2026 Ball State University Depth Chart

Program context and offensive environment

Ball State enters 2026 in a “build + churn” phase under Mike Uremovich, whose first season as head coach was 2025.

The baseline fantasy environment matters: Ball State’s 2025 team-level scoring profile was low (15.8 points per game), which naturally compresses weekly ceilings for ancillary skill players and puts a premium on concentrated usage, touchdowns, and rushing production.

That said, Uremovich’s background is offense-centric (previous OC stops at Temple and Northern Illinois, plus productive offensive results at Butler), so the 2026 fantasy outlook is better framed as “volatile with pathways,” not “hard-capped forever.”

The Northern Illinois quarterback room enters 2026 in full reset mode following Josh Holst’s transfer portal exit and Jackson Proctor’s departure. Jalen Macon projects as QB1 after seizing the starting role in Weeks 10–12 of the 2025 season, closing his redshirt junior year with 216 rushing yards, five rushing TDs, and dual-threat upside that fits new OC Tony Petersen’s up-tempo system—Petersen’s Illinois State offense averaged over 30 points per game and reached the FCS title game in 2025. Brady Davidson, who made two MAC starts as a true freshman in 2025 and showed composure, slots in at QB2 with a realistic path to the job if spring competition breaks his way. Ean Hamric, the portal addition familiar with former OC Quinn Sanders’ schemes, rounds out the room. Neither Davidson nor Hamric has demonstrated sustained FBS-level passing efficiency, making this a dynasty hold situation at best with minimal safe fantasy investment in 2026.

The running back room is NIU’s clearest fantasy asset heading into Mountain West play. Telly Johnson Jr. is the unquestioned RB1 after rushing for 712 yards (5.7 YPC) and four scores in 2025 as a sophomore, absorbing lead-back duties as Chavon Wright (875 yards, eligibility exhausted) and Jaylen Poe (transferred) exited. Johnson’s combination of explosion, pass-catching ability, and NIU’s run-first identity make him one of the better G5 dynasty targets at the position. Romelo Ware and redshirt freshman Ahmir Smith provide backup depth but offer limited immediate fantasy upside. At receiver, DeAree Rogers—who led NIU with 41+ catches in 2025 before briefly entering the portal and returning in January—remains the top pass-catcher and default slot target. Portal addition Cam Thompson fills a key role vacated by Gary Givens’ portal exit, while La’Don Bryant (6-4 X receiver) and Rickey Taylor Jr. offer mid-round dynasty stash value if Petersen’s offense can unlock more volume. With Jake Appleget transferred out, JUCO import Glen Weber takes over the TE1 role and is worth a late-round CFBDynasty flier as the new OC historically utilizes tight ends.

Overall offensive outlook for 2026 is one of cautious optimism. NIU joins the Mountain West Conference with a schedule that includes road tests at Iowa and Arizona but features favorable MWC opponents like UTEP, Nevada, and Hawaii at home. Petersen’s arrival signals a philosophical shift toward a more pass-oriented attack after NIU ranked 133rd nationally in scoring (12.2 ppg) in 2025—the floor can only improve. Johnson is the lone bankable fantasy starter, Rogers the top receiving target. The offensive line loses three starters, creating real uncertainty about pass protection and run-blocking consistency that tempers the entire unit’s upside in 2026.