VMI Keydets

The VMI Keydets represent Virginia Military Institute, one of the oldest football programs in the country, playing out of Lexington, Virginia. Built on the discipline of a service academy, VMI's Keydets have a long Southern Conference pedigree and a reputation for hard-nosed, physical football. The program's rat mascot and cadet corps give game days at VMI a distinct, tradition-heavy atmosphere within the SoCon.

VMI football dates back to 1873, one of the earliest programs in American college football, with the first official team fielded in 1891. The Keydets joined the Southern Conference in 1924 and have won eight SoCon championships, including titles under coach John McKenna in 1957, 1959, 1960, and 1962, and a more recent championship in 2021. VMI has never won a national title but its 79-year run in the SoCon (1924-2002, then 2014-present, with a Big South stint in between) makes it one of the league's most historic members.