The quarterback room will have two guys see action. Angel Flores will primarily be used as a rushing threat. He rushed for a team high 527 yards and eight touchdowns last season, while completing 19 of his 28 passes. Jadyn Glasser is the pocket passer. He had a very solid spring.
The running back room returns Brock Townsend, who should see an extended role this season. The additions of Vaughn Blue (Liberty) and Jayden Clerveaux (Holy Cross) are big. Blue showed flashes at Liberty and should be RB1 for the Chips.
The wide receiver room returns Langston Lewis, Nasir Williams, and tight end Rusty Van Wetzinga IV, among others. Lewis was an All-MAC performer last season. The additions of Shawn Foster II (Michigan State) and multiple tight ends are massive for this unit.
The offensive line room returns experience in Jacob Russell, Matthew Nehf, Martin Kaivisto, Jacob Booth, John Iannuzzi, and Brady Ploucha. The additions of Losini Maka (Georgetown), Trevor Swan (Georgetown), Nic Di Santo (Eastern Illinois), and John Williams (JUCO) are massive.
The defensive line room returns experience in Korver Demma, Quavion Bird, Nathan Van Timmeren, and Joey VanWetzinga. Watch out for JJ Douglas to breakout. The former tight end has loads of potential. The additions of Max Van Fleet (Cornell), Hunter Zirkle (NAIA Cumberlands), and Jaxon Cherry (JUCO) are big.
The linebacker room is being rebuilt. Victor Earl, Xavier White, and Jeremiah Alston return but are inexperienced. White has the most reps under his belt. The additions of Antonio Cherry Jr. (JUCO) and true freshman Drew Esper and Elijah Reynolds are massive.
The secondary returns third year starting cornerback Jaion Jackson. While JaJuan Jones is an up and comer at cornerback. The additions of Matthew McKenzie (Bethune Cookman), Justin Taylor (Wyoming), Darrell Bryant Jr. (Northern Colorado), Donavan Philord (Campbell), and Ty Williams (JUCO) are big.
Punter Declan Duley returns after a solid 2025 season. Kicker Caden Van Huis steps in and played in the Under Armour All-American game as a high school senior.
Matt Drinkall is doing a great job building a culture at CMU. He carried it over from his time at Army and it shows. The offense has potential, while the defense does have question marks. There certainly is an opportunity to return to a bowl game. Which would be massive.
