MARSHALL, Texas – Entering the 2025 season, East Texas Baptist University has been chosen to finish third in the American Southwest Conference preseason poll. Witten Weems, Dominick Williams, and Paul Woodard are on the Players to Watch List. ETBU went 6-4 in 2024, earning two wins in the ASC.
 
ETBU received 14 points in the preseason poll ahead of Howard Payne's 10 points. Hardin Simmons University was picked to win with 29 points, while UMHB had 27 points.
 
Weems, Williams, and Woodard were All-ASC First-Team selections last year. Williams also made the D3football.com All-Region team as a defensive end with six sacks, 26 tackles, and blocked three kicks. Weems earned the award as a punter, averaging 40.2 yards per game with a career-long 49-yard punt. Woodard led the team with 557 yards rushing, 10 touchdowns, and averaged 6.0 yards per carry.
 
ETBU opens the 2025 season on Saturday, September 6, at 7:00 p.m. hosting Lyon College.