CMU Football Signs 20

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Central Michigan football coach Jim McElwain announced today that the Chippewas have signed 20 student-athletes comprising the Class of 2020.

The new Chippewas hail from nine states, including Hawaii. Four of the newcomers are from Florida and three each are from Michigan and Indiana. Members of the class also come from New Jersey, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Colorado and British Columbia, Canada.

"I am excited for our first full class as a coaching staff," said CMU coach Jim McElwain, who is preparing the Chippewas for their New Mexico Bowl game on Saturday (2 p.m.) against San Diego State in Albuquerque. "It's been fantastic to see this group come together and buy in to what is being built here. They have seen the direction and growth and made the choice to be part of a special university.

"Central Michigan is a program and a university that's on the rise. We've got tremendous leadership on campus with President (Robert) Davies and (Director of Athletics) Michael Alford who are doing unbelievable things for our university and our students.

"I look at this group as a lot of guys who understand what it means to be a Chippewa."

Myles Bailey • Running Back • 5-10 • 200 • North Brunswick, N.J./North Brunswick Township HS
High School: Four-year letterwinner at NBTHS … team captain for junior and senior seasons … won a division championship in 2019 and made a championship appearance in 2018 … helped the Raiders earn playoff berths from 2017-19 … named offensive player of the year, team MVP and second team all-state (2018-19) … tabbed First Team All-GMC and first team all-area (2017-19) … amassed 5,096 rushing yards for his career … totaled 314 points, including 43 touchdowns … also lettered in track & field … placed first in the 4x200 and 4x100 relays and second in the 100 meters … played for coach Michael Cipot.

Coach McElwain: "Myles is a very well-rounded running back. He is good with the ball in his hands and has good vision. He's able to run with power and speed and also shows good patience in letting blocks develop."

Lawai'a Brown • Linebacker • 6-0 • 210 • Honolulu, Hawaii/Saint Louis HS
High School: Named to All-Interscholastic League of Honolulu First Team … helped lead St. Louis to 12-0 season and Open Division state championship.

Coach McElwain: "Lawai'a comes from a championship program, one of the best in the country. He's great in space and does a great job tackling in the open field. He has a great knack for forcing takeaways. He plays fearlessly and is explosive on contact. We're excited to be able to go into a program of that caliber and find a great young man such as him."

Mitchel Collier • Tight End • 6-3 • 220 • Columbus, Ind. • Columbus North HS
High School: Named to the Top 50 All-State Team by the Indiana Football Coaches Association (2019) … also named IFCA Mr. Football Position Award Winner (2019) … 2019 The Republic Player of the Year … first team all-conference and all-area in 2018 and 2019 … named the four-year starter … two-year captain … carries a 3.5 grade point average … played for coach Tim Bless.

Coach McElwain: "Mitchel came and earned his offer at camp, which is always great to see when a kid comes here and bets on himself and shows what he can do. He committed soon after camp and has been a great advocate for the program and one of the guys who bought in early. He's a tough player, always looking to find work at the next level when he's blocking, and he's shown the ability to go out and make some plays in the passing game as well."

Ke'Andre Collins • Wide Receiver • 5-9 • 170 • Sarasota, Fla./Sarasota HS
High School: Finished senior season with 711 all-purpose yards, scored six touchdowns and averaged 19.4 yards per reception … earned three varsity letters … carries a 3.0 grade point average … played for coach Spencer Hodges.

Coach McElwain: "Ke'Andre's speed jumps off the tape when you watch him play. He's a tremendous sprinter in track. In the spring he was running in the 10.7s in the 100-meter dash. As you look for guys who can help your offense be explosive, he's somebody that can change the game on every snap."

