Ex Libertate Veritas | Coastal Carolina Chanticleers

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Lane Kiffin Heading Back To Tennessee? One of Many Puzzling Moves In the 2030 Carousel

2030_Coaching_Carousel

Name	Previous School	New School	Reason
Alex Grinch	Wake Forest	Kent State	Fired
Barry Kendricks	Toledo	Purdue	Hired
Brent Key	NC State	Missouri	Fired
Brian Smith	Arizona	N/A	Fired
Brian Sosa	OC	North Texas	Hired
Collin Dustin	Georgia State DC	Arizona	Hired
Chris Klieman	Florida	Toledo	Fired
DeShaun Foster	UCLA	Oregon	Hired
Dell McGee	Buffalo	USF	Fired
Elijah Cheridor	Charlotte	Western Michigan	Fired
Emari Ehuhs	DC	San Jose State	Hired
Eric Luke	Florida DC	UCLA	Hired
Eric Morris	North Texas	Baylor	Hired
Eric Newton	OC	Mississippi State	Hired
Glen Judge	Bowling Green	Wake Forest	Hired
Gill Louis	DC	Liberty	Hired
Hugh Freeze	Auburn	TCU	Hired
Josh Heupel	Oklahoma	Tulsa	Fired
Jimmy Knight	DC	Bowling Green	Hired
James Lemon	San Diego State	NFL	Left
Jay Sawvel	Kentucky	Minnesota	Fired
Kasey Drew	New Mexico	N/A	Fired
Ken Niumatalolo	San Jose State	Washington	Hired
Laron Burt	USF	Auburn	Hired
Luke Fickell	Missouri	Kentucky	Fired
Lane Kiffin	Oregon	Tennessee	Hired
Leo Lemmons	Louisiana Tech	UNLV	Hired
Major Applewhite	Boise State	New Mexico	Fired
Mosees Garvin	Tulsa	San Diego State	Fired
Ray Sharp	Liberty	NC State	Hired
Sonny Cumbie	Baylor	Pittsburgh	Hired
Spencer Danielson	Tennessee	Boise State	Fired
Sonny Dykes	TCU	Texas State	Fired
Steve Sarkisian	Washigton	Oklahoma	Hired
Shane Sizer	OC	Middle Tennessee	Hired
Tim Albin	Texas State	N/A	Retired
Tavares Dennard	DC	Louisiana Tech	Hired
Trent Knox	DC	UMass	Hired
Tre Lamb	Minnesota	Troy	Hired
Tevita Spann	Western Michigan	Vanderbilt	Hired
Willie Scruggs	Georgia OC	Florida	Hired
William Suttle	Troy DC	Buffalo	Hired
Wade Yates	DC	Charlotte	Hired

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Walt Reyna Headlines Talent Laden Graduating Class

Conway, SC. - The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers are saying goodbye to a long list of productive starters this offseason, but none looms larger than middle linebacker Walt Reyna.

Reyna arrived in Conway as the highest-ranked recruit in program history, a four-star prospect out of Irmo, S.C., ranked No. 127 nationally. From the moment he stepped on campus, he delivered. A starter as a true freshman, Reyna became the steady presence in the middle of the defense while Bryce Underwood’s Heisman-fueled offenses turned Coastal into a national power.

His influence was never clearer than during the 2028 national championship. In a game marred by seven Coastal turnovers, Reyna’s leadership kept the defense locked in. “We’re in a dogfight right now,” a teammate recalled Reyna telling the unit on the sideline. “I dunno about y’all, but I ain’t gonna be the first one to blink.” Coastal surrendered just 28 points that night, enough to keep the door open for Underwood to finally deliver the title.

On the field, Reyna’s résumé is unmatched. He became the first player in college football history to win the Chuck Bednarik and Bronko Nagurski trophies three times—then raised the bar again by capturing both awards a fourth consecutive season. He also collected the Butkus Award each year of his career.

“Walt wasn’t the fastest, strongest, or flashiest player,” head coach Kade Vaughn said at the program’s annual Teal Farewell event. “But no matter who lined up beside him, you could always count on him to be exactly where he was supposed to be. I built my reputation on being more prepared than anyone we faced, and Walt not only embraced that—he embodied it.”

In recognition of that legacy, Vaughn announced that Reyna’s No. 34 jersey will not be retired. Instead, it will become an honorary number, reserved for future Chanticleer defenders who demonstrate the same toughness, intelligence, and leadership—much like LSU’s No. 7 has come to symbolize playmaking excellence.

“Walt and I talked about it,” Vaughn said. “He felt it would mean more for future generations to aspire to wear it, rather than just see it put away. That’s the standard he set.”

Reyna leads a wave of departures from Conway, including offensive standouts Sidney Barkow and running back Floyd Priest. Priest, who filled in admirably for an injured Barkow this season, made clear his decision to leave early was as much about family as football.

“You look at Sid—he came back for his senior year and spent most of it banged up,” Priest said. “The NFL life for running backs is already short. I’ve got two kids at home. I’ve got to chase that first contract while I’ve still got tread on the tires.”

