CMU starting OL Derek Smith enters transfer portal
Central Michigan sixth-year offensive lineman Derek Smith has entered the transfer portal, a source confirmed to Central Michigan Life Wednesday.
Smith had started 21 consecutive games for the Chippewas across the past three seasons, starting at both tackle and guard. He started all six games and was named second-team All-Mid-American Conference in 2020.
Over the course of his career, Smith made 29 starts for the Chippewas. He elected to come back for a sixth season after a waiver was granted to all fall sports athletes as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Smith greyshirted as a true freshman in 2015 and redshirted in 2016. He saw his first game action in 2017, when he played in eight games with two starts. In 2018, the former Kenowa Hill High School standout started all eight games he played in.
His consecutive start streak began with the last game of 2018 and carried into 2019, where he started all 14 games on CMU's run to the MAC championship game.
The Grand Rapids native was also a three-time Academic All-MAC selection. Prior to entering the transfer portal, Smith had been taking first team reps at guard according to offensive line coach Mike Cummings.
With Smith in the portal, responsibility to fill the void will fall on some combination of sophomores Tyden Ferris and Deiyantei Powell-Woods. Both have starting experience.
Greyshirt freshmen Braden Doyle and Keegan Smith have also been getting reps at guard.
