CWU Football Season Preview 2021

Full CWU roster: https://wildcatsports.com/sports/football/roster

The Great Northwest Athletic Conference did not play a conference football season in spring 2021, but individual teams were be allowed to play non-conference games at their discretion. CWU traveled to Missoula to face the D1 Montana Grizzlies in a rescheduled game from fall 2020. Unfortunately the Wildcats couldn't shake off the rust and lost 59-3. Now the team will look ahead to a full fall season, but will have to do so while replacing many key players from 2019.

Coordinator Changes: After just one season as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Kelly Bills took the OC job at Dixie State to make his return to Division I. Under his guidance, Central’s offense ranked in the top-20 nationally in several categories. South Dakota Mines head coach Zach Tinker was hired as the new OC for Central. Likewise, his offense for the Hardrockers was also regularly among the nation’s best, so we should expect CWU’s offense to not miss a step. On the other side of the ball, defensive coordinator Ivan Cordova was let go after allowing 30 points and 400 yards per game, and struggling to stop the run. A familiar name returned to replace him in former CWU safeties coach Nate Johnson. Johnson previously coached safeties for Division I Stephen F. Austin.

Quarterback

In: La'akea Asuega-Stark, Daniel Buxton, Zach Matlock (via Boise State)

Out: Brandon Battle, Braden Miles, Christian Moore (Colorado Mesa), Canon Racanelli, Jack Smith

Returning: Quincy Glasper, JJ Lemming

After breaking out as the starting quarterback midway into the 2019 season, passing for over 2200 yards and 28 touchdowns, Christian Moore was absent from the spring game at Montana game. Two days later, he announced his decision to transfer despite being the expected starter in 2021 and instead will be playing for Colorado Mesa in 2021. Also no longer with the program is Canon Racanelli, who started the 2019 season before being replaced by Moore. Getting the start vs. Montana was Arizona State transfer Jack Smith, who was a backup for the Sun Devils in 2016 before missing the last 4 years recovering from injuries followed by waiting out the pandemic. However, going into the 2021 season Smith is no longer on the roster, so it appears his CWU career will last just one meaningless game. CWU welcomed another FBS transfer in Boise State dual-threat Zach Matlock. Returning from 2019 are redshirt freshmen Quincy Glasper and JJ Lemming, the latter of which also saw playing time at Montana and pitches on the baseball team. Joining the program as a freshman is Skyline HS playmaker Daniel Buxton, a 3-star recruit. With Jack Smith departed, JJ Lemming is expected to be the frontrunner for the starting job. But regardless of who the quarterback is, it will be a rebuilding year at the position.

Running Back

In: Rashaad Boddie (via Colorado State), Cameron Daniels, Jackson McCann, Cameron McKinney (via North Dakota)

Out: Zach Floyd, Rey Green, Micah Holmes, Zaire Lozolo, Michael Roots (CSU-Pueblo), Keegan Stich, Eric Wilkes

Returning: Tyler Flanagan

Another big loss on offense going into 2021 is star running back Michael Roots. After rushing for over 2500 yards and 24 touchdowns in two seasons with Central, he announced his decision to depart CWU as a graduate transfer and will also head to the Rockies to play for Colorado Pueblo. Replacing the production of one of CWU's best rushers of all-time will prove difficult, and that was made clear in the spring game at Montana. Redshirt freshman Tyler Flanagan started and saw most of the playing time vs. Montana, but D1 transfer Cameron McKinney will provide experienced depth. McKinney joins the Wildcats from North Dakota where he also competed in track & field. He lined up at wide receiver in the few snaps he played vs. Montana, so it will be intriguing to see how he is used in the offense. CWU added a former FBS player in Rashaad Boddie, who previously played for Colorado State in 2017-18. He rushed for 254 yards and 4 TD in 2017 but only played in two games the following season before leaving the team. Boddie was a 3-star recruit out of Skyline HS in Sammamish when he was ranked as the #6 fullback nationally in his recruiting class. O’Dea’s Cameron Daniels and Enumclaw’s Jackson McCann round out the depth. This will be a rebuilding year in the backfield, so we will see who steps it up the most throughout the season.

Wide Receiver

In: Logan Brady, Marcus Cook, Brandon Gray (via Modesto JC), Tannor Park (via Arizona State)

Out: Nate Andaya, Hunter Campau, Mykel Campbell, Justin Genovia, Tae Marks (College Of Sequoias), Robert Mason (EWU), Jonah Miyazawa (Mount Marty), Drake Owen (WSU), Tyson Rainwater, Ryan Ramones, Cody Sanderson

Returning: Tony Archie, Ethan Eilertson, Kellen Gregory, Jojo Hillel, Daniel Johnson, Tai-John Mizutani, Darius Morrison

