CWU Football 2024 Season Preview

Quarterback:

The 2023 season saw the emergence of former 3-star recruit Kennedy McGill, who became the starter in Week 8. A dual-threat with great rushing abilities, McGill added a spark to the offense and won his first 2 starts to help lock in a playoff berth. The young McGill then faced the tall task of leading the team through the playoffs, and lived up to the challenge by knocking out 2 nationally-ranked foes on the road in the first 2 rounds before Central bowed out to the #1 ranked team and eventual national runners-up in the quarterfinals. The redshirt sophomore McGill will go into 2024 as the frontrunner for the starting job. Redshirt sophomore Justin Brennan and redshirt freshman Mitchell Johnson are returning, while CWU is adding a pair of former 3-star recruits in transfers Caleb Christiansen (Whitworth) and Tanner Jellison (San Diego). Additionally, the Wildcats signed Luke Gale (Eastmont HS) and Bo Gionet (West Seattle HS) out of high school. Former-starter JJ Lemming will join the coaching ranks as a graduate assistant this coming season.

Returning: Justin Brennan, Mitchell Johnson, Kennedy McGill

In: Caleb Christiansen (Whitworth), Luke Gale, Bo Gionet, Tanner Jellison (San Diego)

Out: JJ Lemming (GA coach)

Running back:

Tyler Flanagan came back big in 2023 after missing most of 2022 injured. Flanagan built off his stellar 2021 rookie season by leading the conference in rushing and earning Lone Star Conference Offensive Back of the Year and All-Region honors, backed by 2023 leading rusher Tre'Jon Henderson in CWU's very productive rushing attack. However, injuries to both of these backs going into the playoffs tested CWU's depth, so the Wildcats once again called upon Cameron Daniels to step up. Daniels played well in the first 2 rounds of the playoffs before struggling to find yardage in the regional final. Henderson has since transferred to West Texas A&M, while Flanagan will look to maintain his reign atop the conference next season; Daniels will return to provide an experienced backup. CWU is expected to once again have plenty of depth, as Justice Taylor, Blake Borup and Ki'Marree Washington are all potential returners. The Wildcats reeled in a major 3-star high school recruit in Mount Si's Beau Phillips, who was named the WSFCA 4A Offensive Player of the Year, and like Blake Borup before him, was named the KingCo 4A Offensive MVP. Phillips could see immediate playing time and was a big steal for CWU, as he originally committed to Montana and also previously held offers from WSU, Idaho State, and UC Davis.

Returning: Blake Borup, Cameron Daniels, Tyler Flanagan, Justice Taylor, Ki'Marree Washington

In: Beau Phillips

Out: Tre'Jon Henderson (West Texas A&M), Ethan Morrill 

Wide Receiver:

Last season Central welcomed the return of 2021 GNAC Freshman of the Year Darius Morrison to full health after he missed much of 2022 injured. Morrison led the team in both receiving yards and touchdown receptions, and was a key factor in both the first round and quarterfinal games of the playoffs. Along with Morrison, Darrien Gaines and Marcus Cook (2022's leading receiver) are expected to return along with a large group of less-experienced youth to compete for game action. Transferring in to CWU is Jalen Grable from Idaho and former 3-star recruit Will Eaton from WSU.

Returning: Ryan Atterberry, Cooper Beltz, Logan Brady, Marcus Cook, Darrien Gaines, Cole Hunt, Jackson McCann, Darius Morrison, AJ Perez, Jasiah Snow-Marshall, Gavin Nash, Ty Snider

In: Will Easton (WSU), Jalen Grable (Idaho), Ben Hallead

Out: Kano Borden, DeMonte Horton, Daniel Johnson, Zach Matlock

Tight End:

Kaiden Hammond once again had an all-conference season in 2023 to finish off his CWU career and Payton Glasser will also be graduating from the program, but the Wildcats will potentially have plenty of returners to see who will be next to step up led by Max Moenoa and Titan Phillips, just to name a couple.

Returning: Jesse Benge, Thomas Drenkel, Camden Loidhamer, Max Moenoa, Andrew Molloy, Titan Phillips, Stephen Woodward

In: Alan Jarvis-Torres (St. George Eagles)

Out: Payton Glasser, Kaiden Hammond

Offensive Line:

The 2023 season was expected to be a rebuilding year for the O-Line, but it was really more of a reloading year as the line exceeded expectations. All-Region honoree Slade Edwards led the way, with a supporting cast of Kingston Grey, Noah Thompson, Darrell Duckett, and Axel Isackson. The line will only get better, as off of these guys are expected to return next season with plenty of youthful depth hungry for playing time. Among freshmen joining the program are 6'7" 290 lb Lucas Johnson (Mt. Vernon HS), 6'6" 300 lb John Stone Jr. (Tigard HS), and 6'5" 290 lb Jacob Woodcock (West Valley HS). Fellow freshman recruit Gavin McCallum (Kamiakin HS) will be joined by brother Jaxin McCallum who transfers in from Idaho!

