Graceland Football 2025: New Era, Same Ambition
With Offensive Player of the Year Gerald Monroe back, a veteran offensive line, and a fresh voice at the helm in Phil Staback, the Yellowjackets aim to climb higher in the Heart of America.
LAMONI, Iowa — Change is in the air at Graceland University, but the program's ambitions remain sky-high. The Yellowjackets are coming off a 7-4 season (5-1 HAAC) in which they boasted one of the NAIA's most explosive offenses, averaged 37.2 points per game, and saw wide receiver Gerald Monroe rewrite the school record book en route to being named NAIA National Offensive Player of the Year.
Now, with first-year head coach Phil Staback — a former Lindenwood University quarterback who led the Lions to the 2009 NAIA national championship game — taking over the reins, Graceland looks to blend last year's offensive firepower with a renewed push for balance and consistency. Staback arrives after a nine-year run as offensive coordinator at Southwest Baptist University, where he guided the Bearcats to their first-ever NCAA Division II playoff appearance in 2016 and multiple national Top 25 rankings.
The Heart of America Athletic Conference has taken notice, placing the Jackets fifth in the preseason HAAC poll, a sign of respect but also a challenge. Staback knows he's inherited a program with a strong foundation — and lofty expectations.
"This group isn't starting from scratch," Staback said. "They've proven they can score with anyone in the country. My job is to keep that fire lit on offense, get us playing faster and more disciplined, and make sure our defense feels that same swagger every snap. The tools are here — it's about sharpening them."
2024 Recap: Offensive Fireworks, Room to Grow
The 2024 Yellowjackets offense was electric, finishing with 5,104 total yards (464.0 per game) and a balanced attack that produced 40 passing touchdowns and 13 rushing scores. Quarterback Cade Ross directed the offense most of the year, throwing for 2,736 yards and 33 touchdowns, while Monroe emerged as the nation's most dangerous pass-catcher with 84 receptions for 1,562 yards and 22 touchdowns in just 10 games.
The passing game was complemented by Deajaun McDougle (609 yards, 7 TDs) and running back Jamon McGlory (1,001 rushing yards, 8 total TDs), giving Graceland multiple ways to burn defenses.
Defensively, All-Conference linebacker Jacob Morales anchored a unit that allowed 26.3 points per game, racked up 33 sacks, and forced 21 turnovers. The Jackets had strong moments — holding Doane to 11 points in the opener, intercepting nine passes in conference play — but struggled late, surrendering 32.5 points per game in losses and allowing over 368 yards per game in defeats.
The season ended with back-to-back losses to Missouri Baptist and powerhouse Grand View, underscoring the gap between Graceland and the HAAC's elite.
Offense: Reloading Around Monroe
If there's one certainty in Lamoni this fall, it's that Gerald Monroe will draw double teams, bracket coverage, and still find a way to produce. His blend of speed, route precision, and physicality after the catch has made him the most feared receiver in the NAIA.
The big question: Who will be throwing him the football?
The Yellowjackets enter camp with a four-man quarterback battle between returners Luke Dodd and Elijah Ortiz, and high-profile transfers CJ Brooks (Bethune-Cookman) and Max Lawrence (University of Miami). Staback has not tipped his hand, saying only that the staff is evaluating "every snap, every read" in the early going. Dodd flashed promise in limited action last year, Brooks brings FCS experience, and Lawrence arrives from a Power Five program, creating one of the most intriguing camp competitions in the HAAC.
Supporting Monroe in the passing game is Aaron Bullock II, a 6'5", 180-pound junior from Mays Landing, N.J., who battled injuries last season but has the size, athleticism, and catch radius to be a dangerous red-zone threat. PJ Caldwell also returns as a steady contributor.
The run game gets a boost from two transfer running backs expected to take on major roles. Just as important, four starters return on the offensive line, led by Christopher Cramer — an All-Conference honorable mention in 2024 — along with Jairus Davis, Paris Roby, and anchor Isaiah Matthews. Their experience and chemistry should give the Jackets an edge up front in both pass protection and the run game.
Defense: Morales and Reed Set the Tone
Graceland's defensive identity starts with Jacob Morales, the tackling machine who posted 56 stops, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks despite missing three games in 2024. His sideline-to-sideline range and leadership make him the centerpiece of coordinator adjustments under Staback's new staff.
The front seven also boasts Antonio Reed, a disruptive presence on the defensive line who can collapse pockets and force quarterbacks off their spot. Reed's motor will be crucial in generating pressure against pass-heavy HAAC opponents.
In the secondary, Antonio Brunson (45 tackles, 6 pass breakups) returns as a versatile defensive back capable of locking up receivers or dropping into the box against the run. Andrew Stephens, a newcomer at linebacker, has impressed early with his size and range and could see the field quickly in rotational packages.
The biggest challenge? Reducing explosive plays. The Jackets surrendered 197.7 passing yards per game but struggled at key moments, allowing 15 passing touchdowns and several long scoring drives late in games.
Special Teams: New Faces in the Kicking Game
The Jackets will have to replace dependable kicker Jake Collett, who transferred in the offseason chasing his division one dreams at the University of Iowa after going a perfect 4-for-4 on field goals and 44-for-44 on extra points last year.
The leading candidate to step into that role is Aidan Freeman, a Nevada, Iowa native who went 9-for-10 on extra points in limited duty last fall. Freeman brings a strong leg and the opportunity to stabilize a key phase of the game for Graceland.
Schedule: Navigating the HAAC Gauntlet
The HAAC remains one of the NAIA's toughest conferences, and Graceland's 2025 slate offers little breathing room. Early non-conference games will be critical for building momentum before matchups with perennial powers like Grand View. The November 8 clash with Missouri Baptist, which derailed the Jackets last year, is already circled as a revenge game.
A strong start is essential; Graceland went 7-0 when scoring at least 28 points in 2024 but was 0-4 when held under that mark.
The Staback Factor
Staback brings a proven record of program-building and offensive excellence. As a quarterback at Lindenwood University, he led the Lions to the 2009 NAIA national championship game. He then spent nine seasons as the offensive coordinator at Southwest Baptist University, where he engineered record-setting offenses, helped the program reach the national Top 25, and guided the Bearcats to their first NCAA Division II playoff berth in 2016.
Known for his aggressive schemes and player development, Staback inherits a roster already equipped to score. His challenge will be sustaining that production while tightening discipline — Graceland ranked among the most penalized teams in the conference last year (130 flags for 1,297 yards).
"I want our guys to play fast but not sloppy," Staback said. "Our margin for error in this league is small. If we stay locked in, we can compete with anybody."
Outlook: Ready to Take the Next Step
With Monroe, Morales, Reed, Matthew, Brunson, Bullock, and Caldwell leading a strong core, and with high-upside newcomers like Wagner, Stephens, Brooks, and Lawrence pushing the competition level, the Yellowjackets enter 2025 as a dangerous contender in the HAAC.
The quarterback decision will shape the offense's ceiling, while defensive consistency will determine if Graceland can move from fifth in the preseason poll to true title contention.
If Staback can blend the program's proven offensive firepower with improved defensive resilience and discipline, Lamoni could be in for a special fall.