In all, Coastal will see 26 players move on this spring—23 through graduation or NFL entry and three via the transfer portal. But the shadow of Reyna’s legacy will stretch far beyond this offseason. The next Chanticleer defender who pulls on No. 34 won’t just be wearing a jersey. They’ll be wearing a challenge.

Players Leaving
SR(RS) G Cornell Glymph | 93 | Draft
SR(RS) HB Sidney Barkow | 93 | Draft
SR WR Kamryn Petty | 93 | Draft
SR LB Evan Hemphill | 92 | Draft
JR(RS) HB Floyd Priest | 92 | Draft
SR DT Don Vasher | 92 | Draft
MLB Walt Reyna | 89 | Graduation
SR(RS) CB Jojo Tate | 87 | Graduation
SR(RS) LT Terrell Stork | 87 | Graduation
SR(RS) WR Terrance Rugamba | 87 | Graduation
SR(RS) WR Specner Yeast | 86 | Graduation
SR WR George Rabe | 85 | Graduation
SR(RS) QB Nick Golladay | 85 | Graduation
SR(RS) TE Quincy Simonsen | 85 | Graduation
SR(RS) T Donte Duarte | 83 | Graduation
SR DE James Ruggsin | 83 | Graduatoin
SR(RS) DE Joel Ramsay | 83 | Graduation
SR K Jesus Mendez | 82 | Graduation
SR(RS) C JD Blank | 82 | Graduation
SR(RS) T Benji Iosefa | 81 | Graduation
JR WR Matthew Hape | 79 | Playing Time
SR(RS) DT Joshua Talbott | 79 | Graduation
SR(RS) MLB Joel Spann | 77 | Graduation
FR WR Tyler Hagg | 76 | Playing Time
SR(RS) DE Roosevelt Verner | 75 | Graduation
FR WR Brayden Sharpe | 74 | Playing Time

Draft Results
Sidney Barków | 2nd Round
WR Kamryn Petty | 2nd Round
G Cornnel Glymph | 2nd Round
LB Evan Hemphill | 2nd Round
DT Don Vasher | 3rd Round
HB Floyd Priest | 5th Round
MLB Walt Reyna | 6th Round

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Coastal Turns In Consecutive Top 5 Classes With 3rd Rank Finish In 2030

Conway, SC. - For years, the transfer portal was Coastal Carolina’s lifeline. The Chanticleers didn’t just use it to plug holes — they built their identity around it. But this offseason felt different. For the first time under Kade Vaughn, the portal was less about survival and more about luxury.

“There was a time when if we only signed six guys in the portal? We were in some real trouble,” Vaughn admitted after Coastal wrapped the 2030 recruiting cycle ranked No. 4 nationally. “Now, we look at areas we’d like to improve, not where we have to. The goal this offseason was putting pieces in place to make sure Fred can succeed next year.”

Fred is Fredrick Meredith — the redshirt sophomore quarterback from North Carolina who flashed promise in the Holiday Bowl, shaking off a rough start to engineer a game-winning drive. Inside the program, the consensus was clear: Meredith had earned the keys.

But when Washington’s Eli Corbin, TCU’s Jamie Guillermo, and Washington State’s Brian Stai hit the portal, the whispers started. Vaughn had built his brand on importing quarterbacks — the last three starters all came via transfer. Would Coastal really pass?

“Never even reached out,” one ACC scout said flatly. “From everything I’ve heard, both Eli and Jamie had Coastal on their short list and never even got a courtesy call. For better or worse, Coastal’s wagon is tied to Meredith.”

Instead, Vaughn and his staff focused on surrounding Meredith with support. Houston running back Devin Hajrullahu — a Gainesville, Ga., track star with home-run speed — arrived to replace Sidney Barkow and Floyd Priest. Virginia Tech’s Denard Cruise, a burner who once spurned Coastal as a prep recruit, is now in teal. And maybe most importantly, former Texas A&M center Alan Hofmann gives the Chanticleers stability up front following JD Blank’s departure.

On defense, the weak spot in 2029, Coastal added size and pressure with Penn State end JD Coward and Michigan tackle Tyree Witherspoon.

“It all starts with pressure,” defensive coordinator Tony White said. “If you can make the QB uncomfortable, the secondary has more opportunities. That’s the plan — we’ve got a slew of guys itching to plant quarterbacks in the turf.”

As splashy as the portal moves are, Coastal also brought in one of the nation’s strongest prep classes — 20 signees, including two top-30 defensive ends in Richard Hatch (No. 7 overall) and Monte Miner (No. 28). Neither is expected to play right away, but Vaughn hasn’t hesitated to burn redshirts if the situation calls for it.

“They know the deal,” Vaughn said. “We’re not asking them to start day one. But if you prepare, if you make plays in practice? You’ll get your shot.”


