Eastern Michigan Football 2014 Spring Wrap Up

Spring is supposed to be a time of hope, optimism, and renewal. If ever there was a college football program that needs a little hope and optimism, it is Eastern Michigan University. The Ron English era ended last year, but not before the EMU program slipped to the lowest depths possible. A second straight 2-10 record. A coach fired for ineptitude and for grossly insulting his players. A teammate murdered. 2013 was a dark time for football in Ypsilanti.

No one would have blamed the players for an outright exodus. But out of the entire roster, only part-time starting QB Tyler Benz decided to jump ship. The rest of the players stayed, hoping the old adage is true, maybe it is darkest before the dawn.

New head coach Chris Creighton seems determined to bring a new dawn and a new day to Ypsi. Already, this relatively unknown coach has infused the program with optimism and purpose. Creighton has made tremendous strides in creating a new identity for EMU football. Off the field, the Creighton hire has been a home run. Now, if he could just win some football games…

Strengths

Coming out of the spring season, Creighton has areas of great strength and serious weakness. The strength should come from the running game, which returns 1000 yard rusher Bronson Hill. Talented senior Ryan Brumfield provides a nice change of pace, and junior Darius Jackson has size and speed as well. If a three headed monster isn’t enough, the most impressive RB in the spring game was sophomore Juwan Lewis.

EMU RB Bronson Hill

EMU returns three starters from a young offensive line. With a strong group of running backs, the offensive line doesn’t need to blow up huge holes, they need to create just enough space for these guys to operate. If this line can mature quickly, the EMU running game could surprise the MAC.

The QB position has talent, but lacks experience. Highly regarded sophomore Brogan Roback has the arm, and the starting edge, but made too many bad decisions last season. Two redshirt freshman, Brandon Bossard and Reggie Bell, will push Roback. Keep an eye on Bell, a speedster who might be a better fit in new Offensive Coordinator Kalen DeBoer’s spread/option attack

The QBs have a potential All-MAC tight end to throw to in Tyreese Russell, as well as 6-2 WR Dustin Creel. Junior receiver David Gibson performed well in the spring game, and another junior, Jay Jones, brings experience as a starter last year.

The key is the offensive line, if they can give the running backs some room, and the quarterbacks some time, Eastern Michigan should have an offense that can compete in the MAC.

Question Marks

The defense is where the question marks lie. Supposed defensive guru Ron English left a defense with no identity, and a propensity to give up the big play. Eastern returns Ike Spearman, Pat O’Connor, Hunter Matt, and Pudge Cotton. No player is more of an enigma heading into the season than Cotton. A strong safety with loads of potential, Cotton was perpetually misused by English.

Special teams was another area of concern last season, and multiple missed field goals in the spring game do not bode well. Sophomore punter Austin Barnes has a strong leg, but shanked a few too many last year. Hopefully those were freshman jitters, Barnes has the ability to continue the long line of quality punters at EMU. Goodness knows a punter at Eastern is usually bound to see lots and lots of work.

2014 Expectations

As the spring season wraps up, Eastern Michigan football is in a much better place than last year. In less than four months, Creighton has stamped his personality on this team. What that means in wins and losses next year is unknown. Whether or not a coach can win at Eastern is unknown.

For now, however, let there be optimism. If football can work at EMU, Creighton sure seems like the guy who can do it. For the downtrodden fans of Eastern Michigan football, that alone is enough to warrant a bit of hope.

Jeremy Rosenberg of Eagle Totem provided the information for our Eastern Michigan Football 2014 Spring Wrap Up. For more EMU football information, commentary and analysis, you can follow Jeremy on Twitter @eagletotemblog.