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Athlon Sports
Central Michigan Football: 2024 Chippewas Season Preview and Prediction
By Athlon Sports,
19 days ago
The key to getting back to a bowl for head coach Jim McElwain will be developing a consistent passing game and shoring up the pass defense. All four non-conference opponents failed to make a bowl last year, so the opportunity is there for CMU to return to the postseason.
Central Michigan 2024 Season Preview and Prediction
Previewing Central Michigan’s Offense for 2024
Central Michigan’s attack will go as far as its quarterback will take it, but who that quarterback will be still needs to be determined. Bert Emanuel Jr. is in his third year with the program, and thus far he’s been much more of a runner than passer, with 117 career rushing attempts (for 716 yards) and just 45 pass attempts. Emanuel is a tremendous athlete and needs to be on the field, but it remains to be seen if he will be the every-play quarterback. Iowa transfer Joe Labas is in contention for the job, and true freshman Jadyn Glasser was impressive in the spring.
Whoever gets the job can lean on two quality running backs in Marion Lukes and Myles Bailey. Lukes is an all-purpose back who can get outside and catch passes, while Bailey is a between-the-tackles runner.
The three leading receivers are back in Tyson Davis (444 yards), Jesse Prewitt III (438 yards) and Chris Parker (409 yards). Redshirt freshman Evan Boyd stood out in the spring.
There are three starters back on the offensive line. Right tackle Brayden Swartout was second-team All-MAC last season, and center Dominic Serapiglia III should contend for All-MAC honors this season.
Running back Marion Lukes accounted for over 1,000 yards from scrimmage for Central Michigan in 2023, scoring five touchdowns.
Matthew Yeoman&solUSA TODAY Sports
Previewing Central Michigan’s Defense for 2024
Up front, Michael Heldman, Jason Williams and Jonah Pace are the starters, and Oumar Conde made some head-turning plays in the spring, but there is a question as to whether the coaches can get to the preferred seven-to-eight man rotation and keep players fresh. Williams should compete for All-MAC honors at nose tackle.
There is depth at linebacker, where Justin Whiteside and Dakota Cochran return after combining for 5.5 sacks. Notre Dame transfer Nolan Ziegler should make an immediate impact in fall camp.
In the secondary, second-team All-MAC performer Donte Kent is back. The former corner is the leading man on the backline. Fellow safeties Caleb Spann and Elijah Rickard will also start, and corner Da’Raun McKinney won a job late last season. CMU was last against the pass in the MAC last season, so improvement is a must.
Jim McElwain won a pair of SEC East titles during this three years as head coach at Florida before becoming the CMU head coach in 2019.
Matt Cashore&solUSA TODAY Sports
Previewing Central Michigan’s Specialists for 2024
Kicker Tristan Mattson connected on just 7-of-14 field goals, though he did set a school record with a 58-yarder. Punter David Chapeau is a transfer from East Carolina. Lukes, who took two kickoffs back for touchdowns and was the MAC’s Returner of the Year, will take on the same role, and wide receiver Javorian Wimberly will again handle punts.
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