-2030-Recruiting-Rankings

Ranking	Position	Name	Height	Weight	Hometown	Tendency	NAT/STA/POS	Dev Trait
	DE	Richard Hatch	6'4	236	Rosemount, MN	Power Rusher	7/1/1	Star
	C	Willie Sails	6'1	289	Rockingham, NC	Agile	11/1/2	Star
	CB	Dexter Bibbs	6'2	171	Lake Oswego, OR	Bump and Run	19/1/4	Star
	DE	Monte Miner	6'5	243	Salt Lake City, UT	Speed Rusher	28/1/2	Star
	MLB	Cordell Marvin	6'0	222	San Antonio, TX	Thumper	34/7/1	Impact
	G	Juan Gammon	6'4	296	Spingdale, AR	Agile	55/1/5	Impact
	G	Mike Kinlaw	6'4	285	Wallingford, CT	Well Rounded	59/1/6	Star
	LB	Trevor Bausby	6'2	225	Bradenton, FL	Thumper	77/6/10	Elite
	FS	Keke Allotey	6'1	192	Kings Mountain, NC	Coverage Specialist	89/3/2	Elite
	HB	Jalen Rawls	5'10	194	Beckley, WV	Contact Seeker	114/1/13	Elite
	QB	Ezekiel Saunders	6'4	198	Philadelphia, PA	Dual Threat	152/6/10	Normal
	CB	Jacques Howe	5'11	197	Chattanooga, TN	Bump and Run	219/9/21	Star
	SS	Channing Armour	6'0	197	Bloomington, IN	Coverage Specialist	320/7/4	Star
	WR	Santiago Emanuel II	5'11	183	Irmo, SC	Elusive Route Runner	326/4/69	Star
	C	Dawann Wilfork	6'3	306	Everett, MA	Agile	354/3/9	Star
	T	Colt McAllister	6'5	317	Chicago, IL	Agile	364/11/28	Normal
	LB	Quincy Creer	6'2	225	Grenbrae, CA	Signal Caller	368/41/34	Normal
	G	Jose Small	6'4	311	Puyallup, WA	Well Rounded	410/7/33	Elite
	CB	DeShawn Dicker	6'1	162	Fort Myers, FL	Bump and Run	430/47/45	Normal
	K	Gene Marable	6'0	182	Aynor, SC	Accurate	1,117/29/15	Normal

2030_Transfer_Signees

Class	Pos	Name	Tendency	Hometown	Previous School	2029 Stats
JR	C	Alan Hofmann	Well Rounded	La Porte, TX	Texas A&M	3 Sacks Allowed
JR	DE	JD Coward	Power Rusher	Union City, NJ	Penn State	N/A
JR	DT	Tyree Witherspoon	Gap Specialist	Franklin, MI	Michigan	14 Tkl, 6 TFL, 3.5 Sacks
SO	WR	Denard Cruise	Speedster	Irmo, SC	Virginia Tech	41 Rec, 459 Yds, 4 TD
JR	HB	Devin Harjullahu	East/West Playmaker	Gainseville, GA	Houston	55 Att, 214 Yds, 4 TD
SO	TE	JaMichael Parris	Physical Route Runner	Suwanee, GA	Kansas State	N/A

Top_Transfer_Signees

Name	Pos	Previous School	New School
Trey Norwood	T	Missouri	Michigan
Titus Hinish	T	Wisconsin	Penn State
Sean Jackson	DE	NC State	Georgia
Darnell Burnette	WR	Washington	Auburn
Alan Hoffman	C	Texas A&M	Coastal Carolina
Eli Corbin	QB	Washington	LSU
Sidney Elmore	T	Miami	Georgia
Olufemi Law	WR	Texas	LSU
Titus Keur	DE	Tennessee	USC
Jamie Guillermo	QB	TCU	Oklahoma
Floyd Kaddu	HB	Purdue	Notre Dame
Deeron Smeenge	G	USC	Alabama
Brian Stai	QB	Washingon State	Washington
Cam Azumah	QB	Marshall	Ohio State
Javier Jackson	HB	Penn State	Auburn
Damarr Jordan	MLB	TCU	Texas
John DiMarco	HB	Georgia State	Ohio State
JD Coward	DE	Penn State	Coastal Carolina
Erik Lobato	G	Georgia	Auburn
Josh Fehoko	WR	North Carolina	Clemson

2030_Top_Recruiting_Classes

Team						Total
Oregon	4	20	4	0	0	38
Alabama	4	19	4	0	0	27
Coastal Carolina	4	20	2	0	0	26
Ohio State	3	27	0	0	0	30
Ole Miss	2	19	16	0	0	31
Georgia	0	33	1	0	0	34
Miami	1	17	12	0	0	30
Nebraska	1	15	12	0	0	28
Clemson	1	19	11	0	0	31
LSU	0	21	6	0	0	27
Michigan	1	20	11	0	0	32
USC	2	10	16	0	0	28
Washington	0	17	10	0	0	27
Oklahoma	1	11	12	0	0	25
Penn State	0	12	15	0	0	27
SMU	2	8	8	1	0	19
Iowa	0	10	12	0	1	23
Auburn	0	9	19	0	0	28
Texas	0	9	19	0	0	28
UCLA	0	8	19	2	0	29
Notre Dame	0	9	9	0	0	18
TCU	0	7	13	1	0	21
Tennessee	1	7	8	0	0	16
Florida	0	6	17	4	0	27
Texas A&M	0	5	23	0	0	28

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Spring Spotlight: Boom or Bust, It's Meredith's Show

Conway, SC. - Last December in San Diego, the moment almost swallowed him.

