Western Kentucky Team Profile
Western Kentucky logo
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (@WKUFootball)
Tyson Helton (7th year) (57-35)
Record: 9 - 4 (6 - 2)  |  Proj: 9 - 4 (#36)  |  SOS: (#130)
Roster  |  Injuries  |  '26 Portals  |  '26 Croots  |  Map
Western Kentucky logo
Western Kentucky's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/23 Western Kentucky vs Sam Houston-9.560.5W 41 - 24OY
Sat 8/30 Western Kentucky vs North Alabama-27.560.5W 55 - 6OY
Sat 9/6 Western Kentucky at Toledo+8.557.5L 21 - 45ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/20 Western Kentucky vs Nevada-8.554.5W 31 - 16UY
Sat 9/27 Western Kentucky at Missouri State-3.559.5W 27 - 22UY
Fri 10/3 Western Kentucky at Delaware+2.562.5W 27 - 24UY
BYE WEEK
Tue 10/14 Western Kentucky vs Florida International-9.555.5L 6 - 25UN
Tue 10/21 Western Kentucky at Louisiana Tech+5.549.5W 28 - 27OY
Sat 11/1 Western Kentucky vs New Mexico State-7.553.5W 35 - 16UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/15 Western Kentucky vs Middle Tennessee-13.551.5W 42 - 26OY
Sat 11/22 Western Kentucky at LSU+24.552.0L 10 - 13UY
Sat 11/29 Western Kentucky at Jacksonville State-1.556.5L 34 - 37ON
Tue 12/23 Western Kentucky vs Southern Miss+3.059.0W 27 - 16UY

Record Prediction: 8.7 - 4.3  #36
Schedule Rating:  #130
Record: 9 - 4( CUSA: 6 - 2)
Spread Record 10 - 3 - 0 | O/U 6 - 7
Future 2026 Schedule

Western Kentucky's 2024 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/31 Western Kentucky at Alabama+31.060.0L 0 - 63ON
Sat 9/7 Western Kentucky vs Eastern Kentucky-18.559.5W 31 - 0UY
Sat 9/14 Western Kentucky at Middle Tennessee-10.553.5W 49 - 21OY
Sat 9/21 Western Kentucky vs Toledo+2.060.5W 26 - 21UY
Sat 9/28 Western Kentucky at Boston College+7.548.0L 20 - 21UY
BYE WEEK
Thu 10/10 Western Kentucky vs UTEP-19.055.5W 44 - 17OY
Wed 10/16 Western Kentucky at Sam Houston+1.555.0W 31 - 14UY
BYE WEEK
Wed 10/30 Western Kentucky vs Kennesaw State-24.049.0W 31 - 14UN
Sat 11/9 Western Kentucky at New Mexico State-18.053.5W 41 - 28ON
Sat 11/16 Western Kentucky vs Louisiana Tech-11.552.5L 7 - 12UN
Sat 11/23 Western Kentucky at Liberty+1.056.5L 21 - 38ON
Sat 11/30 Western Kentucky vs Jacksonville State+0.562.5W 19 - 17UY
Fri 12/6 Western Kentucky at Jacksonville State+4.558.5L 12 - 52ON
Wed 12/18 Western Kentucky vs James Madison+7.550.5L 17 - 27UN

2024 Schedule Rating:  #126
2024 Record: 8 - 6 (CUSA: 6 - 3)
Spread Record 7 - 7 - 0 | O/U 6 - 8


Opponents: 0 Elite, 2 Good, 0 Avg, 2 Bad, 8 Poor
Played: 0 Elite, 2 Good, 0 Avg, 1 Bad, 8 Poor
Future: 0 Elite, 0 Good, 0 Avg, 1 Bad, 0Poor
Reg Season Opponents: Elite, Good, Avg, Bad, Poor

Show Past Schedules
2026 class: 177 points   #80
2025 class: 153 points   #95
2024 class: 140 points   #110
2023 class: 54 points   #130
2022 class: 130 points   #94

Average Class Ranking:   #102
Average Recruiting Points: 131

Four Year Crootin Profile
Consistent Below Avg G5
4 Year Class:  #106 - Best:  #94 Worst:  #130



