Offense
The quarterback position is one to watch as there is a competition. Thomas Gotkowski stepped in late last season and performed well, helping lead the RedHawks to the MAC Title game. Transfers David McComb (Kansas) and Caleb Heavner (D2 Fort Hays State) will battle. McComb has the pedigree and Heavner can use his legs.
The running back room returns some experience in D’Shawntae Jones. The additions of Cade Yacamelli (Wisconsin) and Rodney Nelson (Monmouth) have this staff excited. Nelson rushed for 1,802 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. Miami usually uses multiple backs, and they have some good ones to choose from this season.
The wide receiver room returns experience in Keith Reynolds, Braylon Isom, Lynel Billups-Williams, and Brady Simmons. The additions of Damarion Witten (Ohio State), Quintin Simmons Jr. (Kentucky), Devin Hyatt (Arizona), Carl Jackson (UCF), Maleek Higgins (Bethune-Cookman), and CJ Castner (Indiana State) provide gamebreakers to this offense.
The offensive line room returns experience in Kris Manu, Mitchell Butler, Jacob Schorsh, Andrew Lowry, Greg Smith Jr., and Eric Smith (All-MAC). The additions of Devontae Armstrong (Ohio State), Shaun Shahu (D2 Saginaw Valley State), Brian Beidatsch Jr. (Duquesne), and Evan Malcore (Northern Illinois, All-MAC) are crucial to this unit’s success.
Defense
The defensive line room returns experience in Roosevelt Andrews III, Grant Lyons, Devin Bell, Brach Rice, OJ Alexander, William Goldvine, James Schott, and Bai Jabe. The additions of Marcus Moore (Purdue), Mikah Coleman (Cincinnati), and Zhuiylen Scott (North Texas) provide depth to an already deep unit.
The linebacker room may be the best unit on the team. Malcolm McCain, Luke Meyers, Brock Uihlein, Tyler Dikos, and Christian McKinney have experience. The additions of Blayne Myrick (South Alabama, All-SBC) and CJ Young (Kent State, All-MAC) turn this into a potentially great unit.
The secondary returns experience in Kaleb Martin, Toney Coleman Jr., Mychal Yharbrough, Adrian Walke Jr., and Eli Coppess. The additions of Amariyun Knighton (Indiana), Ben Minich (Notre Dame), Dillon Tatum (Northwestern), Mason Ellens (Iowa State), and Eli Limouris (Louisville) are key to this unit’s success.
Specialists
Punter Pierse Stainton Returns and was solid last season. Kicker Kellan McLaughlin has been the kickoff specialist but will now handle all of the kicking duties.
2026 Schedule
- 9/5 at Pittsburgh
- 9/12 Holy Cross
- 9/19 vs Cincinnati at Paycor Stadium
- 9/26 UConn
- 10/3 Bowling Green
- 10/10 at UMass
- 10/17 Akron
- 10/24 at Central Michigan
- 11/3 Buffalo
- 11/10 Ohio
- 11/17 at Kent State
- 11/24 at Western Michigan
Final Analysis
Chuck Martin has built one of the steadiest, consistent programs in college football. The RedHawks have played in three straight MAC Title games and always have a great defense and special teams. If the transfers produce and the offense is balanced, the RedHawks could certainly play in a fourth straight MAC Title game.