On his first drive as Coastal Carolina’s starting quarterback, redshirt freshman Fredrick Meredith dropped back, misread the coverage, and tossed an interception. The Holiday Bowl crowd roared. The cameras cut to the Chanticleers’ sideline. And for a moment, it looked like the stage might be too big for the highest-rated quarterback recruit in program history.

It wasn’t.

By the final whistle, Meredith had shaken off the turnover to throw for 235 yards and three touchdowns, including the decisive go-ahead score in Coastal’s 34-27 win. A player who spent most of his first year in mop-up duty had authored a fourth-quarter rally on national television. Inside the locker room afterward, one staffer recalled the mood: “You could feel it. Everyone knew, OK, this is his team now.”

For Coastal Carolina, Meredith’s arrival was unprecedented. A four-star prospect out of Shelby, N.C., he ranked as the No. 274 overall recruit and the No. 15 quarterback in his class. No quarterback with those credentials had ever signed with the Chanticleers out of high school.

“He could’ve gone to a dozen other Power 5 schools,” one former ACC coach said. “The fact he came to Coastal told you they were building something real.”

Meredith redshirted last fall, but even as a backup, his reputation grew inside the program. In spring practices, scouts and coaches noted his polish compared to veterans Andre Koloamatangi and Tobias Gallimore.

“He didn’t look like a freshman out there,” said one staffer. “When we broke down tape, he was making better reads than the older guys. If Golladay had gone down, there was never a doubt Fred would’ve been the guy.”

A Year of Quiet Development

Meredith saw the field sparingly before the Holiday Bowl, but each appearance offered a glimpse. On senior night against Boston College, he played the entire second half, flashing the same poise teammates said he showed all season in practice.

“He prepares like a starter,” offensive coordinator Dave Patenaude said. “He doesn’t just memorize the playbook — he understands it. He’ll ask, ‘If we motion here, what’s the safety supposed to do?’ That’s rare for a young quarterback.”

Several players pointed to Meredith’s approach during scout-team weeks as a sign he was ahead of schedule.

“You’d think he was auditioning every rep,” one veteran lineman said. “He’d rip through progressions, hit the right guy, and then jog back like nothing happened. You can’t teach that kind of calm.”

The Scouting Report

Meredith isn’t the type to torch defenses with his legs, but he’s mobile enough to extend plays. “He’s got wiggle,” one ACC scout said. “Not a runner, but enough to make the first guy miss and keep the play alive.”

His arm strength, however, is legitimate. Coaches describe it as “plenty of juice” to attack downfield. His accuracy, inconsistent as a high school senior, has sharpened after a year in Coastal’s system.

“The big difference now is ball placement,” said a staffer who charted practices. “Last spring, he’d hit the throw but force the receiver to adjust. Now it’s right in stride. That’s the leap.”

Meredith has already shown chemistry with Coastal’s young receiver corps, particularly true freshman Tavares Tinker. The two connected on three passes of 40-plus yards in the final two games, including a sideline dart in the Holiday Bowl that drew an audible gasp from teammates.

“That ball came out hot,” Tinker said. “I just had to trust it was gonna be there — and it was.”

Faith Over the Portal

Perhaps the strongest endorsement of Meredith came not from his bowl performance but from what Coastal didn’t do this offseason.

When established starters Eli Corbin (Washington), Jamie Guillermo (TCU), and Brian Stai (Washington State) hit the transfer portal, speculation swirled that Vaughn might revert to his old habits — after all, each of the last three Coastal starters arrived via transfer. But the program never even picked up the phone.

“From what I heard, both Eli and Jamie had Coastal on their short list,” one ACC scout said. “But they never even got a courtesy call. That told you everything you need to know: Vaughn is all-in on Meredith.”

For Meredith, the challenge is no longer proving he belongs. It’s proving he can lead Coastal Carolina to their first ACC title run.

“He’s got all the tools,” Patenaude said. “Now it’s about consistency. Stringing great days together, month after month, so that when we get to fall, he’s not just talented — he’s reliable.”

Inside the locker room, the expectations are clear. This isn’t a rebuilding year. Coastal has the talent to compete nationally. And for the first time, the Chanticleers’ fate rests with a quarterback they developed themselves, not one they plucked from the portal.

“He’s our guy,” Vaughn said simply. “And he’s ready.”

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Spring Spotlight: Can the Chanticleers Defense Rebound Without Reyna?

Conway, SC. - Coastal Carolina spent the beginning of the Vaughn era as one of college football’s defensive gold standards. Top-five finishes. Relentless pressure. Discipline and cohesion that made the Chanticleers’ teal turf a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.