The most roster turnover for the Wildcats made be at wide receiver. As if losing Roots and Moore wasn't enough, CWU's leading receiver from 2019 Tyson Rainwater also opted to transfer away, as well as 3rd-leading wideout Drake Owen who transferred to WSU as a preferred walk-on. 3-star recruit Mykel Campbell is no longer on the team, despite a nice season as a true freshman. Robert Mason III has transferred to EWU, being reunited with Coach Ian Shoemaker. The Wildcats' top returner will be 2019 All-GNAC 2nd Team selection Tony Archie, joined by other key returner in 6th-year former-quarterback Jojo Hillel. Furthermore, Darius Morrison, Daniel Johnson, and another former-quarterback in Tai-John Mizutani all played a lot of snaps at Montana to add to the depth. The Wildcats add a Pac-12 transfer from Arizona State in Tannor Park, who is also another former-quarterback who changed positions in Tempe; Brandon Gray also transfer in from the junior college ranks at Modesto. A freshman addition to the program is Steilacoom wideout Logan Brady, who played alongside two D1 receivers including 5-star Ohio State recruit Emeka Egbuka and was named the 2021 state breakout player of the year by Scorebook Live. Marcus Cook, Ethan Eilertson, and EWU transfer Kellen Gregory round out the depth.

Tight end

In: Isaac Crichton (via Western New Mexico), Payton Glasser, Max Moenoa, Titan Phillips

Out: Ryan Chan, Jeremiah Faulstick, Christian Hill-Sanders, James Marsh, Cole Peckham, Jared Thomsen

Returning: Kaiden Hammond, Sam Sanchez

After a down year coming off an injury from late in the 2018 season, All-GNAC 2nd Team tight end Sam Sanchez will return along with Kaiden Hammond. Western New Mexico transfer Isaac Crichton saw playing time vs. Montana. Titan Phillips and Payton Glasser add to the depth, the latter a former basketball player from Northwest University.

Offensive Line

In: Dylan Dean, Slade Edwards, Lei-Ben Fesili, Kingston Grey, Alex Hall, Bryan Henderson, Axel Isackson, Alex Krueger, Kekoa Pele-Allen, DJ Romero, Noah Thompson, Tytus Timoteo (via Western New Mexico)

Out: Kian Abdalkhani, Isaiah Cook, Winterhawk Leighton (Coach), Tucker Meeker, Oromrow Opiew, Riley O'Rourke (West Texas A&M), Benjamin Paz, Malachi Saunders, Logan Seals, Emmanuel Smith, Tristan Smith, Nicholas Struebel, Jaiden Thomas-Fuertes

Returning: Josh Alvarez, Will Ortner, Kent Powell, Raymond Schalk, Scottland Vise, Donald Wilkinson

CWU will fortunately bring back a strong core of offensive linemen, only losing GNAC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year and All-American star center Nicholas Streubel from 2019's starting line. Fellow 1st Team selection Will Ortner will lead the charge in his senior season, along with 1st Team Raymond Schalk, Honorable Mention Scottland Vise, and Josh Alvarez. Transferring in from Western New Mexico is Hawaiian Tytus Timoteo, who started at center in the spring game at Montana and was named All-Lone Star 2nd Team in 2019. Together, these 5 starters average 306 lbs. Backup 6’7” tackle and Southern Utah transfer Donald Wilkinson also returns. Winterhawk Leighton remains with the program as a graduate assistant coach. CWU recruited several more linemen out of high school over the past couple of years, highlighted by 3-star recruit Kekoa Pele-Allen from the prestigious Oaks Christian in Thousand Oaks, CA.

Defensive Line

In: Cameron Alefaio, Josiah Cochran, Bridger Feldmann, Elijah Grace-Golston (via Old Dominion), Kaanan Huffman, Chase Loidhamer, Matulino Masunu, Bryce Messner, Josiah Nikolao, Zach Stecklein (via Saint Cloud State), Ethan Tela-Porter (via Portland State), Conner Warick (via Oregon State), Sermon Wilson,

Out: Ryan Brooks, Jacob Crumb, Alan Fischer, Vincent Githinji, Billy Greer, Windy Isaia, Broderick Medrano, Owen Oniskey, Davion Pruitt, Bailey Sparks, Marcus Sullivan, Angel Terry

Returning: Isaiah Carbajal, Sonny Fuavai, Kai Gamble, Sean Gordon, Maxwell Nauer, Christian Penny

 

The defensive line was fortunate to see most key pieces return in 2019 and will get that luxury again in 2021, aside from graduated GNAC Defensive Player of the Year star defensive end Billy Greer, the 2019 team leader in sacks. Key returners will be Isaiah Carbajal (All-GNAC 1st Team), Max Nauer (All-GNAC 2nd Team), Kai Gamble, and Christian Penny. Joining the Wildcats are two FBS transfers: Oregon State transfer Conner Warick, who was a 3-star recruit originally committed to CWU before heading to the Pac-12, and Old Dominion's Elijah Grace-Golston. Defensive tackle Ethan Tela-Porter joins the Wildcats from Portland State and 6’6” defensive end Zach Stecklein joins the team from Saint Cloud State. Redshirt freshman Josiah Nikolao could be the most prized defensive lineman in the 2020 recruiting class. The Bellarmine Prep product originally committed to UW as a preferred walk-on before ultimately signing with Central over offers from Western Oregon and Simon Fraser. Being added from the 2021 recruiting class is Bellevue's Matulino Masunu, who was named to the Seattle Times Star Times team as a junior in 2019.

