OTTAWA, Kan. — Momentum, experience and a commitment to culture have Ottawa University football looking forward to the 2026 season.

The Braves enter the fall after closing the 2025 campaign with four consecutive victories, giving a veteran group something to build on under head coach Nick Davis. Ottawa's expectations have also been recognized around the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, as the Braves were selected to finish second in the KCAC Dr. Ted Kessinger Division Preseason Coaches' Poll.

Ottawa received 20 points in the poll, trailing only preseason favorite Evangel University. The Valor collected 25 points and five first-place votes, while Tabor College was third with 17 points and the remaining first-place vote.

The Braves also placed 14 student-athletes on the 2026 KCAC Football Dr. Ted Kessinger Division Preseason Team, which was selected by the division's head coaches.

While those preseason honors provide recognition, Davis and the Braves are focused on what happens on the field.

"We want to continue to grow our program and give ourselves a chance to win every game we play," Davis said. "Our expectations are built around our culture of family, accountability, and mindset. If we stay connected, work hard, and continue to grow together, we believe we can have a successful season and compete with anyone on our schedule."

Building on a Strong Finish

Ottawa's four-game winning streak to close the 2025 season provided an important foundation for the offseason. More than the victories themselves, Davis believes the way the Braves earned them showed the returning players what is required to be successful.

"We finished last season on a four-game winning streak, and our returning players understand what it took to make that happen," Davis said. "They learned the importance of trusting each other, overcoming adversity together, and staying committed to the process. That experience has helped our leaders set the standard for this year's team."

That leadership has carried over into the offseason and preseason camp.

"Our returning players have done a great job leading by example," Davis said. "They've held themselves and their teammates accountable while helping our younger players understand the expectations of the program. They understand that leadership is about service, consistency, and putting the team first."

Davis has been particularly pleased with the overall commitment shown by the roster.

"The buy-in from our players has been impressive," he said. "They have embraced what we're trying to accomplish and have worked hard to build the culture we want. Our players have shown ownership, accountability, toughness, and a willingness to outwork people. The effort and energy have been very consistent."

Experience Returns on Defense

Ottawa has an experienced group of returners on the defensive side of the ball.

Along the defensive line, Kage Castling, Vicente Rocio and Jacob Bajek are among the veterans expected to take another step forward in 2026.

The Braves also return experience at linebacker with Kikoa Ondalecio, Gabe Watson and Jacob Hill, while Nick Soares, James Kitt and Kyle Watson give OU veterans in the secondary.

Ottawa's defensive formula will center on physicality, discipline and creating opportunities for the offense.

"We need to stop the run, create turnovers, and play with relentless effort," Davis said. "Defensively, it always comes back to doing your job, trusting your teammates, and playing with great discipline. If we can play fast, physical, and together, we'll put ourselves in position to be successful."

The returning group will be joined by several newcomers who have made an impression during camp.

Defensive linemen Dorian McGruder, Qui'Len Johnson, JaMare Bell and TJ Turner have added competition up front. At linebacker, Bryalon Glover, Jayton Jons, Rylen Barrientos, Amontae Briggs and Damion Sanchez are competing for opportunities.

The secondary has also added depth with Trent Montgomery, Abdullhi Mahdi, Daniel Walker, Christian Byrd, Elijah Covel, Reeves Gill and Jermiah Bailey.

Competition Driving the Offense

The Braves expect their offense to take a step forward in 2026 with an emphasis on tempo, consistency and explosive plays.

"We want to play faster, be more consistent, and create more explosive plays," Davis said. "Our goal is to execute at a high level while limiting mistakes. We have good competition at multiple positions, and we're expecting that depth and experience to help us become a more efficient offense."

That experience starts up front, where John Hatcher, Chase Guidry and William Lineberger are returning players Davis believes are positioned to make another jump this fall.

Quinn Conley is another returning player to watch at receiver.

The Braves have also added considerable competition to the offense through their newcomer class.

Graduate transfer Danny Sanchez and transfer Corder Ward join Tennyson Friedrich, Jordan Adams, Gage Marks, Daniel Holder, Gavin Mixon and Jason Stabler among the newcomers competing along the offensive line.

At running back, Kimbriq Minnis and Amiri Mumba have stood out during camp, while Ethan Heney and Elijah Ribaudo have added competition at quarterback.

"We've brought in a talented group of newcomers who have added competition across the roster," Davis said. "Several transfers and freshmen have had strong camps and have put themselves in position to contribute. What stands out most is their willingness to work, learn, and buy into our culture from day one."

Rather than focusing on one or two individuals, Davis believes the depth of the roster has helped elevate the entire team.

"We have several returning players who are positioned to take another step forward, but what excites me most is the overall growth of our roster," Davis said. "A lot of our veteran players have gained confidence and experience, and I think we'll see that show up on Saturdays. The competition throughout camp has pushed a lot of players to improve."

Family, Accountability and Mindset

For Davis, Ottawa's identity in 2026 will extend beyond schemes and statistics.

"I want our players to take ownership of this program," Davis said. "We want to be a family that builds lifelong relationships and is dependable for one another. We want to be known for teamwork, toughness, effort, resilience, and a mindset that allows us to overcome adversity together. Most importantly, we want to be a team that outworks people and never wavers in who we are."

That approach will be tested throughout a demanding KCAC schedule. The Braves will compete in the Kessinger Division against a group that includes preseason favorite Evangel as well as Tabor, Bethel, Bethany and Avila.

"The KCAC is one of the toughest conferences in the NAIA," Davis said. "Every week presents a challenge, and there are quality teams throughout the league. You have to be prepared every Saturday because there are no easy games. That's what makes the conference so competitive and so respected."

Ottawa enters the season with outside expectations after being picked second in the division and placing 14 players on the preseason all-conference team. Inside the program, however, the emphasis remains on the relationships and standards that helped the Braves finish last season with four straight wins.

"The relationships and chemistry within this team excite me the most," Davis said. "Our players genuinely care about one another and have embraced the values of family, accountability, and mindset. They enjoy competing together, working together, and overcoming challenges together. When you have a group that is connected and willing to outwork people, that's exciting as a coach."

With a veteran core, an influx of newcomers and momentum from the way the 2025 season ended, the Braves enter 2026 looking to turn that foundation into a run at the top of the Kessinger Division.