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Athlon Sports
Western Michigan Football: 2024 Broncos Season Preview and Prediction
By Athlon Sports,
19 days ago
There is a lot of returning experience for the Broncos, and unlike last season, the quarterback position appears to be settled. A .500 record in MAC play and a return to a bowl game after a two-year absence are reasonable goals for second-year head coach Lance Taylor.
Western Michigan 2024 Season Preview and Prediction
Previewing Western Michigan’s Offense for 2024
Quarterback Hayden Wolff will be the starter as a fifth-year senior. Wolff played three years at Old Dominion before coming to Western Michigan last year. He started the final five games, one of which was a 333-yard effort in a win over Central Michigan.
There’s plenty of talent at the skill positions. MAC Freshman of the Year Jalen Buckley will carry the load for the rushing attack after his 1,003-yard debut. Zahir Abdus-Salaam, who excels in pass protection, will be the third-down back. Virginia Tech transfer Keshawn King was limited to four games in his first season at Western Michigan due to injuries, but he has the potential to get significant carries.
At wide receiver, three of the top four pass-catchers are back, including Kenneth Womack, whose 76 receptions led the MAC. Anthony Sambucci had a team-high five touchdowns, and transfers Devaughn “Bugs” Mortimer (ULM) and Jordin Parker (New Mexico State) add serious speed.
The offensive line returns three starters, including two players who were All-MAC a year ago in center Jacob Gideon (first team) and guard Addison West (third team).
Western Michigan wide receiver Anthony Sambucci caught 21 passes for 318 yards and a team-high five touchdowns a year ago.
Matt Bush&solUSA TODAY Sports
Previewing Western Michigan’s Defense for 2024
The Broncos return seven starters on a unit that ranked 10th in the MAC a year ago. The defensive line lost its top player in Marshawn Kneeland, but everyone else in the rotation will return. Corey Walker had a breakout season at defensive end, and Mason Nelson and Isaiah Green will be counted on heavily. Transfers Popeye Williams (Louisville) and Anterio Thompson (Iowa) are also expected to be immediate contributors.
At linebacker, former Purdue transfer Jacob Wahlberg will be an all-league candidate after making 65 tackles a year ago. Former Minnesota transfer Donald Willis, Boone Bonnema and Damari Roberson will play key roles as seniors in new defensive coordinator Scott Power’s system.
In the secondary, leading tackler Tate Hallock, a former Michigan State transfer, is back, as is fellow safety Aaron Wofford, who was second on the team in tackles. One corner will be Bilhal Kone, while the other will be determined in preseason camp.
Lance Taylor went 4-8 in his debut season as Western Michigan head coach in 2023. He was previously the offensive coordinator at Louisville.
Rich Barnes&solUSA TODAY Sports
Previewing Western Michigan’s Specialists for 2024
Kicker Palmer Domschke returns after making 9-of-15 field-goal attempts in 2023. Domschke struggled beyond 40 yards, making just 3-of-8. The punting job belongs to Australian Cameron Peasley, a former Utah transfer who averaged 38.9 yards in limited duty last season.
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