LATROBE, Pa. -- The Washington & Jefferson College football team secured 17 first-place votes and 431 overall points to be selected first in the preseason poll at the 2025 Presidents' Athletic Conference Football Media Day in Latrobe, Wednesday morning.
The results of the league's preseason poll, voted on by PAC head coaches, sports information directors and members of the media, were announced following the annual season kickoff event, which was hosted by Saint Vincent College for a 18th-straight time.
W&J head football coach
Mike Sirianni and senior running back
Kobe Derosa (New Castle, Pa./Laurel) represented the Presidents at the annual preseason event.
The Presidents enter the 2025 season with 41-consecutive winning seasons. That streak began in 1984, a season in which W&J made its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division III Playoffs. Last season, W&J picked up its 27
th PAC Championship and made its 27
th appearance in the NCAA Playoffs. The Presidents will look to repeat as champions this coming season.
"It's an honor, but we felt a little disrespected that no one talks about us as the defending conference champions," stated Sirianni. "This is good though and we'll take the attention, but that doesn't change the fact that we have a chip on our shoulders as it still has to be won on the field."
W&J will look to Derosa to supplement the W&J Offense with a new quarterback entering the fold. The New Castle, Pa. native was tabbed with All-PAC Honorable Mention honors following the Presidents' 2024 campaign. Coach Sirianni spoke on the versatile back and the impact he can have on any drive.
"Kobe is one of the better backs in the league." said Sirianni when talking about Derosa. "This young man is super talented and very versatile being able to catch the ball out of the backfield. He's going to have a big season for us. "
W&J led the charge, being selected first with 17 first-place votes and 431 total points in the poll. Grove City College, who was one of three teams to tie for the PAC title a season ago, was selected second with 13 first place votes and 413 points. Westminster College, who capped an 8-3 campaign with a victory in the Opendorse Bowl Series Extra Points Bowl, was picked third with 12 first-place votes and 400 points. Ranking fourth was Case Western Reserve University with 347 points, followed by Geneva College with 267 points, Waynesburg University (260), Thiel College (167), Allegheny College (158), Saint Vincent College (152), Bethany College (117) and Hiram College (60).
| 2025 PAC Football Preseason Poll (Predicted order of finish) |
| School |
Points (first place votes) |
2024 Record (PAC) |
| 1. Washington & Jefferson College |
431 (17) |
9-2 (9-1) |
| 2. Grove City College |
413 (13) |
9-2 (9-1) |
| 3. Westminster College |
400 (12) |
8-3 (7-3) |
| 4. Case Western Reserve University |
347 |
6-4 (6-4) |
| 5. Geneva College |
267 |
5-5 (5-5) |
| 6. Waynesburg University |
260 |
4-6 (4-6) |
| 7. Thiel College |
167 |
3-7 (3-7) |
| 8. Allegheny College |
158 |
1-9 (1-9) |
| 9. Saint Vincent College |
152 |
1-9 (1-9) |
| 10. Bethany College |
117 |
1-9 (1-9) |
| 11. Hiram College |
60 |
0-10 (0-8 NCAC) |
| Washington & Jefferson – PAC Players to Watch |
| Name |
Yr. |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Kobe Derosa (New Castle, Pa./Laurel) |
Sr. |
RB |
New Castle, Pa./Laurel |
| Joey Lacey (Bristow, Va./Avalon School) |
Sr. |
LB |
Bristow, Va./Avalon School |
| Jacob Macosko (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township) |
Sr. |
WR |
Venetia, Pa./Peters Township |
| John Peduzzi (Hilton Head, S.C./Hilton Head Christian Academy) |
Sr. |
WR |
Hilton Head, S.C./Hilton Head Christian Academy |
| Aidan Thomas (Johnstown, Pa./Richland) |
Sr. |
DL |
Johnstown, Pa./Richlanad |
