CWU Football Season Preview 2023

CWU finished in 2nd place in their inaugural season in the Lone Star Conference, proving that they can compete and win in a competitive full-sized conference. CWU owed most of their success to their deep rushing attack, physical lines on both sides of the ball, and dominant defense from front to back. Here is an outlook for what we can expect going into the season in 2023.

Quarterback:

With continuing injuries to the 2022 season's starter Quincy Glasper, 2021's season starter JJ Lemming saw the majority of snaps last season, mainly coming in the second half of the season. CWU struggled to find consistency, completing less than 50% of passes with 10 interceptions. Glasper was the GNAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2021 but continued to be hampered by injuries in 2022 and has since made a surprise move to NAIA Eastern Oregon. With no QB added from the transfer portal, team captain Lemming will look to step into a larger leadership role and find that consistency this year in what could be a breakout season for him. However, Justin Brennan and former 3-star recruit Kennedy McGill both redshirted last season and will surely be in the mix for the starting job if one of them can outperform Lemming in preseason camp. Mitch Johnson (Mountain View) joins the Wildcats from the freshman recruiting class.

• Returning: Justin Brennan, JJ Lemming, Kennedy McGill
• In: Mitch Johnson
• Out: Quincy Glasper (Eastern Oregon)

Running back:

With Rashaad Boddie graduated in 2021, Tyler Flanagan was set to step into an even larger role as the starter last season. However, Flanagan suffered a season-ending injury in the season opener. Enter SF Austin transfer Tre'Jon Henderson! This breakout star rushed for over 850 yards and 12 touchdowns, leading the Lone Star in the latter to earn him all-conference 2nd team accolades, as well as a spot on the Preseason All-LSC team. CWU further showed their rushing depth when Cameron Daniels stepped up when Henderson was briefly injured, ammassing 407 yards in the final 3 games including 222 yards in the season finale! Henderson, Flanagan, and Daniels should make for a dominant rushing trio this season. All-State and KingCo 4A Crest Offensive MVP Blake Borup (Eastlake) and Ki'Marree Washington (Lakes) join the program as freshmen. If this squad can stay healthy, expect a very deep and dominant rushing attack all season long.

• Returning: Cameron Daniels, Tyler Flanagan, Tre'Jon Henderson, Ethan Morrill, Justice Taylor
• In: Blake Borup, Ki'Marree Washington
• Out: Cameron McKinney

Wide Receiver:

2021 GNAC Freshman of the Year Darius Morrison led Central in receiving yards that season, but was limited to just 5 games last season; expect a big bounce back season from him in 2023. CWU's top receivers last season were Marcus Cook, Idaho State transfer Demonte Horton, and Tai-John Mizutani, with the former two of the three set to return this season. After missing last season, Daniel Johnson will be back in 2023. Transferring in from Northern Colorado is Jasiah Snow-Marshall, who is switching from defensive back and originally held a CWU offer out of high school. Jackson McCann and Zach Matlock are both switching positions to receiver. Freshmen joining the team include the Clackamas (OR) All-State duo of Cooper Beltz and AJ Perez, who are both listed at 6'3" and the latter of which is ranked as the #3 2023 wide receiver in Oregon. 

• Returning: Logan Brady, Marcus Cook, Demonte Horton, Daniel Johnson, Zach Matlock, Jackson McCann, Darius Morrison, Ty Snider
• In: Ryan Atterberry, Cooper Beltz, Darrien Gaines (Fresno City), Cole Hunt, Gavin Nash, AJ Perez, Jasiah Snow-Marshall (Northern Colorado)
• Out: Anthony Aguirre, Gaven Brasker, Aidan Canada, Hunter Eckstrom, Trayce Hanks, Cole Miller, Tai-John Mizutani

Tight End/Fullback:

CWU saw 6'5" former college basketball player Payton Glasser step up to replace the production of the graduated Sam Sanchez. Kaiden Hammond earned All-LSC 2nd Team honors last season as a fullback. 6'4" 250 lb Jesse Benge led the state last year with 22 sacks as a defensive end, but will switch sides of the ball in college. 6'4" 235 lb Thomas Drenkel (Bonney Lake) is also among incoming recruits.

• Returning: Payton Glasser, Kaiden Hammond, Camden Loidhamer, Max Moenoa, Andrew Molloy, Titan Phillips
• In: Jesse Benge, Thomas Drenkel, Brady Goff, Stephen Woodward
• Out: Cornelius Grushke, Ryan Pelton (Southern Oregon)

Offensive Line: 

CWU's O-Line Brotherhood continued to be a wrecking ball force, led by All-Lone Star 1st Team seniors Raymond Schalk and Scottland Vise who will be missed this season. As of now, the most experienced returners will be Slade Edwards, Axel Isackson, and Noah Thompson who will lead a relatively young group. The freshman recruiting class is highlighted by Andrew Goff (North Creek), Issiah Smith (Archbishop Murphy), plus the Sandpoint (Idaho) All-State selection duo of Carson Laybourne and Wylan Dorrel. 

