Central Michigan University Football Roster: An In-Depth Look

The Central Michigan Chippewas football team represents Central Michigan University (CMU) in Division I FBS college football. This article delves into the team's roster, providing details on players from offense, defense and special teams, along with relevant information about the program.

Central Michigan Chippewas: A Brief Overview

Central Michigan University's football program has a rich history, marked by consistent performance and a dedicated fan base. The Chippewas compete in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and have a tradition of playing home football games dating back to 1896. Central Michigan has the largest on-campus stadium in the Mid-American Conference, seating 32,885 fans. The program has seen its share of successes, including recent bowl game appearances and victories. The Chippewas have played in six bowl games in the last nine years, most recently defeating Washington State in the 2021 Sun Bowl.

Offensive Roster Breakdown

The Chippewas' offensive unit comprises a diverse array of talent across various positions. Here's a detailed look at the offensive roster:

Quarterbacks (QB)

The quarterback position is crucial for any football team, and CMU has a number of players vying for the starting role:

Marcus Beamon (#10): A junior (JR) standing at 6' 0" and weighing 195 lbs, hailing from Philadelphia, MS.
Logan Borodychuk (#12): A freshman (FR) with a height of 6' 5" and weight of 215 lbs, from Mount Pleasant, MI.
Angel Flores (#7): A junior (JR) standing at 6' 1" and weighing 210 lbs, from Casa Grande, AZ.
Jadyn Glasser (#15): A freshman (FR) at 6' 2" and 230 lbs, from Tampa, FL.
Daniel Gomez (#14): A freshman (FR) at 6' 1" and 205 lbs, from Hanford, CA.
Joe Labas (#2): A senior (SR) standing 6' 4" and weighing 210 lbs, from Brecksville, OH.
Ethan Lane (#12): A sophomore (SO) at 6' 1" and 190 lbs, from Chandler, AZ.

Running Backs (RB)

The running back group provides the Chippewas with a variety of options in the ground game:

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Nahree Biggins (#5): A senior (SR) standing 6' 1" and weighing 210 lbs, from Hillside, NJ.
Jakivion Calip (#4): A sophomore (SO) at 5' 11" and 200 lbs, from Lewis Center, OH.
Trey Cornist (#6): A sophomore (SO) standing 6' 0" and weighing 215 lbs, from Cincinnati, OH.
Mekhi Jenkins (#24): A sophomore (SO) at 5' 9" and 190 lbs, from Detroit, MI.
Jason Philpot-Dixon (#49): A sophomore (SO) standing 6' 0" and weighing 200 lbs, from Detroit, MI.
Kadenn Rose (#32): A freshman (FR) at 5' 8" and 190 lbs, from Mount Pleasant, MI.
Germanuel Tanelus (#46): A junior (JR) standing 5' 10" and weighing 205 lbs, from North Lauderdale, FL.
Brock Townsend (#22): A freshman (FR) at 6' 0" and 220 lbs, from Caledonia, MI.
Rusty VanWetzinga IV (#41): A sophomore (SO) standing 6' 0" and weighing 230 lbs, from Pleasant Valley, IA.

Wide Receivers (WR)

The wide receiver corps offers a mix of experience and youth, providing targets for the quarterbacks:

Josiah Booker (#11): A freshman (FR) standing 5' 10" and weighing 150 lbs, from Sarasota, FL.
Tyson Davis (#3): A junior (JR) at 5' 10" and 175 lbs, from Flint, MI.
Kendall Jones (#0): A junior (JR) standing 6' 2" and weighing 175 lbs, from Valrico, FL.
Jordan Kelly (#84): A sophomore (SO) at 6' 0" and 180 lbs, from Beaumont, TX.
Camden Kruisenga (#35): A freshman (FR) standing 6' 2" and weighing 175 lbs, from Rockford, MI.
Langston Lewis (#20): A junior (JR) at 6' 0" and 195 lbs, from Savannah, GA.
Tommy McIntosh (#19): A junior (JR) standing 6' 5" and weighing 210 lbs, from Dewitt, MI.
Braylen Naves (#17): A freshman (FR) at 6' 2" and 190 lbs, from Davison, MI.
Collin Payne (#86): A junior (JR) standing 6' 2" and weighing 205 lbs, from Lake Forest, CA.
Justin Ruffin Jr. (#9): A freshman (FR) at 5' 9" and 160 lbs, from Buckner, KY.
Braeden Tillman-Jones (#43): A sophomore (SO) standing 5' 11" and weighing 180 lbs, from Novi, MI.
Tayte Vanderleest (#81): A sophomore (SO) at 6' 3" and 210 lbs, from Muskegon, MI.
Nasir Williams (#16): A freshman (FR) standing 6' 1" and weighing 195 lbs, from Tallahassee, FL.

