The Johns Hopkins Blue Jays enter the 2026 season with a preseason ranking of sixth in Lindy's top‑10 poll, a placement that underscores the program's steady rise over the past two years.
Building on a breakthrough 2025
Last year the team posted a 12‑2 record, advanced to the NCAA Semifinals for the second straight year and finished fourth in the final AFCA Poll and third in the D3football.com Poll.
Head coach will rely on a core that helped the Blue Jays knock off Susquehanna in the NCAA Quarterfinals before falling to eventual national champion Wisconsin‑River Falls in the semifinals.
The upcoming schedule features a tough non‑conference slate that includes games against Ithaca, Randolph‑Macdonald, and Susquehanna, all of which reached the NCAA Playoffs a season ago.
A challenging non‑conference road
The Blue Jays will open on Saturday, September 5 at Ithaca before traveling to Randolph‑Macdonald and capping the non‑conference portion at home against Susquehanna, a team they defeated in the quarterfinals last year.
Three of the seven opponents combined for a 28‑7 record in 2025, with three of their seven losses coming against Johns Hopkins, highlighting the competitive balance of the slate.
In conference play the Blue Jays will host Muhlenberg and Franklin & Marshall, both of which also earned NCAA Playoff berths a year ago, adding another layer of intensity to the schedule.
With a blend of experienced veterans and promising newcomers, the team aims to translate its preseason optimism into another deep playoff run.