WAUKESHA, Wis. – For the past several seasons, Carroll football has steadily built toward something bigger. The foundation has been laid through recruiting, player development, leadership, and a commitment to raising the standard across every area of the program. Entering his seventh season at the helm, head coach Mike Budziszewski believes the 2026 squad has the potential to showcase just how far that process has come. Not because of one standout player. Not because of one position group. Because of the collective.

"This is one of the more talented teams we've had across the board since I've been here," Budziszewski said.

That talent is evident throughout the roster, but what has stood out even more throughout the offseason is the team's togetherness. Carroll enters the season as one of the tightest-knit groups Budziszewski has coached, fueled by a leadership structure that evolved significantly following last season. The Pioneers made accountability a major point of emphasis throughout the winter, spring, and summer months. Players embraced expanded leadership responsibilities, veterans began holding themselves and their teammates to a higher standard, and the program carried that momentum into what Budziszewski describes as a phenomenal spring season.

Those relationships continued to grow throughout the offseason before reaching another level during the program's summer trip to Italy. The Pioneers not only trained and traveled together overseas, but also competed against international competition while experiencing a different culture as a team. For a program emphasizing leadership, accountability, and connection, the trip became another building block in shaping this year's group. By the time camp opened in August, the impact was obvious.

"The way they care about each other is special," Budziszewski said. "It's a hungry group."

That hunger has translated into one of the most productive camps of Budziszewski's tenure. The Pioneers have remained relatively healthy, arrived in excellent physical condition, and shown consistent growth in all three phases of the game. Just as importantly, leadership is no longer coming from a handful of voices. It has become a collective effort.

Defensively, senior linebacker Evan Griffiths has emerged as one of the program's most respected leaders. Although he serves as the anchor of the defense, his impact extends far beyond that side of the football. Sophomore defensive lineman August Johansen has taken a major step forward both as a player and as a leader, while returning All-CCIW cornerback Amarrion Bridges has embraced mentoring Carroll's younger defensive backs.

On offense, leadership has been equally apparent. Senior running back Marcus Johnson has embraced the responsibility that comes with being one of the conference's premier playmakers. Junior quarterback Elisha Nieves has firmly established himself as QB1 and taken ownership of leading the offense, while senior wide receiver Zach Johnson and junior left tackle Brenden Raciak have helped provide stability throughout their respective position groups.

The shift has become particularly noticeable among Carroll's senior class. Players have embraced the leadership council structure while raising expectations for themselves and their teammates. Whether in the weight room, at practice, or in the classroom, they have emphasized accountability and consistently pushed one another to improve. The results have extended beyond football.

Budziszewski noted the team achieved its highest level of academic success during his tenure, another reflection of a group committed to excellence in every area.

"Bad teams have no leadership, good teams are coach-led, and great teams are player-led," Budziszewski said. "Our players are leading in every aspect."

That leadership will be tested immediately in what could become one of the most balanced Carroll offenses in recent memory. For several seasons, the Pioneers have leaned heavily on standout individual playmakers. This year's offense may look different. The loss of Reed Breckheimer naturally creates a void. Last season, Breckheimer became the first First Team All-American in program history, serving as the centerpiece of Carroll's passing attack. Replacing that level of production is no small task, but the Pioneers believe their overall depth will allow them to evolve rather than simply replace one player.

The offense begins with Nieves, who has impressed throughout spring practices and fall camp. Behind him, senior Dominick Caruso has also developed into a dependable option, giving the Pioneers confidence at quarterback. Johnson remains one of the conference's most dangerous running backs, but his story goes beyond statistics. After an injury limited the senior to just a handful of snaps last season, he enters 2026 healthy and ready to reassume a central role in the offense. His return gives Carroll an experienced leader in the backfield and one of the league's most dynamic offensive threats. While Johnson is the established veteran, Carroll expects more contributors to touch the football than ever before. The wide receiver room may be the deepest position group on the roster. Competition throughout the offseason helped elevate the unit, and the coaching staff expects multiple players to contribute. Sophomore Liam Patrick, junior Aaron Appiah-Kubi, and senior Zach Johnson all have breakout potential, giving the offense numerous ways to attack defenses through the air.

