CWU Football 2026 Position Group Preview

Bold denotes 2026 expected returners, including players who are not (or no longer) in the transfer portal

Quarterback:

Kennedy McGill followed up an impressive 2024 season with similar numbers in 2025: 1600 passing yards, 1000 rushing yards, and 34 total touchdowns. Despite a conference that featured some of the top passers in the nation, McGill was named the Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Year. McGill delivered when the game and championship were on the line, leading Central's game-winning touchdown drive in Monmouth to finish the comeback vs. Western Oregon and give CWU their first LSC title. After 4 years at Central, McGill transferred to FCS program Western Illinois to compete for the starting job. Back on the home front, Central returns three gunslingers all competing for the QB1 job: former 3-star recruits Caleb Christensen and Kolton Matson, and Justin Brennan. Matson was the State Gatorade Player of the Year in 2023. The Wildcats also added a D3 transfer in Luke Coleman from University of the Redlands.

  

Returning: Justin Brennan, Caleb Christensen, Kolton Matson

In: Luke Coleman, Rylan Hatmaker

Out: Luke Gale, Bo Gionet (Portland State), Kennedy McGill (Western Illinois)

Running back:

In 2025, the Wildcats unleashed a 3-headed dragon consisting of All-LSC 1st Team Justice Taylor, UW transfer All-LSC 2nd Team Ryder Bumgarner, and former 3-star recruit All-LSC Honorable Mention Beau Phillips to highlight an elite rushing attack; these three combined for 1600 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns to complement the 1000 yards and 17 touchdowns from McGill. Phillips transferred to Washington State as a preferred walk-on and participated in spring ball, but has since departed the program and retired from football. Everyone else will return in 2026 for CWU including Taylor and Bumgarner, Ki'Marree Washington, and former 3-star recruit Antoine Lee.

Returning: Ryder Bumgarner, Antoine Lee, Justice Taylor, Ki'Marree Washington

In: Isaiah Owens, Chace Webster

Out: Colton Magruder, Beau Phillips

Wide Receiver:

Kennedy McGill used a balanced group of targets last season featuring Jalen Grable, Logan Brady, Samaje Featherstone, and WSU transfer Mason Juergens (who missed 5 games). Brady will be remembered for making the game-winning touchdown catch at Western Oregon to give CWU their first Lone Star Conference title. Featherstone and Juergens will be the top two returners this season, but Central will restock with multiple transfers. Perhaps the most prolific name is 6'4" Isaac Torres, who is transferring in from Cal Berkeley. Prior to his time with the Golden Bears, Torres had nearly 900 receiving yards at Santa Rosa College in 2023. Former 3-star recruit 6'5" Jaelin Green comes in from College of San Mateo, where the Rainier Beach product won back-to-back California JUCO championships.

Returning: Ryan Atterberry, Andi Cosme, Samaje Featherstone, Ben Hallead, Mason Juergens, Adam Loum, Gavin Nash, AJ Perez, Ty Snider

In: Jacoby Falor, Jaelin Green, Nick Neil, Grant Smith, Isaac Torres

Out: Logan Brady, Boogy Brown, Jalen Grable, Maddox Heyliger, Cole Hunt, Colton Paulson

Tight End:

While CWU last season mainly used tight ends as blockers in their run-heavy offense, Camden Loidhamer (1st Team) and Andrew Molloy (2nd Team) received all-conference honors and both return this season. A notable high school recruit joining the Wildcats is 2x 2A state champion Micah Dickison (Anacortes HS). Transferring in are former 3-star recruit athlete Wiley Donnerberg (Idaho) and Adams State/Gannon transfer Ethan Bird.

