Coastal Carolina

Ryan Beard takes over a Coastal Carolina program that lost far more than it gained through the transfer portal, with 43 departures (123.9 PPA) dwarfing 30 arrivals (62.6 PPA). The Chanticleers' JP+ rating of -11.2 points ranks 126th nationally, reflecting struggles across all three phases with the offense (-5.8, 125th) and defense (-5.1, 121st) both among the nation's worst. Key losses include quarterbacks Samari Collier and Tad Hudson, plus receiver Cameron Wright, while the top addition is Missouri State transfer Tristian Gardner (33.1 PPA) at receiver. Clayton Coppock from Kennesaw State and Rice running back Daelen Alexander provide additional reinforcement, but the depth chart remains thin after the portal bloodletting.

JP+ projects just 0.2 wins for Coastal Carolina, reflecting the monumental rebuild facing Beard in his first head coaching opportunity. The schedule offers little relief with West Virginia representing both the toughest and easiest game on the slate. The quarterback position remains unsettled after losing both Collier and Hudson, leaving the new signal-caller to work with a receiving corps headlined by Gardner but lacking proven depth. If Beard can quickly establish an identity and the portal additions exceed expectations, a bowl game remains possible. If not, this becomes a foundation-laying season for a program that needs to stop the talent drain and rebuild its roster from the ground up.