Cade Cote • Defensive Line • 6-3 • 240 • Maple Ridge, B.C., Can./Clarkson North Secondary
High School: Posted 38 tackles including six sacks among seven tackles-for-loss during senior season … also posted one safety and one pass deflection … named team's defensive player of the year … provincial all-star at running back in 2018 … helped team to a provincial championship, a provincial runner-up finish and a provincial semifinal appearance during four-year career … carries a 3.4 grade point average … played for coach Larry Jusdanis.

Coach McElwain: "Cade is a phenomenal athlete who plays with great speed and power. His effort and athleticism allow him to make some plays that a lot of other guys wouldn't be able to make."

Jayden Cray • Linebacker • 6-1 • 215 • Sarasota, Fla./Riverview Sarasota HS
High School: Led Riverview to the state semifinals in 2018-19 … also lettered in track & field, competing in the 200m, relays and long and triple jumps.

Coach McElwain: "Jayden's a very good athlete and a versatile player with great length, which helps him in both run and pass defense. He's very physical against the run but also shows great ability to drop into coverage and play the pass."

Jonathan Decker • Defensive Line • 6-5 • 250 • Elkhart, Ind./Elkhart Central HS
High School: Two-year varsity letterwinner … led the Blue Blazers to a city championship … ECHS team tied the school for wins in a season (9) … totaled 62 tackles, 11.5 TFLs, 3.0 sacks, one safety and returned one fumble for 41 yards and another for a touchdown … named First Team All-NIC and Indiana All-State in 2019 … honored as Elkhart Kiwanis Club Athlete of the Season (2019) … also received three letters in track & field … earned All-NIC honorable mention recognition … possesses a 3.421 grade point average … played for coach Josh Shattuck.

Coach McElwain: "Jonathan is another kid that came up and worked with us in camp this summer. He has great ability on both sides of the ball. He was actually playing receiver up through his sophomore year and he kept growing. He's maintained that athleticism as he's continued to grow. He is a tough player with a great motor."

Braden Doyle • Offensive Line • 6-4 • 310 • Suamico, Wis./Bay Port HS
High School: Three-year varsity letterwinner and starter at BPHS … team captain … led the Pirates to a 13-1 record and a state runner-up finish in 2019 … won four Fox River Classic Conference championships … two-time offensive lineman of the year, first team all-conference and first team all-state honoree … also earned four varsity letters in track & field … placed fifth in the state in discus … carries a 3.0 grade point average …. played for coach Gary Westerman.

Coach McElwain: "Braden came to our big man camp this summer and really impressed us. He earned his offer and committed that day. He has had a lot of success as a high school player, both individually and with his team. If you think of what an offensive lineman should look like, you want a guy that looks like Braden Doyle."

Davis Heinzen • Tight End • 6-5 • 240 • Manitowoc, Wis./Lincoln HS
High School: Caught 72 passes for 1,072 yards and 12 touchdowns during three-year career … holds the school record in all three categories … earned team's Offensive Player of the Year Award in 2019 … named to All-Fox Valley Classic Conference First Team in 2019 and 2018, and to second team in 2017 … named to Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Academic All-State team in 2019 … Wisconsin Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award nominee … two-time PrepStar Magazine All-Midwest Region selection … earned all-region honors from WFCA in 2018 … named to USA Today Lakeshore Elite 11 in 2018 … carries a 3.76 grade point average … National Honor Society member … member of the Future Business Leaders of America … also earned three letters in basketball … played for coach Greg Enz.

Coach McElwain: "Davis came and camped with us last summer and he really impressed us at first with his blocking ability and then surprised with how natural a receiver he is at that position. He is a really tough kid. He broke school records for receiving yards, receptions and receiving touchdowns during his high school career. We hope he will continue the tight end tradition we've had here at Central Michigan."

Daemon Hill • Defensive Back • 5-11 • 180 • Palmetto, Fla./Palmetto HS
High School: Recorded 39 tackles (25 solo) and five interceptions as a senior … had a 101-yard interception return in the state semifinals and recorded three interceptions, including a pick six, in one game … led the Tigers to a 12-2 record in 2019 … received Sarasota Herald-Tribune Preps All-Area Defense Honorable Mention in 2018-19 recognition … owns a 3.2 grade point average.

