SENATOBIA - Although college football season began for some teams last weekend, the first official week of the 2025 season will commence this week, with several games stretching from Thursday well into Labor Day weekend.
In all, a total of 41 former Northwest football student-athletes will suit up for FBS and FCS programs to kick off the season. That number includes numerous standouts from last year's MACCC Championship roster, including NJCAA All-Americans
Jakheem Shumpert (Mississippi State),
D.J. Burgess (Charlotte) and other notable names such as
LaParka Langston (UCF),
Tyeland Coleman (Florida State) and
Keshawn Davila (Arkansas).
With the transfer portal now a common part of the college football landscape, several Northwest alums have found new homes. Some of the most notable Rangers on the move include Sam Brumfield to Memphis, Jykeveous "Red" Hibbler to Mississippi State and D.T. Sheffield to Rutgers.
(*NOTE: All games, dates, times and channels are subject to change. Times listed are Central Standard Time.)
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Thursday, August 28
Rutgers vs. Ohio - 5 P.M.
Former Rangers: RU - D.T. Sheffield (WR); OHIO - Byron "Tank" Pearson (DB)
Where to Watch: Big Ten Network
UCF vs. Jacksonville State - 6 P.M.
Former Rangers: UCF -
LaParka Langston (OL)
Where to Watch: ESPN+
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ULM vs. St. Francis (Pa.) - 6 P.M.
Former Rangers: ULM -
Tristan Shorter (LB),
Jay Mickle (OL)
Where to Watch: ESPN+
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Missouri vs. Central Arkansas - 6:30 P.M.
Former Rangers: MU - Stephen Hall (DB); UCA - Cam Young (RB), Rontavious "Dude" Person (DB),
Jacorey Jones (LB),
Where to Watch: SEC Network
Samford vs. West Georgia - 6:30 P.M.
Former Rangers: SAM -
Caulen Dunn (LB)
Where to Watch: ESPN+
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Northwestern State vs. Alcorn State - 7 P.M.
Former Rangers: NWST - Xavier "Zay" Davis (RB); ALCORN -
Elijah Ruffin (DB)
Where to Watch: ESPN+
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UAB vs. Alabama State - 7:30 P.M.
Former Rangers: ASU - Derick Harden (TE/OL)
Where to Watch: ESPN+
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Friday, August 29
Wake Forest vs. Kennesaw State - 6 P.M.
Former Rangers: KSU - Rod Daniels (DL)
Where to Watch: ACC Network
Charlotte vs. Appalachian State - 6 P.M.
Former Rangers: CHA -
Zach Wilcke (QB),
K.D. Gibson (WR), E. Jai Mason (WR),
D.J. Burgess (DL),
Jaylon Johnson (DL)
Where to Watch: ESPNU
Saturday, August 30
Southern Miss vs. Mississippi State - 11 A.M.
Former Rangers: USM - Quinzavious Warren (DL), Zion Edwards (LB); MSST -
Jakheem Shumpert (OL), Jykeveous "Red" Hibbler (DL)
Where to Watch: ESPN
Louisville vs. Eastern Kentucky - 2 P.M.
Former Rangers: EKU - Kylan Robinson (LB)
Where to Watch: ACC Network
Jackson State vs. Hampton - 2 P.M.
Former Rangers: JSU - Dimonyai Lacey (DL), B.J. Washington (DB)
Where to Watch: HBCU Go (YouTube)
Florida State vs. #8 Alabama - 2:30 P.M.
Former Rangers: FSU -
Tyeland Coleman (DL)
Where to Watch: ABC
Arkansas vs. Alabama A&M - 3:15 P.M.
Former Rangers: ARK -
Keshawn Davila (DB)
Where to Watch: SEC Network
Memphis vs. Chattanooga - 3:30 P.M.
Former Rangers: MEM - Rayyan Buell (DL), Sam Brumfield (LB), Tanner Gillis (P/K)
Where to Watch: ESPN+
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Virginia vs. Coastal Carolina - 5 P.M.
Former Rangers: CCU -
Joshua Humes (TE),
Fredd Adams (DB)
Where to Watch: ACC Network
Troy vs. Nicholls - 6 P.M.
Former Rangers: NICHOLLS - William Stewart (LS)
Where to Watch: ESPN+
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Arkansas State vs. Southeast Missouri State - 6 P.M.
Former Rangers: SEMO -
Jalen Nettles (OL)
Where to Watch: ESPN+
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#23 Texas Tech vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff - 6:30 P.M.
Former Rangers: TTU - Davion Carter (OL); UAPB - Ja'Marlin Green (DB)
Where to Watch: ESPN+
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Louisiana Tech vs. Southeastern Louisiana - 6:30 P.M.
Former Rangers: SELU - Khamron Ford (DB)
Where to Watch: ESPN+
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#21 Ole Miss vs. Georgia State - 6:45 P.M.
Former Rangers: OM - Tavion Prather (DL)
Where to Watch: ESPN+
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Texas Southern vs. Prairie View A&M - 7 P.M.
Former Rangers: TXSO - Thurman Rayborn (DL); PVAMU - Dylan Spencer (OL)
Where to Watch: SWAC TV (YouTube)
New Mexico State vs. Bryant - 8 P.M.
Former Rangers: NMSU -
Saveon Freeman (DB)
Where to Watch: ESPN+
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