The Wheaton football team heads into the upcoming 2025 season off of a 9-2 campaign in 2024 where the Thunder finished the season ranked 24^th in the D3football.com Top-25 poll. Wheaton is ranked 17th in the website's 2025 preseason poll.

The Thunder football team did not earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III Playoffs as Wheaton missed the playoffs for the first time since 2018. The NCAA utilized its NPI ranking system to determine its playoff participants for the first time. Wheaton represented the CCIW in the 2024 Culver's Isthmus Bowl, as the Thunder defeated UW-Stout 35-32 in the annual pairing of a CCIW program against a member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC). The Thunder win against the Blue Devils gave the CCIW its first victory against the WIAC in four editions of the game.

Head coach Jesse Scott says of this year's team using the lessons from 2024 in its preparation, "Early on in our offseason it certainly gave an edge to things. Our guys wanted to have something at the end of last fall that they didn't get. I think it brought a lot of focus to the early portion of our offseason that was sustained as our team attacked our goals for the 2025 season together."

"I think from a developmental perspective we had a really great offseason," comments Scott. "It is always interesting to start over in a given year. Re-establishing the foundation for our 2025 team is really important. We don't just get to carry all the good from 2024 forward and build on that". He continues, "There is certainly momentum to build off, however, we need to start over with this team and its foundation. I think the depth of cohesion among this unit and their commitment to the big picture of our mission, in being excellent both on the field and off of it was really good."

Scott says that if his team is looking sharp in a game, it would look similar on each side of the ball. "If things are going well, this would be mirrored on both sides of the football. Offensively, if we are staying ahead of the chains, and defensively if we are keeping people behind the chains, then we are playing really good football." He adds, "From an offensive perspective, two or three years ago there was a significant mindset shift in the way we approached moving the ball down the field. We are much less boom or bust as we look for ways to pick up first downs and gain five-plus yards on first and second down. The reality is that we have enough explosive playmakers that they are going to be able to create explosive plays on their own, but we don't need to try and manufacture those things." He concludes, "We need to be efficient in the way that we call the game and in the way we structure the game so that we can keep our offense on the field and keep getting first downs and continue creating opportunities to be explosive." He concludes, "Conversely, on defense we want to win first and second down. Coach [Mikey] Swider does a great job of putting together our third down menu. We want to be in attack mode and feel like we are in control at that point and not in survival mode because it is third and inches."

The Thunder head coach notes of challenges his team must address heading into the 2025 campaign, "We are going to be in the situation again this year where there is a lot of turnover in different positions on the field," notes the Thunder head coach. He continues, "We replace a four-time All-Region running back (Giovanni Weeks) who set the conference's all-time rushing record. So Gio's absence will be felt at different points in time for sure. We've got talented individuals in the position group, as I expect two to three guys to play significant minutes and significant snaps as our running back this fall." He adds, "I didn't feel like our offensive line performance was where it needed to be last year. I am excited to see the development of that unit – I thought we had a good spring. I feel like the right ingredients are there, and we just have to get guys in the right spot and back to playing how that unit is capable of playing and doing what we need to do in terms of controlling the line of scrimmage."

Scott says of the other side of the ball, "On the defensive side of the football we are replacing a couple of starters at our box linebacker positions, and we feel like we have a lot of talent in the back seven, but it's similar to the offensive line in that we need to figure out where to put the right ingredients and make sure that there is cohesion. We need to make sure that we are asking that unit to do the things that they are really gifted at and not asking them to do things that a past year's unit was good at."

​Scott says specifically of Wheaton's situation under center as 2024 All-CCIW honoree Mark Forcucci (PICTURED LEFT) returns, "I am really excited for quarterback continuity," notes the Thunder head coach. "It is one of those things that we have taken for granted in that we have broken in a new quarterback every year for the past four years – which is wild. Luke Anthony is a bit of an exception because he was a returner in 2021 coming off the 2019 season, but obviously not competing in 2020 makes that unique. Additionally, Will Bowers and Mark Forcucci showed up as transfers really late into the game."

Scott says of Forcucci, "Mark is an exceptional individual, he is a really gifted quarterback. He will be a captain for us this year, it was practically unanimous in the eyes of his teammates. So for a guy to come in as a transfer, whose first time on campus was in training camp last year, to then be named a starter and then a captain is a really big deal, and it is a testament to how he has gone about his time here." Mark had a lot of goals from a developmental perspective during the course of the offseason. He looked really good in the spring, and in our Portugal game he was very efficient." The Thunder head coach concludes, "He is excited to get back out there and get after it. There will be an entirely different sense of command of what we are doing offensively at the beginning of this season than there was at the beginning of last season."

