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Top 10 NAIA Football Teams: The Best Programs in Small College Football
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) may not receive as much attention as its NCAA counterparts, but it has a storied tradition of producing high-quality football programs and exceptional athletes.
Known for its competitive spirit, commitment to student-athletes, and a strong sense of community, the NAIA has been home to some of the most successful and dominant football teams in the history of college sports.
These programs have not only excelled on the field but have also played a significant role in shaping the landscape of small college football in America. This list highlights the top 10 NAIA football teams, showcasing programs that have consistently set the standard for excellence and left an indelible mark on the sport.
#10: Reinhardt University
Location: Waleska, Georgia
Established: 2013
Reinhardt University has quickly made a name for itself in NAIA football since establishing its program in 2013. Despite being a relatively young team, Reinhardt has consistently been a dominant force in the Mid-South Conference and the Appalachian Division.Â
The Eagles are known for their strong defense and powerful running game, which have helped them secure multiple conference championships and regular appearances in the NAIA playoffs.
Reinhardt’s rapid rise to prominence includes a trip to the NAIA National Championship game in 2017, where they finished as the national runner-up. Their consistent success has earned them a reputation as one of the top programs in NAIA football, and they continue to be a formidable opponent in the national landscape.
9: Concordia University (MI)
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Established: 2011
Concordia University in Michigan has quickly established itself as a powerhouse in NAIA football since the program’s inception in 2011. The Cardinals are known for their disciplined play and balanced approach on both sides of the ball, which has led them to multiple playoff appearances and conference titles in the Mid-States Football Association (MSFA).
Concordia’s consistent performance has earned them a place among the top teams in the NAIA, highlighted by deep playoff runs and a growing reputation as a program that develops high-caliber student-athletes. Their ability to compete at a high level year after year makes them a formidable force in the NAIA landscape.
#8: Kansas Wesleyan University
Location: Salina, Kansas
Established: 1893
Kansas Wesleyan University boasts a long and proud history in NAIA football, with a tradition of excellence that has spanned over a century. The Coyotes have consistently been a dominant force in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC), regularly finishing at the top of the standings and earning multiple conference championships.
Under the guidance of experienced coaching staff, Kansas Wesleyan has made several deep runs in the NAIA playoffs, with their most notable achievement being a semifinal appearance in 2018. The program’s commitment to success, both on and off the field, has solidified its status as one of the premier NAIA football teams.
#7: Benedictine College
Location: Atchison, Kansas
Established: 1927
Benedictine College has a storied tradition in NAIA football, with a history of success that dates back to the early days of the program. The Ravens are known for their strong, physical style of play and have consistently been a top contender in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC).
Benedictine has earned multiple conference titles and made several deep runs in the NAIA playoffs, including a trip to the national championship game in 2018. The program’s sustained excellence and dedication to developing well-rounded student-athletes have made Benedictine a respected and feared opponent in NAIA football.
#6: Saint Francis University (IN)
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Established: 1998
Saint Francis University in Indiana has been one of the most dominant NAIA football programs since its establishment in 1998. The Cougars have built a legacy of success, with a reputation for high-powered offenses and tenacious defenses that have propelled them to the top of the NAIA ranks.
Saint Francis has won two NAIA National Championships (2016, 2017) and has made numerous playoff appearances, consistently ranking among the top teams in the nation. Their back-to-back national titles solidified their place as a powerhouse in NAIA football, and their commitment to excellence continues to drive the program forward.
#5: Northwestern College
Location: Orange City, Iowa
Established: 1960
Northwestern College has a long-standing tradition of excellence in NAIA football. The Red Raiders are known for their strong, disciplined play and have consistently been a top contender in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC). Northwestern’s commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes has been a cornerstone of their program’s success.
The Red Raiders have won multiple conference championships and made several deep runs in the NAIA playoffs, including a national championship victory in 2020. Their consistent performance and ability to compete at the highest level have made them one of the premier programs in NAIA football.
#4: Lindsey Wilson College
Location: Columbia, Kentucky
Established: 2010
Despite being one of the newer programs in NAIA football, Lindsey Wilson College has quickly become a powerhouse. The Blue Raiders have been a dominant force in the Mid-South Conference, known for their explosive offense and stingy defense. Lindsey Wilson’s rapid rise to prominence is a testament to their dedication to excellence on and off the field.
Lindsey Wilson captured their first NAIA National Championship in 2020, solidifying their status as one of the top programs in the country. Their continued success and ability to attract top talent make them a formidable opponent in the NAIA ranks.
#3: Marian University
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Established: 2007
Marian University has quickly established itself as one of the elite programs in NAIA football. The Knights are known for their balanced attack and strong defense, which have led them to multiple national championships and deep playoff runs. Marian’s commitment to excellence and player development has made them a perennial contender.
The Knights won NAIA National Championships in 2012 and 2015 and have been regular participants in the NAIA playoffs. Their success on the field, combined with their ability to consistently compete at a high level, has earned them a reputation as one of the top programs in the nation.
#2: Grand View University
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Established: 2008
Grand View University has rapidly become a powerhouse in NAIA football, known for their strong defense, efficient offense, and disciplined play. The Vikings have dominated the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) and have been a fixture in the NAIA playoffs since their program’s inception.
Grand View captured their first NAIA National Championship in 2013 and have made several deep playoff runs since then, consistently ranking among the top teams in the nation. Their ability to develop talent and compete at the highest level has solidified their place as one of the premier programs in NAIA football.
#1: Morningside University
Location: Sioux City, Iowa
Established: 1894
Morningside University is the gold standard in NAIA football, with a rich history of success that spans over a century. The Mustangs have been the dominant force in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) and have consistently been the team to beat in the NAIA.
