DAVIS, Calif. – 2025 is on the kicking tee and UC Davis football is getting ready to line up for the start of fall camp with the first of 25 practices scheduled for July 23 at 10 a.m.
 
All practices are open to the public and media. Filming is allowed during any part of practice held on Bob Biggs Field but prohibited during any part of practice held in UC Davis Health Stadium.
 
The Aggies are coming off a historic season where they won a program record 11 games, finished a program-high No. 5 in the country, made a run to the NCAA FCS Playoff Quarterfinals and set 19 program records. They also saw four Aggies earn All-American honors along with Lan Larison signing directly with the New England Patriots following the 2025 NFL Draft.
 
"I am Thrilled for another journey," said 2024 Eddie Robinson Award finalist head coach Tim Plough. "The 2025 schedule, like every season, has its great challenges that we're all looking forward to.
 
"Whenever we get to the start of fall camp the first feeling I try to have is one of gratitude. Grateful for another season, even more thankful that it gets to be here with the school that I love. Nobody has higher expectations than the one we put on ourselves as a program, but we will continue to put the process in front of the results, and most importantly work to Find Joy every single day."
 
SEASON OPENS WEEK O: The Aggies kick 2025 off with a Week 0 matchup against No. 12 Mercer in Montgomery, Alabama on Aug. 23 when they take part in the FCS Kickoff Classic. It will be the first time the Aggies find themselves on the linear main ESPN network in their first trip into the deep south since 2008 when the Aggies visited Central Arkansas in a non-conference matchup.
 
RUNNING THE BIG SKY AWARDS: UC Davis recently earned a conference-high seven members as part of the Big Sky Preseason All-Conference awards with Rex Connors; Samuel Gbatu, Jr.; Porter Connors; Winston Williams; Hunter Ridley; Eli Simonson and Ernesto Nava all earning the recognition.
 
Rex Connors doubled down on the honors by being named the Big Sky Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, giving the Aggies their second-straight Preseason MVP and the first on the defensive side of the ball.
 
ALL-AMERICAN AGGIES: Four Aggies earned STATS Perform Preseason All-American honors announced by the publication on July 15. All four Aggies earned Preseason Big Sky All-Conference honors.
 
Rex Connors returns to the list having been named a 2024 All-American following his record-breaking season that saw him set the single season program record in solo tackles while earning Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association and FCS Football Central All-American honors. The Aggie defensive back finished with a record breaking 74 solo tackles, finishing with a total tally of 115 on the season.
 
Williams, who was named the second-best returning tight end in the nation by HERO Sports, was a 2024 First Team All-Big Sky Conference honoree and he ended the season leading all Big Sky tight ends in touchdown receptions and he finished second in the nation for most receiving touchdowns by a tight end. When the 2024 season came to an end, Williams had racked up career numbers finishing with 265 receiving yards on 34 receptions, snagging six touchdowns while averaging 19.0 yards per game.
 
Ridley has served as the primary kicker for the Aggies over the past two seasons and over those seasons Ridley has earned back-to-back All-Big Sky Conference honors. He also was named a 2024 Fred Mitchell Award finalist after going 16-for-18 in field goals and hitting 56 PATs during this past season. The Aggie kicker was also nominated for the 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
 
Porter Connors earned Second Team Big Sky All-Conference honors following a 2024 season where he finished with 86 total tackles, made three interceptions and scored a defensive touchdown on a scoop and score in the season opener at California. His game at Cal earned him national defensive player of the week honors as the Aggie linebacker would go on to start 13 games over the remainder of the season.
 
AGGIE OFFENSE RETURNS EXPERINCE: UC Davis offensively can claim a handful of experienced returners, led by an offensive line that returns all five starters. Center Zaire Collier is flanked by returning Aggies David Main; Eli Simonson; Jace Rodriguez and Ernesto Nava to create a force up front that the Big Sky and the nation will have to deal with. That offensive line is strengthened by a deep core of returning tight ends with preseason All-American Winston Williams joined by Ian Simpson; Mitchell Dixon; Connor Bonesio; Franz Pohlman and Mason Norberg all bringing experience from previous seasons.
 
While replacing Walter Payton Award finalist Lan Larison and All-American quarterback Miles Hastings is not going to be easy, running back Jordan Fisher and receiver Samuel Gbatu, Jr. will look to play their part. Fisher made an impact when he saw action, averaging 5.0 yards per carry during the 2024 season while Gbatu Jr., returns as the leading receiver from the 2024 season having brought in 779 receiving yards last season, catching seven touchdowns while making 44 receptions.
 
DEFENSIVE FORCE: On the defensive side of the ball, UC Davis looks to be a problem with returning preseason All-American brothers Rex and Porter Connors. Rex, the Big Sky Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, holds the program record for solo tackles in a single season (74) while Porter can claim a Big Sky Preseason All-Conference award after collecting 86 tackles during the 2024 season.

Up front Trent Carrade returns to flex for the Aggies defensive line, having collected seven tackles during the 2024 season Carrade has led the defensive line that also returns Rayne Mayo Jr., Joey Carrillo, Jake Williams and Clayton Lynam. Its up front where the Aggies have also improved through the transfer window, bringing in a pair of All-Ivy Leaguers in Derrell Porter (Dartmouth) and Jacob Psyk (Harvard).
 
SPECIAL AGGIES: On special teams, UC Davis returns one of the best kickers in the nation. Hunter Ridley, who was a 2024 Fred Mitchell Award finalist, returns to do the place kicking. Ridley has already earned Preseason Big Sky All-Conference honors and he was named a STATS Perform Preseason All-American. Ridley also earned a nomination to the 2025 AFCA Good Works Team, acknowledging his success on the field and his work in the community.
 
SEASON TICKETS: Season tickets are on sale now, and fans can head here to secure their spot in Shredville for the 2025 season. Tickets start as low as $100 for new alumni and $140 for the general public.

GROUP TICKETS: Football group ticket discounts start at 10 or more tickets and provide a great opportunity for gatherings and parties to enjoy Aggie football. If you'd like to create an unforgettable experience with your group, the Aggie Ticket Office is here to help you customize your day! Fans can head to THIS LINK to purchase their group ticket packages.
 
MINI PLANS: Mini Plans are a great way for Aggie fans to save on tickets by bundling multiple games. Choose from 2 different options to get the biggest bang for your buck, and fans get to pick the games that work the best for you. The Pick Any 2 or Pick Any 3 Plans allow fans to pick and choose which games they want to attend at a discounted rate versus buying single-game tickets.
 
All mini plan seats will be located in section 119 or 125 on the West side of UC Davis Health Stadium. The Pick Any 2 Plan will be $79 while the Pick Any 3 Plan is $129. Both plans can be purchased here.

Season Tickets, Group Tickets, and Junior Aggie Club Memberships are also still available to purchase, with Group Tickets available for as low as $15 and Season Tickets as low as $100 for recent UC Davis graduates.