KSU football looks to elevate in second year under Jerry Mack

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — It’s back to business for the Owls.

Monday marked the beginning of spring practices for Jerry Mack and Kennesaw State football. After a conference championship season in year one, Mack is looking to elevate the program once again.

“Last year was great. 10 wins. That’s awesome, but I think we’ve closed the chapter on that and (the team) has done a great job of focusing on this team that we have right now,” Mack said.

“Half of (the 2025 team) aren’t even here anymore, so these guys haven’t won anything. We don’t even use the term ‘repeat.’”

The Owls are split down the middle in terms of returning players and newcomers, with 47 players in each category not counting walk-ons.

The speed and energy of practice was elevated. Clear evidence of what a year of winning can do for a program.

“It feels a lot different than last year because I think we’re a lot more athletic across the board,” Mack said. “When you have success, you’re able to get into (the transfer portal) and recruit a different type of athlete.”

“Coach Mack said to all the guys who were coming back to try to set a standard and try to lead the other guys to the same standard that we are, because we are a championship team and we’ll be a championship team,” said Nikola Milovac, a returning offensive lineman.

Championships often depend on who is taking snaps under center. After an all-conference season, Amari Odom transferred to Syracuse. Mack is confident in a new crop of quarterbacks competing to lead this year’s nest.

Redshirt junior Rickie Collins appeared in seven games for Syracuse in 2025. JUCO upstart Landon Varnes led the nation in passing yards per game (299.6), total passing yards (3,296) and touchdowns (31).

Freshman Jamarcus Harrison was all-state as a junior at East Hall High School and threw for 1,900 yards and rushed for 1,000 more as a senior. Redshirt freshman Skyler Williams did the same at Warner Robins High School.

“All four of these guys are extremely competitive. They’ve had success in high school or junior college or even in college where they came from so they didn’t come here to sit on the bench. They all want to be that guy,” Mack said.

The Owls have 13 more practices before their spring game on April 11 at Fifth-Third Stadium.