The Butch Jones era at Arkansas State has gotten progressively better each season.
After taking over the program in 2021, Jones enters his fifth season in Jonesboro. Last season was the Red Wolves’ first bowl victory since 2019, which was big exclamation mark after a 7-5 regular season.
Arkansas State claims their first bowl win since 2019, and first under Coach Butch Jones!#WolvesUp 🐺🤘🏻 pic.twitter.com/LEsnAmLBUw
— Arkansas State Football (@AStateFB) December 27, 2024
Arkansas State has shown massive improvements over the past couple seasons especially and is now ready to legitimately compete for a SBC West Division title. The Red Wolves may look very different this season but they are especially grateful for the return of Jaylen Raynor and Corey Rucker– arguably the best QB-WR duo in all of the Group of 5.
During Butch Jones time at the Sun Belt media days last month Jones spoke about the challenges of almost brand new roster this season.
“The challenge for us, amongst many challenges is how quickly we come together,” said Jones. “I think that’s the key to the whole drill. We have 60 plus new scholarship players. We have only five returning starters in our entire football program.
“We did a study on our current team of what we call ‘100 competitive reps,'” Jones went on. “And that’s 100 competitive game, live repetitions that we have among players that have played at Arkansas State. On offense, we have nine. On defense, we have four. So a lot of challenges in moving forward.”
Starting quarterback Jaylen Raynor also spoke at Sun Belt Media Days about his offseason development. Raynor attended the Manning passing academy this summer with some of the best quarterback prospects in the nation, learning straight from the Mannings and former NFL head coach Jon Gruden.
“One main thing I took from Jon Gruden was, as a quarterback, he focuses on quickness,” said Raynor. “He focuses on mental quickness, body quickness, and arm quickness. He talks about how you can’t be quick enough as a quarterback. Being able to process information, eliminate through your progressions and things like that.”
Arkansas State QB Jaylen Raynor!!
Love this guy, man!! pic.twitter.com/xLauJnnaPW
— Jon Gruden (@BarstoolGruden) June 27, 2025
Roster Turnover
According to 247Sports, Arkansas State had 27 outgoing transfers and 37 incoming transfers. With roster turnover like that, it is going to be difficult to predict what this team looks like.
On the offensive side of the ball, the return of Raynor, who had 2,783 passing yards and 16 touchdowns last season, and Corey Rucker, 1,053 receiving yards, was a massive win for Jones this past offseason.
Running back Ja’Quez Cross also returns. Cross accounted for 866 all-purpose yards last season, making up 17% of the offense by himself.
The return of offensive lineman Noah Smith is also a big piece to help this offense, as he was one of the top offensive lineman in the Sun Belt last season.
Via the portal, Arkansas State added some important skill position players like halfback Kenyon Clay (Southern Miss), receiver Demarcco Blanton (Southwest Mississippi CC), and receiver Jaylen Bonelli (Wagner).
Corey Rucker makes history—again.
Named to the Maxwell Award Watchlist, the first Red Wolf since 2021.🔗: https://t.co/MtYE6Qw2nR#WolvesUp🐺 | #PoundTheRock🪨🔨 pic.twitter.com/YdY95srb9T
— Arkansas State Football (@AStateFB) July 28, 2025
Over on the defensive side of the ball may be Arkansas State’s most important player in defensive end Bryan Whitehead. Whitehead was named as First Team Preseason All-Conference Defense.
James Reed III, Braden Jackson, and Brandon Greil are all set for breakout seasons in the secondary, even with less experience in that group. Arkansas State brought in some exciting talent, including AG McGhee (Marshall), Cody Sigler (West Alabama), Simeon Mitchell (McNeese), and Devyn Curtis (MTSU).
For more information on Arkansas State’s roster turnover, click here.
Schedule
Arkansas State is another SBC team with an awesome non-conference slate. They’ll kick off their season this weekend against Southeastern Missouri before a trip to Little Rock for an in state neutral site game against Arkansas next weekend. Sep 13. They will host Iowa State, a rare occurrence where a power conference team comes to a Sun Belt venue.
Conference wise, the Red Wolves kick off their SBC slate on Sep. 27 at Louisiana-Monroe before a big-time West Division matchup against Texas State (Oct. 4). They will host Georgia Southern on Oct. 25 and Louisiana on Nov. 20, which could be one of the biggest SBC West games of the season.
Projected Record
Floor: 5-7
Ceiling: 8-4
Prediction: 7-5
Story to Watch
Jaylen Raynor appears hungry and believes he has developed even further this offseason. With his favorite target, Corey Rucker, back in the mix, they could be one of the most exciting duos in all of college football.
Jones has improved every season at the helm in Jonesboro, and last season was a huge step forward. Keeping that momentum is critical for the progression of his program.
With the return of your two most important skill position players, putting up points should come naturally. The defense will have to pull their weight in a less-experienced group to make sure the Red Wolves achieve their goals.
This team can be a dark horse team in the West if they play to their ceiling.
About The Author
Hope Butch and his team have a great season. Lots of incoming transfers so hope they all jell. Pretty interesting that Iowa State is coming to Arkansas State. Hoping they can make it to the Championship game. Thank for the preview.