Forcucci earned All-CCIW Second Team accolades and Third Team All-Region 5 honors from D3football.com at quarterback last fall in his first season at Wheaton. He completed 71.5% (195-274) of his passing attempts last year to rank eighth in Division III. His 184.8 passing efficiency also ranked eighth in the country. The transfer from Holy Cross passed for 2,650 yards, as his 265 passing yards per game was 20^th in D3 and his 29 touchdown passes ranked 19^th.

"We have a dynamic group at wide receiver," states Scott. "We are excited to get Seth Kortenhoeven (PICTURED LEFT) back from his broken collarbone. Seth is as good a receiver as you are going to see at our level. He is a dynamic individual who I think is motivated for this fall and ready to get back out there and get on the field. It is amazing how sometimes you lose the thing that you are accustomed to having and it can mean more to you, and I think that is where Seth is right now."

Kortenhoeven suffered the season-ending injury in Wheaton's September road win at Carroll. He collected nine receptions in the first two games of the season, averaging 9.9 yards per catch. In 2023, Kortenhoeven's first season with the Thunder after transferring from Coastal Carolina, he caught 58 passes for 937 yards, with 10 touchdown catches as he averaged 78.1 receiving yards per game. He earned First Team All-CCIW accolades and was named the 2023 CCIW First-Year Offensive Student-Athlete of the Year.  

"Caleb Titherington returning in the slot will be huge for us," says Scott. "Caleb looked really good during the spring. Obviously, his season-ending injury in our scrimmage last year was a big loss. He is a talented player and to have him back is huge." Titherington was injured in Wheaton's 2024 preseason scrimmage as he came off of a breakout 2023 campaign. He caught 43 passes for 573 yards with eight touchdown catches. He was named CCIW Student-Athlete of the Week for his effort in a Thunder win against Carroll as he snagged five touchdown catches to tie for a Wheaton single-game record, as was his 30 points in the win against the Pioneers.

Scott adds of another Thunder receiver, "I am excited about Thomas Greupner's contributions in this upcoming year. Thomas can run like the wind; however, he has struggled to stay healthy through the course of the past year. Hopefully he can be back on track and get out there routinely on Saturday afternoons for us." The Thunder head coach continues, "There are a number of other guys we look at this year at receiver. Whit Jewett started to see a lot of time through the course of last year. We had some personnel packages where Whit was tasked with doing a big variety of things. He is a good all-around receiver who is really invested in all the elements of his craft. Whether it is doing the dirty work in our offense of blocking or being a reliable ball-catcher in any position on the field." Scott continues, "Ryan Kenyon is another rising senior who we are excited about. He started to see more and more meaningful minutes throughout the home stretch of last year." He had a great offseason and is motivated for this upcoming fall." The Thunder head coach concludes, "There are a ton of younger guys that are excited about the opportunity to compete in a meaningful way and rise in the ranks of the depth chart."

Senior tight end Ben Juska (PICTURED LEFT) returns after suffering a season-ending injury in Wheaton's 2024 matchup against North Central. Scott notes, "It is huge that Ben Juska made the decision to return this fall. The unfortunate reality for Ben is that he was playing the best football of his career in that homecoming game when he tore his ACL. That was hard, but what I loved for Ben is that in that point in time he was playing free for the first time in his career. There had been some times where you would see a big splash play, you'd see the big explosive thing and then something wouldn't go right, and he would spiral downward as a result of that. He developed some real resilience as a competitor to go out and attack the next rep as a result of that. It was exciting to see where he was and disappointing for him to have that injury occur." Juska had 16 receptions in the shortened campaign as he averaged 10.9 yards per catch, with three touchdown receptions. Juska is a two-time All-CCIW honoree at tight end, and he was a Second Team Associated Press All-America selection in 2022 as he had five touchdowns in a breakout sophomore season.

Scott continues at tight end, "Riley Howard is another dude who has developed tremendously at tight end. In terms of the guys that I would note had an outstanding year and offseason, Riley would be at the top of that list. Riley's skill set is a little bit different than Ben's which is a great thing, so we are going to be able to tap him to do some different things. I think in that room this year, they are going to be really powerful complements to each other."

"Running back is probably the biggest question mark in a sense of who is going to take the reigns and who will have what responsibility on Saturdays. I feel like that is a room with questions in it, but simultaneously has good answers too," comments Scott. He continues, "Trent Gabriele (PICTURED RIGHT) is a rising senior that has played meaningfully for us over the course of the last two seasons. Trent is a really reliable running back who does pretty much everything well. He is going to play a big role in our offensive success this year." Gabriele averaged 4.5 yards per carry last season, playing in seven games.