Returning: Dylan Dean, Darrell Duckett, Slade Edwards, Kingston Grey, Axel Isackson, Noah Koke-Mauga, Jackson Locke, Tyler Luzan, Kaleb Potts, Issiah Smith, Tyler Steinbach, Noah Thompson

In: Elisha Ese, Gavin McCallum, Jaxin McCallum, Lucas Johnson, Tony Ortega (EWU), John Stone Jr., Jacob Woodcock

Out: Garrett Bickley, Dustyn Coughlin, Wylan Dorrel, Andrew Goff, Carson Laybourne, Aaron Parker, Myer Whitmore

Defensive Line:

Last season was indeed a rebuilding year, as the Wildcats had the tough task of replacing all of 2022's starters! Isaac Clark, Josiah Cochran, Chase Loidhamer, Bridger Feldmann, Matulino Masunu, Daniel Matagi, and Dajshon Dreams all collectively rose to the occasion to reload the line and better yet, are all back in 2024 with a year of playoff experience behind them. CWU recruited out-of-state to bring in Noah McElveen (Chandler HS, AZ) and Antoine Taylor (Basic HS, NV), while 6'4" Ellis Nelson (Juanita HS) and 6'5" Thijs Van Diepen (Issaquah HS) are local new recruits.

Returning: Cameron Alefaio, Malachi Ajayi, Isaac Clark, Josiah Cochran, Dajshon Dreams, Mikao Edward, Ty Evans, Bridger Feldmann, Kaanan Huffman, Jake Ivester, Tyler King, Kellen Leonard, Chase Loidhamer, Matulino Masunu, Daniel Matagi, Josiah Nikolao, Zeke Stefano, Trishion Sullivan

In: Noah McElveen, Ellis Nelson, Antoine Taylor, Thijs Van Diepen

Out: Kyson Young

Linebacker: 

Captain Brett McCalla led the linebacker corps in tackles to earn an All-Region nod in 2023. Also returning in 2024 along with McCalla are Brycen Indell, Jairus Phillips, and Michael Westbrook, among others. Freshmen joining the program are Keaten Fried (Sherwood HS, Ore.), Brock Gates (Mount Si HS), and Deakon Sell (Ridgeline HS), the latter two both being all-state selections. A new addition to the field will be Kuma Scanlan, who formerly played at Independence CC where he racked up 82 tackles, 21 TFL, and 7.5 sacks in 3 seasons (including COVID year). 

Returning: Brady Goff, Brycen Indell, Brett McCalla, Jairus Phillips, Jones Stalker, Michael Westbrook Jr.

In: Keaten Fried, Brock Gates, Tom Lambert (Portland State), Kuma Scanlan (Independence CC), Deakon Sell

Out: Brett Accimus, Calvin Kehrli, Johnny Navarro

Defensive Back:

All hail the great #44 Tanner Volk! The 1st Team All-American had perhaps the greatest season in program history in 2023, earning National Defensive Player of the Year honors from D2CCA, D2Football.com, and the Cliff Harris Award. Volk was also the only defensive player named a finalist for the Harlon Hill award, finishing 4th in the voting. Dominic Wieburg, Jaylen Clay, Jeremy Banks, and Volk lead the talented group of DBs returning in 2024, as well as added depth by Jalen Owens, Jalen Webber, and Lamarq Patterson just to name a few. The Wildcats are receiving a pair of transfers from Adams State in CB Zablon Lamp-Owino and safety Daniel Mendoza, the latter leading the RMAC with 117 tackles last season and has amassed 210 tackles over the last 2 seasons. Seven high school recruits are led by 2A state champion & All-State 2A 1st Team's Landon Schafer (Anacortes HS), All-State 4A 1st Team's Isaiah Cuellar (Glacier Peak HS), Isaiah Jennings (Emerald Ridge HS), and Coen Cronk (Olympia HS). The Wildcats will continue to field one of the deepest and strongest groups of DBs in the conference and nation.

Returning: Jeremy Banks, Jaylen Clay, Chase Coalson, Bo Dods, Wahi Emmsley, Connor Goff, Mekhi Johnson, David Jones, Derrik McKinney, Jalen Owens, LaMarq Patterson, Ethan Pletcher, Tanner Volk, Javonte Walker, Jalen Webber, Dominic Wieburg

In: Coen Cronk, Isaiah Cuellar, Isaiah Jennings, Zablon Lamp (Adams State), Omar Lazcano, Caden McDonald, Daniel Mendoza (Adams State), Mika Roberson, Landon Schafer

Out: Josh Flowers, Patrick Rogers

Special Teams:

Kicker Quinton Pacheco returns but will compete with two other newcomers in freshman recruit Cooper Britton (Mount Si HS) and Boise State transfer Wyatt Redding, who was the #37 ranked class of 2022 kicker in the nation coming out of high school. Punter Dan Stewart return along with long snappers Bennett Nield and Vinny Lenzi. 

Returning: Vinny Linzi, Bennett Nield, Quinton Pacheco, Dan Stewart

In: Cooper Britton, Wyatt Redding 

Out: Josh Jones