DAVIS, Calif. – Returning weapons across all parts of the unit the UC Davis offense under the guidance of offensive coordinator Paul Shelton and head coach Tim Plough is set to head into a new season as an attacking force.
 
QUARTERBACK: It's hard to replace a legend, and after throwing for over 4,000 yards in 2024 Miles Hastings entered that realm in UC Davis history. But entering camp the Aggies had in place a pair of quarterbacks ready to compete for the job of continuing the great legacy of UC Davis quarterbacks.
 
"The biggest thing that we always want to see in every single one of our quarterbacks is toughness, leadership and accuracy," said Shelton. "If we can get all seven guys to really buy into to those three components, we have an ability to be, to be special."
 
Both Grant Harper and Caden Pinnick battled across both the spring season and 15 camp practices, making each other better during the process.
 
Although Pinnick won the job, Harper is poised to step in where needed. The Aggie fifth year has made appearances in nine games from 2022-24 and brings with him a deep understanding of the UC Davis offense. Treynor Cleeland, Axel Eason, Damon Wrighster and Xzavior Guess round out a deep and strong room of Aggie quarterbacks.
 
RUNNING BACKS: Lan Larison was special and placed himself among the greatest to ever wear the Aggie Blue and Gold. This year's batch of experienced Aggie running backs don't look to replace Larison, rather the 2025 unit has a goal of continuing the legacy of greats in the UC Davis backfield.
 
"I want the running backs to carry themselves with confident aggression," said assistant coach Kevin Burke. "Football is a violent sport and there's no ifs, ands or buts about it. It's something that requires physically a lot out of our players. But I'm confident our group is ready to answer the call."
 
Jordan Fisher, Matteo Perez, Carter Vargas and Kai Acia all combine for 528 rushing yards returning from the 2024 season and the group scored two touchdowns. Michael Ingrassia joins the group from the quarterback room and with incomers Aden Jackson and Mason Walsh the Aggies running back corps is in position to be a factor every Saturday.
 
OFFENSIVE LINE: An offense is only as good as its offensive line, and the Aggies can boast one of the best and deepest lines in the nation. With starters returning at all five positions and beyond, teams can expect a physical day when they face the Ags up front.
 
Eli Simonson (Preseason All-Conference), Jace Rodriguez, Zaire Collier, Ernesto Nava (Preseason All-Conference), David Porotesano join David Main as six returning starters who combined for 63 starts in 2024.
 
"I'm really excited about the offensive line and what we have coming back this year," said assistant coach Mike Cody. "We have a talented and experienced bunch returning that should really make us a physical bunch up front. It could make us one of the toughest lines to play against this season."
 
Behind the starters UC Davis has a collection of returners and incomers that add to the depth up front. Jayden Montanez, Ty Mazakas and Jezniah Thurston create a returning foundation that adds incomers Roice Cleeland and AJ Hasson to build out a unit that runs deep.
 
TIGHT ENDS: Fans and opponents will find it hard to miss one of the deepest and tightest groups on the offense as UC Davis returns a talented corps of tight ends for 2025.
 
"It's a really tight group in our room," said assistant coach Taylor Chapatte. "I'm confident that we're going to execute all of our assignments and that we're going to bring toughness on every single play."
 
Preseason All-American Winston Williams, who returns as the leader among the group having caught six touchdown passes on 34 receptions during 2024. Ian Simpson and Mitchell Dixon bring with them more experience for the Aggies with Simpson making an impact last season in limited action (injury) and Dixon providing talented depth.
 
Returners Connor Bonesio, Franz Pohlman and Mason Norberg provide more leadership in a room with a pair of talented freshman (Edward Khutsishvili; Jordan Rogers) set to take up the mantle.
 
WIDE RECEIVERS: The Aggie offense aims to be an explosive one, and this year's receiving corps is in position to push the limits of defenses across the country and Big Sky.
 
"The biggest thing this year is we had a group of veterans here last season that knew how to play four quarters," said assistant coach Trey Shimabukuro. "So with our younger group we have emphasized playing hard for longer periods of time and we work on accomplishing that each day. The returners have done a great job of setting that standard for our younger guys coming in."
 
At the top spot sits Samuel Gbatu, Jr., who returns as the leading receiver among the group from 2024. The speedy Aggie finished last season with 44 receptions, 779 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns and his 90-yard touchdown reception at Eastern Washington sat as one of the longest scoring receptions in the nation.
 
But Gbatu Jr., is not alone in providing depth for the Aggie receiving corps as returning receivers Stacy Dobbins, Zach Jones, Fernando Morales and Laviel Pickett all look to take strides into new roles. And along with a strong collection of incoming transfers and freshmen, the UC Davis offense has placed itself in position to take the top off defenses on Saturdays this fall.
 
UC Davis opens 2025 on Aug. 23 in Montgomery, Ala., when they face No. 12 Mercer in the 2025 FCS Kickoff Classic. That game is set to kickoff at 4 p.m. PT and will be aired on ESPN and can be heard on Sactown Sports 1140. The Aggies open UC Davis Health Stadium on Sept. 20 when Southern Utah visits Davis for a 7 p.m. kick.
 
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. Both plans can be purchased here.
 
SINGLE GAME TICKETS: Single game tickets are on sale now and fans can secure their spot at one five home games for as little as $13 a ticket. HEAD HERE to buy single game tickets today.