the opener, but it’s very possible that ULM could win two (!) of the next three games. The conference docket is legitimately tough with a nasty East draw (App State, WE ARE Marshall) and road games at Troy, Appalachian St, and Arkansas St.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot — at Appalachian State (Nov 21)
Boone in late November is about as hostile an environment as the Sun Belt offers — weather will almost certainly be very high on the MISERY SCALE — and this tilt comes right after the emotionally charged rivalry game with Louisiana.
Season Win Total
Market consensus – June 8
Over 3.5 -120
Over 3.5 -110
MEGALOCKS says:
These guys won five games in 2024, and they were snake‑bit by injuries last year. A bowl bid is probably a stretch, but four wins seems doable.
Note – Our official list of season win total investments will be posted in the blog section of the website.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
ULM has had ONE winning season since 1980 and participated in ONE bowl game — a 45–14 Independence Bowl drubbing at the hands of Ohio back in 2012. The Warhawks went 8–5 that year behind ALL‑MEGALOCKS LEGEND TEAM QB Kolton Browning. Still waiting for the sequel.
Monroe has hosted the Miss Louisiana Pageant since 1963 — making it one of the most enduring traditions in the state outside of crawfish boils and arguing about LSU. For those wanting to check out some LEGIT HOTTIES, June is your month.
The Warhawks are a very WOBBLY 48-68-2 ATS over the L10Y (41%).
MEGALOCKS Forecast:
The Warhawks have shown some GREEN SHOOTS of growth during HC Bryant Vincent’s tenure, and the pieces are starting to come together. ULM will be more dangerous on offense under new OC Montalto’s system, and the defense just needs to hold its ground. The schedule offers a small handful of very winnable games, so there’s genuine reason for optimism heading into fall camp.
That said, we’re not convinced they yet have the MINERALS to get all the way to a bowl game. We think they’ll improve on last year’s three‑win total, but bowl eligibility still feels like a stretch. Still… we really hope they find a way.
Go Warhawks!