Then came 2030.

While Coastal remained elite against the run — finishing No. 2 nationally in rushing defense — their pass defense collapsed. The Chanticleers surrendered an average of 384 yards through the air, giving up 400 or more on eight occasions, including a 500-yard torching by West Virginia that effectively ended their playoff hopes.

“Embarrassing,” middle linebacker Walt Reyna said bluntly that night. It was a rare moment of frustration from the normally composed star — and a reminder that Coastal’s identity had slipped.

On paper, the secondary shouldn’t have been the issue. Corners Xavier Montague, Mike Momah, and Jojo Tate had experience. Safeties AJ Dwumfour and Caleb Karapateas had speed. Yet too often, the group was out of position.

“When you don’t trust the guy next to you, you cheat,” defensive coordinator Tony White said this spring. “That’s what happened last year. Guys tried to cover too much ground instead of doing their job. We were basically stuck playing straight man by November. That’s not who we are.”

The good news? With continuity, White believes the cohesion has returned. “Same guys, same system, one more year together,” he said. “You can feel the difference.”

If the back end remains a question, the front seven may be Coastal’s answer. The Chanticleers finished top 25 nationally in sacks last year, and they’ve stockpiled even more depth.

“Mitch Dora, Eric Wheat, JD Coward, Tyree Witherspoon, Alphonso Smith, Jason Ivory, Lionel Ruggins — I wouldn’t want to draw up a protection plan against that,” head coach Kade Vaughn said. “We’ll keep them fresh, keep them rotating, and make quarterbacks miserable.”

That depth is by necessity. Coastal swung and missed in the transfer portal at cornerback, forcing White to lean heavier into his pressure packages. The bet is simple: if opposing quarterbacks don’t have time, the secondary won’t have to cover as long.

The biggest change, of course, is life without Walt Reyna. The most decorated defender in college football history, Reyna was Coastal’s voice, compass, and eraser.

“You don’t replace him,” Vaughn said. “You just find new ways to lead.”

Veteran Ty Oden, who apprenticed under Reyna, will take the headset in the middle. “My goal is to make it feel like Walt is still barking out calls,” Oden said. He’ll rotate with senior Nick Farrior, offering experience and steadiness.

But the name to know — the one players can’t stop buzzing about — is Anthony “Double A” Atogwe.

Atogwe, a former five-star recruit, saw limited action last year before flashing in the Holiday Bowl. Coaches rave about his preparation.

“From day one, he mirrored Walt,” Vaughn said. “And no one asked him to. He just said, ‘If that’s the best player I’ve seen, I’m going to copy everything he does.’ That’s how pros think.”

Atogwe will open spring at Will linebacker, with flexibility to slide inside on passing downs or even line up with his hand in the dirt. His combination of speed and physicality is rare.

“Supercharged,” Vaughn said. “That’s the nickname. He doesn’t stop coming. He’s athletic enough to beat you around the edge, but strong enough to go right through you.”

One ACC scout echoed the sentiment. “He’s the prototype for today’s game. Sideline-to-sideline speed, explosive first step, but he’s not just an athlete — he processes fast. If the mental side catches up with the physical, you’re looking at a first-round pick in two years.”

Scouting Report: Anthony Atogwe
• Strengths: Burst off the line; high-level closing speed; versatile enough to play multiple linebacker spots; relentless motor.
• Weaknesses: Still learning the finer points of coverage; can over-pursue at times.
• NFL Comp: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah with more raw power.
• Spring Goal: Show consistency in reads and prove he can anchor the defense without Reyna’s voice next to him.

Coastal’s identity in 2031 will hinge on whether the defense reclaims its edge. The front seven looks built for havoc, and if the secondary plays with more discipline, the Chanticleers could once again field one of the nation’s most balanced defenses.

But the X-factor remains Atogwe — the “secret weapon” whose emergence could turn a flawed unit into a dominant one.

“We all know what he can be,” Oden said. “Now it’s about proving it every snap.”

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Coming for the Crown? Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 2031 Season Preview

Conway, SC. - When Coastal Carolina entered the ACC in 2030, the expectation wasn’t modest success. It was dominance. After two seasons as a free-roaming Independent, punching above their weight against national powers, the Chanticleers were supposed to bring that swagger into a league still adjusting to its own shifting identity.

Instead, reality struck.

Defensive coordinator Tony White’s debut campaign turned rocky, and Coastal’s secondary was lit up for over 400 yards in losses to Ohio State and Clemson. Two defeats to top-10 powers weren’t fatal, but a double-digit collapse to West Virginia was. That loss torpedoed Coastal’s playoff hopes and dropped them to their lowest AP ranking since 2027.

“It hurt, but we had to look in the mirror and get back to work,” head coach Kade Vaughn said before spring ball. “There isn’t running away from losing, unless you want it to chase you. Last year’s done, in the books. We can’t change that. What we can do is use it as fuel.”

