Michigan's D2 Giants: Are Ferris State and Grand Valley Ready for the Jump to D1?

2x National Champion and 2023 Ferris Grad Tirrell Hausmanis sets up a lead block for his running back. Photo Provided by Tirrell Hausmanis

There’s a growing belief among Division II football fans that we may be on the verge of something historic: two of the most prestigious D2 programs in the country could be preparing for a leap into Division I football. With North Dakota State University’s move into the Mountain West Conference at the FBS level, the landscape of lower-division football has already started to shift. NDSU has set the standard for sustained excellence in the Football Championship Subdivision for more than a decade, and now they’ll test themselves at the highest level of college football. That naturally raises the question: if one historic powerhouse can make the jump, why can’t others?

Graphic by Sal Madonna

Two programs often mentioned in this conversation are Ferris State and Grand Valley State. Both schools have built modern dynasties at the Division II level, combining national championships with high visibility and strong community support. They consistently dominate their competition, draw good crowds, and have strong athletic department leadership. When you look at the current D2 landscape, Ferris and Grand Valley are among the most logical candidates if any to consider moving up. There’s no question that the jump from Division II to the FCS is a major institutional decision. It affects budgets, scholarships, facilities, and compliance. It requires buy-in from university leadership, donors, state support, and conference partners. But the precedent of NDSU shows that it’s not impossible and that success at a lower level can translate into relevance on a bigger stage. So when people ask whether Ferris State and Grand Valley State should make “the much needed jump,” it’s really two questions:

• First: Is their sustained success evidence that they’re ready for tougher competition? The answer there seems to be yes both programs have proven they can win consistently, develop players, and maintain strong fan engagement.

  
  

• Second: Is now the right time for such a move? That’s less clear, because moving to the FCS would require more resources and a long-term strategic commitment from the universities. But with realignment and opportunity in flux across college football, there may never be a better moment to explore it.

  
  

  

  Graphic by Sal Madonna

  Ultimately, Ferris and Grand Valley represent the kind of programs that could, if the pieces align, make a competitive and culturally significant transition to Division I. The chatter among fans isn’t just wishful thinking; it’s a reflection of how dominant and respected those programs have become in D2. Whether it actually happens remains to be seen but given the current climate in college athletics, it’s a conversation worth having.