The Aggies open the season on the road with the Big Sky opener against Portland State on Aug. 29. The home opener will be versus Stetson on Sept. 19. Photo courtesy of UC Davis Athletics

DAVIS, CA (MPG) - With just a few weeks to go until the opening kickoff at Portland State, UC Davis football has been slotted at No. 6 in the STATS Perform Top 25 Preseason Poll. This is the highest preseason ranking the Aggies since coming off a 2018 Big Sky Championship season during the 2019 preseason ranking.

Coming off of a 9-4 record with a 6-2 conference mark in 2025, the Aggies are riding momentum after appearing in back-to-back FCS Quarterfinals. UC Davis rattled off ranked wins against No. 14 NAU and No. 9 Rhode Island while hosting the FCS Quarterfinals for the first time in program history.

UC Davis is one of four Big Sky programs in this season’s top 25, being joined by NAU at No. 25, Montana at No. 2, and defending national champion Montana State at No. 1.

The 2026 Aggies are set to be loaded across the field, featuring All-Conference and All-American players in all phases of the game.

Leading the way on offense is Walter Payton Preseason Watch List senior Samuel Gbatu, Jr. The 2025 Big Sky leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns is back for his fifth season in the blue and gold, looking to leave his mark as the next great receiver for the Aggies.

Defensively, the Conners brothers of Rex and Porter have returned to the field after seeing their senior seasons cut short due to injury. Both men have been named STATS Perform and FCS Football Preseason All-Americans and Rex has been named to the Buck Buchanan Preseason Award Watch List for the third straight season after setting the program record for career tackles last season.

Other notable starters include center Zaire Collier, running back Jordan Fisher, defensive linemen Trent Carrade and Rayne Mayo Jr., and sophomore defensive back Drew Cofield.

The Aggies open the season on the road with the Big Sky opener against Portland State on Aug. 29. The home opener will be versus Stetson on Sept. 19.