"Also expect sophomores Matt Crider and Malachi Jones to be major contributors for us throughout the course of this year. I think when we look at that room, there is going to be healthy competitiveness from minute number one, and those guys are going to have to bring it every day through the course of training camp and our preseason prep. That is going to determine who is out on the field on snap number one, but I would expect all three of those guys to play a substantial role in what we are doing through the course of this year," states Scott.

Aidan Kingsbury (PICTURED LEFT), David Nussbaum and Steven Ball are among a full contingent of offensive linemen that return this season with considerable experience on the front line. Kingsbury, a D3football.com Preseason All-American this fall, earned his second-consecutive All-CCIW award in 2024 playing at left tackle for the Thunder. "Aidan Kingsbury's decision to come back was huge. That was a big decision over the course of the summer. We are really excited for that, and he is really excited to be here and motivated for the season," notes Scott.

Scott mentions, "David Nussbaum (PICTURED RIGHT) returns after earning All-Conference last year,". He adds, "It is good to have Steven Ball back, he will be a captain for us in the upcoming year, coming off of an ACL surgery this past fall. We are excited to have JT Nichols back for his fifth year after some challenges in our 2024 season. Aidan Byrne is a rising sophomore that I would tell people they need to have an eye on. I think he is a super gifted young player for us. He started the last two-thirds of the season last fall as a freshman. He is really motivated and his development was outstanding. He has all the makings of someone that could be really exceptional for us." Scott concludes, "The rest of the room is bolstered by some other upperclassmen. Zach McCalley is returning as a senior that will be competing to start. We will see healthy amounts of Luke Selfe in our competition leading up to training camp, and he has a chance to be on the field in that first snap when we go to Alliance, Ohio. Max Kingsbury started some games for us last year. He did not maintain that position throughout the course of the year, but he did make great progress throughout the course of 2024 season and he is coming back hungry and ready to get after it. A handful of other juniors in Cole Schminski, Dawson McLaughlin and other hungry players are looking to get after it, as well."

Peter Johanik (PICTURED LEFT) returns following a 2024 season that saw him earn the CCIW's Co-Defensive Student-Athlete of the Year Award and recognition as a D3football.com Second Team All-American. Johanik, a D3football.com Preseason All-American this fall, led the CCIW in tackles for loss with 23 (-139 yards) and sacks with 11 (-95 yards) last season. His average of 2.1 tackles for loss per game ranked fourth in Division III, and his sacks per game average was 12th in Division III. Johanik ranked sixth in the CCIW in total tackles per game (6.7 TPG), as his 74 total tackles ranked second on the Thunder defense last season.

"Peter Johanik is a one-man wrecking crew on Saturday afternoons. Peter was playing the best football of his career down the home stretch last year and we are looking for him to pick up where he left off. Peter is really gifted and on any given snap he can be disruptive to what the other team is doing," states Scott.

Rex Kroger (PICTURED RIGHT) made an immediate impact in his first season with the Thunder in 2024. He recorded 3-1/2 tackles for loss (-17 yards) and registered 27 total tackles. Scott says of him, "Rex Kroger played great football for us last year. Rex is in a great spot as we are getting ready to start training camp. He is fit and his body is in a different spot than it was a year ago."

Scott notes, "Owen Downing was a role player as an interior defensive lineman a year ago. He does everything we ask of him, doing everything the way it needs to be done." He continues, "We are excited to get Maxton Leathers back from his elbow injury last season." Scott concludes of the defensive line, "We have a number of other guys in that position group that are coming in excited, hungry, and hopefully give us the depth and bodies we need in that group because it is more demanding to play in that spot than anywhere else on the field."

Wheaton's leading tackler in 2024, Luca Torti (PICTURED LEFT), returns to lead the linebacking corps in 2025. Torti was a D3football.com First Team All-Region honoree last fall and was named a Preseason All-American by the website earlier this month. Torti registered a team-high 75 total tackles last season, including 39 solo stops. He made 5-1/2 tackles for loss with two sacks. Scott mentions, "Luca Torti will provide us with flexibility in where he plays. He could play in the box, or we could see him outside at SAM linebacker. I am not exactly sure where he goes, that is one of those where we have to get the ingredients in the right spots.

Continuing at linebacker Scott notes, "There are number of junior and senior linebackers who have been competing for a while now to have their chance. There is also a deep group of younger players that are going to have a chance to make an impact for us."   

The secondary features several key returnees, including safety Colin Moore (PICTURED RIGHT). Scott mentions of him, "Colin Moore returns as a starter for us after a breakout campaign as a sophomore." Coach Scott adds, "He is a super gifted player from nearby Wheaton-Warrenville South. He is one of those guys that will provide some opportunities for us to find the right combination of players where they need to be. I wouldn't be surprised to see him playing at the second level more than he played last year." Moore made 57 total tackles in 2024, with 29 solo stops.