If there is one position group that may ultimately determine the ceiling of the offense, however, it could be the offensive line. Budziszewski believes the unit is bigger, faster, and stronger than any he has coached at Carroll. Anchored by juniors Ethan Lulinski, Hunter Chamberlain, and Brenden Raciak, the group has transformed itself physically while developing the cohesion necessary to control games at the line of scrimmage. Their development will be critical as Carroll looks to maintain its strong rushing tradition while continuing to expand the passing game.

The tight end room also faces the challenge of replacing a highly accomplished senior class. Budziszewski is optimistic about the young talent stepping into those opportunities, particularly sophomore Brock Anderson, who has impressed throughout camp. Regardless of statistics, Carroll's offensive formula remains the same. Take care of the football. Put playmakers in advantageous positions. Execute consistently. If the Pioneers do those things, Budziszewski believes the offense can become far more difficult to defend than in previous seasons.

While the offense appears poised for growth, the defense may ultimately become the heartbeat of the team. The identity is simple.

Fast. Physical. Relentless.

Carroll wants to attack offenses from every angle, create confusion through pressure packages and movement, and pursue the football with relentless effort. "The goal is for teams not to know what's going to hit them," Budziszewski said. That approach begins in the secondary, where the coaching staff believes the defensive backfield made as much improvement as any position group during the offseason. Bridges returns after earning All-CCIW recognition a season ago, while junior Cameran Banks has enjoyed a strong spring and fall camp. Competition throughout the cornerback room has elevated the unit as a whole, creating one of the deepest defensive groups on the roster. The defensive line has also taken a major step forward. Increased depth allows players to rotate more frequently and maintain the physical style Carroll wants to play. Johansen and Jakai Witt are among the players expected to make substantial impacts. At linebacker, Griffiths continues to lead the group, while Andrew Redmon has emerged as another player capable of playing a significant role in the middle of the defense. Together, the unit has the potential to become one of the most versatile defenses Carroll has fielded in years.

The special teams unit should provide stability as well. Senior kicker Matthew Swink returns as one of the country's premier specialists and remains one of Carroll's most valuable weapons. Freshman punter Beau Veit has turned heads throughout camp, while senior long snapper Brayden Partlow continues to provide consistency in a critical yet often overlooked role. Budziszewski believes close games frequently come down to execution in these moments. From personnel decisions to field position opportunities, small details often determine outcomes against quality opponents. The coaching staff expects special teams to remain one of the program's strengths.

That attention to detail becomes increasingly important considering the schedule awaiting the Pioneers. The season opens with challenging nonconference tests against St. Norbert and UW-Eau Claire. The road trip to St. Norbert will provide an immediate measuring stick, while Carroll's home opener against Eau Claire offers another opportunity to gauge progress against a strong WIAC opponent. The Blugolds defeated the Pioneers a season ago, giving Carroll an early chance to flip the script. The challenge only intensifies once conference play begins. The CCIW once again features preseason No. 1 North Central and preseason No. 5 Wheaton, two perennial national contenders that have consistently set the standard in Division III football. Every week presents a new challenge, and Budziszewski knows there are no opportunities to overlook opponents. "You can't have an off week in this league," he said.

That reality makes Carroll's goals both ambitious and clear.

Beyond wins and losses, the coaching staff wants to see a team that competes together every week, handles adversity the right way, and consistently improves throughout the season. The process remains the priority. If the Pioneers commit to that process, Budziszewski believes the results can follow. By November, success would mean extending the season beyond the traditional ten-game schedule, whether through an NCAA playoff berth or an appearance in the Isthmus Bowl. More than anything, though, the team wants to be known as the hardest-working and closest-knit group of the Budziszewski era.

Those objectives reflect the larger vision for the program. Carroll's players understand that football is only part of the equation. The emphasis on academics, leadership, and personal growth remains central to the experience, preparing student-athletes for success long after their playing careers end. It is one of the reasons Budziszewski appreciates this group as much as any he has coached. The players are invested. They are coachable. They are hungry. They have embraced leadership. Most importantly, they genuinely care about one another.

By season's end, Budziszewski hopes that is what people remember most. A group of young men who represented Carroll with integrity, played for one another, and left everything they had on the field. The expectations inside the program are higher than they have been in years. The leadership is stronger. The depth is better. The talent is undeniable. None of that guarantees success in one of Division III football's toughest conferences. But as Carroll prepares for the 2026 season, there is a growing belief throughout the locker room that the program is ready for another step forward.

If that belief is matched by execution, the Pioneers may not simply be remembered as a talented team. They may be remembered as the group that helped usher Carroll football into its next era.