Coach McElwain: "Dae Dae is a really dynamic player with tremendous speed and cover ability. He's a ball hawk and has great instincts and a great energy and love for the game."

Donte Kent • Defensive Back • 5-11 • 180 • Harrisburg, Pa./Harrisburg HS
High School: Team captain … won a district championship at HHS, helping the Cougars to a 13-2 record … made three district title games and two state championship appearances during high school career … named first team all-state as an athlete …recorded 10 interceptions over the past two seasons … carries a 3.3 grade point average … played for coach Calvin Everett.

Coach McElwain: "Donte has shown the ability to be an explosive playmaker on both sides of the ball. We really like him in the defensive backfield. He's got great ball skills, he's a good tackler and is a very instinctive player."

Marion Lukes • Running Back • 5-9 • 180 • Sellersburg, Ind./Charlestown HS
High School: Named to Indiana Football Coaches Association Class 3A Senior All-State Team in 2019 … three-time All-Mid-Southern Conference selection … led team to 8-2 finish in senior year … earned three letters … also earned three letters in track & field and one in basketball … played for coach Jason Hawkins.

Coach McElwain: "Lukes is a really dynamic player with great speed, who runs with great toughness and shows the ability to make people miss and also runs through contact. He's a home-run threat every time the ball's in his hands. He had tremendous production throughout his high school career."

Kyle Moretti • Linebacker • 6-0 • 225 • Arvada, Colo./Pomona HS
High School: Earned team Most Valuable Player Award, First Team All-State, first team All-Mount Evans Conference and Colorado High School Athletic Association Academic honorable mention in 2019 … made 121 tackles with two sacks and two interceptions in 2019, leading team to state semifinals … had 77 tackles with one interception in 2018, earning team Defensive Most Valuable Player Award, CHSAA Academic All-State honorable mention, and Mile High Sports First Team All-State honors along with All-Mount Evans Conference honors … led team to state quarterfinals in 2018 … made 118 stops including two sacks with two interceptions in 2017 in leading team to 5A state title and Mount Evans Conference championship … earned first team all-conference honors in 2017 … two-year team captain … also earned four letters in track & field … finished sixth in shot put in 2018 state track & field finals … played for coach Jay Madden.

Coach McElwain: "I recruited Kyle's brother, Jake, and have known the family for quite a while. Kyle's a true middle linebacker. He does a great job reading his keys, comes downhill and plays fearlessly. He's done a tremendous job recruiting guys to join him in this class. He has great leadership qualities to him."

Ronnie Novosedliak • Offensive Line • 6-7 • 255 • Pittsburgh, Pa. • North Hills HS
High School: Three-year varsity letterwinner … team captain as a senior … led NHHS to playoff appearances in 2018 and 2019 … named Big 56 First Team All-Section … nominee for the Bill Fralic Memorial Award … received the Leadership Council Leadership Award … also earned two letters in track & field … carries a 3.3 grade point average … played for coach Pat Carey.

Coach McElwain: "He has great length at the tackle position with a great feel for playing out there. He's equally skilled in run blocking and pass protection. He's an Eagle scout; a really intelligent player. We're excited to get him here, get him in the weight room and keep building strength."

Tyler Pape • Quarterback • 6-4 • 210 • Spring Arbor, Mich. • Parma Western HS
High School: In three-year career, threw for 3,050 yards and 39 touchdowns, rushed for 1,101 yards and 23 TDs, totaled 4,151 yards and 63 TDs … holds school single-game records for passing yards (401), passing TDs (6) and rushing TDs (6) … holds school season records for passing TDs (23) and rushing TDs (17) … Named All-State Second Team in 2019 … named to Jackson Citizen Patriot Dream Team (2018) … two-time All-Interstate 8 Athletic Conference selection (2018, 2019) … earned All-State honorable mention in 2018 … led team to district championship in 2018 … earned two letters in track & field … carries a 3.9 grade point average … played for coach Dave Mifsud.

