FEATURE: Versatile Junior Carson Gulker Savors Opportunity To Be On Field Playing For D2 Championship

By Sandy Gholston

MCKINNEY, Texas – The road back to Texas has been a long and challenging one for junior Carson Gulker, who successfully returned to the field this season, but in new roles for nationally top-ranked Ferris State's high-powered attack that is the nation's leader in total offense at 515.5 yards per contest with 105 offensive touchdowns.

Ferris State's return trip to the NCAA Division II National Championship Game provided Gulker with a moment of reflection and an opportunity to savor his gratitude as the defending national champions return to the Lone Star State for the 2025 title game at McKinney ISD Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 20, against No. 2 Harding.

"I told my dad the other day I was having the most fun I've ever had playing football in my whole entire life," Gulker said. "I couldn't ask for anything more than that from football. We have a bunch of guys who really just enjoy playing football and being out there together as a team. We enjoy playing the game, and we all strive to be at our best."

That offense posted another strong performance as Ferris State advanced to this Saturday's (Dec. 20) national championship game with a 49-17 win over Newberry in the national semifinals.

Gulker played a key role in that win as he rushed the football 17 times for 115 yards while completing 2-of-2 passes for 94 yards – including a 43-yard touchdown pass to slot receiver Taariik Brett in the second quarter. He was also on the receiving end of a pass in the Ferris State offense.

This December, it's a return trip to McKinney, Texas, for the Bulldogs, winners of three of the last four NCAA Division II National Championships. The one Ferris State didn't win, in 2023, was won by its opponent on Saturday, Dec. 20, Harding.

"It's exciting. This will be like my fourth one in my time here, but I've only played in one, so just to get the chance to go down to Texas and enjoy the week, getting the warm weather and just being around the guys is awesome," Gulker said. "It's a great time for us to be in Texas together as a team and have the opportunity to play in the national championship game."

A big part of Ferris State's offensive success has been Gulker's versatility. On the ground, he has 74 carries for 500 yards with five touchdowns. Through the air, going back to his Bulldog roots as a quarterback, he has completed 6-of-13 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown. On the receiving side, Gulker has hauled in 31 receptions for 496 yards with six touchdowns.

His success, in conjunction with the team's unblemished record this season, has not gone unnoticed.

Gulker received second-team all-region honors from the Division II Conference Commissioners Association for Super Region 3 after the former full-time quarterback earned All-GLIAC First Team accolades as an H-back.

The road back to the gridiron has been a long one for Gulker, who suffered a season-ending injury in 2024 during a Sept. 7 home game vs. Lake Erie College. That injury put him on a painful recovery path through the winter and spring. Gulker remained engaged with the team as Trinidad Chambliss, who has made a name for himself at Ole Miss in the Southeastern Conference – finishing eighth in the Heisman Trophy balloting – and leading the Rebels to the playoffs.

Gulker loves being part of this Ferris State offense that is averaging 53.5 points.

"I think it comes down to trusting each other," Gulker said. "We've talked about some of the people who left last year. Those guys had a lot of trust, but then you look at the guys we had coming back this year. You've got Wyatt Bower. He's a stud. You've got Chase Carter, who's coming up. You got Brady (Rose), Taariik and you've got our whole offensive line."

The 15-0 Bulldogs have forged a tight bond around the sport of football.

"We have faith in each other, we believe in each other, and we're confident in what this team is able to do when we're together," Gulker said.

The top-ranked Bulldogs will face the team that has been right behind them in the national rankings throughout the season, Harding, also 15-0. The Bulldogs and the Bisons will kick off at 4 p.m. (ET) at McKinney ISD Stadium in McKinney, Texas.