New Era, New Energy: Ball State Football Enters 2025 Season with Optimism and Unity
As the summer heat gives way to the anticipation of fall football, a new chapter is unfolding in Muncie. With the arrival of head coach Mike Uremovich, Ball State University football enters its 101st season reenergized and reimagined. The roster has been reshaped, the culture reset, and the Cardinals are ready to fly into the 2025 campaign with fresh purpose and unity.
The Cardinals officially began training camp this week, but the foundation for this new era has been quietly forming since January. Following the departure of longtime head coach Mike Neu, Uremovich took the reins and wasted no time assembling an almost entirely new coaching staff. The roster also underwent a dramatic transformation, with 53 new players joining the team, 34 of them via the transfer portal.
Despite all the change, one thing is already clear: this group is bonding fast.
“We’ve been together since the winter,” said defensive backs coach Ray Smith. “You can feel the chemistry. The guys have meshed really well and built strong relationships in a short time. That’s the kind of unity you need to compete.”
That camaraderie is especially crucial for a program in transition. But it’s more than just feel-good talk, players and coaches alike are noticing the difference. Wide receiver Qian Magwood, a returning senior and vocal leader, said the atmosphere around the team has shifted dramatically.
“There’s a buzz here that wasn’t there before,” Magwood said. “Everybody’s fired up. The guys coming in love the game and love competing. And we’re already seeing that translate on the field.”
Kelly’s Time to Shine
At the heart of the Cardinals’ new-look offense is redshirt senior quarterback Kiael Kelly, whose journey has mirrored the turbulence of the program. After being shuffled between positions in 2023 and briefly exploring the transfer portal during the offseason, Kelly returned to Muncie with a new sense of purpose.
Coach Uremovich and quarterbacks coach Craig Harmon didn’t just hand him the keys, they helped Kelly refine his approach and clarify his role. Now officially named the starting quarterback, Kelly is focused on leading by example.
“I still have to prove it every day,” Kelly said. “It’s not enough to be named the starter. I want to make it obvious, day in and day out, that I belong under center.”
According to Harmon, Kelly had a standout spring and has shown a sharpened mental game. Teammates echo that praise, not just for Kelly’s talent, but for his dedication and leadership.
“He’s one of the most competitive guys I’ve ever met,” said wide receiver Eric Weatherly. “He hates losing more than he loves winning. That energy lifts all of us.”
Running back Qua Ashley, a Kennesaw State transfer and All-Conference USA returner, recalled how Kelly was the first to welcome him to the program.
“He made me feel like I was already part of the family,” Ashley said. “And now, I want to go out there and fight for him.”
Speed, Skill, and Physicality: A Revamped Offense
Uremovich’s offense will feature plenty of explosive potential. Ball State’s skill positions are stacked with speed, from Weatherly and Magwood at wideout to Ashley and Purdue transfer Elijah Jackson in the backfield. Jackson didn’t hold back in describing the team’s speed, comparing it to an NFL powerhouse.
“It’s like the Dolphins out here,” Jackson said. “Everybody’s running 4.4s, even the quarterback. It’s crazy.”
But speed alone won’t define this group. With physical runners like T.J. Horton and towering targets like 6’4″ receiver Ty Robinson and tight end Drew Cassens, the offense aims to strike a balance between finesse and force. Uremovich is building a unit that can stretch defenses and wear them down.
A Defense on the Rise
Last season was rough statistically for the Ball State defense, but there’s optimism that this year will be different. Defensive coordinator Jeff Knowles enters his second year with a system that players now understand, and a more experienced core to run it.
The front seven returns several veterans, including linebackers Joey Stemler, Jackson Wiegold, and Jack Beebe, and defensive tackle Drew Hughes. With years of chemistry and familiarity under their belts, these players are leading both vocally and by example.
“We’ve been through a lot together,” said Stemler. “Now it’s our turn to help the younger guys, set the tone, and hold everyone accountable. That’s what leadership is about.”
Knowles is seeing the buy-in he hoped for, and believes that continuity will make a noticeable difference.
“This group is already playing for each other,” he said. “They’ve built that trust, and now it’s about going out and executing.”
Culture Overhaul
Much of the transformation at Ball State has less to do with playbooks and more to do with the locker room. Coaches and players alike emphasize how different the environment feels under Uremovich, closer, more supportive, and more focused.
Redshirt sophomore Darin Conley summed it up best: “The culture has changed. It starts with the coaches, but it’s been contagious. We’re not just teammates, we’re a brotherhood now.”
That bond is visible beyond the practice field. From post-practice meals to off-day hangouts, the Cardinals are spending time together and building something deeper than X’s and O’s.
Looking Ahead
The season kicks off on August 30, when Ball State travels to face Big Ten opponent Purdue. It’ll be a stiff opening test, but one that the Cardinals are embracing as a chance to measure themselves.
“I’m excited to get going,” Uremovich said. “This is what we’ve all worked for, now it’s time to play football.”
For a team packed with new players, new coaches, and a new vision, one thing is certain: there’s belief in Muncie again. And that might just be the most dangerous weapon Ball State brings into 2025.
