Central Michigan offensive preview: Ranking position groups from steady to shaky
Jim McElwain is confident. The first-year Central Michigan coach wants success, believes in the process and is determined to grab it with authority.
Everything begins Aug. 1 for the start of fall camp, and the season opens Aug. 29 against Albany at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. The team reported to camp Thursday, will go through meetings Friday and finally get to hit the practice field Saturday.
The Chippewas have many areas where they need improvement – not the kind that takes a few years. No, the Chips must develop immediately, specifically at offensive line. The good news is that there are plenty of newcomers with valued potential, so things could ameliorate quickly.
“We still have some discovery: Kalil hasn’t played in a year, Poljan being new at tight end, Jonathan Ward coming off a not-so-great year for him," McElwain said. "There’s stuff that remains to be seen."
If the offensive line from a year ago would've been up to par in the Mid-American Conference, CMU likely would've won at least one FBS game rather than settling for a 1-11 season (only defeating FCS Maine).
Below is analysis and a preview of Central Michigan’s offense with fall camp set to open Thursday afternoon. The position groups are ranked from most steady to most shaky.
Here are other team previews:
1. Tight end
Projected starter: Tony Poljan (junior)
Backups: Bernhard Raimann (sophomore), Joel Wilson (redshirt freshman), Keegan Cossou (sophomore)
Overview: The tight end position might be the best of all entering the 2019 season, just based off the height, size and strength of everyone in the room.
From watching Poljan make the switch from quarterback to tight end at the end of the 2018 campaign and seeing what he looked like during the open spring practice in April, he should be the No. 1 at the position.
Even Poljan's teammate said he likes what he's seen from the former signal caller.
"Last year, all he was running was a fade," said receiver JaCorey Sullivan after the open spring practice. "Since the offseason hit, he's been working on his routes and catching, and he's just getting better."
In just a few games at tight end last season, Poljan ended up making seven receptions for 125 yards and two touchdowns. Imagine what the 6-foot-7, 235 pounder might be able to do throughout a full slate of 12 games at that spot.
And if it's not Poljan, it'll be Raimann. He played in all 12 games last season after taking a redshirt in 2017 due to serving in the Austrian military. He's 6-foot-7, 240 pounds.
Cossou is 6-foot-5, 244 pounds, while Wilson is 6-foot-4, 217 pounds.
The size, athleticism and catching ability should give McElwain multiple options, including a few sets with two tight ends.
“I’d put them up against anyone in the country,” McElwain said of his tight ends. “They’re talented, they’re well-coached, and they’re great kids.”
Best-case scenario: When Poljan was being recruited out of Lansing Catholic High School, schools like Michigan State, Minnesota and Nebraska wanted him at tight end. Respectfully declining, Poljan took his top quarterback offer from former CMU coach John Bonamego.
Well, it's possible guys like Rob Reeves and Jim Zebrowski from Minnesota knew what they were doing. Maybe, just maybe, Poljan was always destined to be a tight end – not a hefty 6-foot-7 quarterback.
If those guys were correct and CMU truly has a Big Ten caliber tight end on its roster, the result shouldn't be too shabby.
Worst-case scenario: At this point, it's clear Poljan isn't made to be a quarterback at the Division I level, so it's tight end or bust for him. If he doesn't show up, the younger Raimann will be given the keys to the room. That might won't go well at first, as he still has a lot to learn.
Why the position is ranked here: The tight end position might not be the most noticed on the football field, but it's the most steady spot for the Chippewas. Poljan barely has any experience, but his upside is off the charts. The other position players, like Poljan, deliver immense height and weight, putting the tight ends in a good spot to shine.
Kind of interesting that the most steady position is a group without much maturity – that's how much the offense has to prove this year.
2. Running back
Projected starter: Jonathan Ward (senior)
Backups: Romello Ross (senior), Kobe Lewis (sophomore), Kumehnnu Gwilly (junior), Lew Nichols (true freshman)
Overview: Ward was the furthest thing from steady in the 2018 season, but that was true for the entire offense. He went for just 76 carries, 212 yards and one rushing score in nine games – all while battling injuries.
There wasn't any real positive to the Chippewas on the scoring side of the ball. However, the offensive line is rejuvenated and has the mindset of offensive line coach Mike Cummings (the guy that developed Eric Fisher into a No. 1 overall pick back in 2013).
With the right tools in the shed upfront, there shouldn't be a reason Ward can't get back to his ways of 2017 when he went for nearly 1,500 yards from scrimmage.
"I've been really impressed with him," said offensive coordinator Charlie Frye last spring. "The run game makes everything else easier. It all starts with the run game."
Junior running back Romello Ross carries the football through a pair of defenders on Nov. 23 at the Glass Bowl Stadium.
Ross, a senior, played six games in 2015, 10 games in 2017 and seven games in 2018. He has the overall talent to be a top back in the MAC but has yet to consistently prove it. He's not far off from getting to that point.
