The 2026 HBCU football season will be one of many changes for the Albany State Golden Rams, coming into the year with an entirely new coaching staff and roster.
Last season was one of the best in school history for the Golden Rams, finishing with a 12-2 overall record, setting a new single-season record for wins.
After taking down Benedict in the SIAC championship game, Albany State extended its historic season with wins in the Division II playoffs against Valdosta State and Benedict, making it to the Regional Final for just the second time in school history.
Entering the 2026 season with a chance to repeat as SIAC champions for the first time in 20 years (won four straight from 2002-2006), they will have to do so with an entirely different roster.
In addition to former head coach Quinn Gray departing to take over as head coach of his alma mater, Florida A&M, compiling a 24-11 record in his three seasons with the team.
More importantly, Coach Gray extended Albany State’s incredible streak without a losing season that dates back to 2001.
New Era Begins in Albany
Tasked with keeping this streak intact is new head coach David Bowser, who has had immense success as an assistant coach at Fayetteville State and, most recently, Johnson C. Smith.
In his 20 years as an assistant at Fayetteville State, he helped transform the Broncos’ football program, playing a pivotal role in the team making it to seven CIAA championship games (winning three).
He then contributed to Johnson C. Smith’s ascent to championship contention, spending the last three seasons as an assistant coach with the team, culminating in winning their first CIAA championship in over half a century last season.
This will be Bowser’s second time serving as a head coach, having previously done so at Saint Augustine’s in the final three seasons before the program was shut down in 2023.
Although he enters with a 2-27 career record as a head coach, Bowser comes into a situation with a credible athletic department that provides him the resources to succeed.
The longtime HBCU coach will not be the only new addition to the Golden Rams, with an entirely new roster at his disposal.
Quarterback Battle Headlines Offensive Reset
The Golden Rams will also be operating with an entirely different starting offensive unit, with former quarterback Isaiah Knowles, running back Tiant Wyche, and wide receivers Jamill Williams and Corey Petty all having departed in the offseason.
Among the top returners for the reigning SIAC champs are freshman quarterback duo Jaydon Kinney and Zhay’Lyn Bell, each of whom got some valuable playing time in relief of Knowles during the 2025 season.
During a three-game absence by the Golden Rams’ former starting quarterback, Kinney gained valuable college starter experience, which could bode well for him as he potentially enters his first season in that role full-time.
#Ramily pic.twitter.com/16TnjBw7Oo
— Jaydon Kinney (@Jaydonkinney_10) May 17, 2025
On the other hand, Kinney went down in Albany State’s win over Tuskegee, Bell came in and showed great poise, helping his team close out the game in the game’s waning moments.
Despite their experience, it is not cut and dry that Kinney or Bell will be the starter to begin the season, considering the former missed spring football with a shoulder injury, and many transfers made an impression in his absence.
No matter who will be starting under center for ASU, they will have big shoes to fill, replacing one of the top quarterbacks in recent memory in the SIAC.
Defense Remains Foundation for Title Push
As pivotal as the offensive side of the ball will be for the reigning SIAC champions, their defense has been their bread and butter, and will be a big part in their quest for a repeat.
Albany State boasted one of the top defensive units in Division II football last season, leading the country in total defense, allowing just 258.5 yards per game.
They also ranked second in the country in turnovers forced (33) and third in scoring defense (14.1).
Even though the defense lost two significant pieces in secondary leaders Tyrell Gainey and Jonavan Carr, there is still a lot of talent to be found in the room.
Chief among them is returning defensive lineman Derrick Drayton, who led the team with 17.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks last season.
There is also Cameron Watts, who made his mark on special teams for the Golden Rams in 2025, scoring on a pair of kickoff returns.
If the defense can recapture the magic of the 2025 season, there will be a great opportunity for this team to not only contend for an SIAC championship, but to make a push in the Division II playoffs once again.
