Football Opens Spring Practice

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.—The Central Michigan Football program opened 2023 spring drills with a two-hour practice session Sunday at the Indoor Athletic Center Turf Bay.

Ninety-nine Chippewa football players wearing helmets and shoulder pads went through an intense and spirited workout. CMU started practice with individual position drills, open field blocking drills, and stretching. The team went to 7-on-7 offense vs. defense drills, wide receivers vs. defensive backs and offensive line vs. defensive line, then back to more position drills. Following special teams, the Chippewas scrimmaged 11-on-11 offense vs. defense and concluded the day with a two-minute drill. The organized practice included 20-30 segments.

The coaching staff held position meetings in the Chippewa Champions Center both before and after practice.

Sunday's practice marks the first of 15 sessions, including two scrimmages between Sunday, March 19 and Friday, April 14.

Gallery: (3-18-2023) First Spring Football Practice

Central Michigan returns a total of 15 starters (seven on offense and eight on defense) and a host of players who saw extensive action during the 2022 season. Four All-MAC honorees return to the squad in first team cornerback Donte Kent, along with third team selections guard Deiyantei Powell-Woods, linebacker Kyle Moretti, and safety/kickoff return specialist De'Javion Stepney.

Central Michigan's 2023 football schedule was announced on March 1. Click here to access that information.

2023 Central Michigan Football season tickets are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased or renewed through Ticket Central at cmuchippewas.com or by calling the CMU Athletics Ticket Office at (989) 774-3045. Lock in your tickets now for the best seats at the best value. This year, CMU is also selling non conference road game tickets which include games at Michigan State, Notre Dame, and South Alabama. Details will be announced later in March and priority will go to Chippewa Athletic Fund members.

CMU opens its 2023 football season at Michigan State on Saturday, Sept. 2.

CENTRAL MICHIGAN FOOTBALL SPRING NOTES

With today's first practice of the 2023 campaign, four new Central Michigan assistant coaches made their debut today. Working their first practice at CMU included linebackers coach Ryan McNamara, defensive line coach Jesse Williams, tight ends/tackles coach Brandon Torrey, and quarterbacks coach Jake Kostner.
Ten newcomers who signed with Central Michigan in December 2022 have enrolled at the university and concluded their first practice today. That group includes transfers in wide receiver Stephan Bracey Jr. (Wisconsin), wide receiver Thomas Pannunzio (Colorado State), defensive lineman Deonte Bryant (Iowa Central), and punter Jake Walrath (Tarleton State/Utah State). In addition, six freshmen who signed in December have joined the program including offensive lineman Ryan Blum, offensive lineman John Burke, defensive back Mark-Allen Gay Jr., defensive lineman Keshawn Hayden, wide receiver Shatavious Hogan, and tight end Nathan VanTimmeren.
Eighty-nine returnees saw action in today's practice.