Stanford Football’s offseason has been difficult since head coach Troy Taylor was fired. After a large number of important players left via the transfer portal, interim coach Frank Reich was left to face the difficult challenge of reassembling the club.
Stanford is at a critical juncture as the 2025 season approaches, attempting to shore up a jumbled roster and rebuild trust on and off the field.
Stanford Struggles With Major Roster Losses After Troy Taylor’s Firing
When head coach Troy Taylor was fired in March 2025 due to alleged internal misconduct, the Stanford football team experienced a wave of instability. Cardinal players looking for other possibilities flooded the transfer portal almost as quickly as the news leaked.
As the program enters spring practices, Stanford is in a state of chaos due to the abrupt leadership void and uncertainty about its future.
Among the most notable departures is Emmett Mosley V, a dynamic freshman wide receiver who made a huge impact in 2024. Mosley caught 48 passes for 525 yards and six touchdowns, quickly becoming one of Stanford’s most reliable offensive weapons. His move into the portal signals a major hit to the Cardinal’s offensive firepower and future potential.
BREAKING: Stanford transfer WR Emmett Mosley V has Committed to Texas, he tells @on3sports
The 6’2 205 WR totaled 48 Receptions for 525 Yards & 6 TDs as a Freshman
Top Available WR in the Portal & will have 3 years of eligibility lefthttps://t.co/fCAdepLv3P pic.twitter.com/yurFlxuT2w
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 14, 2025
The defense hasn’t fared much better. David Bailey, Stanford’s top pass rusher last season with seven sacks, is transferring to Texas Tech. Bailey’s departure leaves a gaping hole in a defensive line that struggled with consistency in 2024.
Meanwhile, the offensive line is reeling after the loss of Jake Maikkula, a dependable and versatile lineman who started multiple games at guard. Maikkula is now headed to Oklahoma, a team that has already been dubbed a “transfer portal winner” this spring thanks to major additions like his.
Adding to the list is Mudia Reuben, a wide receiver who had shown flashes of potential but saw limited action last season. With Reuben also jumping into the portal, Stanford’s depth at key skill positions has thinned out even further.
Frank Reich Steps In To Steady the Ship
In response to the turmoil, Stanford wasted no time bringing in veteran NFL coach Frank Reich as interim head coach for the 2025 season. Reich, who most recently coached the Carolina Panthers and previously led the Indianapolis Colts, brings a reputation for steady leadership and a strong offensive mind.
His hiring is viewed internally as a much-needed stabilizing move. Alongside Reich, former Stanford star quarterback Andrew Luck, now serving in an advisory GM role, will work closely to help rebuild the program’s culture and roster.
Reich’s experience developing quarterbacks could also play a critical role, especially if Stanford can land a late transfer or nurture young talent already on campus.
With so many key players departing, the Cardinal’s immediate future looks challenging. Stanford is already behind in spring practices and must quickly reshape its identity on both sides of the ball.
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The next few months will be crucial for filling roster spots and re-establishing a competitive culture that can keep existing players motivated and attract new talent through the portal.
It’s a tall order, but if anyone can steady the ship, it might just be Frank Reich, and perhaps a little Stanford magic.
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