Continuing in the secondary, "Nate Tofilon (PICTURED LEFT) is a guy that became a starter down the home stretch of last season," states Scott. "He is a physical player that is instinctive and did a lot for us both on special teams and on defense. I am excited for the role that Nate is going to play. He is not going to back down from anything." Tofilon made 34 total tackles with three pass breakups, including an interception.

"Zac Schloemer is another rising senior who has been all over the place on our roster. He has played receiver, and we moved him to DB a year ago after he recovered from a hip injury," states Scott. He continues, "Zac is one of my favorite players on this roster. Everyday when we go out there to do work, he is going to do what we ask of him, exactly how we ask him to do it. He is a catalyst for our defense and for our team, bringing energy every minute of every day. Zac is excited to carve out a role that is substantial as we head into the upcoming season." Scott concludes, "We have lots of other rising sophomores and juniors that are in the mix to compete."

Tiger Cannon returns to the secondary from an injury. The defensive back has played in 15 games in his Thunder career including regular playing time in 2023, his last season with the team, when he made 36 total tackles and broke up five passes. Scott concludes, "We have lots of other rising sophomores and juniors that are in the mix to compete."

Mateo Jesch returns at kicker for the 2025 season. Jesch was 4-for-5 in field goal attempts last year, and he was 52-for-60 on PAT kick attempts. Scott mentions, "I think what I am encouraged by with Mateo in the offseason is that there is way more consistency and a freedom in his work that was different than how it has been in years past. I am excited for him and excited to have him dive into that role."

Scott continues at kicker, "Maison Haas has done a great job in the position group for us. Santiago Tucker is going into his senior year and is ready to compete. Peter Bertoni was a rising sophomore that has impressed our staff in the offseason."

Scott notes that he has options at punter. "Nate Tofilon brings a dynamic as an athlete to the table that is special. Josiah Smith, a rising junior for us, is feeling good finally. It has taken some time to get healthy, and when he is, he can absolutely boom the ball. The challenge for him is that his operation time is where it needs to be and as long as it is – he brings a different element in terms of his ability to flip the field." Tofilon stepped into the punter role last year, while also playing elsewhere on special teams and in the secondary. He averaged 38.7 yards per punt on his 23 punt attempts. He was twice named the CCIW Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts in a variety of roles, including punter.

The return of both Kortenhoeven and Titherington (PICTURED LEFT) could highlight Wheaton's efforts in the return game. Scott notes, "It was a hard year last year because we lost Seth Kortenhoeven in game number two, and Caleb Titherington was gone before we even started the regular season. Eli Reeves did a great job on kickoff returns for us last year, but it is really good from a punt return perspective to have guys like Seth and Caleb that can take it to the house at any point in time."

Wheaton capped off its spring practices with the program's first international trip to compete in a game as the squad traveled to Portugal. Scott says of the experience, "We had four objectives: to compete, to grow, to bond, and to serve. I feel like we accomplished those in droves. From a football perspective in particular, it was amazing to see the enthusiasm that our team had."

Wheaton starts the 2025 season on September 6 at 2024 Division III Runner-Up, University of Mount Union. It is the first regular season meeting between two programs that have met six times in the NCAA Division III Playoffs. The Purple Raiders are ranked second in the 2025 D3football.com Preseason Poll, a poll that is topped by No. 1-ranked North Central College – the defending Division III Champions. Wheaton is the only Division III team in the nation with the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the Preseason Top-25 poll on their 2025 regular season schedule.

Scott says of the challenging schedule, "I think if you look at the history of our program, we have been really good for a long time, particularly over the last two decades or so. From a programmatic perspective we want to go from being really good to being the best. You want to go from playing games in late November and periodically into early December to playing at the end of December, and with the new schedule, playing in the beginning of January. I think the reality of that goal is that if we are going to beat those teams in late December and hopefully January, then we need to be good enough to beat them in September, too." He adds, "There are certainly some elements where I thought the NPI structure would reward playing big games more than it has. I didn't think it would be so weighted towards winning the game against the best opponent that you can basically ensure victory against. I don't know that at the end of the day I would do it differently. To rewind time and look at our UW-Oshkosh loss last year and criticize that and say 'that cost us the playoffs' is absolutely the wrong takeaway. The takeaway is what did Wheaton football need to own to be in a different spot when it came to Selection Sunday? What could we have done differently? How could we have approached the offseason, our training camp, all of those things in the interest of accomplishing what we wanted to do? That's where we want to spend our energy and effort on our takeaways. That is why continuing to play really good teams on a week-in, week-out basis is going to be a priority to me."