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2026 Ferris State vs Grand Valley State

5 Players In The Anchor-Bone Classic Who Could Play On Sundays

5 Players In The Anchor-Bone Classic Who Could Play On Sundays

It’s almost time for the moment we’ve all been waiting for: the 2026 Anchor-Bone Classic. Both teams are filled with talent; here are 5 who could go pro.

Oct 16, 2026 by Cristiana Rosa
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Anchor-Bone Classic Replay: Grand Valley vs Ferris State Football | Oct 25 @ 1 PM3:25:23

It’s almost time for the moment we’ve all been waiting for: the 2026 Anchor-Bone Classic.

The matchup between No. 1 Ferris State Football and No. 13 Grand Valley State has been talked about all week, and it’s something that we can look forward to year after year. After all, it is the best rivalry in D2 football.

In 2024, we saw now-Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss lead the Bulldogs to a 34-7 win over the Lakers at Lubbers Stadium. Although Chambliss no longer wears crimson and gold, he’s a prime example of the talent that exists in D2 football. He’s not the only one who could make it to the big stage, though, as I could see several athletes in Saturday’s matchup getting opportunities at the next level.

UPCOMING

2026 Ferris State vs Grand Valley State

Today · 7:00 PM UTC

WATCH

Jimmy Downs, Grand Valley State (Sr., LB)

Jimmy Downs is one of Grand Valley State’s finest. He’s twitchy, he’s gritty and he has the tools to get a look at the next level.

In 2025, Downs led the Lakers in tackles with 57 (17 solo, 40 assisted), while adding 7.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He has added 19 tackles and 2.0 sacks this season, bringing his career total to 146 tackles entering the Anchor-Bone Classic.

If you watch him on Saturday, you’ll understand why I think he has a chance to be playing on Sundays sometime soon.

Tim Allen, Ferris State (Sr., DE)

Veteran defender Tim Allen is someone I could see stepping into a spotlight much larger than a GLIAC field.

Through 15 games in 2025, Allen recorded 72 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. So far in 2026, the two-time national champion has tallied 17 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

His strength, instincts and explosiveness make him one of the Bulldogs’ most important defensive players.

Ferris State is ready for another deep playoff run, and Allen could play a major role in the Bulldogs’ pursuit of a third consecutive national championship.

Kellen Reed, Grand Valley State (Sr., WR)

At 5-10 and 175 pounds, a lot of people might brush Kellen Reed off as an NFL prospect. I am begging you not to.

Reed is the definition of a playmaker, finding ways to create explosive plays anywhere on the field. A former high school track athlete, he has the speed to stretch a defense and has emerged as one of the most productive receivers in Division II football.

Through six games this season, Reed has caught 44 passes for 835 yards and 15 touchdowns. He enters the Anchor-Bone Classic with 104 career receptions for 1,827 yards and 27 receiving touchdowns.

His coaches and teammates describe him as a leader on and off the field, uplifting the players around him and doing whatever it takes to win.

Wyatt Bower, Ferris State (So., QB)

I put Wyatt Bower at the bottom of the list only because he is still a sophomore. The quarterback still has plenty of time to refine his craft at Ferris State.

A dynamic playmaker, Bower was recruited by Ferris State’s Tony Annese alongside his twin brother Tarick. While playing for Corunna (Mich.) High School, he led the Cavaliers to a 13-1 overall record and an appearance in the state championship game. Bower finished his high school career with 2,295 rushing yards while setting Corunna records for career completions (214), passing yards (3,850) and passing touchdowns (45).

Bower already has a national championship on his college résumé. As a redshirt freshman, he helped lead Ferris State to the 2025 NCAA Division II championship.

He threw for 1,980 yards and 21 touchdowns with just four interceptions on 208 attempts during his freshman season. Through six games in 2026, Bower has completed 62 of 95 passes for 1,086 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s dangerous on the ground, too, with 1,171 career rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns through 20 games.

Bower is still early in his college career, but his production, athleticism and ability to make plays with both his arm and his legs make him an intriguing player to follow over the next few seasons.

Evan Furtney, Grand Valley State (Sr., TE)

Furtney is, in my opinion, overlooked and underrated. At 6-5 and 245 pounds, linebackers, safeties and cornerbacks should be worried.

After being sidelined by a season-ending injury in 2023, the Milan, Mich., native saw action in seven games in 2024 before making a bigger impact in 2025. An All-GLIAC honoree, Furtney caught 16 passes for 215 yards and one touchdown last season.

This season, he has played in five games, catching 14 passes for 158 yards and three touchdowns. He did not play in the Week 6 matchup against Michigan Tech.

Don't Miss The Anchor-Bone Classic

When Ferris State and Grand Valley State Football meet, expect four quarters of hard-hitting football, big plays and rivalry intensity. With two of Division II's top programs battling for bragging rights, the Anchor-Bone Classic is a must-watch matchup for college football fans.

The Bulldogs and Lakers know what's at stake, and neither side will want to give an inch. Whether you're tuning in for the rivalry, the championship-caliber talent or the atmosphere surrounding one of Division II's biggest games, this is a matchup you won't want to miss.

FloCollege D2 Football Rankings Week 6

  1. Ferris State (6-0) - Prev. 1
  2. Harding (6-0) - Prev. 2
  3. CSU Pueblo (6-0) - Prev. 3
  4. Kutztown (6-0) - Prev. 5
  5. Minnesota State (7-0) - Prev. 4
  6. Slippery Rock (6-0) - Prev. 7
  7. Western Colorado (6-0) - Prev. 8
  8. Northwood (6-0) - Prev. 9
  9. Henderson State (6-0) - Prev. 10
  10. Davenport (6-0) - Prev. 13
  11. Emporia State (6-0) - Prev. 18
  12. Northwest Missouri State (4-1) - Prev. 14
  13. Grand Valley State (5-1) - Prev. 6
  14. Findlay (5-1) - Prev. 12
  15. Michigan Tech (5-1) - Prev. 23
  16. Johnson C. Smith (5-1) - Prev. 19
  17. Carson-Newman (6-1) - Prev. 21
  18. Indiana (PA) (5-1) - Prev. 11
  19. UT Permian Basin (5-1) - Prev. 20
  20. Virginia Union (5-1) - Prev. 17
  21. North Greenville (5-1) - Prev. 15
  22. Valdosta State (4-1) - Prev. 22
  23. Benedict (5-1) - Prev. 24
  24. South Dakota Mines (5-1) - Prev. 25
  25. Mars Hill (5-1) - Prev. 16

Also Receiving Votes:

Wayne State (NE) (6-1), East Stroudsburg (5-1), Hillsdale (5-1), Augustana (SD) (5-2), Roosevelt (5-1), Central Washington (4-2), Shepherd (5-1), East Central (5-1), Virginia State (6-1), Edward Waters (5-1), West Liberty (5-1), West Alabama (5-1), Minnesota Duluth (5-2).

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