Western Kentucky Team Profile
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Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (@WKUFootball)
Tyson Helton (7th year) (57-35) #1
Record: 9 - 4 (6 - 2)  |  Proj: 9 - 3 (#)  |  SOS: (#130)
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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: 9 - 3 NR
Schedule Rating:  #130
Future 2027 Schedule

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

2024 Schedule Rating:  #126
2025 Record: 9 - 4 (CUSA: 6 - 2)
Spread Record 10 - 3 - 0 | O/U 6 - 7


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

Show Past Schedules
2026 class: 183 points   #86
2025 class: 162 points   #101
2024 class: 147 points   #109
2023 class: 58 points   #150
2022 class: 137 points   #87

Average Class Ranking:   #107
Average Recruiting Points: 137

Four Year Crootin Profile
Consistent Below Avg G5
4 Year Class:  #111 - Best:  #87 Worst:  #150



CFB Crootin Averages
Conference USA Class: 132  #122
Group of 5 Class: 154  #103
FBS Class: 189  #71


2021 class: 52 points   #153
2020 class: 161 points   #82
2019 class: 156 points   #89
2018 class: 155 points   #77
2017 class: 138 points   #81

Average Class Ranking:   #96
Average Recruiting Points: 132
 
Transfer Portal Classes
2025 Portal Class  #76 - 44 players, 83 Avg
2025 Portal Class  #76 - 44 players, 83 Avg
2024 Portal Class  #71 - 25 players, 84 Avg
2023 Portal Class  #110 - 12 players, 0 Avg
Transfer Portal Classes
Transfer Portal Classes
2022 Portal Class  #63 - 11 players, 83 Avg
2021 Portal Class NR - players, 0 Avg
2020 Portal Class NR - players, 0 Avg
2019 Portal Class NR - players, 0 Avg
Offensive Coordinator Will Friend (in his second season) #1
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Rodney Tisdale Jr.13921266%1432976.8
Brock Glenn61060%69206.9
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Rodney Tisdale Jr.5210822.115
Brock Glenn74306.115
Marvin Sims114014.014
Cameron Flowers3702.37
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Jay Rockwell721132715.770
Cameron Flowers19204110.730
Marvin Sims21919.511
Lofton Howard31003.35
(Tr) - new transfer in 2026

Defensive Coordinator Tyson Summers (been DC for 3 years) #1
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaylen Lewis (Tr)744005
Jakeem Fletcher (Tr)152000
Jordan Donald142010
Venson Sneed141012
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaylen Lewis (Tr)744005
Jakeem Fletcher (Tr)152000
Jordan Donald142010
Venson Sneed141012
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaylen Lewis (Tr)744005
Venson Sneed141012
Kiawan Murphy130011
Returning Production
Overall Returning Production: 37%  #112
Offense Returning Production: 35%  #117
Defense Returning Production: 39%  #105
Western Kentucky's Official Roster

Transfer Portal
2025 Portal Class  #76
44 Commits, 82.9 Avg Rating
51% of 2025 Roster from Portal, 51% TY
Team Talent
2025 Talent Rating: 620.00  #89
Offense Talent  #105 | Defense Talent  #83
2025  #89 | 2024  #114 | 2023  #89 | 2022  #81


2025 - 2023 Records
2025 Record: 9 - 4
2025 Conf Record: 6 - 2
Spread: 10 - 3 - 0 | Totals: 6 - 7

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

Four Year Record: 34 - 19
Four Year Record vs. Spread: 33 - 20 - 0
Four Year Conference Record: 23 - 10
2022 - 2019 Records
2022 Record: 9 - 5
2022 Conf Record: 6 - 2
Spread: 9 - 5 - 0 | Totals: 6 - 8

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

Eight Year Record: 66 - 40
Eight Year Record vs. Spread: 63 - 42 - 1
Eight Year Conference Record: 51 - 19

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 (61)34% (32)27% (27).23 (42)7% (15)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

Team Info

Power #84SP+ #69
Coaching staff Rank  #1

Record

9 - 4
CUSA 6 - 2

Vs Spread10 - 3 - 0Totals6 - 7
One Score Games '25: (3-2)(18-17 under T.H.)

5 Year Profile

Consistent Top G5

'26 Profile

Remains Top G5
Performance #65
Special Teams #20

Returning Production

From 2025

0% #1
WKU lost their 25 starting QB
Offense 35% #117
Defense 39% #105
Returning Starters: (Off: ) - (Def: )
Proj Portal Starters: (Off: ) - (Def: )
Exp'd Depth: (Off: ) - (Def: )
OL Prod: 41% #1052 starters, 0 exp'd depth
OL Snaps: 2,847  #73From Portal: 1173 #34
Rush Prod: 44% #91
Rec Prod: 31% #110
Front Seven: 18% #135
Secondary: 71% #29

Roster

Talent Info

Talent #89
Blue Chips (1%) #88
Portal Class  #7644 players (83 Avg)
Crootin '26 Class  #864 YR Class Rating #111

Talent Profile

Consistent Below Avg G5
51% of Roster from Portal, 51% TY
88% of '26 Roster are New (Fr + Portals)

(OC) Will Friend 2

 #1

(DC) Tyson Summers 3

 #1

2025 Schedule

Information

SOS #130

Western Kentucky plays 3 opps off a byeDEL & FIU & LT
OppsElite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
2025 Record: 9 - 4 (10 - 3 - 0) (CUSA: 6 - 2)
2024 Record: 8 - 6 (7 - 7 - 0) (CUSA: 6 - 3)

Win History

Past 5 years 7.8

Avg under Tyson H 8.14
4 Yr Record (34 - 19)
8 Yr Record (66 - 40)

Notes

Live Team 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.

Roster Experience

Snaps & Starter Info

Snaps Returning

0 (0%) #1

%of Snaps by Upperclass
Offense: 0 #1
Defense: 0 #1
Players with Starting Exp () on Off, on Def

Upperclass

Starters 0 of 22 (0%)2-Deep 0 of 44 (0%)
Senior/Gr starters: 0 (0%) (Off: 0, Def: 0)
Upperclass Two-Deep: 0 of 44 (0%)
Upperclass on Roster: 57.7%(71 of 123)

Portals

Top '25 Incoming Portals

Avarion Cole (S)3★ (.87)
Maverick McIvor (QB)3★ (.86)
Matthew Henry (WR)3★ (.86)
Al-Ma'hi Ali (S)3★ (.85)
Josaiah Knight (EDGE)3★ (.85)
Jackson West (TE)3★ (.85)
Eric Etienne (DL)3★ (.85)
La'Vell Wright (RB)3★ (.85)

Top Players

Top Performers on Roster

Top Players N/A Before 2025

Recruits

Top '25 Incoming Recruits

Sharlandiin Strange (EDGE)3★ (.88)
Cross Nimmo (TE)3★ (.86)
Brandon Thomas (EDGE)3★ (.86)
Dylan Vickerson (WR)3★ (.86)
Fonzy Smith (WR)3★ (.86)
Sekou Peters (DL)3★ (.85)
Jordan Donald (LB)3★ (.84)
Elijah Rumph (RB)3★ (.84)

Overall

Four Year Ratings Profile

#72 #85 #77 #77

Offense

Four Year Ratings Profile

#55 #86 #80 #80

Defense

Four Year Ratings Profile

#86 #74 #75 #75