Lewis is working his way back from a minor injury but is thought to be healthy for camp and the season opener.
McElwain said true freshman Nichols will "obviously" get snaps for the Chippewas in 2019. He carried the ball 84 times for 1,078 yards and 23 touchdowns in the 2018 season as a senior for Cass Technical High School.
Best-case scenario: Ward returns to the player everyone remembers form the 2017 season, and the others in the backfield also find success. While a lot of that does depend on the offensive line, it's safe to say there are new faces at those positions that'll give a massive boost to the overall strength of the offense.
Ross, who has dealt with injuries in the past, needs to stay healthy.
Worst-case scenario: Again, it all starts with Ward's ability to dominate in the run game. If he's unsuccessful or struggles with injuries, it could be another nightmare season unless the passing game is on-point. There isn't a reason to believe players like Lewis, Gwilly or Nichols could be a true No. 1, so it's up to Ward and Ross to carry the load.
Why the position is ranked here: When Frye said, "It all starts with the run game," he couldn't have been more correct. The runnings backs, if there's an adequate offensive line, are the most detrimental to the Chippewas. Just look at what happened last year. The lack of running action hurt the team as a whole.
3. Quarterback
Projected starter: Quinten Dormady (grad transfer)
Backups: Tommy Lazzaro (senior), David Moore (junior), George Pearson (redshirt freshman), Daniel Richardson (true freshman)
Overview: Dormady is likely going to be the starter, as he was the No. 1 quarterback at the end of the spring, McElwain said at MAC Media Day. Unless all else fails, I wouldn't expect to see anyone else under center for the Chippewas' opener.
Dormady began the 2017 season as Tennessee's starter before a shoulder injury that required surgery cut his season short. Through 14 career games, the 6-foot-4, 222-pound quarterback completed 102-of-181 passes for 1,290 yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions.
The bigger question is between the others in the quarterback room and which player will arise as the backup.
"We've brought some new blood into (the quarterback) room," McElwain said. "I'm excited about the competition and how they land to build consistency."
Junior quarterback David Moore (left) and senior quarterbacks Tommy Lazzaro (middle) and Quinten Dormady (right), a grad transfer from Houston, have a conversation on the sideline during spring practice April 13 at Kelly Shorts Stadium.
It's important to understand the Chippewas aren't in a rush to play David Moore, a transfer from Garden City Community College (JUCO), who first played at Memphis. With the current system in place, Moore could sit out a year and start next season. Lazzaro, on the other hand, will be done after this year, so there's a possibility he gets the first chance in a backup role if there isn't much difference between him and Moore throughout fall camp.
Lazzaro completed 68-of-141 passes for 711 yards, five touchdowns and 10 interceptions in his first season on the field in 2018. Moore threw for 837 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions in the 2018 campaign for the Broncbusters.
Pearson and Richardson are for the future.
McElwain also said Dormady had work done on his arm, but he's back to full health.
Best-case scenario: Dormady is everything he's supposed to be as a former SEC quarterback playing in the MAC, leading the Chippewas to a bowl game.
“Quinten has done a really good job of leading the team, and I’m looking forward for him as we open up the season," McElwain said.
Worst-case scenario: That begins and ends with the early successes of Dormady, who could either be the reincarnate of Shane Morris or he could fall off the rails like quarterbacks from a season ago. Perhaps Lazzaro or Moore could find a groove in a new system, but nobody has proven anything in the McElwain era. Until further notice, it's probably Dormady or bust.
Why the position is ranked here: Dormady might be the best quarterback in the MAC, but he can only do so much without an offensive line, receivers and plenty of running backs to help open up other facets of the offense. But, he might not even end up being the guy everyone expects him to be in McElwain's offense.
It's all up in the air right now.
4. Offensive line
Projected starters: LT Ja'Raymond Hall (sophomore), LG Erik Ditzhazy (sophomore), C Steve Eipper (senior), RG Jamezz Kimbrough (sophomore), RT Clay Walderzak (senior)
Backups: LT Derek Smith (junior), LG Cameron Vaughn (true freshman), C Jeff Strome (junior), RG Jake Dominguez (junior), RT Luke Godeke (sophomore) or Oge Udeogu (grad transfer)
Overview: There's no reason the offensive line should be this high on the list, but there are so many new faces with loads of potential. A few of those players that will bring a fresh perspective include Hall, Dominguez, Godeke and Udeogu.
The Chippewas also bring back Cummings, who formally worked as the offensive coordinator at CMU from 2010-13 and offensive line coach from 1992-97 and 1999. Even more important, veteran tackle Walderzak has decided to return for the 2019 season after earning a medical redshirt.
"This year we know we have a fresh slate," Eipper said. "We can come back with the new staff and a new offense so to say and just keep building every day to get better."
