Chippewa offensive line features rising stars, returning leaders
With the NCAA allowing an extra year of eligibility thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, Central Michigan offensive line coach Mike Cummings has plenty of returning pieces. All five starters return, along with junior Luke Goedeke and sophomore Danny Motowski returning to full health.
Goedeke missed all of 2020 after suffering a knee injury at the conclusion of the Chippewas' first fall camp practice. Motowski, meanwhile, was up and down health-wise throughout the season.
After sitting out during spring practice, Goedeke is nearing full health as the season progresses.
“I’m feeling great, actually,” Goedeke said. “If not 100 percent, very, very close. I mean, every once in a while (the knee) will get sore, especially since we’re practice every day now.”
Goedeke transferred to CMU in the spring of 2019 from Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he played tight end. He transitioned to tackle in the spring after a conversation with tight ends and tackles coach Tavita Thompson.
He had a successful first season in 2019, where he started every game at right tackle and was integral in a running game that produced two 1,000-yard rushers.
After the injury, Goedeke was not cleared to practice during CMU's 2021 spring practices. Not taking the field for nearly an entire year was a major change which reinforced his love for the game.
"It's just something I've done every fall since I was a little kid," Goedeke said. "Not being able to go out there with my teammates, it was a bummer. But I knew if I got down, I would just get deeper and deeper and eventually I wouldn't know what would happen. So I just had to keep my head up, keep confidence, stay positive and keep training and trust physical therapists and everything."
Raimann drawing pro attention
The biggest returning piece, in size and recognition, is 6-foot-7 senior offensive tackle Bernhard Raimann. A converted tight end, Raimann stepped into the left tackle spot in 2020 and took it by storm. In his first two seasons, Raimann caught 20 passes before transitioning to tackle in his third year.
Now, Raimann's stock is skyrocketing. He was recently named to The Athletic's 'College Football Freaks' list and is widely considered to be one of the best pro prospects in the Mid-American Conference.
"Raimann is definitely on the NFL's radar," wrote The Athletic's Bruce Feldman. "Scouts are intrigued. He's up to 304 pounds but ran a 4.60 shuttle with a 33-inch vertical and 9-7 1/2 broad jump and a 1.56 10-yard sprint to go with a 450-pound bench press."
“It’s obviously a great honor to be on lists like that, to get the attention,” Raimann said. “But at the end of the day, I can’t change anything for what I’m doing for the next game or practice every day. I need to win some football games and so we’ve got to do what we’ve got to do. It’s exciting to hear that news but I try to stay away from that as much as possible.”
Smith impressing veteran teammates
Currently, Cummings named Raimann (left) and Goedeke (right) as the starting tackles, Motowski (left) and Tyden Ferris (right) at guard and Jamezz Kimbrough at center. Also in the running are sophomores Vashon Bailey and Deiyantei Powell-Woods and freshman Keegan Smith.
Smith specifically has stood out with his athleticism coupled with an unteachable 6-foot-3, 305 pound frame. Beyond that, his hard-working attitude and ability to play both center and guard have gained him attention and respect.
Coming from Lumen Christi High School, a Michigan high school football powerhouse, Smith was widely considered to be one of the top prospects in the Chippewas' 2021 class. CMU football director of player personnel Albert Karschnia told Central Michigan Life shortly after Smith signed he was a player the Chippewas 'had to have.'
"He's well-liked, I would say, by all of his teammates," Cummings said. "One of the reasons is his work ethic and toughness. And, he's very popular with the offensive linemen because he does work so hard and they're willing to help him so it's not unusual to see some of the other guys kind of get with him and help him along with that work."