For Vaughn, whose record now stands at 73–12 with a 20–7 mark against Top 25 teams, the setback has sparked something closer to obsession than reflection.

“You’d think he was about to be fired tomorrow with how much more locked in he is this year,” one staffer admitted. “I thought I’d seen him laser-focused before. This is borderline manic.”

For the first time since 2027, Coastal didn’t sniff the transfer portal for a quarterback. Instead, the keys belong fully to redshirt freshman Fredrick Meredith, the highest-ranked prep QB recruit in program history.

Meredith was thrown into the fire last December, starting the Holiday Bowl after Nick Golladay sat out. He opened with an interception, but settled down to throw for 235 yards and three touchdowns, including the go-ahead score in a 34–27 win. That performance, paired with a year’s worth of scout-team buzz, cemented Vaughn’s conviction.

Rather than chase experience, Coastal doubled down on building around Meredith.
The running back room is arguably the most diverse Coastal has featured in years. Former Houston transfer Devin Hajrullahu is the home run threat, expected to line up all over the field to maximize his speed and shiftiness. Jason Toppins provides the bruising, between-the-tackles presence, while Justice Spear gives Vaughn a reliable scat-back who can handle third downs and passing situations.

“The only group more talented than the backs is the receivers,” Vaughn quipped.

Offensive coordinator Dave Patenaude quickly jumped in to echo that point. “Honestly, this wide receiver group is one of the deepest skill-wise I’ve seen in a long time,” he said. “We’ve got a hard time finding ways to get all the playmakers on the field.”

That room is a blend of proven veterans — Bernie Bender, David Goedeke, Carl Kopp — and ascending underclassmen, led by breakout candidate Tavares Tinker. Add in true freshman Santiago Emanuel II and transfer Denard Cruise, whose track speed has Vaughn calling him “the fastest player in the ACC,” and the pieces are in place for Meredith to thrive.

“It’s different this year,” Goedeke said. “The past two seasons, it felt like we were always learning each other — the quarterback, the receivers, figuring out tendencies. This year? We’re locked in from the word go.”

Meredith has played a major role in that shift. He’s pulled the entire WR room into film sessions, something coaches say they haven’t seen before in Conway. “They’re all in there, watching together,” Patenaude marveled. “That’s rare. And it’s spreading.”

If there’s a concern, it’s chemistry clashing with seniority. Meredith’s tightest bonds are with fellow young receivers — Tinker, Tyler Hagg, and Brayden Sharpe. The veterans, though, bring battle-tested reliability.

“It’s a good problem to have, as long as it doesn’t fester,” one staffer admitted.

Hagg, in particular, has turned heads with his surgical route running, with some projecting him as Meredith’s go-to option on third downs and red-zone snaps. But where that leaves Bender, Goedeke, and Kopp remains an open question.

“It’s a balancing act, and one Kade is keeping a close eye on,” the staffer added.

The offensive line looks like another strength — arguably one of the best units in the ACC. Last year’s group paved the way for the nation’s No. 2 rushing attack while keeping Golladay upright for most of the season. Guards Jesus Sosa and Connor Payne return to anchor the middle alongside veteran center Alan Hofmann, a portal addition from Texas A&M. On the edges, Coastal boasts a pair of massive bookends: Anthony Tripucka and Devin Trinidad, both standing 6-foot-7 and tipping the scales north of 300 pounds.

“They’re like a pair of gargoyles on either side of the line,” Meredith joked. “Sometimes I’ve got to lean my body just to see around them.”

If cohesion is the word on offense, redemption defines the defense. White’s scheme was roasted a year ago, but continuity — and a loaded pass rush — has optimism creeping back.

“New year, same guys, same scheme. We expect the familiarity to pay dividends,” White said.

That pass rush, anchored by a rotation of athletic edge players, has opposing ACC coaches already wary. “If the secondary can hold their own — big if — this unit has dominance potential,” one anonymous coach said. “They don’t have a weak spot on paper.”

For all the renewed focus, Coastal won’t get to ease into 2031. Their opener? The defending national champions, under the lights in the Aflac Kickoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Vaughn’s message to the team was blunt.

“I haven’t looked at the Vegas line, but I’m guessing they’re favorites,” Vaughn said with a grin. “Let’s remind them what Coastal is made of.”

The early stretch is punishing: Ole Miss, Notre Dame, Clemson, Nebraska, and a rematch with West Virginia all in the first seven weeks. Only NC State, tucked between those games, offers a breather.

“They’ll be tested early,” Nick Saban said on ESPN’s preseason coverage. “If they can survive that with two losses, they’re set up real pretty for a run.”

The hype is back in Conway, and so is the urgency. For Vaughn, for Meredith, for the veterans and newcomers alike, the 2031 season feels like a fork in the road.

Lose, and last year’s collapse becomes a pattern. Win, and Coastal’s ACC story might just look like destiny fulfilled.