Tight Ends (TE)

The tight end position provides versatility in both blocking and receiving:

Travis Ambrose (#83): A freshman (FR) standing 6' 7" and weighing 250 lbs, from Muskegon, MI.
Rory Callahan (#89): A sophomore (SO) at 6' 4" and 245 lbs, from New Boston, MI.
JJ Douglas (#85): A freshman (FR) standing 6' 5" and weighing 220 lbs, from Janesville, WI.
Henry Dryden (#88): A senior (SR) at 6' 3" and 220 lbs, from Boise, ID.
Jacob Kaminski (#87): A junior (JR) standing 6' 6" and weighing 255 lbs, from Cambridge, Canada.
DeCorion Temple (#8): A junior (JR) at 6' 5" and 245 lbs, from Ypsilanti, MI.
Nathan VanTimmeren (#48): A sophomore (SO) standing 6' 4" and weighing 225 lbs, from Grand Rapids, MI.
Logan Borodychuk (#82): A freshman (FR) with a height of 6' 5" and weight of 215 lbs, from Mount Pleasant, MI.

Offensive Line (OL)

The offensive line is the backbone of the offense, providing protection for the quarterback and opening up running lanes:

Ryan Blum (#55): A sophomore (SO) standing 6' 1" and weighing 295 lbs, from Chandler, AZ.
Jacob Booth (#69): A sophomore (SO) at 6' 5" and 295 lbs, from Swartz Creek, MI.
John Iannuzzi (#60): A senior (SR) standing 6' 4" and weighing 315 lbs, from Belmont, MA.
Martin Koivisto (#76): A junior (JR) at 6' 7" and 305 lbs, from Shakopee, MN.
Dominique Maiava (#52): A junior (JR) standing 6' 2" and weighing 300 lbs, from Pago Pago, American Samoa.
Luis Martinez (#71): A senior (SR) at 6' 5" and 300 lbs, from Oceanside, CA.
Matthew Nehf (#66): A sophomore (SO) standing 6' 3" and weighing 295 lbs, from Dewitt, MI.
Triston Pierre (#54): A freshman (FR) at 6' 4" and 260 lbs, from Martinsburg, WV.
Brady Ploucha (#59): A junior (JR) standing 6' 5" and weighing 305 lbs, from Allen Park, MI.
Apisa Poumele (#58): A junior (JR) at 6' 2" and 300 lbs, from Pago Pago, American Samoa.
Jacob Russell (#70): A sophomore (SO) standing 6' 4" and weighing 295 lbs, from Glen Ridge, NJ.
Jacob Saurbeck (#77): A freshman (FR) at 6' 7" and 315 lbs, from Oregon, OH.
Blake Schlegel (#75): A senior (SR) standing 6' 6" and weighing 320 lbs, from Bruning, NE.
Dane Sickler (#72): A freshman (FR) at 6' 10" and 315 lbs, from Mount Horeb, WI.
Dasan Smith (#73): A freshman (FR) standing 6' 6" and weighing 290 lbs, from Marquette, MI.
Talon Smith (#78): A freshman (FR) at 6' 6" and 280 lbs, from Marquette, MI.
Alex Toothman (#68): A freshman (FR) standing 6' 4" and weighing 270 lbs, from Stevensville, MI.

Defensive Roster Breakdown

The Chippewas' defense aims to shut down opponents and create turnovers. Here's a look at the defensive roster:

Defensive Line (DL)

The defensive line is responsible for pressuring the quarterback and stopping the run:

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Daniel Bennett (#93): A senior (SR) standing 6' 5" and weighing 250 lbs, from White Springs, FL.
Quavion Bird (#96): A freshman (FR) at 6' 1" and 310 lbs, from Lake Wales, FL.
Oumar Conde (#90): A junior (JR) standing 6' 3" and weighing 260 lbs, from Bronx, NY.
Jonathan Decker (#98): A senior (SR) at 6' 5" and 300 lbs, from Elkhart, IN.
Korver Demma (#56): A sophomore (SO) standing 6' 3" and weighing 245 lbs, from Gretna, NE.
Malik Denkins (#81): A junior (JR) at 6' 3" and 250 lbs, from Cincinnati, OH.
Dylan Fisher (#94): A senior (SR) standing 6' 1" and weighing 285 lbs, from Toledo, OH.
Keshawn Hayden (#49): A sophomore (SO) at 6' 3" and 250 lbs, from St. Louis, MO.
Michael Heldman (#97): A senior (SR) standing 6' 4" and weighing 260 lbs, from Romeo, MI.
Adam Kaminski (#80): A freshman (FR) at 6' 7" and 240 lbs, from Cambridge, Canada.
Kade Kostus (#44): A junior (JR) standing 6' 2" and weighing 260 lbs, from Rockford, MI.
Landon Swanson (#51): A freshman (FR) at 6' 3" and 220 lbs, from Charlevoix, MI.
Joey VanWetzinga (#95): A freshman (FR) at 6' 2" and 260 lbs, from Pleasant Valley, IA.
Daniel Viramontes (#91): A junior (JR) at 6' 2" and 250 lbs, from Anaheim, CA.

