Ball State University Athletics
Hood, Thomas, Uremovich Represent Cardinals at 2026 MAC Football Media Kickoff
July 22, 2026 | Football
DETROIT -- Head football coach Mike Uremovich led a Ball State contingent through an assortment of preseason media opportunities on Wednesday to promote the 2026 Mid-American Conference football season, alongside offensive tackle Chris Hood and outside linebacker Justin Thomas. Hood and Thomas, both seniors, attended their first conference media day, conducted at Ford Field -- the site of the league's championship game on Dec. 5 -- representing the Cardinals in search of another season of improvement under the second year of leadership under Uremovich.
Ball State tied for ninth place in the MAC in 2025, with a 3-5 league mark that was a one-game improvement over the Cardinals' finish in 2024. With a deeper and more dynamic roster in 2026, optimism has the Cardinals thinking of games beyond its 12-game regular season schedule.
"It's really fun to watch JT and Chris get an opportunity to be a part of MAC media day," said Uremovich. "From a chance last night to hang out and spend time with other student-athletes around the league, to today's media experience at Ford Field, it's fun to watch them be a part of these greater activities. I could not think of two better guys to represent Ball State football. They are obviously really good players, but they also are outstanding leaders and students, as well.
Addressing the season ahead, Uremovich added, "I'm really excited to get started in training camp. We have a much deeper roster heading into the season this year, and I look forward to using August to prepare to attack the season. Our goal, as always, is to put ourselves in position to playing meaningful games in November."
Hood, in his fifth year with the Ball State program, believes a team mentality will lead the Cardinals' rise in the MAC standings: "We have a bunch of leaders that have welcomed our new players and younger teammates. At least on our O-line unit, we are going to play our five best guys. We're trying to think bigger than ourselves. We have a great team mindset that I think is going to help propel our team higher than people expect. We believe that our collective success is greater than any individual success."
Thomas, beginning his third season in cardinal-and-white, said, "We got a lot of fresh young guys. I feel like our guys have something to prove this year. We think we are primed to be in position for a bowl game and even a MAC title. We try to attack every day , one day at a time."
Uremovich welcomes 34 transfers among 58 new student-athletes on the Cardinals' 2026 roster, with Hood leading the roster with 20 career starts over the past two-plus seasons. Thomas, meanwhile, helps anchor a returning defensive unit which saw improvement throughout the 2025 campaign -- the first under Uremovich and the second under defensive coordinator Jeff Knowles. Thomas recovered from a preseason, season-ending injury in 2024, and helped a strong pass rush last year behind MAC sacks leader Nathan Voorhis. Hood anchors a veteran offensive line that also returns starters Cole Mosier at center and Tristan Cook at right tackle. Returning defensive starters include secondary mates DJ Fields and Will Yates, with Thomas, fellow returners Ameir Glen and Ben Marsh, and transfers Jared Badie and Cincear Lewis anticipated to help lead defensive stability.
The Cardinals open the 2026 campaign at Ohio State on September 5, followed by a highly anticipated home opener the following week on September 12 (2 p.m.). Tickets for all Ball State home games are available HERE.
Ball State tied for ninth place in the MAC in 2025, with a 3-5 league mark that was a one-game improvement over the Cardinals' finish in 2024. With a deeper and more dynamic roster in 2026, optimism has the Cardinals thinking of games beyond its 12-game regular season schedule.
"It's really fun to watch JT and Chris get an opportunity to be a part of MAC media day," said Uremovich. "From a chance last night to hang out and spend time with other student-athletes around the league, to today's media experience at Ford Field, it's fun to watch them be a part of these greater activities. I could not think of two better guys to represent Ball State football. They are obviously really good players, but they also are outstanding leaders and students, as well.
Addressing the season ahead, Uremovich added, "I'm really excited to get started in training camp. We have a much deeper roster heading into the season this year, and I look forward to using August to prepare to attack the season. Our goal, as always, is to put ourselves in position to playing meaningful games in November."
Hood, in his fifth year with the Ball State program, believes a team mentality will lead the Cardinals' rise in the MAC standings: "We have a bunch of leaders that have welcomed our new players and younger teammates. At least on our O-line unit, we are going to play our five best guys. We're trying to think bigger than ourselves. We have a great team mindset that I think is going to help propel our team higher than people expect. We believe that our collective success is greater than any individual success."
Thomas, beginning his third season in cardinal-and-white, said, "We got a lot of fresh young guys. I feel like our guys have something to prove this year. We think we are primed to be in position for a bowl game and even a MAC title. We try to attack every day , one day at a time."
Uremovich welcomes 34 transfers among 58 new student-athletes on the Cardinals' 2026 roster, with Hood leading the roster with 20 career starts over the past two-plus seasons. Thomas, meanwhile, helps anchor a returning defensive unit which saw improvement throughout the 2025 campaign -- the first under Uremovich and the second under defensive coordinator Jeff Knowles. Thomas recovered from a preseason, season-ending injury in 2024, and helped a strong pass rush last year behind MAC sacks leader Nathan Voorhis. Hood anchors a veteran offensive line that also returns starters Cole Mosier at center and Tristan Cook at right tackle. Returning defensive starters include secondary mates DJ Fields and Will Yates, with Thomas, fellow returners Ameir Glen and Ben Marsh, and transfers Jared Badie and Cincear Lewis anticipated to help lead defensive stability.
The Cardinals open the 2026 campaign at Ohio State on September 5, followed by a highly anticipated home opener the following week on September 12 (2 p.m.). Tickets for all Ball State home games are available HERE.
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