2031 Coastal Carolina Schedule
Week 1 | #6 Ole Miss (14-2)
Week 2 | #14 Notre Dame (11-2)
Week 3 | @ NC State (4-8)
Week 4 | #1 Clemson (11-3)
Week 5 | @ #8 Nebraska (14-2)
Week 6 | #23 West Virginia (9-4)
Week 7 | @ Virginia Tech (8-5)
Week 8 | Georgia Tech (5-7)
Week 9 | BYE
Week 10 | @ #13 Duke (10-3)
Week 11 | Liberty (7-7)
Week 12 | @ Florida State (5-7)
Week 13 | BYE
Week 14 | Virginia (7-6)

Coastal Carolina 2031 Roster
96 Overall // 94 Overall // 98 Overall

QB Coastal_Carolina

Name	Class	Height	Weight	Orig OVR	Current OVR	Tendency	Dev Trait
Andre Koloamatangi	JR(RS)	6'4	195	74	84	Dual Threat	Normal
Fredrick Meredith	FR(RS)	6'5	206	76	82	Dual Threat	Impact
Tobias Gallimore	JR(RS)	5'11	195	67	81	Pure Runner	Star
Ezekiel Sanders	FR	6'4	198	76	76	Dual Threat	Normal

HB Coastal_Carolina

Name	Class	Height	Weight	Orig OVR	Current OVR	Tendency	Dev Trait
Devin Hajrullahu	SR(RS)	5'10	199	88	88	East/West	Star
Justice Spear	FR(RS)	5'10	209	74	86	Backfield Threat	Elite
Jason Toppins	JR	6'1	206	78	83	North/South Blocker	Impact
Duke Kryspin	FR(RS)	6'4	216	74	80	Backfield Threat	Normal
Jalen Rawls	FR	5'10	194	77	77	Contact Seeker	Elite

WR Coastal_Carolina

Name	Class	Height	Weight	Orig OVR	Current OVR	Tendency	Dev Trait
Bernie Bender	JR	6'4	171	75	84	Speedster	Impact
David Goedeke	JR	6'2	203	74	84	Physical Route Runner	Normal
Denard Cruise	JR(RS)	5'11	183	84	84	Speedster	Impact
Carl Kopp	JR	6'4	176	75	82	Speedster	Impact
Frank DuBose	SO(RS)	5'10	192	74	80	Route Artist	Impact
Tyler Hagg	FR(RS)	5'11	188	76	80	Route Artist	Star
Tavares Tinker	FR(RS)	6'4	166	75	80	Speedster	Impact
Brayden Sharpe	FR(RS)	6'0	189	74	78	Gadget	Impact
Santiago Emanuel II	FR	5'11	183	75	75	Elusive Route Runner	Star

TE Coastal_Carolina

Name	Class	Height	Weight	Orig OVR	Current OVR	Tendency	Dev Trait
Jamal Stephen	SO	6'7	250	78	84	Pure Possession	Star
Percy LaRue	JR(RS)	6'1	187	77	81	Physical Route Runner	Normal
JaMichael Parris	JR(RS)	6'2	233	80	80	Physical Route Runner	Normal

T Coastal_Carolina

Name	Class	Height	Weight	Orig OVR	Current OVR	Tendency	Dev Trait
Antonio Tripucka	FR(RS)	6'7	330	79	87	Pass Pro	Elite
Devin Trinidad	FR(RS)	6'7	316	76	80	Agile	Impact
Lee Omameh	FR(RS)	6'6	323	77	78	Pass Pro	Normal
Rich Swenson	SO(RS)	6'6	280	65	77	Well Rounded	Impact
Clyde Self	SR(RS)	6'3	310	63	77	Well Rounded	Impact

G Coastal_Carolina

Name	Class	Height	Weight	Orig OVR	Current OVR	Tendency	Dev Trait
Connor Payne	JR(RS)	6'1	306	75	92	Raw Strength	Star
Jesus Sosa	JR(RS)	6'3	320	86	91	Pass Pro	Impact
Ty Sahara	FR(RS)	6'5	296	76	80	Agile	Impact
Slade Levcik	SO(RS)	6'5	326	75	78	Raw Strength	Normal
Darrell Briscoe	JR(RS)	6'2	302	65	76	Agile	Normal
Keelan LeCounte	FR(RS)	6'4	321	67	75	Raw Stength	Star
Juan Gammon	FR	6'4	296	74	74	Agile	Impact
Jose Small	FR	6'4	311	76	76	Well Rounded	Elite
Mike Kinlaw	FR	6'4	285	75	75	Well Rounded	Star

C Coastal_Carolina

Name	Class	Height	Weight	Orig OVR	Current OVR	Tendency	Dev Trait
Alan Hofmann	SR(RS)	6'3	288	93	93	Well Rounded	Impact
DeAndre Conte	SO(RS)	6'1	293	77	80	Raw Stength	Impact
Nick Cobb	SO(RS)	6'3	290	70	79	Agile	Star
Willie Sails	FR	6'1	289	76	76	Agile	Star
Dawann Wilfork	FR	6'3	306	68	68	Agile	Star

