The Western Athletic Conference coaches released their preseason poll on July 27, 2021. The Bearkats were picked to finish first in the conference. In addition, several Bearkats were selected to the preseason WAC Offense, Defense, and Special teams. Eric Schmid was selected preseason offensive player of the year. Jahari Kay was selected defensive player of the year.[2]
Predicted finish
Team
Votes (1st place)
1
Sam Houston
20 (5)
2
Stephen F. Austin
16 (1)
3
Tarleton State
11
4
Lamar
8
5
Abilene Christian
5
Note: Dixie State is not included since they are not playing a full WAC schedule due to previous non-conference game contracts. Dixie State players are eligible for individual rewards.
Preseason All–WAC Team
edit
Offense
Eric Schmid – Quarterback, JR
Ramon Jefferson – Running back, JR
Ramon Jefferson – Running back, JR
Jequez Ezzard – Wide receiver, GR
Isaac Schley – Tight end, GR
Eleasah Anderson – Offensive lineman, JR
Prince Pines – Offensive lineman, SO
Colby Thomas – Offensive lineman, SR
Defense
Jahari Kay – Defensive lineman, SR
Trace Mascorro – Defensive lineman, SR
Joseph Wallace – Defensive lineman, SR
Quentin Brown – Linebacker, JR
Trevor Williams – Linebacker, JR
Zyon McCollum – Defensive back, SR
Jalen Thomas – Defensive back, SR
Special teams
Seth Morgan – Kicker, FR
Matt McRobert – Punter, SR
Jequez Ezzard – Kick Returner, GR
The AQ7 coaches also released their preseason poll on July 27, 2021. The Bearkats were picked to finish first in the ASUN-WAC Challenge.[3]
Predicted finish
Team
Votes (1st place)
1
Sam Houston State
49 (7)
2
Central Arkansas
40
3
Jacksonville State
37
4
Stephen F. Austin
27
5
Eastern Kentucky
20
6
Abilene Christian
15
7
Lamar
8
2021 Sam Houston Bearkats football team roster
Players
Coaches
Offense
Pos.
#
Name
Class
WR
2
Ife Adeyi
So
QB
3
Eric Schmid
Jr
RB
4
Ramon Jefferson
Jr
QB
5
Keegan Shoemaker
So
RB
6
Noah Smith
So
WR
7
Dewaylon Ingram
Jr
QB
10
Mike Dare
GS
QB
11
Gunner Capps
Fr
WR
12
Jequez Ezzard
GS
WR
14
Ryan Humphries
So
WR
15
Tony Williams
Jr
TE
16
Isaac Schley
Sr
QB
17
Matthew Southern
Fr
QB
18
Trapper Pannell
Fr
WR
19
Brennon Tibbs
Sr
RB
20
Daryon Triche
Fr
RB
24
Harrison Smith
Fr
RB
25
Donovan Williams
Jr
RB
26
Kyran Jackson
Sr
TE
27
Dalton Meyer
So
RB
28
Charles Crawford III
Fr
OL
51
Jalen North
Fr
OL
52
Colby Thomas
Sr
OL
56
Daniel Melendez
Jr
OL
57
Ethan Hagler
So
OL
59
Will Jones
Fr
OL
60
Seth Kohlscheen
Fr
OL
61
Noah Barboza
Jr
OL
62
Anthony Turrubiartes
Jr
OL
64
Ben Bankston
Jr
OL
65
Ylijaah Hall
So
OL
66
D'Ary Patton
Fr
OL
70
Miguel Garcia
GS
OL
71
Walter Harris III
Sr
OL
73
Moses Johnson
Jr
OL
74
Kevin Brown
Jr
OL
75
Eleasah Anderson
Jr
OL
76
Prince Pines
So
OL
77
Peyton Fifield
So
WR
80
Dee Bownes
So
WR
81
Derrick Rose
Fr
WR
83
Quan Ardoin
Jr
TE
84
Keontae Richardson
Fr
TE
85
Rowsy Godwin
Fr
TE
86
Jarvis Brooks
Sr
WR
88
Chandler Harvin
So
WR
89
Cody Chrest
GS
Defense
Pos.
