The Hobart football team has been picked to finish atop the standings in the 2025 Liberty League Preseason Coaches Poll, the conference office announced Wednesday. The league’s defending champions, the Statesmen received six out of eight first place votes.
Hobart earned 48 points overall, four more than Ithaca, which was picked to finish second. The Bombers received the other two first place votes. Rensselaer was voted third with 36 points. Rochester, Union, Buffalo State, St. Lawrence and Hilbert, which joins the league as an associate member in football this year, rounded out the poll.
The Statesmen welcome back 10 players who earned All-Liberty League honors last season, including the Offensive Player of the Year and the Rookie of the Year. Junior running back E.J. Taylor rushed for a league-high 1,196 yards and 12 touchdowns on his way to the conference’s top offensive award in 2024. Sophomore wide receiver and return specialist Johnny Harding snagged the rookie award after catching 43 passes for 584 yards and eight TDs, tied for the league lead among receivers.
Hobart’s lineup also boasts a D3football.com preseason All-American in senior punter Vicente Lyon. He was fourth in the nation last year, averaging 43.6 yards per punt.
The Statesmen open the 2025 season at Alfred on Friday, Sept. 5. Hobart will play its home opener Saturday, Sept. 20, when Utica visits Boswell Field. Liberty League play begins Saturday, Sept. 27 at Ithaca.
2025 Liberty League Football Preseason Poll (First Place Votes)
1. Hobart – 48 (6)
2. Ithaca – 44 (2)
3. RPI – 36
4. Rochester – 30
5. Union – 26
6. Buffalo State – 18
7. St. Lawrence – 15
8. Hilbert – 8