Tarleton State University, part of the Texas A&M system, is aiming to elevate its football program from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) within the next five years. Since moving to Division I in 2020, the university has invested heavily in athletics, including a $30 million renovation of Memorial Stadium to seat 24,000 fans and $200 million into sports facilities overall. Athletic Director Steve Uryasz and President Dr. James Hurley have expressed a clear goal of joining the FBS, engaging in discussions with various FBS conferences about the criteria for admission.

The school has rapidly upgraded its infrastructure and athletic budget to compete at a higher level, boasting a $45 million budget that aligns with the lower tier of FBS programs. Tarleton State’s location near the Dallas-Fort Worth area provides a fertile recruiting ground and significant media market advantages. Despite recent success such as an upset win over Army and claiming the WAC Commissioner’s Cup with eight conference championships, the program acknowledges the challenges ahead, including the need for a conference invitation and NCAA approval to transition to FBS.

The jump from FCS to FBS is costly and complicated by the NCAA’s rigorous transition fees and entrance requirements. Additionally, schools face resistance from established FBS programs wary of diluting College Football Playoff revenues. Nonetheless, Tarleton State is encouraged by recent examples of other programs making the move, including Sacramento State and North Dakota State securing FBS bids, and James Madison’s ascent to the College Football Playoff as a Group of Six program.

Though currently competing in the United Athletic Conference, derived from the WAC, Tarleton State remains committed to investing in its athletics regardless of the outcome. Dr. Hurley emphasized the importance of staying competitive at the NCAA level and signaled that the university’s ambitions extend beyond the current status, aiming to join the ranks of the Power Five or at least remain relevant with the top conferences over time.