Following a 5-6 campaign in 2024, the West Texas A&M football program heads into the 2025 season with cautious optimism, a reshaped roster, and a few big questions that could define the year.
Head coach Josh Lynn, now in his third season at the helm, is still looking to establish a winning rhythm in Canyon. The former University of Nebraska-Kearney leader has compiled an 8-13 overall record in his first two years with the Buffaloes, and there’s a sense that this fall could be a turning point.
The schedule won’t make things easy. WTAMU opens its season on Thursday, August 28, traveling to Gunnison, Colorado, to face No. 10 Western Colorado — a team that handed the Buffs a 26-17 loss last season. The home opener comes just one week later on Thursday, September 4, against the Colorado School of Mines. The Orediggers, perennial Division II contenders, defeated WT 41-13 in Golden last year, so early-season revenge will be on the minds of players and fans alike.
Before the Buffaloes kick off, here are three key storylines that could shape the 2025 season.
1. Who Will Take the Starting QB Spot?
Few positions in football influence a team’s fortunes more than quarterback, and for West Texas A&M, the 2025 QB race may be the most important battle of fall camp.
Last season, the Buffs started 1-4, scoring more than 20 points just once in that stretch. Offensive inconsistency was a major issue. Midway through the season, Lynn made the difficult decision to bench starting quarterback Sean Johnson in favor of sophomore Kanon Gibson. The move paid off — Gibson led the team to a 4-2 record as a starter and provided a much-needed spark.
But that momentum took a hit this offseason when Gibson transferred to UT Permian Basin, leaving the starting role up for grabs once again.
Johnson remains on the roster, which means there’s a chance for a return to the starting lineup. However, Lynn and his staff have brought in an entire wave of quarterbacks to compete for the job.
The QB room now includes:
Returning players: Sean Johnson, redshirt freshmen Colt Mercer and Knox Porter
Freshman recruits: Boston Bell (Canyon), Ryan Gafford (Stephenville), Wyatt Holmstrom (Seminole), Anthony King (Copperas Cove)
Transfers: Nathan Greek (Tyler Junior College), RJ Martinez (Texas State), Jonah McCown (Limestone)
It’s a crowded field, and each candidate brings something different — from Johnson’s familiarity with the system, to Bell’s local ties, to the college game experience of transfers like Martinez and McCown.
Whoever wins the job will need to develop chemistry with receivers quickly and show the ability to put points on the board early in the season. In 2024, slow starts buried WT in too many games. This year, offensive rhythm from Week 1 will be crucial.
2. Which Transfer DB Will Make an Impact?
If there’s one area of the roster that has been overhauled this offseason, it’s the secondary. Last year, former Coronado standout Cam Manahan became a defensive bright spot after transferring from Central Oklahoma. Now, WT hopes history repeats itself with a new wave of defensive back additions.
Defensive coordinator Justin Richter, recently promoted to the role, will have plenty of new options to evaluate. The incoming class of transfers is both large and diverse, featuring players from multiple levels of college football.
New defensive back transfers include:
Local connections:
Jamel Acosta-Lewis — Former Caprock High School star, transferred from Colorado Mesa
Anthony White — Abernathy product, transferred from Texas Tech
Other transfers:
Antonio Williams (American River College)
Marico Smith (Nebraska-Kearney)
Deon Rebers (Long Beach Community College)
Norman Manderson (Moorpark College)
Miles Hill (Louisiana Monroe)
Phineas Allen (Northwest Missouri State)
For Richter and Lynn, the challenge will be identifying which players can quickly adapt to WT’s defensive schemes and excel against the fast-paced offenses of the Lone Star Conference.
Depth in the secondary is important, but the Buffs also need playmakers — defenders who can create turnovers, limit explosive plays, and win one-on-one battles in coverage. The 2024 defense had moments of strong play but lacked consistency against high-powered passing attacks. If even one or two of these transfers can have a Manahan-level impact, the entire unit could take a big leap forward.
3. Will Any Local Freshman Burst Onto the Scene?
While the transfer portal brings experience, the high school recruiting class offers potential building blocks for the future — and in WT’s case, several of those players are homegrown.
The 2025 recruiting class includes multiple Texas Panhandle products who could see early playing time. At tight end, the Buffs signed three local standouts:
Breken Melton (Randall) — 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, the most traditional tight end of the group, strong in both blocking and receiving.
Nash Dunnam (Amarillo High) — At 6-foot-10, a unique red zone target with the size to create mismatches against any defensive back.
Tripp Wright (Canyon) — 6-foot-1, 220 pounds, a versatile pass-catching threat who can also line up as a physical blocker.
On the defensive line, Braeden Massengale (Randall) stands out at 6-foot-5, 275 pounds. A former Amarillo Globe-News Super Team honoree, Massengale impressed Lynn and his staff on National Signing Day and could earn early snaps if his fall camp performance continues to turn heads.
Local quarterback Boston Bell (Canyon) also deserves a mention. While he enters a crowded QB competition, his familiarity with the region and WT’s fan base could make him a fan favorite if he earns playing time.
For a Division II program, keeping local talent at home is always a win — not just for roster depth, but for building long-term community support. Seeing hometown players make immediate contributions would add an extra layer of excitement for fans.
The Road Ahead
WT’s 2025 season will be defined by how quickly this new-look roster comes together. With so many incoming quarterbacks, defensive backs, and freshmen from the Panhandle, there’s plenty of competition for playing time. That competition can raise the overall level of the team — but only if the coaching staff can identify the right combinations early.
The first two games of the year — against Western Colorado and Colorado Mines — will be a litmus test. Both are Top 25-caliber opponents and perennial playoff contenders. A competitive showing in those matchups could boost confidence heading into the heart of Lone Star Conference play. Conversely, slow starts could put WT in another early-season hole.
In 2024, the Buffs showed flashes of potential, particularly after Gibson took over at quarterback. This season, the key will be sustaining that level of play from Week 1 through Week 11. Offensively, finding the right quarterback and developing explosive plays will be paramount. Defensively, integrating the new secondary pieces and maintaining discipline will be critical against the LSC’s dynamic offenses.
Fans in Canyon know that the Lone Star Conference is unforgiving — with teams like Angelo State, Midwestern State, and UTPB regularly competing for national rankings. But with a strong recruiting class, a deep transfer haul, and a third-year coach hungry to turn the corner, WT has a foundation to surprise people.
The 2025 Buffaloes are younger, deeper, and — on paper — more athletic than last year’s squad. Now it’s about translating that into wins.
Season Opener:
📅 Thursday, Aug. 28
📍 Gunnison, Colorado
🏈 Opponent: No. 10 Western Colorado
Home Opener:
📅 Thursday, Sept. 4
📍 Canyon, Texas
🏈 Opponent: Colorado School of Mines
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