Western Michigan Football 2014 Spring Wrap Up

Strengths & Question Marks

The Broncos are waiting on more than 20 incoming freshmen and junior college players to arrive this summer, so the strengths and weaknesses the team entered spring camp with still exist heading into the offseason. WMU is likely to have position battles everywhere except in the secondary, which should be a strength of the team like it was last year.

Breakout Players

Coming off a 1-11 season and with the highest-rated recruiting class in Mid-American Conference history coming to Kalamazoo this fall there could be a breakout player anywhere on offense and anywhere in the front seven on defense.

A few names on offense to keep an eye on are three freshmen running backs, Jarvion Franklin, Jamauri Bogan and Leo Ekwoge.

Redshirt freshman wide receiver Darius Phillips looked impressive in spring practice and could be a nice compliment in the slot to sophomore Corey Davis, who had an All-American freshman campaign.

Incoming freshman quarterback Chance Stewart, at 6-foot-6, 210 pounds, is one of the gems of the recruiting class and will challenge Zach Terrell for the starting job.

Defensively, keep an eye on senior safety Rontavious Atkins, who played a big role in WMU’s close loss at Michigan State last year, but a broken hand in that game eventually forced him to miss most of the season. Senior Donald Celiscar and junior Ronald Zamort are also two of the better corners in the Mid-American Conference.

Position Grades

These grades are so hard to give out without seeing how the large incoming freshman class will impact the depth chart, but here’s a stab at it:

QB: C  Zach Terrell had moments of greatness during his redshirt freshman season last year and he struggled at other times. His deep ball looked good in the spring and he looks to have more confidence. He’ll enter camp as the starter, but Chance Stewart will surely challenge him.

RB: C  This position won’t lack talent with the three incoming backs, but experience could limit their effectiveness. Fifth-year senior Dareyon Chance will provide good leadership and has proven he can have success if he gets a hole.

WR: B  This should be the deepest position on the team. Corey Davis is a scoring threat on every play, but his supporting cast lacks big game success or experience. Kendrick Roberts and Timmy Keith are veterans and will have to play like it to help the offense. Incoming freshman Lonnie Johnson has received a lot of hype and if he can live up to it he could be a big help.

OL: C  The starters up front should be able to get the job done, but this position lacks depth and it’s important that this group stays healthy. WMU has added some freshmen to the rotation, but they will be inexperienced.

DL: D  It’s hard to predict what you’re going to get out of this group. Keion Adams and David Curle are good pieces to build off of after above average freshmen seasons and junior Cleveland Smith is a solid veteran. However, like the offensive line, it’s unclear how the two-deep depth chart is going to shape up at this position.

LB: C-D  WMU will have three new starters here in 2014. Entering fall, Trevor Ishmael, Devon Brant and Eddie Rolle are pegged as starters, but, along with a few returning players like Austin Lewis, WMU is bringing in some talented players who could challenge for those spots, including freshman Robert Spillane and junior college players Jason Sylva and Jakevin Jackson.

Secondary: A  This group is talented and experienced. WMU led the MAC and was fourth in the country in passing defense last year at just under 170 yards per game. WMU also has depth at this position. Notre Dame transfer Justin Ferguson, converted from wide receiver to safety, is a freak athlete and could be an additional playmaker.

ST: B  WMU has experience with punter J. Schroeder and kicker Andrew Haldeman. The Broncos will have a new longsnapper, but special teams should be solid for WMU in 2014.

2014 Expectations

WMU will be young again in 2014 and maybe one of the youngest teams in the country. Coach P.J. Fleck has continuously stated he wants to build this program up from infancy, the stage WMU is still likely to be in this year.

WMU will have enough pieces to avoid major blowouts in conference play, but the Broncos are still at least a year away from being a contender in the MAC West Division. Four wins is a good place to set the bar and six wins is likely the maximum if the Broncos can get their freshmen to grow up in a hurry and contribute.

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David Drew of MLive provided the information for our Western Michigan football 2014 spring wrap up.  For more WMU football information, commentary and analysis, you can follow David on Twitter @Drew_on_WMU.

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