North Texas

The Mean Green enter 2026 dealing with unprecedented roster churn after their best season in recent memory. Thirty-eight players departed through the portal, including quarterback Drew Mestemaker (161.7 PPA) who headed to Oklahoma State along with running back Caleb Hawkins (71.4 PPA) and receiver Wyatt Young (62.8 PPA). New head coach Neal Brown inherits a program grading out at -3.3 points per play nationally (#87) with an offense that should remain functional (+2.1, #45) but a defense that needs significant improvement (-5.4, #123). The biggest portal addition is quarterback Tayven Jackson (80.2 PPA) from UCF, who figures to compete for the starting job, while receiver Corri Milliner (24.3 PPA from UAB) and running back Jahiem White (4.7 PPA from West Virginia) provide depth at skill positions.

JP+ projects 5.3 wins for North Texas despite coming off an 11-2 campaign, reflecting both the coaching transition and massive talent drain that saw 404.3 PPA leave compared to just 106.8 arriving. The schedule includes challenging road trips to Indiana, Navy, and UTSA, though home games against UAB, Charlotte, and Houston Christian offer opportunities to build momentum. If Jackson can quickly establish himself as a capable replacement for Mestemaker and Brown's defensive system shows immediate improvement, the Mean Green could exceed modest expectations. If not, this becomes a rebuilding year in the American Athletic Conference.