WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Monmouth University Football will begin the 2025 season ranked No. 21 in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) FCS Preseason Coaches Poll, the organization announced Monday.
 
The Hawks are one of four Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) programs to appear in the national preseason Top 25, joining preseason league favorite Rhode Island, Villanova and Stony Brook. Monmouth is coming off a 6-6 campaign in 2024 that included two wins over nationally ranked opponents.
 
The national ranking adds to a growing list of preseason recognition for Monmouth, which was picked second in the CAA Preseason Poll, had eight players earn Preseason All-CAA honors, and placed multiple standouts on national preseason All-America teams.
 
Monmouth opens the season at Colgate on August 29, 2025. Tickets and parking for the 2025 Monmouth Football season are available at MonmouthHawks.com/Tickets or by calling 732-263-5735.
 
Full AFCA Preseason Top 25 with Total Points Received
 
1.      North Dakota St. (26)       650
2.      Montana St.                      612
3.      South Dakota St.              581
4.      UIW                                   541
5.      South Dakota                   521
6.      Illinois St.                          466
7.      UC Davis                          456
8.      Tarleton St.                       454
9.      Montana                           447
10.    Rhode Island                    416
11.    Mercer                              396
12.    Idaho                                 371
13.    Villanova                           338
14.    Sacramento St.                265
15.    Lehigh                               207
16.    ACU                                  203
17.    Jackson St.                       200
18.    Northern Arizona              168
19.    Western Carolina             147
20.    Southern Illinois                132
21.    Monmouth (N.J.)              116
22t.   Richmond                         111
22t.   Tennessee Tech              111
24.    Stephen F. Austin               82
25.    Stony Brook                        69