2026 Bowling Green State Depth Chart

Why the quarterback spot drives the whole projection

Bowling Green’s 2026 fantasy ecosystem starts with stability—because 2025’s offense never got it (four different QBs, low passing volume, and a 20.5 points-per-game baseline that caps everyone’s weekly ceiling).

The staff clearly attacked that problem by importing Austin Novosad, a former top-shelf high school recruit (247Sports grade 94; QB #13 in his class) with a solid transfer-market grade (On3 transfer portal rating 86.50) and two years of eligibility—signals that he’s the intended Week 1 solution.

That said, the highest fantasy contingency is Jay Kastantin: he arrives with real dual-threat production (530 rushing yards and 5 rushing TD in 2025; 710 career rush yards and 9 rush TD) and enough passing efficiency to win games if he’s forced into action—making him the QB2 by upside even if the “safe” coaches’ depth order ends up closer.

How touches are likely to be distributed

The backfield projection is mostly a bet on who can survive variance in an offense that’s still trying to find its identity under OC Greg Nosal (now the solo OC after taking over primary play-calling late in 2025).

Austyn Dendy gets the RB1 nod because he’s the only returning runner with meaningful FBS rushing volume (108–493–5) and he’s explicitly framed as a returning offensive pillar in spring coverage—usually a strong tell for early-season workload.

Ke’Marion Baldwin is the direct threat to Dendy’s ceiling: he brings true feature-back reps from Charleston Southern (159–778–6) plus some receiving (8–38), which is exactly the profile that can force a committee and siphon goal-line chances, even if he’s not a recruiting “name.”

Nakai Amachree settles in as the RB3 primarily because the recruiting eval is real (247 grade 85) and the room behind the top two is thin enough that a change-of-pace + pass-game lane can appear quickly.

Where the target tree should concentrate

The receiving room is basically a redistribution exercise after major pass-game departures (including TE Jacob Harris) and the graduation of 2025’s TE centerpiece, leaving target share up for grabs.

Isaiah Dawson is the cleanest WR1 bet because he already earned volume (42–575–4 receiving with added rushing production) and fits as the kind of manufactured-touch slot/utility player who can produce even if the overall passing pie stays modest.

The WR2 slot goes to Austin Clay as the highest “talent beats uncertainty” swing: he’s a Power-4 transfer (Michigan State) with credible recruiting/HS context (BGSU notes he was rated Ohio’s No. 2 WR in his class by 247Sports), and Novosad’s scouting profile leans toward winning from structure—good for a receiver who can separate on timing routes.

Brennan Ridley is the most volatile piece: he’s a real big-play threat, but there’s at least some role-stability risk after the February court outcome (disorderly conduct conviction after a plea), so he lands behind the “safer” volume bets even though he can absolutely lead the team in yards in any given month.

After that, the projection prioritizes touchdown and snap access: the 6’5 bodies (Winn Sharp and Nick Sowell) are the likeliest red-zone consolidators, while Trey Johnson is the veteran floor play who can keep a weekly route role even if his ceiling is capped.

At TE, Eli Jacon-Duffy wins TE1 mostly because the room lacks a proven target hog and he has the prototype frame; Blane Cleaver is the TE2 because his profile fits “situational TD equity” more than steady route volume.