Stanford Eyes Bowl Eligibility Behind Veteran O-Line and Defensive Core
There’s a new era underway in Palo Alto, and it comes with a familiar face at the helm. Tavita Pritchard, a Stanford alum and former quarterback for the Cardinal, has taken over the program with one clear goal: get Stanford football back on the map - and back to a bowl game for the first time since 2018.
The road here hasn’t been smooth. Last offseason brought a coaching change and a wave of departures to both the NFL Draft and the transfer portal.
But the tide began to turn with the hiring of Andrew Luck as the program’s general manager - a bold move that brought credibility and vision to the rebuild. Luck’s connection to the program runs deep, and his decision to bring in Frank Reich as interim head coach in 2025 helped stabilize things.
Reich, who coached Luck during his NFL days with the Colts, guided Stanford to a 4-8 record - not a winning season, but a step forward from 3-9 the year before.
Now, it’s Pritchard’s turn. And while the Cardinal aren’t exactly bursting with star power, they’re quietly putting together a roster that could surprise some folks in 2026.
Offense: Building from the Trenches
Let’s start up front - because that’s where Stanford is strongest. Four of five starters return on the offensive line, including left tackle Niki Prongos, left guard Josh Williams, center Fisher Anderson, and Khalil House, who’s expected to slide inside to right guard after finishing last season there. House brings 22 career starts to the table and gives the Cardinal a sturdy, experienced anchor on the interior.
That kind of continuity is a luxury in today’s transfer-heavy college football landscape, and it should give new offensive coordinator Terry Heffernan a solid foundation to work with.
Running back Micah Ford will be the main beneficiary of that veteran line. Ford led the team in rushing last year with 643 yards and four touchdowns on 145 carries - a respectable 4.4 yards per attempt.
He’s not a breakaway threat every time he touches the ball, but he runs hard, sees the field well, and rarely loses yards. Behind this line, he could take a meaningful step forward.
In the passing game, wide receiver Caden High is the lone returning starter. He caught 37 passes for 414 yards last season, averaging 11.2 yards per grab.
That’s solid production, but he’ll need help - and help is on the way. The transfer portal brought in a few new weapons, most notably Nico Brown from Yale.
Brown was a monster in the Ivy League, racking up 1,085 yards and 11 touchdowns on 71 catches. He brings size, strong hands, and a knack for creating separation - all traits that should translate well to the Power Five level.
The biggest question on offense? Quarterback.
Elijah Brown is gone, and in steps Davis Warren, a transfer from Michigan who didn’t start in 2025. Warren’s an unknown commodity at this point, but he’s got the tools - arm strength, mobility, and a solid frame.
Now it’s on Pritchard and Heffernan to bring him along quickly and get him comfortable in the system.
Defense: Core Intact, Identity Emerging
On the defensive side, Stanford returns a solid core that could provide the stability this team needs to stay competitive week in and week out.
Linebacker Matt Rose is the heartbeat of the unit. He led the team with 106 tackles last season and added three sacks to boot. He’s a classic sideline-to-sideline linebacker - instinctive, physical, and always around the ball.
Up front, both starting edge rushers are back. Ernest Cooper (23 tackles, 3.0 sacks) and Tevarua Tafiti (32 tackles, 2.0 sacks) bring energy and experience off the edge. They’re not elite pass rushers yet, but they’ve shown flashes and should benefit from another year in the system.
The secondary also returns key pieces. Safeties Jay Green and Scotty Edwards are back after combining for 92 tackles, 8 passes defended, and 2.5 sacks.
Cornerback Brandon Nicholson returns as well, coming off a season where he recorded 27 tackles, six pass breakups, and two interceptions. That trio gives Stanford a strong foundation on the back end - and with so many returning starters, this group could gel into a quietly effective unit.
The only defensive addition via the portal was cornerback Leroy Bryant from Washington. He started five games for the Huskies last fall and brings Power Five experience to a secondary that just lost Collin Wright to the NFL. Bryant is expected to step in right away and fill that void.
Transfer Portal Recap: Quiet but Calculated
In an era where some programs are flipping half their roster through the portal, Stanford’s approach was refreshingly measured. Just seven players joined the team via transfer - six on offense, one on defense. But the additions fill clear needs.
Warren gives them a potential starting quarterback. Brown adds a proven pass catcher.
Adeyemi, a transfer from Bucknell, brings depth to the offensive line and is expected to start at right tackle, allowing House to move inside. Aidan Kilstrom, a center from Harvard, provides additional depth up front.
Running back Davion Godley from Weber State also joins the mix, adding another option behind Ford.
On defense, Bryant is the lone portal pickup - but with so many returning starters, there wasn’t much of a need to overhaul the unit.
The Outlook: Can Stanford Get to Six?
This is a team that’s quietly positioned to make a run at bowl eligibility. The offensive line is experienced and cohesive.
The defense returns its top tackler and most of its secondary. And while the quarterback spot is still a question mark, there’s enough talent around Davis Warren to help ease the transition.
Pritchard knows the culture, the expectations, and what it takes to win at Stanford. He’s not trying to reinvent the wheel - just get it rolling again. If the Cardinal can stay healthy and get competent quarterback play, don’t be surprised if they’re playing meaningful football in December for the first time in a long time.