ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Henderson State Reddies have reported to Arkadelphia once again as they open 2026 fall camp. 
 
The team reported to campus on Friday, August 7, with check-in and team and position meetings before a full team practice on Saturday. Two scrimmages will be scheduled throughout the preseason and will be open to the public. 
 
The Reddies open the season on Thursday, September 3 at 6 p.m. in Bethany, Oklahoma against Southern Nazarene. HSU was picked fourth in the GAC Preseason Coaches Poll. 
 
QUARTERBACK 
Austin Ledbetter takes the reins for HSU in 2026. The fifth-year from Bryant served as the primary backup to Andrew Edwards last season, seeing action in two games while completing nine of his 12 pass attempts for 177 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore DJ Shelton battles for the backup spot with newcomers Jordan Walker, Kemp Keller, and Bishop Allen. 
 
RUNNING BACK 
Henderson will look to replace the production of Jeremiah Davis and Fred O'Donald with a young corps of returners and new faces. Senior Chris Gannaway returns for a second year in red and gray after averaging over seven yards per carry and accounting for four touchdowns in 2025. Trent Haygood also returns for the Reddies after rushing 27 times for 167 yards last season. Transfers Bo Simpson (Harding) and Myron Thrash (Ouachita Baptist) look to make an immediate impact in the backfield. 

 
WIDE RECEIVER 
The Reddies return three of their top four receivers from last year's squad, including Second Team All-GAC honoree Maddox Davis and Second Team All-GAC kick returner Taylin Paskel. The two second-year Reddies are joined by veteran Micah Greene, who has accumulated 865 yards and 12 touchdowns in his career, and fifth-year Jacaylon Zachary. New to the wide receiver room this season is Southern Arkansas transfer Deondra Burns, Jr., who has impressed since arriving in Arkadelphia. 
 
TIGHT END
After losing two-time All-American Cayden Davis to graduation, HSU will look to new faces at the tight end position in 2026. Jesse McElroy IV, Cooper Fuehrmann, and Knox Pilgreen all took snaps in spring practice, with newcomers Cooper Billingsley and Conner Grisham entering fall camp looking to make an early impact. 
  

OFFENSIVE LINE 
An offensive line partially responsible for the conference's second-best offense has an even mix of returners and newcomers. Senior center Gabe Hernandez once again anchors the unit after earning Third Team All-GAC honors a year ago. He is joined by returning tackle Marcus Lee, along with Eli Head and Wesley Moore, who each saw action in 2025. Western Illinois transfer Clement Ulale leads a group of newcomers who will attempt to make early impacts in the trenches. 

 
DEFENSIVE LINE 
The Reddies' defensive line came on strong at the end of 2025 and looks to carry that momentum into the fall. Returning starters Mulumba Wa-Kalonji, Ryan Vollmer, and Braxton Baker were all key contributors, led by Vollmer, who earned Third Team All-GAC honors. 
 
LINEBACKER 
The linebacking corps returns the least production from a year ago; junior Markavious Justice is the only one of the top fifteen tacklers from 2025 to return at the position. Young returners Ryan Schirato, Jackson Byerley, and Reuben Ingram look to lead a group of newcomers trying to earn contributing roles. 
 
SECONDARY 
For the second consecutive year, Henderson returns a solid group of defensive backs that allowed the second fewest points in the GAC. Leading the returners is GAC First-Team member Lanard Harris; the Louisiana transfer totaled 53 tackles and two interceptions a season ago. Bryant Hammond II, Leo Morris, Jordan Batts, Matthew Gainey, and Brenton Brasfield were all in the top 20 on the team in tackles a season ago. Nigel Bell, Joseph Brocks, and Brayden Wagner all impressed in limited action in 2025, while several newcomers look to add to what is already a deep group. 
 
SPECIAL TEAMS 
Kicker Ryan McDonnell returns for a second year with the Reddies after tying the school record for longest field goal in last season's opener. The fifth-year student made nine field goals and 48 extra points in 2025. The punter position is wide open, with returners Pierce Rogers and Gideon Tate, along with newcomers Alfonso Gonzalez and Sirron Norris, looking to make noise early.