• Returning: Dustyn Coughlin, Dylan Dean, Slade Edwards, Kingston Grey, Axel Isackson, Noah Koke-Mauga, Jackson Locke, Tyler Luzan, Kaleb Potts, Tyler Steinbach, Noah Thompson
• In: Garrett Bickley, Wylan Dorrel, Darrell Duckett (Fresno City), Andrew Goff, Carson Laybourne, Aaron Parker, Issiah Smith, Myer Whitmore
• Out: Lei-Ben Fesili, Alex Krueger, Kent Powell, Raymond Schalk, Scottland Vise, Samuel West

Defensive Line: 

It was a challenge to replace the lost production of graduated GNAC Defensive Lineman of the Year Zach Stecklein, but All-Lone Star 1st Team DT Christian Penny led an experienced veteran line of seniors that also featured Sean Gordon, Isaiah Carbajal, Kai Gamble, and Sonny Fuavai. Losing this senior class will be tough to overcome, but Josiah Cochran and Matulino Masunu will return to lead a young and rebuilding defensive line in 2023. Behind those two, there will be a lot of less experienced youth returners competing for snaps. CWU will replenish the d-line with 3 JUCO transfers highlighted by DT Demetrius Edwards from Ventura City College, who held 20 other college offers! Freshman defensive tackles joining the team are highlighted by All-State selections Daniel Matagi (W.F. West) and Ty Evans (Skyview), the latter being the #3 ranked class of 2023 defensive tackle in the state. Incoming defensive ends include Kai Lane (Eastlake) and 6'5" 230 lb Oregon All-State selection Tyler King (Clackamas).

• Returning: Cameron Alefaio, Josiah Cochran, Bridger Feldmann, Kaanan Huffman, Chase Loidhamer, Matulino Masunu, Josiah Nikolao, Trishion Sullivan
• In: Malachi Ajayi (American River), Dajshon Dreams (American River), Mikaio Edward, Demetrius Edwards II (Ventura City), Ty Evans, Jake Ivester, Tyler King, Kai Lane, Kellen Leonard, Daniel Matagi, Zeke Setefano
• Out: Isaiah Carbajal, Sonny Fuavai, Kai Gamble, Sean Gordon, Elijah Grace-Golston, Tico Nah, Christian Penny

Linebacker:

All-American GNAC Defensive Player of the Year Donte Hamilton was the biggest hole to fill going into the 2022 season, but Daeon Hudson rose to the occasion to lead CWU with 81 tackles and 10 for a loss, earning All-LSC 2nd Team honors. With Hudson graduating, Brett Accimus will lead a less-experienced linebacker corps in 2023, so we will see who else will step up next. One player to watch for is 6'4" 225 lb Brett McCalla, who was named a team captain as only a sophomore. Johnny Navarro played all 11 games in 2021 but missed all of 2022. Former 3-star recruit Mike Westbrook joins the program a year later after being recruited as part of the 2022 recruiting class.

• Returning: Brett Accimus, Isaac Clark, Brett McCalla, Brycen Indell, Johnny Navarro, Jairus Phillips
• In: Calvin Kehrli, Jones Stalker, Mike Westbrook
• Out: Lewa Emmsley, Daeon Hudson, Danny Metsker, Samaad Turner, Quintin Yon-Wagner

Defensive Back: 

CWU's largest and most experienced group of returners in 2023 will certainly be at defensive back, despite losing safety Jahleel Breland to graduation. All-LSC 1st Team Tanner Volk amassed 69 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 8 pass break-ups in 2022. 1st Team All-American Patrick Rogers tallied 40 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 9 pass break ups. Jeremy Banks, Dominic Wieburg, Jaylen Clay, and Tyeson Thomas are among other experienced returners in what should be one of the nation's top DB groups in 2023. Javonte Walker (Timberline) is a promising high school recruit.

• Returning: Jeremy Banks, Jaylen Clay, Chase Coalson, Wahieloa Emmsley, Josh Flowers, David Jones, Jalen Owens, LaMarq Patterson, Patrick Rogers, Tyeson Thomas, Tanner Volk, Jalen Webber, Dominic Wieburg
• In: Bo Dods, Connor Goff, Mekhi Johnson, Derrik McKinney, Ethan Pletcher, Javonte Walker
• Out: Tony Barajas, Jahleel Breland, Landen Neff, Nate Perkins, Joey Schneider, Grant Wedeberg, Tristan West, Aiden Whipple (Butte College)

Special Teams:

When kicker Patrick Hegarty entered the transfer portal and ultimately ended his collegiate career after the 2021 season, Jude Mullette was the next man up and nailed 9/11 of field goals and 22/23 of PATs last season, while Daniel Stewart took over punting for the departed Van Soderberg. While Stewart returns, Mullette is a surprise omission from the team after just one season as a starter, as well as fellow kicker Ashton Wolff who transferred to Colorado State. In addition, All-LSC 1st Team long snapper Colson Brunner has also moved to the FBS ranks when he transferred to Oregon. CWU adds kicker Quinton Pacheco (Mead) who earned a roster spot through a tryout, as well as kicker Josh Jones who transfers in from DII Glenville after handling their kicking duties the last two seasons where he connected on 21/30 field goal attempts. Vinny Lenzi has switched positions from defensive line to long snapper, and freshman long snapper Bennett Nield joins CWU from King's HS.

• Returning: Vinny Lenzi, Daniel Stewart
• In: Josh Jones (Glenville), Bennett Nield, Quinton Pacheco
• Out: Colson Brunner (Oregon), Daniel Garcia, Jude Mullette, Ashton Wolff (Colorado State)