Jag Football Preview 2025 – Offense
Well, the summer break is over and football is about to kick off for the 2025 season. The Northridge Jaguars football team has been working all summer long, preparing for the 2025 season. The Jags have been in the weight room and on the field, putting in the work in preparation of a successful 2025 season.
We’re going to take our first look at the 2025 Jag Offense. This year, Hunter Williams (in his eighth year with the Jags) will don the headset as the Offensive Coordinator for the 2025 season.
The Jags will be looking to replace quarterback Rowdy Christensen, who passed for a little over 1500 yards last year. Senior Mayson Elam will step in to take the reins under center. Elam has done some solid backup work in the past, when Christensen was temporarily sidelined due to injury. With Christensen’s departure, the competition for the quarterback slot was wide open. “Mayson really stood out because of his play-making ability. He can hurt people with his legs, he can hurt people with his arm. He’s one of those guys that just makes plays,” Williams said on Elam’s ascension to the top signal-caller slot. In regards to his legs, Elam was the second leading rusher in 2024 with 364 yards on 65 carries.
Kaden Trevathan factors into equation as the backup. Trevathan could also see action at positions other than quarterback, according to Williams, who said Trevathan is capable of producing results at various other positions, including receiver. Max Bruinton was also mentioned as one who could see some time on the field this season.
Elam was actually the Jags leading receiver for the 2024 season, with 502 yards on 28 receptions, for a 17.9 yards per catch average. So, someone will have to step up to fill that role. The graduation of Colin Kapilovic (18 catches for 378 yards and three touchdowns) and Parker Cline (18 rec./247 yds/2 TD) graduated, in addition to the position change of Elam, leaves the Jags looking to replace 1145 receiving yards that those three accumulated during the 2024 season.
Seniors Keith Powell and Tye Welton will be expected to step into the top receiving roles. Powell, who is a clutch, possession-extending receiver, is coming back strong from an injury last season. Welton is another clutch receiver and has added some size to his frame since the 2024 season. In making a return to the gridiron, Adam Hall also factors into a strong receiving corps. Juniors Tate Espey and Demeriyan Cotton also received mentions as potential, notable contributors for a successful 2025 campaign.
With only one graduation casualty, senior Jaylin McCray returns, as does sophomore Magnus Greimel. McCray only appeared in the first two games of the season, but had 43 carries for 294 yards in those two games. Brylon Tubbs, a starting cornerback, split some time and accounted for 571 yards on 93 carries and also had 159 yards receiving, out of the backfield but will be back on the defensive side of the ball this season. Greimel had 59 carries for 327 yards. When you look at the Jags backfield, none of the returning backs averaged less than 5.5 yards per carry last season. “McCray is the sparkplug of our offense. When he’s energized, we’re energized.” Williams noted that Greimel had a seriously notable scrimmage a few days prior. Damarcus Wilder (sophomore) joins the Jags this season and stands out as a powerful runner. Semaje Rainey (junior) and Christian McLaurin (freshman) were also noted as having the possibility to see some quality playing time. “We’ve really got four guys that we can line up in the backfield and get carries on Friday nights. The later we go in the game and in the season you go, you need it,” Williams noted.
That previously mentioned 5.5 yards per carry for 2024 is a testament to the quality of the offensive line that does the work to make the running game is successful. Left tackle Hayes Formby is the lone returning full-time starter from the 2024 season. Williams noted the early concern over the inexperience the Jags faced up front. Tyler Ivory moved over from the defensive line and “looks like he’s played on the offensive line for four years.” Jack Lambert is holding down the center position, and while not the biggest lineman on the front, he doesn’t lack tenacity. Joshua Swords will see action and Hillcrest transfer Cole Holliday will be the right tackle. Peanut Salter (by way of Autauga Academy) will be another large body opening things up for the backfield. Micah Mitchell (sophomore) will see some playing time, as well. “We’ve got seven guys who can play. I’m really pleased with our offensive line. Our guys really take pride in being a good offensive line,” Williams said about his guys up front.
Williams noted that controlling the line of scrimmage and taking care of the ball are keys to the Jags’ success this season. “A good good run game is the quarterback’s best friend. When he can hand the ball off and get four or five yards, the throws become more successful.” Williams noted that part of the game plan is for the coaching staff to make calls to put the players into position to make easier decisions with the ball and be more successful.
“I like where our offense is right now, especially with all the guys we had to replace. With some of the things we’ve been able to do over the off-season and the additions we’ve made, I’m excited about our offensive line,” head coach Ryan Lolley said, talking about his offense. “Having to replace a quarterback is always a hard thing, but Mayson (Elam) has done it before, but at the same time, it’s a lot of weight to put on his shoulders. But, he’s up for the challenge.”
Lolley also mentioned Hayes Formby, who has been starting, at some capacity, for four years, as being one player on the offensive side of the ball that he will rely heavily on. “He sets the bar for us on the offensive line up front,” Lolley said about Formby. Another key to the Jag offense noted by Lolley is McCray. “We do a lot of different things with him and we’ve got to get him in space. He’s got to be able to have big games for us.”
Lolley knows there’s a challenge to face with the number of players the Jags have to replace from last season, but they do have some good experience coming back that should give the Jags the opportunity to have a successful 2025 season.
The Jags will open the 2025 season on Friday, Aug. 22 at home against Calera.