Stanford Cardinal Football: Building a New Legacy

The Stanford Cardinal football team is undergoing significant transformation. This article delves into the 2025 roster, examining key players and position battles, while also considering the broader context of coaching changes and the team's outlook.

Coaching Changes and Instability

The 2025 season marks a period of considerable change for Stanford. Following investigations into bullying behavior, Troy Taylor was fired and replaced by NFL veteran Frank Reich, who signed a one-year deal as interim head coach. This abrupt change introduces uncertainty and raises questions about the team's direction and stability.

Key Players and Roster Overview

The Stanford Cardinal football team boasts a diverse roster with a mix of returning players, redshirt freshmen, and transfers from other universities. Here's a breakdown of the roster, highlighting key players:

Quarterbacks

Elijah Brown: Expected to be the full-time starter following the departure of Ashton Daniels to Auburn. Brown started three games last season after dealing with an injury.
Myles Jackson: Listed as the backup quarterback.
Ben Gulbranson: The No. 3 quarterback, transferring from Oregon State.
Dylan Rizk: A transfer from UCF and the fourth quarterback on the depth chart.

Running Backs

Micah Ford: Listed as the starter.
Sedrick Irvin: At No. 2. Sedrick Irvin attended Christopher Columbus High School and majors in Science, Tech. and Society.
Chris Davis Jr.: As the No. 3 ball carrier.
Champ Hampton: Falls just outside of the depth chart.

Wide Receivers

The wide receiver core has seen a lot of turnover. With the departure of guys such as Emmett Mosley V and Ismael Cisse among others, the depth chart is unrecognizable because it's an entirely new group that will be taking the field for the Cardinal this season.

Derrik Redd: A sophomore (a game-generated fake player).
Caden High: A transfer.

The next guys in line are Kareem Hall, Jordan Onovughe, and Ricky Galvin. Jordan Onovughe is a transfer from Colorado.

Read also: Stanford Admission GPA Guide

Tight Ends

Sam Roush: The starter.
Brendan Doyle and Benji Blackburn: Roush's backups. Benji Blackburn is a sophomore.

Offensive Line

Left Tackle: Sophomore Kahlil House is the starter.
Left Guard: Jack Leyrer is listed as the starter.
Center: James Cotton, a junior, is the starter.
Right Guard: Junior Simione Pale is the starter. Simione Pale hails from Elk Grove, California, and majors in Science, Technology, and Society.
Right Tackle: Transfer Niki Prongos is the listed starter. Niki Prongos is a transfer from UCLA.

Other notable offensive linemen include Fisher Anderson, Hayden Gunter, Ziron Brown, Quinton Barden, Allen Thomason, Lorenzo Owens, and Charlie Hoitink. Charlie Symonds is the No. 2 right tackle.

Defensive Players

Wilfredo Aybar: An outside linebacker from Cheshire Academy.
Hunter Barth: An inside linebacker transferring from Cal.
Zach Buckey: A defensive end from Garces Memorial.
Alejandro Chavez: A long snapper. Alejandro Chavez is from West Covina, California and majors in Design (Engineering).
Ernest Cooper: An outside linebacker. Ernest Cooper majors in Science, Tech. and Society, Psychology (Minor).
Ese Dubre: An inside linebacker.
Scotty Edwards: A safety. Scotty Edwards majors in Management Science and Engineering, Design.
Jahsiah Galvan: An inside linebacker. Jahsiah Galvan previously attended Northern Iowa.
Zach Johnson: An inside linebacker transferring from Idaho. Zach Johnson is a former Lake City High star.
Nathan Mejia: An offensive lineman transferring from Sacramento State.
Sam Neely III: A cornerback transferring from Wake Forest.
Adam Shovlin: A defensive end.
Tevarua Tafiti: An outside linebacker. Tevarua Tafiti majors in Sustainable Architecture and Engineering.
Breylan Thompson: A cornerback transferring from Yale.

Special Teams

Emmet Kenney: A kicker. Emmet Kenney majors in Science, Technology and Society (BS), Sustainability Science and Practice (MA).
Aidan Flintoft: A punter/kicker. Aidan Flintoft majors in Management Science and Engineering.
Peyton Warford: A long snapper transferring from Northwestern.

Transfers

Several players have transferred to Stanford, adding depth and talent to the roster:

Hunter Barth (LB): From Cal.
Ben Gulbranson (QB): From Oregon State.
Zach Johnson (LB): From Idaho.
Sam Neely III (CB): From Wake Forest.
Niki Prongos (OL): From UCLA.
Dylan Rizk (QB): From UCF.
Nick Fattig (OL): From Texas Tech.
Breylan Thompson (CB): From Yale.
Peyton Warford (LS): From Northwestern.

Departures

Several players have transferred from Stanford to other programs:

Ashton Daniels (QB): To Auburn.
Luke Baklenko (OL): To Oklahoma.
Jshawn Frausto-Ramos (WR): To Arizona.
Chase Farrell (WR): To Hawaii.
Emmett Mosley (WR): To Texas.
Ismael Cisse (WR): To Arkansas.
Trevor Mayberry (OL): To Mississippi State.
Omari Porter (DB): To FIU.
David Bailey (OLB): To Texas Tech.
Jake Maikkula (OL): To Oklahoma.

2025 Schedule

Stanford's schedule includes matchups against Miami.

at Hawaii: Hawaii won 23-20.
at No. 12 Miami: Miami won.

Position Battles and Team Dynamics

Several position battles are expected to unfold during training camp, particularly at quarterback, wide receiver, and along the offensive line. The success of the team will depend on how quickly the new coaching staff can integrate the transfers and develop the younger players.

Read also: Explore Stanford

Read also: Navigating Stanford Scholarships

tags: #stanford #university #football #roster