Coach McElwain: "He's a kid that we identified early and had at the top of the board throughout the whole process. He's a very instinctive kid. His family has a lot of ties to the university. He had a grandfather (Eric Pape) who played here and he has several family members who have attended or are currently attending. He's got true Chippewa bloodlines. He also displays great leadership traits."

Marcus Romboli • Defensive Line • 6-3 • 240 • Everett, Mass./Deerfield Academy
High School: Named All-New England Preparatory Athletic Council (NEPSAC) honorable mention in 2019 … preseason All-NEPSAC Second Team selection … honored as a Boston Globe Catholic Conference All-Star in 2018 while at Malden Catholic.

Coach McElwain: "Marcus' motor never stops when he's on the field. He seems like he's always around the ball making a play. He wrestled at 285 pounds and dropped about 40 pounds to move outside and play defensive end before his senior season started. He is really good with his hands and is a smart football player."

Keegan Smith • Offensive Line • 6-3 • 315 • Jackson, Mich. • Lumen Christi HS
High School: Four-year starter led team to combined 49-4 record, three state championships, four state-championship game appearances … two-time All-Staters … three-time MLive all-city selection … served as team captain … led Titans to four Interstate 8 Athletic Conference titles … also earned three letters in hockey and two in baseball … carries a 3.4 grade point average … played for coach Herb Brogan.

Coach McElwain: "You watch his film and you see the toughness right away. He's looking to finish guys every time the ball is snapped. He's coming from a championship program. He loves the weight room, loves working hard. If I was a running back, I'd want to run behind him."

Zahir Swann • Wide Receiver • 5-7 • 170 • Irvington, N.J. • Irvington HS
High School: Helped team to 8-4 record as a senior in 2019 … had 600 receiving yards, 850 all-purpose yards and scored 10 TDs as a senior … helped team to three conference championships … First Team All-Super Essex Conference (2019) … named to All-Essex County Second Team in both 2018 and 2019 … earned All-Super Essex Conference Second Team honors in 2017 and 2018 … three-year starter … played for coach Ashley 'Smoke' Pierre.

Coach McElwain: "Zahir was our first commit of this class. We've had good success going to New Jersey and finding some good Chippewas and we expect nothing less from Zahir. You can line him up in a lot a lot of different spots offensively and in the return game. He's really dynamic with the ball in his hands. He elusive, he's tough to wrap up, and has a great knack for making people miss."

Alec Ward • Wide Receiver • 5-10 • 180 • Bloomfield Hills, Mich./Bloomfield Hills HS
High School: Three-year varsity letterwinner … two-year team captain … made one playoff appearance with the Black Hawks … finished high school career with 156 receptions for 2,876 yards and 34 touchdowns … owns the BHHS records for receiving yards in a season and career, career receptions and touchdowns in a season and career … two-time all-district, Detroit Free Press 2019 First Team All-North and all-region honoree … selected to all-state team … also received three letters in baseball and two in track & field … earned all-league honors in baseball and all-state recognition in track & field … possesses a 3.7 grade point average … played for coach Dan Loeia.

Coach McElwain: "Alec is a really tough player, has tremendous speed and really can stretch the field vertically. He has very good hands. We were able to work with him in camp and were very impressed with his competitiveness and his desire to learn and improve."

Jason Williams • Defensive Line • 6-2 • 320 • Ocoee, Fla./Ocoee HS
High School: Recorded 34 tackles, including 24 solos, 4.0 sacks and one fumble recovery in senior season.

Coach McElwain: "Jason is a really strong player on the interior defensive line. He has good burst off the ball, strong hands when he strikes, very smart and able to identify things quickly on the field. He plays with great energy and passion. He is a really positive kid and he'll be a great locker room guy."

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