Linebackers (LB)

The linebackers are crucial for both run-stopping and pass coverage:

Lawai'a Brown (#40): A senior (SR) standing 6' 0" and weighing 230 lbs, from Honolulu, HI.
Dakota Cochran (#1): A senior (SR) at 6' 2" and 240 lbs, from Shaker Heights, OH.
Victor Earl (#33): A freshman (FR) standing 6' 2" and weighing 215 lbs, from Romeo, MI.
Mckeegan Ferguson (#34): A sophomore (SO) at 6' 0" and 220 lbs, from Blanchard, MI.
Khari Johnson (#53): A sophomore (SO) standing 5' 11" and weighing 220 lbs, from Wixom, MI.
Jordan Kwiatkowski (#12): A senior (SR) at 6' 1" and 235 lbs, from Sterling Heights, MI.
Jeremiah McKenzie (#36): A freshman (FR) standing 6' 2" and weighing 195 lbs, from Starke, FL.
Cairo Rhodes (#26): A senior (SR) at 6' 2" and 230 lbs, from Grand Rapids, MI.
Fernando Sanchez III (#14): A senior (SR) at 6' 3" and 250 lbs, from Loganville, GA.
Andre Thomas Jr. (#42): A freshman (FR) standing 6' 1" and weighing 210 lbs, from Detroit, MI.
Xavier White (#45): A sophomore (SO) at 6' 0" and 235 lbs, from Los Angeles, CA.

Defensive Backs (DB)

The defensive backs are responsible for pass coverage and supporting the run defense:

Jamari Allen (#21): A sophomore (SO) standing 5' 11" and weighing 170 lbs, from Detroit, MI.
Jeremiah Alston-Jackson (#37): A sophomore (SO) at 5' 11" and 210 lbs, from Detroit, MI.
Nolan Anderson (#28): A freshman (FR) standing 5' 10" and weighing 195 lbs, from Menomonee Falls, WI.
Maddix Blackwell (#17): A senior (SR) at 5' 10" and 190 lbs, from Bloomington, IN.
Tysen Campbell (#27): A freshman (FR) standing 6' 0" and weighing 180 lbs, from Akron, OH.
Kalen Carroll (#6): A junior (JR) at 6' 1" and 185 lbs, from Indianapolis, IN.
Ed Conoran (#7): A junior (JR) standing 5' 10" and weighing 185 lbs, from Dover, NJ.
Brenden Deasfernandes (#3): A senior (SR) at 6' 0" and 195 lbs, from Detroit, MI.
Mark-Allen Gay (#9): A sophomore (SO) standing 6' 0" and weighing 180 lbs, from Miami, FL.
Elijah Gordon (#29): A senior (SR) at 6' 0" and 205 lbs, from Midland, MI.
Jaion Jackson (#4): A sophomore (SO) standing 5' 10" and weighing 160 lbs, from East St. Louis, IL.

Special Teams Roster

The special teams unit is crucial for field position and scoring opportunities:

Ben Pratt (#30): LS, Senior, 6'0", 225 lbs
Cade Graham (#47): K, 5'8", 165 lbs
C. VanHuis (#38): K, 6'0", 190 lbs
Declan Duley (#18): P, 6'1", 215 lbs
Lincoln Epstein (#50): LS, 5'10", 230 lbs

Coaching and Support Staff

Behind every successful football team is a dedicated coaching and support staff. While specific names and roles aren't provided in the roster data, it's important to acknowledge their contribution to the team's development and performance. Many notable coaches have contributed to CMU's culture.

Facilities and Fan Support

Central Michigan's football program benefits from excellent facilities and a strong fan base. Kelly/Shorts Stadium, the home of the Chippewas, has a seating capacity of 32,885, making it the largest on-campus stadium in the Mid-American Conference. CMU drew a capacity crowd of 35,127 fans for the Central MichiganâMichigan State game televised on ESPNU and has hosted schools from the ACC, Big Ten, and Big 12 conferences.

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Rivalries

The Central Michigan Chippewas have several rivalries that add excitement to their schedule:

Western Michigan Broncos: These archrivals first met in 1907 and have faced one another annually since 1943. Since the two schools are separated by a two-hour drive, the visiting team typically has a strong fan and student presence at the game.
Eastern Michigan Eagles: The Chippewas and Eagles maintain a less prominent, but steady rivalry.

Notable Alumni

Several Central Michigan football alumni have gone on to achieve success in professional football and other fields:

Gary Hogeboom (1979): NFL quarterback for 11 seasons.
Brett Hartmann (2010): Houston Texans punter.
Robert Jackson: Former NFL player.

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