Kimbrough started all 12 games at right guard in 2018 but is coming off a knee injury. Ditzhazy played in the final six games of the season, specifically at left guard. Eipper has 21 career starts to his name, of which 10 were at center in 2018. Walderzak has always been the starter at right tackle when healthy. Four of the five players expected to see the most time up front have a plethora of experience, a key for any offensive line.
"We're going to be a much more efficient offense this year," Eipper said during spring practices. "Last year, we kind of dropped off from the previous year. This year, I have a good feeling that we're going to bounce back."
If Hall, Godeke, Udeogu, Dominguez and others new to the team can stay healthy and be as good as advertised, the Chippewas should see an improvement at offensive line from a year ago.
Best-case scenario: The unit gels together and gains enough depth to the point of being able to sustain significant injuries, especially since players like Walderzak and Kimbrough have been sidelined in the past. It's likely at least one will undergo a minor injury at miss a few games, so there must be depth to step up. If Eipper, Walderzak and Kimbrough can maintain health throughout the season, this could become one of the top offensive line groups in recent years. Getting Hall, Godeke and Dominguez early reps is only going to set Cummings' men up for success down the road.
Worst-case scenario: Injuries, injuries and more injuries. Those nagging, season-long wounds are exactly what will work against the Chippewas, taking away an opportunity to remain consistent. Last season, a depleted offensive line lost CMU plenty of close games in conference play. McElwain better hope that doesn't happen this time around.
Why the position is ranked here: The offensive line has more upside than any other position on the roster. If the guys can click as a unit, they might just be at the top of the conference come late November. However, it could just as easily falter with a few injuries.
5. Wide receiver
Projected starters: Kalil Pimpleton (sophomore), JaCorey Sullivan (junior), Cameron Cole (senior)
Backups: Tyrone Scott (redshirt freshman), Drayton Law (sophomore), Keontra Nixon (redshirt freshman), Bailey Edwards (sophomore)
Overview: There's a lot of uncertainty in the wide receivers room, but that's to be expected due to youth and inexperience. Pimpleton barely has any college snaps, and the same can be said for Sullivan, Cole, Scott, Law and Nixon.
Losing senior receiver Brandon Childress to a season-ending injury puts a burden on the team, but someone will have to step up – expect that to be Cole.
“It just breaks my heart because he had come as far as anybody has in our program,” McElwain said. “He’s going to move on and get into coaching actually, and I’m excited about that.”
It's also worth noting that Jamil Sabbagh is done playing football after a calf tear that never fully healed has ended his career.
Law is coming off an ACL tear, but he's expected to be full-go for the season.
Sullivan is fresh off a 2018 season where he caught passes for 153 total yards and two touchdowns. McElwain said he expects Sullivan to take an expanded role this campaign.
"He's done a really good job," McElwain said of Sullivan. "I think he's really responded to the disciplined and really what it takes to be a great teammate. He's a guy that's going to be able to play all spots for us."
The Chippewas will be without top 2018 receiver Julian Hicks, who transferred to Akron. Jack Combs also transferred to Iowa.
Best-case scenario: The success of the wide receivers starts with Pimpleton. The sophomore transfer from Virginia Tech has talent in all phases of the game, and McElwain has already pointed him out as one of the top offensive players. However, is Pimpleton ready to be "the guy" in CMU's offense? That's a question that will likely determine the state of the receivers in 2019.
"He's an electric player but not only that, he's an unbelievable teammate,“ McElwain said of Pimpleton. "He's a guy that invests in it and really does a great job. He's the first guy in all of the time. If you could have 110 of him, you'd have a great football team."
Worst-case scenario: Pimpleton doesn't end up being as good as he's supposed to be, and CMU stumbles at the wide receiver position. These are no longer the days of Corey Willis, Mark Chapman and Tyler Conklin. Other players are going to have to continuously step up and grow throughout the season.
Why the position is ranked here: No Childress. If he wouldn't have gone out with a career-ending injury, the wide receivers would probably be somewhere near the top of the list. There's just too much to prove, and it doesn't help that Hicks left for a different team in the same conference. The wide receivers, with Pimpleton leading the crew, could be one of the best in the MAC, but it's too soon to tell.
6. Fullback
Projected starter: Oakley Lavallii (junior)
Backup: Hunter Buczkowski (junior)
Overview: Lavallii and Buczkowski are the only two fullbacks on the roster. Here's the catch: Neither touched the ball on offense in 2018. Sometimes they were used in the I formation or in three-back sets but nothing specific to get touches. McElwain might use them differently, potentially even giving the fullbacks opportunities in short down situations, but that's what Gwilly is usually for with his 6-foot-2, 246-pound frame.
There's no telling what's in the playbook for Lavallii and Buczkowski.
Best-case scenario: One fullback emerges into a short-gain expert and also helps immensely in goal-line scenarios.
Worst-case scenario: Neither option at the position does damage, even when the Chippewas call on them for help.
Why the position is ranked here: McElwain hasn't given away too much about his new offense, so it's unclear what he plans to do with the fullback position.