CFB Crootin Averages
Conference USA Class: 114  #113
Group of 5 Class: 135  #102
FBS Class: 179  #69


2021 class: 50 points   #136
2020 class: 157 points   #80
2019 class: 154 points   #86
2018 class: 155 points   #84
2017 class: 138 points   #82

Average Class Ranking:   #94
Average Recruiting Points: 131
 

2025 Portal Class  #72 - 31 players, 84 Avg
2024 Portal Class  #84 - 10 players, 88 Avg
2023 Portal Class  #110 - 12 players, 0 Avg
2022 Portal Class  #63 - 11 players, 83 Avg

Transfer Portal Classes
Portal Data only 2022 forward

Offensive Coordinator Will Friend (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Maverick McIvor (Tr)18327367%20621267.6
Rodney Tisdale Jr.13921266%1432976.8
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Marvis Parrish10657615.466
La'Vell Wright (Tr)85471105.539
George Hart III7030054.336
Rodney Tisdale Jr.5210822.115
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Matthew Henry (Tr)55888616.155
K.D. Hutchinson6661839.478
Moussa Barry34488114.448
Noah Meyers32357311.262
(Tr) - new transfer in 2025

Defensive Coordinator Tyson Summers (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaylen Wester (Tr)1067232
Jaylen Lewis (Tr)744005
Anthony Brackenridge745123
Dave Herard583004
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Dominic Oliver (Tr)204300
Koron Hayward194321
Jalen Emery (Tr)183213
Harper Holloman396264
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Nazir Ward353106
Jai Eugene Jr.212105
Jaylen Lewis (Tr)744005
Returning Production
Overall Returning Production: 34%  #125
Offense Returning Production: 36%  #116
Defense Returning Production: 33%  #121

Transfer Portal
2025 Portal Class  #72
31 Commits, 83.5 Avg Rating
51% of 2025 Roster from Portal, 51% TY
Team Talent
2025 Talent Rating: 620.00  #89
Offense Talent  #105 | Defense Talent  #83
2024  #1 | 2023  #1 | 2022  #81 | 2021  #74


2025 - 2022 Records
2025 Record: 9 - 4
2025 Conf Record: 6 - 2
Spread: 10 - 3 - 0 | Totals: 6 - 7

2024 Record: 8 - 6
2024 Conf Record: 6 - 3
Spread: 7 - 7 - 0 | Totals: 6 - 8

2023 Record: 8 - 5
2023 Conf Record: 5 - 3
Spread: 6 - 7 - 0 | Totals: 7 - 6

2022 Record: 9 - 5
2022 Conf Record: 6 - 2
Spread: 9 - 5 - 0 | Totals: 6 - 8

Four Year Record: 34 - 20
Four Year Record vs. Spread: 32 - 22 - 0
Four Year Conference Record: 23 - 10
2021 - 2018 Records
2021 Record: 9 - 5
2021 Conf Record: 7 - 2
Spread: 10 - 4 - 0 | Totals: 10 - 4

2020 Record: 5 - 7
2020 Conf Record: 4 - 3
Spread: 3 - 9 - 0 | Totals: 7 - 5

2019 Record: 9 - 4
2019 Conf Record: 6 - 2
Spread: 8 - 4 - 1 | Totals: 6 - 7

2018 Record: 3 - 9
2018 Conf Record: 2 - 6
Spread: 6 - 6 - 0 | Totals: 5 - 7

Eight Year Record: 60 - 45
Eight Year Record vs. Spread: 59 - 45 - 1
Eight Year Conference Record: 48 - 23

