Way-too-Early Look at the 2025 ODU Football Offense

By David Asbury

Is it too early to get excited about this ODU offense?

It is January.   The 2025 football season does not start until August 30th when they travel to face the Indiana Hoosiers.  Spring Practices have not started.  The Spring Portal has not opened yet.  Summer Camp has not started.  There are still committed players attending high school classes.  There is just so much time and a lot can happen to the roster between now and then.  So yes, this is a way-too-early look at the offense.

But still, the 2025 offense looks very promising.  When Colton Joseph took over at quarterback, he and Offensive Coordinator Kevin Decker worked together to transform the offense into one of the best in the Sun Belt.  Here in January, the main shakeups in the roster happened last month so we know Joseph will have a pretty good supporting cast.  Maybe it is too early to get excited.  But also maybe...it's not.  Let's just take a look for fun.

Quarterback. 

Quarterback Grant Wilson played most of 2023 with mixed results.  He started in 2024 but left the season early due to an injury sustained against East Carolina.  In came Colton Joseph who earned the starting job with his good play, eventually leading to Wilson to  transfer to Indiana for 2025 where he will likely be a reserve.

At ODU, the Pride of ODU Collective signed Colton Joseph to secure his return for the 2025 season.  The dual-threat quarterback had a breakout season in 2025 scoring 22 total touchdowns, passing for 1,627 yards and running for 647 yards.  He made those stats without even playing the full season.  He is a dynamic player and the presumptive starter for 2025.  He is the ideal quarterback to build this offense around.  He is arguably the best quarterback Rahne has had since he started coaching Old Dominion.

Colton Joseph runs it in for a TD. Photo Courtesy of CB Sports Photography

Redshirt freshman Quinn Henicle also returns and provides a great backup and backup plan after his breakout game against Arkansas State where he scored four total touchdowns and gained 349 total yards.  (Whispers:  some even believe Henicle's ceiling may be higher than Joseph's).  Redshirt freshman Holden Brown also returns along with incoming true freshman Ryan Huff to round out the bullpen.  This is arguably the best quarterback room Ricky Rahne has ever had at ODU. 

Redshirt freshmen Quinn Henicle (10) and Holden Brown (16). Photos courtesy of CB Sports Photography

Running back. 

The very reliable Aaron Young is out of eligibility.  However, the running back room remains strong with the very shifty Devin Roche returning.  Last season he averaged 6.2 yards per carry and scored three total touchdowns.  He is joined by veteran running backs Bryce Duke and Tariq Sims.  Both will excel as change-of-pace backs for Devin Roche.  Freshman Maurki James will begin his second year next fall and has the size and skill to eventually develop into an every down back. The Monarchs also picked up a big (more like small at 175 pounds) JuCo signee in Trequan Jones.  At Georgia Military College Prep Jones ran for 464 yards and seven touchdowns.  Overall, the running back room looks very stout despite Aaron Young's departure.  

Devin Roche (3) and Bryce Duke (4). Photo courtesy of CB Sports Photography.

Receivers. 

ODU lost probably the most 2024 production from the receiver room. ODU loses five of their top six 2024 receivers.  Those names include seniors Isiah Paige, Diante Vines, Peanut Houston, tight end Pat Conroy, and running back Aaron Young.  Even top 2023 receivers Dominic Dutton (in portal) and Kelby Williams (WKU) transferred out.  The top returning receiver is Myles Alston who made 23 catches for 246 yards but no touchdowns.  Na'eem Abdul-Rahim "A.R." Gladding also returns and received some playing time late in the season scoring a touchdown.  

A.R. Gladding touchdown!! Photo courtesy of CB Sports Photography.

So who else will be catching balls from Joseph?  Well, Rahne and Kody Cook hit the JuCo ranks hard here with Ja'Cory Thomas, T.J. Johnson, Titus Myers, and Tre Brown committed to play wide receiver at ODU.  Both Thomas and Myers were nominated for JuCo Wide Receivers of the year. And Thomas and Brown both were recruited to Hutchinson by Cook. Redshirt freshman Dawson Johnson transferred in from University of Florida to play tight end.  Underclassmen TJ Lott and Dallas Sims may also receive more playing time.  Out of these transfer players and underclassmen rising up, there is plenty of potential for playmakers to breakout in 2025.  That is especially true with a good quarterback throwing to them.

Offensive Line.

ODU loses a few pieces here.  Guard/Tackle Santana Saunders is out of eligibility after an impressive career at ODU.  Meanwhile, Center Mike Flores entered the transfer portal to be closer to his home state of Texas.  However, the best offensive lineman, Zach Barlev returns and has the versatility to play any position on the line.  Maartan Woundsma and Stephon Dubose-Bourne also return for some consistency on the line. To replace those that have left, super senior guard Ryan Joyce transferred in from Fordham. Joyce already knows the playbook from Coach Kevin Decker's time at Fordham.  Also, keep an eye out for JuCo-signee Carson Bradley, returning senior Colin Henrich and rising underclassmen.  The offensive line showed significant improvement from its' sack heavy play in 2023.  That improvement can continue and it could be even better in 2025.  

Zach Barlev (64) playing guard before moving on to left tackle. He actually played most of Spring Practices at center. Photo courtesy of CB Sports Photography.

Offense Overall.   

It is January.  Some of the players listed here may still leave ODU before August.  And more players are expected to come in the spring and summer.  Also, injuries can happen (knocks on wood).  So, it is way too early to lock in how the 2025 offense will look.  But it is not too early to get excited.  The quarterback room looks very good.  The running back room looks very good.  There is a lot of potential for the receivers and the offensive line.  Offensive Coordinator Kevin Decker enters his third season at ODU and the offense could be the best in his tenure.  Get excited and stay tuned in.