#
Name
Class
LB
1
Trevor Williams
Jr
DB
5
Darrel Hawkins-Williams
So
LB
8
Quentin Brown
Sr
DB
9
Jaylen Thomas
Sr
DB
13
Isaiah Downes
Jr
DB
17
Ke'Shon Murray
Jr
DB
21
Kameryn Alexander
So
DB
22
Zyon McCollum
Sr
DB
23
Tristin McCollum
Sr
S
24
Evrin Hawkins
Jr
DB
25
Truman Bexley
Fr
DB
26
R. J. Bendert
Fr
DB
27
Savien Arnett
Fr
LB
28
Rance McInnis
Fr
LB
29
Danzell Sims
Sr
DB
30
Taylen Blaylock
Fr
S
31
Immanuel Sutton
So
LB
33
Markel Perry
Jr
DB
34
Emmonte Davis
Fr
DB
35
Tobias Weaver
Fr
DB
36
Braiden Clopton
Fr
DB
38
Trey Smith
Jr
DB
40
Carson Horner
Fr
LB
42
Jaylen Phillips
Fr
LB
43
Trey Fields
Fr
DE
44
Juan Henry
So
DB
45
Daniel North
Fr
DB
46
Jalan Mayed
So
LB
48
Goodness Nwawuihe
Fr
LB
50
Ysidro Mascorro
Fr
LB
51
Trey Mappe
Fr
LB
54
Nick Abengowe
Fr
DL
55
Jahari Kay
Sr
DE
58
L. J. Salazar
So
DL
63
Roscoe Jones
So
DL
90
Trace Mascorro
Sr
DT
92
Scean Mustin
Sr
DL
93
Richard Outland
Fr
DL
94
Jevon Leon
So
DL
95
Joseph Wallace
Sr
DL
96
Zach Loane
Jr
DL
97
Chris Scott
So
DE
98
Briceon Haynes
Fr
Special teams
Pos.
#
Name
Class
P
37
Cameron Hearn
Sr
K
39
Reed Honshtein
Fr
LS
41
Noah Caldwell
Jr
P
47
Matt McRobert
Sr
LS
53
Tanner Boston
So
K
87
Seth Morgan
Fr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Ryan Carty (offensive coordinator / quarterbacks)
Clayton Carlin (defensive coordinator / safeties)
Gary McGraw (special teams coordinator / Cornerbacks / defensive passing game coordinator)
Terence Archer (passing game coordinator / wide receivers)
Chris Buckner (running backs)
Chris Rogers (offensive line)
Siddiq Haynes (defensive line)
Joe Morris (defensive ends)
Jared Hensley (linebackers)
Matt Merkens (tight ends)
Clayton Barnes (director of football operations & player personnel
Parker Whiteman (strength and conditioning)
Legend
(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
Roster Last update: July 16, 2021
Date Time Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance 8:00 p.m. at Northern Arizona * No. 1 ESPN+ W 42–168,564
September 11 6:00 p.m. Southeast Missouri State * No. 1 ESPN+ W 52–147,728
September 25 4:00 p.m. at No. 25 Central Arkansas No. 1 ESPN+ W 45–359,475
October 2 4:00 p.m. vs. Stephen F. Austin No. 1 ESPN+ W 21–2025,007
October 9 2:00 p.m. Lamar No. 1 Bowers Stadium Huntsville, TX ESPN+ W 41–79,836
October 23 2:00 p.m. Jacksonville State No. 1 Bowers Stadium Huntsville, TX (WAC/ASUN Challenge) ESPN+ W 42–77,559
October 30 6:00 p.m. at Tarleton State No. 1 ESPN+ W 45–278,245
November 6 12:00 p.m. Dixie State No. 1 Bowers Stadium Huntsville, TX ESPN+ W 59–105,004
November 13 12:00 p.m. Eastern Kentucky No. 1 Bowers Stadium Huntsville, TX (WAC/ASUN Challenge) ESPN+ W 42–286,570
November 20 1:00 p.m. at Abilene Christian No. 1 ESPN+ W 35–94,421
December 4 2:00 p.m. No. 13 Incarnate Word * No. 1 ESPN+ W 49–426,722
December 11 8:30 p.m. No. 7 Montana State * No. 1 ESPN+ L 19–427,565
[4] [5]
1
2
3
4
Total
No. 1 Bearkats
7
14
14
7
42
Lumberjacks
0
7
9
0
16
Statistics
Statistics
Sam Houston
Northern Arizona
First downs
24
20
Total yards
562
383
Rushing yards
294
91
Passing yards
268
292
Turnovers
2
2
Time of possession
28:53
31:07
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Sam Houston
Passing
Eric Schmid
21/37, 268 yards, 3 TDS, 1 INT
Rushing
Ramon Jefferson
11 carries 143 yards, long 45 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Cody Chrest
7 catches, 106 yards, long 45 yards.
