FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- The 2025 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season is shaping up to be a battle at the top, as Alma College and Hope College split the eight available first-place votes in the league’s annual preseason coaches poll. Alma edged into the No. 1 spot by total points with 10, while defending champion Hope finished just one point behind with 11.
1. Alma College – 10 points (4 first-place votes)
The Scots posted an 8-2 overall record and a 6-1 league mark in 2024, returning a wealth of All-MIAA talent. Senior quarterback and three-time All-MIAA honoree Carter St. John earned D3football.com All-Region 4 Second Team honors last season, while senior running back Eddie Williams and senior offensive lineman JB Couch were also three-time and two-time All-MIAA selections, respectively. Couch earned a spot on the D3football.com All-Region 4 Third Team. Additionally, senior punter Brice Kempf returns after a First Team All-MIAA season. Second Team All-MIAA returners include senior offensive lineman Owen Denk, junior linebacker Jett King, and sophomore defensive back Mar’Sean Massenburg. Junior long snapper Abram Evans, who earned D3football.com All-Region 4 First Team and All-America Third Team recognition, will also return to the Alma roster.
2. Hope College – 11 points (4 first-place votes)
Hope is coming off a historic 2024 campaign, going 11-1 overall and 7-0 in the MIAA to win the conference title. The Flying Dutchmen earned their first NCAA Division III playoff victory and set a program record for wins in a season. Junior defensive back Austin Harvey will return after earning a spot on the 2024 All-MIAA First Team along with an All-Region 4 Third Team nod from D3football.com. Second Team All-MIAA selections returning are junior tight end/h-back Seth Luhmann and senior defensive lineman Caleb Paarlberg. Head coach Peter Stuursma enters his tenth season after being named MIAA Football Coach of the Year, AFCA Region 4 Coach of the Year, and D3football.com Region 4 Coach of the Year in 2024.
3. Adrian College – 23 points
Adrian went 6-4 overall and 3-4 in the league last season. The Bulldogs have added Mount Union transfer quarterback Noah Beaudrie, who earned Second Team All-Conference honors in the OAC in 2024 and appeared in the NCAA Division III Stagg Bowl. Adrian also returns First Team All-MIAA and Third Team All-Region offensive lineman Isaiah Simon, along with linebacker Ryker Bidwell, who earned All-MIAA honors in 2023.
4. Trine University – 25 points
Trine finished 6-4 overall and 4-3 in the conference in 2024. Senior wide receiver and return specialist Tristan Burrus returns after earning First Team All-MIAA honors. Those back after receiving Second Team accolades in 2024 include senior offensive lineman Evan Kaehr and senior defensive end Cam McCarver.
5. Albion College – 26 points
Albion recorded a 7-3 overall record and 5-2 league mark last season. The Britons return junior tight end Connor Davey and fifth-year senior wide receiver Dilon Denison, who both earned 2024 Second Team All-MIAA honors. Sophomore wide receiver/return specialist Jaylan Johnson will also join the sqad after receiving Second Team All-MIAA honors during his freshman year at Olivet.
6. The University of Olivet – 42 points
Olivet posted a 3-7 overall record and a 2-5 mark in the conference in 2024. The Comets return senior running back and two-time All-MIAA honoree Dontal Wright, along with sophomore offensive lineman Jelani Harbor— both Second Team All-MIAA selections. This season, Olivet welcomes new head coach Erik Ieuter, an Albion College graduate who spent the past seven seasons as head football coach at Muskingum University.
7. Calvin University – 43 points
Calvin finished 2-8 overall and 0-7 in the MIAA last season. Sophomore linebacker Carson Schnurstein returns after ranking among the conference’s top five in tackles (61) and sack yards (26) in the 2024 regular-season.
8. Kalamazoo College – 44 points
Kalamazoo went 4-6 overall and 1-6 in the league in 2024. The Hornets return senior wide receiver Lucas Hanifan, a 2024 Second Team All-MIAA pick.
The 2025 season begins on Saturday, September 6, with non-conference play. League action kicks off September 27 with Olivet hosting Adrian, Hope hosting Alma, Albion hosting Trine, and Calvin hosting Kalamazoo. The MIAA champion will earn the league’s automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Championships, which begin November 22. The national championship game is slated for January 10 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.