Western Kentucky Recent Bowl History
DateBowlMatchupSpreadTotalResult
2025Orleans Bowl Western Kentucky vs Southern Miss+3.059.0W 27 - 16
2024Raton Bowl Western Kentucky vs James Madison+7.550.5L 17 - 27
2023Toastery Bowl Western Kentucky vs Old Dominion+4.049.0W 38 - 35
2022Orleans Bowl Western Kentucky vs South Alabama+4.058.0W 44 - 23
2021Raton Bowl Western Kentucky vs App State+3.067.0W 59 - 38
2020Lendingtree Bowl Western Kentucky vs Georgia State+3.550.5L 21 - 39
2019Responder Bowl Western Kentucky vs Western Michigan-3.056.0W 23 - 20
2017Cure Bowl Western Kentucky vs Georgia State+5.054.5L 17 - 27
2016Raton Bowl Western Kentucky vs Memphis-6.579.0W 51 - 31
2015Beach Bowl Western Kentucky vs South Florida-3.0W 45 - 35
Power Ranking Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Offense PPAOffense ExplOffense SuccessOffense Pts Per OppAvg Start FP3rd Down %4th Down %Defense PPADefense ExplDefense SuccessDefense Pts Per OppOpponent FP
2025.16 (76)1.24 (74)43% (58)4.21 (30)28.2 (92)46%33%.11 (43)1.34 (118)37% (19)2.72 (10)29 (77)
 Teams                  Offense PPAOffense ExplOffense SuccessOffense Pts Per OppAvg Start FP3rd Down %4th Down %Defense PPADefense ExplDefense SuccessDefense Pts Per OppOpponent FP
2024.19 (66)1.32 (33)42% (83)3.83 (78)29.7 (55)41%59%.21 (95)1.19 (36)45% (102)3.66 (54)28.6 (58)



More Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDs
20251329:3521.446%33%6.261.31.61.15.51.42
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDs
20241427:5219.341%59%4.141.31.71.54.91.60



Overall Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPPGHomeRoadSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun Rate  Pass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
2025 Offense1329.53524.543.1% (58)4.21 (30)1.6214071352724.242% (125)57% (12)45% (50)42% (63)15% (59).16 (76)
2025 Defense1322.818.82837.1% (19)2.72 (10)1.1 - - - - - 46% (24)52% (110)39% (28)36% (17)16% (59).11 (43)
 Teams                  GamesPPGHomeRoadSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun Rate  Pass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
2024 Offense1424.926.324.941.8% (83)3.83 (78)1.7193741102653.545% (105)55% (26)38% (117)45% (33)16% (73).19 (66)
2024 Defense1424.613.533.944.7% (102)3.66 (54)1.5 - - - - - 63% (134)36% (1)48% (113)40% (60)13% (122).21 (95)



Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
2025 Offense1342% (125)45% (50)31.8134.64.223 (78).08 (86)2.99 (62)81% (11)9% (47)0.91 (93)
2025 Defense1346% (24)39% (28) - - - - .09 (62)2.79 (52)55% (2)9% (97)1.13 (130)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
2024 Offense1445% (105)38% (117)31.1109.73.514 (98).01 (121)2.78 (108)69% (100)11% (87)0.95 (75)
2024 Defense1463% (134)48% (113) - - - - .19 (103)3.36 (116)77% (93)9% (88)0.9 (35)



Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs     Ints     PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
2025 Offense1357% (12)42% (63)2538.1272.27.210.921 (42)13 (60).24 (75)1.5 (90)33% (100)34% (26).36 (45)6% (90)1.9 (105)
2025 Defense1352% (110)36% (17) - - - - - - 9 (55).16 (29)1.5 (60)34% (32)27% (27).23 (42)7% (16)2 (66)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs     Ints     PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
2024 Offense1455% (26)45% (33)22.133.5264.67.91228 (15)12 (85).36 (28)1.6 (59)33% (91)30% (91).29 (89)6% (56)1.9 (100)
2024 Defense1436% (1)40% (60) - - - - - - 10 (66).29 (99)1.8 (128)28% (116)29% (47).23 (37)3% (132)2.1 (92)




Overall
Power Rating  #83 | SP+ Rating  #70
Performance Grade  #65
Special Teams Grade  #20
Record Prediction 8.7 - 4.3  #36
Record vs Spread: 10 - 3 - 0
Over/Under Record: 6 - 7

5 Year Profile: Consistent Top G5
'25 Profile: Remains Top G5

Offense
Power  #103 | SP+  #60 | Grade  #69
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 42%
Off Success  #58 | Explosivness  #74
Rush Grade  #72 | Pass Grade  #57
Rush Success  #50 | Explosiveness  #93
Pass Success  #63 | Explosiveness  #90
Run Block  #95 | Pass Block  #48
OL YDS  #62 | Stuff Rate  #98
Scoring Zone Off:  #30

