The Rise of Presbyterian College Football: A New Era
Presbyterian College football experienced a monumental transformation, marked by a remarkable 10-win campaign and a climb in rankings. The 2025 season was a defining moment, shattering previous milestones and setting a new standard for the program.
A Season of Unprecedented Success
The accolades accumulated throughout the season stand as a testament to the dedication and hard work of the players and coaching staff. Presbyterian shattered multiple milestones in 2025. This was a banner year for Presbyterian College football. The national attention our student-athletes and coaches received speaks not only to their success on the field, but to the culture they’ve built-one rooted in perseverance, academic excellence, and genuine love for this program.
Individual Achievements and Team Recognition
Six players were recognized for their outstanding performance with spots on the All-Pioneer Football League’s First Team: quarterback Collin Hurst, wide receiver Cincere Gill, tight end Nathan Levicki, defensive lineman Carter Szydlowski, linebacker Boyce Bankhead, and defensive back Caleb Francis. Five more earned Second Team recognition: running back Justin Montgomery, all-purpose back Zach Switzer, offensive lineman JT Hill, defensive lineman Robert Porter, and freshman defensive back Camron Barber.
Adding to the list of honors, rookie punt returner Darriel Harper was named a Freshman All-American by Sports Illustrated’s FCS Football Central, placing him among an elite group of PFL players.
Collin Hurst: A Record-Breaking Quarterback
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Collin Hurst achieved a historic feat by earning the conference’s highest offensive honor for the second straight year. He became the first player in PFL history to win the Offensive Freshman of the Year award followed by the Offensive Player of the Year award in consecutive seasons.
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Hurst humbly attributed his success to his coaches, teammates, and a senior group that demonstrated exceptional leadership. “Individual awards are cool, but everything I earned came because of our coaches, my teammates, and a senior group that refused to let this season be anything less than special,” Hurst said. “It wasn’t a surprise to us,” he said.
Steve Englehart: Coach of the Year
Fourth-year head coach Steve Englehart received widespread recognition for his leadership, being voted PFL Coach of the Year and AFCA Region 4 Coach of the Year. He was also a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, which is given to the national FCS Coach of the Year. On Dec. 15, the college announced that the American Football Coaches Association has named Englehart as its National Coach of the Year.
Englehart, like Hurst, deflected praise, emphasizing the role of the players in the team's success. “Awards like this belong to the players,” he said. “Great teams are led by players, not coaches, and this senior class used the scars of the past to build a culture that refused to lose. It’s the team that is being recognized for what they have done on the field in between the white lines.
He also highlighted the team's commitment, noting that nearly the entire roster participated in voluntary workouts during the summer. “Nearly our entire roster came back in July for voluntary workouts,” he said. “That kind of commitment told us everything.
Academic Excellence
Presbyterian’s academic success matched its on-field performance. Three players-Hurst, Levicki, and Szydlowski-earned First Team All-Academic honors, while defensive back Zeb Stroup and kicker Peter Lipscombe received Second Team recognition.
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A Foundation for the Future
Both Hurst and Englehart emphasized that this season represents the beginning of a new era rather than the conclusion of one. Hurst said he plans to refine his footwork, mechanics, and command of the offense in the offseason, despite his record-setting year. Englehart added that the leadership and continuity developed over the past four years provide a strong blueprint for sustained success.
Historical Context
While Presbyterian College's recent success is noteworthy, it's important to consider the broader landscape of college football history. Programs like Michigan, Ohio State, Alabama, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma have established themselves as perennial powerhouses.
Michigan, for instance, captured its first national title since 1997. Ohio State, with nine national titles and seven Heisman winners, has consistently been a national title contender. Alabama has dominated the 21st century, securing six national titles. Notre Dame boasts nine national championships in the poll era and seven Heisman winners. Oklahoma has firmly established itself as one of the best programs of all time, as well as this century.
Other institutions like Penn State, Nebraska, and Yale also have significant histories. Penn State has a rich football history, including two national championships and one Heisman winner. Nebraska is trying to recapture its success in the 1970s through the late '90s, when the Huskers won five national championships and produced three Heisman Trophy winners. Yale played its first football game at least seven years before every other school on this list.
The 1898 Kentucky State College Blue and White Football Team
An example of early football programs is the 1898 Kentucky State College Blue and White football team represented Kentucky State College-now known as the University of Kentucky-during the 1898 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season. Led by first-year head coach W. R. October 15Co. H. ^ Toby Barnhart (August 2008). Southern Fried Football. p. 113. ^ Hambleton Tapp (1977). Kentucky:Decades of Discord. p. 113. ^ William Ellis (June 2011). A History of Education in Kentucky. p. 35. ^ Carl B. Cone (1989). The University of Kentucky: A Pictorial History. p. 32. ^ "Football at Lexington". The Courier-Journal. October 2, 1898. ^ "The State College team". The Courier-Journal. October 16, 1898. ^ "State College eleveen defeats Louisville's team". The Courier-Journal. October 30, 1898. ^ "Lexington the winner". The Cincinnati Enquirer. November 6, 1898. ^ "The 160th gone South". The Indianapolis Journal. November 10, 1898. ^ "State College won". The Courier-Journal. November 20, 1898.
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