Returning: Camden Loidhamer, Andrew Molloy, Stephen Woodward

In: Ethan Bird, Micah Dickison, Wiley Donnerberg, Daniel Larsen

Out: Logan Lipscomb, Max Moenoa, Wentworth Scribner

Offensive Line:

The O-Line Brotherhood continue to be one of the best lines in the nation, an elite group of D1 caliber athletes who even went head to head with FCS power Montana early in the 2025 season where three Wildcats were named All-LSC 1st Team: Tyler Luzan, Jaxin McCallum, and All-American LSC Offensive Lineman of the Year Slade Edwards. The latter was also named a finalist for the award the the nation's top D2 offensive lineman, and won the award of the top DII center in the nation. Luzan and McCallum return in 2026 along with other key returners in Jacob Woodcock, Gavin McCallum, and Donovan Scantlebury. Central is adding a 3-star recruit in Carter Paul from Lakeridge HS in Oregon, who was originally signed with Idaho and had three other Big Sky FCS offers. Notable high school recruits are O'Dea 3A state champion and All-State 3A selection Griffin Matzen, and All-Area selection Parker Otheim (Olympia HS).

Returning: Connor Aney, Charlie Bennett, Vance Gustafson, Brady Holland, Lucas Johnson, Noah Koke-Mauga, Tyler Luzan, Gavin McCallum, Jaxin McCallum, Roman Perrin, Donovan Scantlebury, Jacob Woodcock

In: Aidan Anable, Ben Edwards, Elgen Faraimo, Parker Othiem, Carter Paul, Hector Pena

Out: Dylan Dean, Slade Edwards, DeQuan Freeland (Portland State), Kaleb Potts, Brody Sahlfeld (Portland State)

Defensive Line:

The defensive line for Central was a force in 2025, shutting down running games while causing havoc for opposing quarterbacks. After racking up 13 sacks, Tyler King was named the Lone Star Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year and a 2nd Team All-American. Fellow All-LSC 1st Teamer Mikaio Edward added 7 sacks of his own, while Chase Loidhamer, Brogan De'Asis, and Matulino Masunu were other key contributors. As one would expect, both King and Edward moved up to D1, with King now at Big Sky powerhouse Montana and Edward picking Boise State over several other FBS offers. Additionally, De'Asis followed Fisk & Co to Portland State. Tim Timoteo will be the top returner, but otherwise the defensive line will have to reload big time for 2026. A top high school recruit edge rusher joining the program is 4A State champion Shaun Griffith (Sumner HS), who was named All Area & All-State by The News Tribune after amassing 84 tackles and 9 sacks as a senior. CWU is adding four transfers: Braxton Lawrence from Idaho, former 3-star recruit Brady Phillips from Idaho State, Dallin Sauni from JUCO Golden West College, and 6'5" 315 lb Braden Grover. 

Returning: Ty Evans, Hudson Hardy, Chris Hauss, Brian Kuhn, Tayvion Smith, Trishion Sullivan, Tim Timoteo, Riah Tua, Thijs Van Diepen

In: Shaun Griffith, Braden Grover, Coda Kalama, Sylen Kiesel-Kauhane, Braxton Lawrence, Brady Phillips, Lee'Andrew Rubin, Dallin Sauni, Kaden Thompson

Out: Brogan De'Asis (Portland State), Mikaio Edward (Boise State), Tyler King (Montana), Chase Loidhamer, Matulino Masunu, Johnny O'Connor, Zeke Stefano

Linebacker:

After a 95 tackle performance in 2023, Brett McCalla was lost to injury in 2024 before returning last season to finish 2nd on the team in tackles and earn All-LSC 1st Team honors. He was joined by fellow All-LSC 1st Teamer Kuma Scanlan and 2nd Team UW transfer Logan Lisherness. The latter has transferred to Portland State after just one season in Ellensburg, while McCalla entered the spring transfer portal to transfer to FBS Central Michigan. 2024's 2nd-leading tackler Brycen Indell, who missed all but 3 games last season with an injury, will again have to step it up again in 2026 now as the veteran leader. Former 3-star recruit Peyton Cunningham will surely be ready to step into a larger role, as well. Central is adding a transfer from Eastern Washington in former 3-star recruit Cooper MacPherson, who was named All-State 1st Team in 2024. The Wildcats are bringing in a pair of all-league JUCO transfers: Christian Solomona from College of Redwoods and Kruz Wheeler from Golden West College.