Defense
Power  #70 | SP+  #80 | Grade  #71
Def Success  #19 | Explosivness  #118
Rush Success  #28 | Explosiveness  #130
Tackling  #119 | Run Def  #65
Pass Success  #17 | Explosiveness  #60
Pass Rush  #81 | Coverage  #52
F7 Havoc  #97 | DB Havoc  #16
DL YDS  #52 | Def Stuff Rate  #29
Scoring Zone Def  #10


Roster
Team Talent  #89 Blue Chips: 1%  #88
Offense Talent  #105 Defense Talent  #83
Crootin: '25 Class  #80 - 4 YR Class:  #106
Profile: Consistent Below Avg G5
Portal Class  #72 - 31 players, 84 Avg
51% of Roster from Portal, 51% TY
79 New Players, 88% of '25 Roster  #124

Scoring & Records
Scoring: 29.5 - 22.8 | Scoring Margin: (6.7)
Home: 35 - 19 (16.2) | Road: 25 - 28 (-3.5)
OC: Will Friend - in his second season
DC: Tyson Summers - been DC for 3 years

2025 Record: 9 - 4 (10 - 3 - 0) (CUSA: 6 - 2)
2024 Record: 8 - 6 (7 - 7 - 0) (CUSA: 6 - 3)
2023 Record: 8 - 5 (6 - 7 - 0) (CUSA: 5 - 3)
4 Yr Record: (34 - 20) | 8 Yr Record: (60 - 45)


Notes
Escaped LT in OT, QB Tisdale OK but is mobile
QB1 McIvor shoulder inj, R. Tisdale (Fr) vs La Tech
FIU performance off a bye? Completely unprepared
McIover last 4 games, 2 TD, 4 INT, 231 YPG.
Shameful performance vs FIU, OG'd by 200+, Off awful
Lucky W @ Del, OG'd by 100 yds, 2 TOs for TDs.
QB McIvor is fun in an extremely pass heavy Off
Likely 7-8 portal starters on both Off & Def
Over Bet Watch, McIvor off great, Def rough
Def portal adds include 11 DL, 3 LB, 8 DBs.
 
'25 Offense
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 42%
Avg Offense Success Rate of 44%
Bad Offensive Explosiveness
Good in Scoring Position 4.19 PPO
Avg Run Success 46%
Avg Pass Success 44%
Bad Offensive Turnovers
Avg OL Grades, Avg OL Yds Per Rush
Bad 1st/2nd Down Success 69%
Good when off Schedule 34%

'25 Defense
Good DL Grades, Poor Sacks/Turnovers
Good Defense Success Rate of 38%
Great in Scoring Position 2.76 PPO
Good Run Def Success 39%
Great Pass Def Success 36%
Bad Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Avg at Forcing Turnovers
Poor Penalty Team, Bad Field Position
Good 1st/2nd Down Success 67%
Good when Opp is off Schedule 26%

Returning Prod
WKU lost their '24 starting QB (58%)  #73
Returning Production: 34%  #125
Offense: 36%  #116 | Defense: 33%  #121
OL Prod: 41%  #105, 2 clear starters
OL Snaps: 2847  #73 | From Portal: 1173  #34
Rush Prod: 44%  #91 | Rec Prod: 31%  #110
Def Front Seven: 18% - Secondary: 71%
Vegas Preseason Win Total: 7.5 - 4.5

 
4 Year Overall
2025 SP+ Overall:  #70 - Power Rating:  #83
2024 SP+ Overall:  #78 - Power Rating:  #92
2023 SP+ Overall:  #72 - Power Rating:  #70
2022 SP+ Overall:  #65

#65 #71 #85 #77

4 Year Offense
2025 SP+ Offense:  #60 - Power Rating:  #103
2024 SP+ Offense:  #101 - Power Rating:  #71
2023 SP+ Offense:  #55 - Power Rating:  #46
2022 SP+ Offense:  #52

#52 #51 #86 #82

4 Year Defense
2025 SP+ Defense:  #80 - Power Rating:  #70
2024 SP+ Defense:  #62 - Power Rating:  #86
2023 SP+ Defense:  #86 - Power Rating:  #70
2022 SP+ Defense:  #84

#84 #78 #74 #75