2023 Northwestern State Demons football team

The 2023 Northwestern State Demons football team represented Northwestern State University as a member of the Southland Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by sixth-year head coach Brad Laird, the Demons played their home games at Harry Turpin Stadium in Natchitoches, Louisiana. On October 26, Laird announced that he had resigned and the remainder of the season would be cancelled due to the death of Ronnie Caldwell.

Death of Ronnie Caldwell
On the morning of October 12, junior safety Ronnie Caldwell died after having been shot multiple times. The Demons' following game, against Nicholls, was cancelled in response. On October 26, the university announced that Laird had resigned and the remainder of the season would be cancelled.

The day following the murder, Caldwell's roommate, John McIntosh, was arrested by Natchitoches police for possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance. At the time, police did not say if McIntosh was involved in Caldwell's death but did confirm that McIntosh had previously been arrested for attempted second-degree murder. On October 20, defensive tackle Maurice Campbell was arrested in connection to Caldwell's death. Campbell was cited for obstruction of justice, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance.

On November 5, Caldwell's parents filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Quad Apartment Complex, where Caldwell lived and where the shooting occurred, and Laird. According to the lawsuit, Caldwell was placed in an apartment with McIntosh, who was not attending college and had a history of legal trouble, after mold was found in Caldwell's original apartment. The lawsuit also alleges that McIntosh pulled a gun on Caldwell three days before the shooting occurred. Caldwell then notified his father, Ronald, of the incident who then alerted Laird. Laird called Ronald, assuring him that he would immediately place Ronnie in a safe location.

Preseason poll
The Southland Conference released their preseason poll on July 24, 2023. The Demons were picked to finish fifth in the conference.

Preseason All–Southland Teams
The Southland Conference announced the 2023 preseason all-conference football team selections on July 21, 2023. NSU had a total of 6 players selected.

Offense

1st Team
 * Travon Jones – tight end/halfback, SO
 * Zach Patterson – wide receiver, SR

2nd Team
 * Scooter Adams – running back, RS-SR
 * Ke'Nard King – wide receiver, JR
 * D'Andre Richard – offensive lineman, JR

Defense

1st Team
 * Kevin Davis – defensive back, JR