 Returning: Cale Allen, Blake Borup, Peyton Cunningham, Brycen Indell, Michael Westbrook Jr.

In: Tyson Davis, Grant Fitzgerald, Kaiden Fox, Cooper MacPherson, Christian Solomona, Kruz Wheeler

Out: Treyson Eddleman, Keaten Fried, Logan Lisherness (Portland State), Brett McCalla (Central Michigan), Jairus Phillips, Kuma Scanlan

Defensive back:

This is the position group where CWU is always loaded with endless depth every season, and 2025 was no different. The Wildcats were led by All-LSC 1st Team #44 Chase Coalson, 2nd Teamers Jalen Webber and Mika Roberson, Honorable Mentions Javonte Walker and WSU transfer King Williams, and Jalen Owens. Roberson earned conference Defensive Freshman of the Year honors after leading the team with 4 interceptions. Three of those players finished their senior season, while Walker (Mercer) and Roberson (Idaho) both left via the transfer portal. King Williams will be the most notable returner with other top returners this season including Connor Goff, Omar Lazcano, Chris Dodson, and David Jones. The Wildcats made a massive splash in the transfer portal to bring in FOUR former D1 FBS athletes! The crown jewel transfer for Central may be former 4-star recruit (by 247 Sports, 3 stars by ESPN) and Purdue Boilmaker Joseph Jefferson II, who played in all 12 games in 2024 with 31 tackles. Coming in from Western Michigan is Isaiah Paul, who has 14 career interceptions and previously also played at MSU-Northern and LA Valley College. Isaiah Strong is a former UW Husky who was a JUCO All-American last season and is a former 3-star recruit. Kamren Watkins-Hunter transfers in from FBS program UMass, also previously playing at FCS Georgetown. Kayo Wallace is an FCS transfer from Northern Iowa. Kaden Huppin was named All-NWC 1st Team last season with D3 Pacific (Oregon).

Returning: Jaden Chimese, Chris Dodson, Braxton Feldmann, Connor Goff, Zay Jennings, David Jones, Omar Lazcano, Khris Norris, Landon Schafer, King Williams

In: Kaden Huppin, Joseph Jefferson II, Ramon Jones, Brody Mehling, Isaiah Paul, Dylan Phinney, Jack Pierce, Jaysaun Scott, Jay Sinclair, Isaiah Strong, Kayo Wallace, Kam Watkins-Hunter

Out: Darius Andaya, Jaylen Clay, Chase Coalson,

Coen Cronk, Isaiah Cuellar, Bo Dods, Wahi Emmsley, Jaylyn Keller (Shasta College), Robert Matulich, Jerimyah Mitchell (College of Sequoias), Jalen Owens, Ethan Pletcher, Mika Roberson (Idaho), Javonte Walker (Mercer), Jalen Webber

Special Teams:

After breakout freshman kicker Cooper Britton surprisingly left the program after the 2024 season, the Wildcats crossed the Atlantic to bring in David Weber from Switzerland. Weber converted 82% of his field goal attempts in 2025, initially entered the transfer portal after the season, but has since opted to remain a Wildcat. Two players who did transfer away were punter Wyatt Redding (Montana) and long snapper Bennett Nield (EWU). Kicker Aiden Larsen joins the Wildcats out of Glacier Peak HS, while Austin Ferencz hails from Sumner HS. Transferring in from Portland State is kicker/punter Dylan Stevens. Redshirt long snapper Joey Costanti looks to take over snapping duties, and North Kitsap long snapper Ethan Blue joins the program from the high school ranks.

Returning: Joey Costanti, David Weber

In: Alan Campos-Ontiveros, Austin Ferencz, Aiden Larsen, Dylan Stevens

Out: Bennett Nield (EWU), Wyatt Redding (Montana)