Last year was the best of three seasons during the Butch Jones era at Arkansas State.
The Red Wolves clinched their first bowl appearance since 2019 and went 6-7 after falling to Northern Illinois in the Camellia Bowl. They finished in a three-way tie for second place in the Sun Belt West.
If trends are anything, Jones has the Red Wolves moving in the right direction and things look promising with Sun Belt Freshman of the Year Jaylen Raynor returning to lead an offense with a lot of potential. Jones’ teams have gradually gotten better over those three years, and his 2024 recruiting class was ranked the best in the Sun Belt by Rivals, which includes some key transfers.
We’ll find out early in 2024 what type of threat the Red Wolves will be in the gauntlet that is the Sun Belt.
New Customer Offers at BetMGM
Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l Terms
Arkansas State Football’s Sun Belt Title Odds
Arkansas State’s odds to win the Sun Belt are +1600, via BetMGM.
Arkansas State Football’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
Arkansas State’s win total Over/Under is 6.5, with the Over at +135 and the Under at -160.
Arkansas State Football’s 2024 Schedule
8/31 vs Central Arkansas
9/7 vs Tulsa
9/14 at Michigan
9/21 at Iowa State
10/5 vs South Alabama
10/12 at Texas State
10/19 at Southern Miss
10/26 vs Troy
11/9 at Louisiana
11/16 at Georgia State
11/23 vs ULM
11/30 vs Old Dominion
Bold indicates Sun Belt contest
Key Arkansas State Football Returners
2023 All-Sun Belt First Team
OL Jacob Bayer
Second Team
OL Makilan Thomas
Third Team
RB/RS JaQuez Cross
Honorable Mention
WR Courtney Jackson
LB Charles Willekes
Can Arkansas State’s Defense Improve?
The Red Wolves’ defense struggled in 2023. It ranked in the bottom four in the Sun Belt in both scoring (31.2 points per game) and total defense (445 yards per game) while their rushing defense was dead last, allowing 183.8 YPG.
If Arkansas State is going to make some noise this season, this side of the ball is going to have to play at a higher level.
The good news is the Red Wolves are bringing back plenty of experience while also picking up some transfers who will play big roles. Senior safeties Trevian Thomas and Justin Parks return to the secondary. Thomas led the Red Wolves with 91 total tackles and two interceptions while adding two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. Parks finished with 44 tackles and three pass breakups.
Linebacker Charles Willekes was the only defender to receive all-conference honors last season after finishing with 90 total tackles and two sacks. Dane Motley will likely be starting at the Mike linebacker spot and tallied 26 tackles in 2023. Motley reportedly had a terrific spring camp, so he could be a huge difference-maker for this group. Cam Jeffrey saw action in eight games last year and could be the starter at the STAR position. He finished with 35 tackles and four tackles for loss.
Tim Hardiman and Nate Harvey saw double-digit starts last year along the defensive line while Ethan Hassler started two games. All three return, and Georgia Tech transfer Noah Collins could join them as a starter on the D-line.
Jordan Mahoney is the other transfer who should step into a starting spot. The former UMass cornerback had a stellar 2022 campaign but only appeared in eight games last year. He’ll join Justin Hodges as the other starting CB, who started six games for the Red Wolves last year.
As of now, it looks like Arkansas State will have 10 seniors starting on defense. Eight of these guys are returners who started at least one game last season. The defense made a big leap from 2022 to 2023 and improved significantly throughout last year.
If they can make a similar leap from 2023 to 2024, the Red Wolves could be dangerous given what should be an electric offense with Jaylen Raynor and Co.
For more Group of Five coverage, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
2024 Arkansas State Football Season Prediction
I don’t anticipate Arkansas State winning the conference considering how tough it is. I do, however, think the Red Wolves have the potential to ruin conference champion aspirations for a program or two.
I expect A-State to be 2-2 going into league play, with wins over Central Arkansas and Tulsa and losses at Michigan and Iowa State — which are a pair of tough non-conference games to help prepare for the rest of the schedule.
From there, I believe the Red Wolves will win at least four of their conference games. Texas State and Troy are likely the toughest contests, but we saw the Red Wolves blow out the Bobcats last season, so anything can happen. Back-to-back road games at Louisiana and Georgia State could result in one loss, but other than that, I can see the Red Wolves being favored and winning three of their other conference games.
Don’t be surprised if Arkansas State finishes second in the Sun Belt West again.
