Looking to build on last season’s success, the Grambling State Tigers open the 2026 season Saturday against Clark Atlanta at 6 p.m. at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium.
GSU, ranked No. 7 in the HBCU preseason coaches poll, is coming of a 7-5 season in Mickey Joseph’s second year as head coach.
Junior Jacobe Robinson, a Southern Miss transfer, is the favorite to start at quarterback. But in a recent interview with the Ruston Daily Leader, Joseph said just because someone starts the game doesn’t mean others won’t play.
Ashton Frye and Florida A&M transfer RJ Johnson, both redshirt juniors, are also in the mix.
Johnson passed for 2,597 yards and 18 touchdowns last season.
Sophomore Hayden Benoit is also back. He was No. 4 on the depth chart entering last season but became the starter in the last half because of injuries and performed well.
Joseph said that he wants to make sure that any quarterback that plays is capable of leading the Tigers to victory.
Running backs Andre Crews and Byron Eaton Jr., the teams second- and third-leading rushers last season, also return. Both are redshirt sophomores. Jamarion Parker, who transferred from Nebraska, was a four-star recruit coming out of high school.
Another redshirt sophomore, Tyson George, was the team’s second-leading receiver last season. Senior offensive lineman Alexander Vigil was a preseason second-team All-SWAC selection.
Redshirt senior linebacker Marcellius Johnson, also a preseason second-team All-SWAC selection, leads the defense.
Joseph added former GSU standout quarterback Bruce Eugene to his staff earlier this month. He is the quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator.
His hiring comes in the wake of Shyrone Carey’s resignation during the summer to spend more time with his family. Joseph named Carey offensive coordinator last spring. At the SWAC Media Day in July, Joseph said there will be no official offensive coordinator this season which was the case last season as well.
Clark Atlanta is a member of the NCAA Division II Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
The Panthers finished 3-7 overall and 2-6 in the conference last season.They allowed 37.5 points per game.
Clark Atlanta was picked to finish 10th in the conference in a preseason poll. Sophomore quarterback Xzavier Jackson was a preseason first-team All-Conference selection. He was the conference’s Newcomer and Rookie of the Year last season after passing for 2,103 yards and 18 touchdowns last season.