5 things to know about Bethune-Cookman football before Wildcats start 2025 season vs. FIU

DAYTONA BEACH — AJ Hall emphasized only part of the word.

“Pre.” 

As in “preseason.”

Yes, the redshirt senior defensive lineman was one of five Bethune-Cookman football players to crack the preseason All-SWAC list. A handful of other summer accolades arrived for the Wildcats, too.

It’s cool. They just have bigger things to focus on. The ultimate goal is team-related — Atlanta's Celebration Bowl in December, matching the champs of the MEAC and SWAC.

“If I can speak for myself, I most definitely don’t pay attention to those things,” Hall said. “... I don’t ever get predetermined by anything. I like to finish the results of my season, my career. I like to see what I did after I already completed all of the games, so I don’t really care about the recognition. 

“I respect the people that gave me the spotlight, but again, I know me and my teammates. We got one goal: We’re trying to get to Atlanta.”

He sounded like his coach.

“Those guys deserve to be mentioned,” said Raymond Woodie Jr., who’s entering his third season in charge of his alma mater. “But now, you have to seize the moment.”

For comparison, B-CU notched two preseason All-SWAC selections in 2024. The team pressed a bunch of young guys into action early during Woodie’s first two campaigns, and they endured some growing pains.

The Wildcats went 3-8 in 2023 and 2-10 in 2024.

But those young players have now grown up — and grown into their starting roles. That allows most of the new recruits to learn, wait for their turns and fight for key spots on special teams.

“It’s definitely an advantage, especially looking at it that way,” Woodie said. “Now, what happens is, our offensive, our defensive guys are two-deep. You keep those guys fresher instead of having those guys playing three special teams and then playing offense or defense full-time. We have to create depth.”

It will be put to the test over the next three months. Bethune-Cookman opens 2025 at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, at Florida International.

Here are five things to know about the Wildcats before then.

1. Which Wildcats received preseason honors?

So who were those players racking up preseason awards?

Defensive back Antwone Watts claimed a spot on the All-SWAC First Team. Joining Hall on the second team were quarterback Cam Ransom, wide receiver Maleek Huggins and linebacker Malik Stinnett.

Watts was also named a Preseason HBCU All-American Honorable Mention and to the Black College Football Player of the Year watch list.

The 6-foot-1 safety transferred to B-CU from Louisiana-Monroe before the 2024 season. During his first fall in maroon and gold, he produced 70 tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble.

Ransom also earned a shout-out on the Stats Perform FCS National Player of the Year watch list.

In his second season with the Wildcats, he delivered 1,844 yards and 11 touchdowns through the air while tacking on 163 yards and five scores on the ground.

2. B-CU has experienced QBs with Timmy McClain, Cam Ransom

Not only do the Wildcats return Ransom, they welcomed Timmy McClain out of the transfer portal.

McClain made three FBS stops — at South Florida, UCF and Arkansas State — before arriving in Daytona Beach. In 22 career appearances, the lefty has completed 58% of his throws for 3,116 yards, 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Like Ransom, he also provides a dual-threat element.

As of last week, Woodie had not yet declared a starter.

“We’re still battling,” Woodie said. “Each position, what we try to do is create competition. A lot of guys if they say, ‘Hey, I’m No. 1 and I’m going to stay No. 1,’ they won’t get better.”

He did reveal Ransom and McClain have been two of the stars of fall camp. The depth chart on the team’s Week 1 game notes list McClain above Ransom.

“I just feel like both of those guys bring a different type of flavor to the team,” Hall said. “They both have their own style of play. The good thing about it is they’re both lefties so they interact and just kind of go off each other and help each other progress.

"They both got that leadership role as controller of the offense. I feel like it’s been a good battle, but I trust both of them going out and leading our team.”

3. Tough opening stretch against FIU, Miami

Bethune-Cookman can’t ease into the season.

Its first three contests will occur at FIU, at Miami and at South Carolina State.

The Wildcats won’t hit their home field until Sept. 20 against Edward Waters, marking their longest road stretch to kick off a season since 2019. They traveled to four straight road games to commence that year before finally returning to Daytona Stadium on Oct. 5.

That said, Bethune-Cookman has never lost to FIU, an FBS program. They’ve met four times (2002, 2003, 2013 and 2014), and the Wildcats have prevailed in each matchup.

Now, former Florida A&M head coach Willie Simmons leads the Panthers. His Florida Classic record stood at 4-2 during his Rattlers tenure.

4. Only 4 home games at Daytona Stadium

Speaking of FAMU.

Bethune-Cookman will again face its archrival in the Florida Classic at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. That game is scheduled for Nov. 22.

B-CU will also participate in another neutral site game, the Tampa Bay Football Classic. On Oct. 11, the 'Cats will drive over Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and square off with Southern.

Mix in their six true road trips, and that leaves only four outings at Daytona Stadium: Sept. 20 against Edward Waters, Sept. 27 against Alabama A&M, Oct. 25 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Nov. 1 against Mississippi Valley State.

5. Volusia-Flagler alums set to make impact

Per usual, Bethune-Cookman includes a local flair.

Seven alums of Volusia-Flagler high schools adorn the roster.

As a redshirt senior, defensive tackle Laron Davis is the elder statesman of the group. The Mainland graduate transferred in from Charleston Southern during the offseason.

Four locals arrived on campus before last season and are beginning Year 2 with the Wildcats: wide receiver Javon Ross (DeLand), wide receiver Marquis McCants (Mainland), offensive lineman Truth Moody (Spruce Creek) and long-snapper Cole Hash (Matanzas). 

Freshman safety Kwasie Kwaku Jr. and linebacker Myron Shafer III signed with the program out of Mainland during the offseason. Woodie mentioned Shafer as one of the standouts during fall camp.

“He’s been showing flashes,” Woodie said. “He’s going to play. If he just stays healthy and keeps progressing, he’s one of those ones that may come in and be that valuable piece on special teams. And as we go, he’s going to keep competing at the mike linebacker spot. He’s been a pleasant surprise.”

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Bethune-Cookman football: What to know before 2025 opener vs. FIU