Linebacker

In: Isaac Clark, Justin Douglas, Lewa Emmsley, Tevita Tuilimu

Out: Mejinta Adams, Sekai Asoau (College of San Mateo), Brevan Bea (Montana Tech), Tyler DeJong, Jamin Fa'alogo, Grady Graff, Tevin Gray, Hamilton Hunt, Evan Mannes, Danny Metsker, Lionelletui Mulitauaopele, Riley Noah, Denny Tiumalu

Returning: Brett Accimus, Fred Feleti, Donte Hamilton, Daeon Hudson, Johnny Navarro, Max Randle

At linebacker, the program will welcome back 2018’s leading tackler and captain Donte Hamilton, who earned a medical redshirt in 2019 after playing in just 3 full games. Donte amassed 18 tackles, 2 for a loss, in the spring game at Montana and should be a frontrunner for GNAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2021. Max Randle, Fred Feleti, and Daeon Hudson also all return. 250 lb. Alaskan Tevita Tiulimu could be a force to reckon with. A recruit from the 2020 class to watch is the Hawaiian Lewa Emmsley, ranked as the #30 2020 recruit in the islands. Also joining the team from the 2021 recruiting class is Justin Douglas, who led Rocky Mountain HS to an Idaho 5A state title after moving up from California. He picked CWU over 7 other offers including 3 from D1 and is ranked as the #10 recruit in Idaho's 2021 class. Oregon State transfer Hamilton Hunt, who led the team with 74 tackles in 2019, is not returning to the program.

Defensive Back

In: Jeremy Banks, Tony Barajas, Michael Chisley (via Southern Oregon), Jaylen Clay, Chase Coalson, Shawn Monan, Jalen Owens, Nate Perkins (via Northern Arizona), Blake Peterson, Mike SIms (via Southern Utah), Davine Tullis (via Montana State), Tanner Volk, Jalen Webber, Grant Wedeberg, Tristan West (via Northern Arizona), Dominic Wieburg, Matt Wiitanan (via Gannon)

Out: Makai Anderson, Darius Carlson (West Texas A&M), Genesis Finau, James Hinson, Darius Kubalanza, Alex McGeachy, Chaz McKenzie, Tyren Sams, Marcus Schimmelfennig, Jeremiah Vasquez, Jordan White, Isaiah Williams, Zach Zimmerman

Returning: Jahleel Breland, Hunter Eckstrom, Landen Neff, Patrick Rogers

The graduated key core of the defensive backs of 2019 will have to be replaced, as well as Isaiah Williams, James Hinson, and Cody O'Connell who are no longer with the program. Patrick Rogers and Hunter Eckstrom will now lead a young group of players. Northern Arizona transfer Nate Perkins started at cornerback for CWU vs. Montana and at 6'3" he brings some nice size to the outside; Perkins is joined by fellow NAU transfer Tristan West. Mike Sims transfers in from Southern Utah, while yet another D1 transfer Davine Tullis is coming from Montana State and Hawaii before that. CWU will add a DII transfer in Matt Wiitanen from Gannon University, who recorded 25 tackles and 2 blocked kicks in 4 games last season. Southern Oregon transfer Michael Chisley will also add to the depth. A new freshman recruit receiving a lot of praise is safety Tanner Volk from Oregon's Aloha HS, who picked Central over a D1 offer from Portland State and preferred walk-on offer from Utah.

Special Teams

In: Colson Brunner, Jude Mullette, Van Soderberg (via Washington), Dan Stewart (via Southern Oregon)

Out: Jake Moore, Gavin Todd

Returning: Patrick Hegarty

On special teams, the Wildcats must replace kicker Gavin Todd, who made 8/9 field goals in 2019. All-GNAC 1st Team Patrick Hegarty returned from a 2018 injury to handle punting duties in 2019 and the kicking in the second half of the season, making 7/9 field goals. Hegarty will look to build on his success going into 2021, but he missed the spring game at Montana. Joining him in the kicking and punting game are two transfers highlighted by UW transfer Van Soderberg, who attempted three field goals for the Huskies in 2017 but missed the latter two of them, earning a spot on the bench through the 2019 season. He will have one season left with the Wildcats where the former Capital HS star will look for a fresh start and a strong finish to his collegiate career. Soderberg made a 37 yard field goal at Montana and also punted 8 times to average over 40 yards per punt. Also joining CWU from Southern Oregon is Ferndale product Dan Stewart, who did not play last season. Mountain View's Jude Mullette joins the program as a freshman recruit.