DE Coastal_Carolina

Name	Class	Height	Weight	Orig OVR	Current OVR	Tendency	Dev Trait
JD Coward	SR(RS)	6'3	240	93	93	Power Rusher	Star
Eric Wheat	SR	6'3	261	77	90	Pure Power	Star
Brooks Wheat	SR(RS)	6'1	237	84	90	Speed Rusher	Star
Alfonso Smith	SO(RS)	6'3	261	83	88	Speed Rusher	Elite
Jason Ivory	FR(RS)	6'5	287	76	78	Speed Rusher	Normal
Imani Wake	SO(RS)	6'5	228	70	81	Pure Power	Impact
Monte Miner	FR	6'5	243	82	82	Speed Rusher	Star
Richard Hatch	FR	6'4	236	82	82	Power Rusher	Star

DT Coastal_Carolina

Name	Class	Height	Weight	Orig OVR	Current OVR	Tendency	Dev Trait
Tyree Witherspoon	SR(RS)	6'4	261	93	93	Gap Specialist	Impact
Mitch Dora	SR(RS)	6'1	304	86	90	Gap Specialist	Impact
Jermaine Uzomah	SO(RS)	6'4	303	79	84	Power Rusher	Star
Lionel Ruggins	JR(RS)	6'3	299	76	83	Pure Power	Normal

LB Coastal_Carolina

Name	Class	Height	Weight	Orig OVR	Current OVR	Tendency	Dev Trait
Cary Tatum	JR	6'0	235	78	82	Thumper	Normal
Carl Urbik	FR(RS)	6'0	225	78	82	Thumper	Star
Craig Bragg	SO(RS)	6'2	217	75	81	Lurker	Normal
Derek Chris	FR(RS)	6'3	225	77	80	Thumper	Impact
Damon Hakim	JR(RS)	6'1	211	68	77	Signal Caller	Normal
Quincy Creer	FR	6'2	225	76	76	Signal Caller	Normal
Trevor Bausby	FR	6'2	225	78	78	Thumper	Elite

MLB Coastal_Carolina

Name	Class	Height	Weight	Orig OVR	Current OVR	Tendency	Dev Trait
Ty Oden	SR(RS)	6'0	248	89	92	Thumper	Star
Nick Farrior	SR	5'11	234	77	84	Thumper	Impact
Anthony Atogwe	FR(RS)	6'1	214	80	84	Signal Caller	Star
Jeremy Snyder	SR(RS)	6'0	245	68	82	Thumper	Impact
Demetrius Anger	SR(RS)	5'11	225	68	76	Lurker	Normal
Cordell Marvin	FR	6'0	222	77	77	Thumper	Impact

CB Coastal_Carolina

Name	Class	Height	Weight	Orig OVR	Current OVR	Tendency	Dev Trait
Mike Momah	JR	6'2	213	76	93	Boundary	Elite
Xavier Montague	JR(RS)	6'2	190	75	87	Field	Star
Emanuel Abrams	FR(RS)	6'2	208	78	84	Field	Star
John Landman	SO	5'11	196	78	83	Field	Star
Eric Stubbs	SR(RS)	6'0	204	64	80	Bump and Run	Impact
Dexter Bibbs	FR	6'2	171	79	79	Bump and Run	Star
DeShawn Dicker	FR	6'1	162	77	77	Bump and Run	Normal
Hugh Boselli	FR(RS)	6'1	205	75	76	Field	Normal
Jacques Howe	FR	5'11	197	75	75	Bump and Run	Star

FS Coastal_Carolina

Name	Class	Height	Weight	Orig OVR	Current OVR	Tendency	Dev Trait
AJ Drumfour	JR(RS)	6'0	191	76	84	Coverage Specialist	Impact
Sean Maggio	SO	6'3	212	77	78	Hybrid	Impact
Trevor Iverson	FR(RS)	6'2	195	75	75	Hybrid	Normal
Keke Allotey	FR	6'1	192	75	75	Coverage Specialist	Elite

SS Coastal_Carolina

Name	Class	Height	Weight	Orig OVR	Current OVR	Tendency	Dev Trait
Caleb Karapateas	SR	6'2	237	81	87	Box Specialist	Impact
Randy Granger	SO(RS)	6'2	175	81	84	Coverage Specialist	Normal
Ross Gossett	SO	5'10	214	74	74	Box Specialist	Normal
Channing Armour	FR	6'0	197	77	77	Coverage Specialist	Star

K/P Coastal_Carolina

Name	Class	Height	Weight	Orig OVR	Current OVR	Tendency	Dev Trait
K Gene Marable	FR	6'0	182	77	77	Accurate	Normal
P Nate Peter	SO	6'3	199	79	83	Power	Impact

[djp73]

squad looks pretty stacked

[Soapy]

good luck typing Koloamatangi, would bench him just for that

[djp73]

good luck typing Koloamatangi, would bench him just for that

my kicker had a wild ass name in one of my chises that pissed me off every time i had to write it

[Captain Canada]

This roster is so elite. Holy shit.