FCS 2025 Realignment

April 30, 2025 by CollegeFootballPoll.com Staff

The ever-changing rosters of college football conferences will see several moves in 2025, most notably the departures of Delaware and Missouri State to the FBS where both will join Conference USA. The change officially occurs on July 1, 2025. Jacksonville State, Sam Houston and Kennesaw State have made the same move in the past two seasons, while James Madison switched in 2022.

Next Year, St. Francis (PA) is leaving the NEC as it drops down to D3 in all sports.

Chicago State is expected to launch it's football program as early as 2026 and has already committed to the NEC.

This year, the University of Texas at Rio Grand Valley (UTRGV) brings its new program to the Southland Conference. The teams' first official FCS game will be at Prairie View A&M on September 6, while its first Southland game will be September 27 at Southeastern Louisiana. The first FCS home game for the Vaqueros (Spanish for "cowboys" or more specifically, cattle herders) will be the following week versus Southland foe Houston Christian.

Richmond this year will leave the CAA and join the Patriot League. Neighboring William & Mary will do the same in 2026.