Morningside has won four NAIA National Championships (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022), showcasing their sustained excellence and ability to maintain a championship-caliber program. The Mustangs are known for their high-powered offense and stifling defense, which have made them the top team in NAIA football.
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#10: Reinhardt University
Location: Waleska, Georgia
Established: 2013
Reinhardt University has quickly made a name for itself in NAIA football since establishing its program in 2013. Despite being a relatively young team, Reinhardt has consistently been a dominant force in the Mid-South Conference and the Appalachian Division.Â
The Eagles are known for their strong defense and powerful running game, which have helped them secure multiple conference championships and regular appearances in the NAIA playoffs.
Reinhardt’s rapid rise to prominence includes a trip to the NAIA National Championship game in 2017, where they finished as the national runner-up. Their consistent success has earned them a reputation as one of the top programs in NAIA football, and they continue to be a formidable opponent in the national landscape.
9: Concordia University (MI)
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Established: 2011
Concordia University in Michigan has quickly established itself as a powerhouse in NAIA football since the program’s inception in 2011. The Cardinals are known for their disciplined play and balanced approach on both sides of the ball, which has led them to multiple playoff appearances and conference titles in the Mid-States Football Association (MSFA).
Concordia’s consistent performance has earned them a place among the top teams in the NAIA, highlighted by deep playoff runs and a growing reputation as a program that develops high-caliber student-athletes. Their ability to compete at a high level year after year makes them a formidable force in the NAIA landscape.
#8: Kansas Wesleyan University
Location: Salina, Kansas
Established: 1893
Kansas Wesleyan University boasts a long and proud history in NAIA football, with a tradition of excellence that has spanned over a century. The Coyotes have consistently been a dominant force in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC), regularly finishing at the top of the standings and earning multiple conference championships.
Under the guidance of experienced coaching staff, Kansas Wesleyan has made several deep runs in the NAIA playoffs, with their most notable achievement being a semifinal appearance in 2018. The program’s commitment to success, both on and off the field, has solidified its status as one of the premier NAIA football teams.
#7: Benedictine College
Location: Atchison, Kansas
Established: 1927
Benedictine College has a storied tradition in NAIA football, with a history of success that dates back to the early days of the program. The Ravens are known for their strong, physical style of play and have consistently been a top contender in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC).
Benedictine has earned multiple conference titles and made several deep runs in the NAIA playoffs, including a trip to the national championship game in 2018. The program’s sustained excellence and dedication to developing well-rounded student-athletes have made Benedictine a respected and feared opponent in NAIA football.
#6: Saint Francis University (IN)
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Established: 1998
Saint Francis University in Indiana has been one of the most dominant NAIA football programs since its establishment in 1998. The Cougars have built a legacy of success, with a reputation for high-powered offenses and tenacious defenses that have propelled them to the top of the NAIA ranks.
Saint Francis has won two NAIA National Championships (2016, 2017) and has made numerous playoff appearances, consistently ranking among the top teams in the nation. Their back-to-back national titles solidified their place as a powerhouse in NAIA football, and their commitment to excellence continues to drive the program forward.
#5: Northwestern College
Location: Orange City, Iowa
Established: 1960
Northwestern College has a long-standing tradition of excellence in NAIA football. The Red Raiders are known for their strong, disciplined play and have consistently been a top contender in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC). Northwestern’s commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes has been a cornerstone of their program’s success.
The Red Raiders have won multiple conference championships and made several deep runs in the NAIA playoffs, including a national championship victory in 2020. Their consistent performance and ability to compete at the highest level have made them one of the premier programs in NAIA football.
#4: Lindsey Wilson College
Location: Columbia, Kentucky
Established: 2010
Despite being one of the newer programs in NAIA football, Lindsey Wilson College has quickly become a powerhouse. The Blue Raiders have been a dominant force in the Mid-South Conference, known for their explosive offense and stingy defense. Lindsey Wilson’s rapid rise to prominence is a testament to their dedication to excellence on and off the field.
Lindsey Wilson captured their first NAIA National Championship in 2020, solidifying their status as one of the top programs in the country. Their continued success and ability to attract top talent make them a formidable opponent in the NAIA ranks.
#3: Marian University
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Established: 2007
Marian University has quickly established itself as one of the elite programs in NAIA football. The Knights are known for their balanced attack and strong defense, which have led them to multiple national championships and deep playoff runs. Marian’s commitment to excellence and player development has made them a perennial contender.
The Knights won NAIA National Championships in 2012 and 2015 and have been regular participants in the NAIA playoffs. Their success on the field, combined with their ability to consistently compete at a high level, has earned them a reputation as one of the top programs in the nation.
#2: Grand View University
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Established: 2008
Grand View University has rapidly become a powerhouse in NAIA football, known for their strong defense, efficient offense, and disciplined play. The Vikings have dominated the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) and have been a fixture in the NAIA playoffs since their program’s inception.
Grand View captured their first NAIA National Championship in 2013 and have made several deep playoff runs since then, consistently ranking among the top teams in the nation. Their ability to develop talent and compete at the highest level has solidified their place as one of the premier programs in NAIA football.
#1: Morningside University
Location: Sioux City, Iowa
Established: 1894
Morningside University is the gold standard in NAIA football, with a rich history of success that spans over a century. The Mustangs have been the dominant force in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) and have consistently been the team to beat in the NAIA.
Morningside has won four NAIA National Championships (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022), showcasing their sustained excellence and ability to maintain a championship-caliber program. The Mustangs are known for their high-powered offense and stifling defense, which have made them the top team in NAIA football.
