CMU football to host first spring game since 2018
A football with a Central Michigan University logo sits on the front stage at the “Fired up to be a Chippewa” event on Tuesday, Dec. 10, at the John G. Kulhavi Events Center. At the event, newly hired CMU football head coach Matt Drinkall addressed the media and took questions from the audience. (CM-Life | Mark Hoover)
Central Michigan football head coach Matt Drinkall speaks at half time at McGuirk Arena, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. Drinkall is CMU's 30th football head coach and previously worked at Army West Point as an Offensive Line Coach and co-Offensive Coordinator. (CM-Life | Mark Hoover)
For the first time in seven years, Central Michigan football will host its spring game, giving fans an early look at the 2025 Chippewas under new head coach Matt Drinkall. The game is set for Saturday at noon in Kelly/Shorts Stadium. Admission is free for all; tailgates are set to start at 9:30 a.m. in lots 62W and 64.
Drinkall and his staff welcomed 101 players to spring camp, including 17 newcomers, with 84 returners and 13 starters from the 2024 roster.
Defensively, the Chippewas bring eight starters back to the line. Players with significant reps from last season are expected to return also, giving the defense depth and experience.
Defensive lineman Michael Heldman returns for his final year as a redshirt senior. Last season as a starter, he cashed in a season high of four tackles against Northern Illinois and two solo sacks against Miami (Ohio).
Linebackers Dakota Cochran, Jordan Kwiatkowski and Lawai’a Brown all return as veterans. Cochran saw action in all 12 games last season, seeing a season-high of seven tackles against Eastern Michigan.
Kwiatkowski, who originally entered the transfer portal following the news of previous head coach Jim McElwain’s retirement, earned Second-Team All-MAC selection in 2024. As a true senior, he had a career-high of 48 solo tackles last season.
Offensively, the focus will be on how the unit gels with returning veterans and new faces, especially at skill positions. Several newcomers from the 17-player incoming class have already caught the attention of coaches and fans this spring.
At the center of it all is quarterback Joe Labas, who is stepping back into a pivotal leadership role. After coming in as a transfer from Iowa last season, Labas started six games before getting hurt midway through the season.
The injury caused McElwain to pull from the quarterback room, playing his second, third and fourth string for the remainder of the season.
Labas led CMU last season in all passing categories with a career high of 342 passing yards against Central Connecticut State. During that same game, he threw three passing touchdowns to lead the Chippewas to victory.
With a semi-new and experienced offensive line, all eyes will look to how Labas will connect and lead the front line. His development will be key for CMU’s success in 2025 as CMU lost quarterback Bert Emmanuel Jr. to San Diego State and Tyler Jefferson to Florida A&M.
Running back Nahree Biggins returns as a team leader, after two running backs were lost to the draft. Biggins saw action in six games last season, rushing 71 yards against Ball State.
Wide receiver Tyson Davis, who also previously entered the portal, will return after spending last season out on an injury.
The combination of seasoned returners and hungry new additions gives Drinkall plenty of options as he continues to shape the identity of this team ahead of the fall season.
Central Michigan opens its 2025 season on Aug. 28 against San Jose State. The Chippewas will play five home games this fall, including Power Four matchups and in-state rivalries.