Northern Arizona
Passing
Jeff Widener
20/34, 275 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing
Jeff Widener
9 carries, 33 yards, long 17 yards
Receiving
Stacy Chukwumezie
6 catches, 113 yard, long 54 yards, 1 TD
Southeast Missouri State
edit
1
2
3
4
Total
Redhawks
7
7
0
0
14
No. 1 Bearkats
7
24
14
7
52
At No. 25 Central Arkansas
edit
1
2
3
4
Total
No. 1 Bearkats
14
17
0
14
45
No. 25 Bears
7
7
14
7
35
Vs. Stephen F. Austin
edit
1
2
3
4
Total
Lumberjacks
10
3
7
0
20
No. 1 Bearkats
0
6
0
15
21
1
2
3
4
Total
Cardinals
0
7
0
0
7
No. 1 Bearkats
14
6
7
14
41
Statistics
Statistics
Lamar
Sam Houston
First downs
10
24
Total yards
158
438
Rushing yards
23
267
Passing yards
135
171
Turnovers
0
1
Time of possession
31:39
28:21
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Lamar
Passing
Mike Chandler
11/18, 135 yards
Rushing
Chaz Ward
11 carries, 23 yards, long 8 yards
Receiving
Jeremy Davis
2 catches, 52 yard, long 28 yards
Sam Houston
Passing
Eric Schmid
13/31, 159 yards, 2 TDS
Rushing
Noah Smith
14 carries 120 yards, long 49 yards
Receiving
Cody Chrest
4 catches, 81 yards, long 37 yards.
1
2
3
4
Total
Gamecocks
7
0
0
0
7
No. 1 Bearkats
7
14
21
0
42
1
2
3
4
Total
No. 1 Bearkats
14
14
17
0
45
Texans
14
0
0
13
27
1
2
3
4
Total
Trailblazers
0
0
3
7
10
No. 1 Bearkats
28
17
7
7
59
1
2
3
4
Total
Colonels
0
0
14
14
28
No. 1 Bearkats
7
14
14
7
42
At Abilene Christian
edit
1
2
3
4
Total
No. 1 Bearkats
14
14
7
0
35
Wildcats
0
3
6
0
9
Players drafted into the NFL
edit
^ "ASUN, WAC form 2021 alliance, seek FCS playoff bid" . Verizon Media. February 23, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021 .
^ "WAC Coaches Select Sam Houston, Schmid, Kay as Preseason Favorites" . Western Athletic Conference. July 27, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021 .
^ "AQ7 Coaches Select Sam Houston as Preseason Favorite" . Western Athletic Conference. July 27, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021 .
^ "2021 Sam Houston State Bearkats Football Schedule" . GoBearkats.com .
^ "2021 Sam Houston State Football Schedule" . FBSchedules.com . Archived from the original on May 18, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021 .