Position Preview: Wide Receivers
8/13/2023 8:54:00 PM | Football
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Chippewa wide receiver corps to feature blend of veterans and newcomers.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Six Central Michigan wide receivers return to the roster who caught at least one pass in 2022, several players are back who were on the roster last year, and the Chippewas add a number of talented transfers and newcomers to the mix.
Offensive Coordinator Paul Petrino moves over to coach the wide receivers in his second season at Central Michigan. A 34-year coaching veteran, Petrino has sent dozens of wide receivers to the NFL over the years.
WIDE RECEIVERS PERSONNEL BREAKDOWN
84 | Kenny Brewer III | 6-0 | 205 | Sr. | Lansing, Mich.
81 | Thomas Pannunzio | 5-8 | 180 | Sr. | Pueblo, Colo.
10 | Stephan Bracey, Jr. | 5-10 | 190 | Jr. | Grand Rapids, Mich.
89 | Javon Gantt | 6-4 | 220 | Jr. | Jacksonville, Fla.
0 | Jalen McGaughy | 6-4 | 220 | Jr. | Detroit, Mich.
17 | Jesse Prewitt III | 6-0 | 185 | Jr. | Columbus, Ohio
19 | Tyson Davis | 5-10 | 180 | R-So. | Flint, Mich.
15 | Irone Jackson | 6-1 | 175 | R-So. | Bradenton, Fla.
13 | Chris Parker | 6-3 | 195 | R-So. | Saginaw, Mich.
18 | Jordyn Williams | 6-1 | 185 | R-So. | Albany, Ga.
20 | Langston Lewis | 6-0 | 195 | R-Fr. | Savannah, Ga.
80 | Matteo Carriere | 6-0 | 185 | R-Fr. | Alpharetta, Ga.
2 | Evan Boyd | 6-3 | 205 | Fr. | East Lansing, Mich.
83 | Shatavious Hogan | 6-1 | 205 | Fr. | Milledgeville, Ga.
22 | Khari Johnson | 5-11 | 205 | Fr. | Wixom, Mich.
16 | Kyren Ware | 5-10 | 170 | Fr. | Detroit, Mich.
47 | Troy Wertman | 6-1 | 205 | Fr. | Pewamo, Mich.
7 | Javorian Wimberly | 5-11 | 195 | Fr. | Muck City, Fla.
Leading the returnees with the most experience at wide receiver is junior Jalen McGaughy, who made 20 receptions for 313 yards and two touchdowns (15.7 yards per catch) in 11 games and five starts in 2022. He ranked third on the squad in both receptions and receiving yards. His top performance came in the season opener at Oklahoma State, where he registered career-highs for receptions (six), receiving yards (126) and touchdown receptions (two).
Next, a group of five players return to the Chippewas with game experience. That group includes Tyson Davis, Langston Lewis, Chris Parker, Irone Jackson, and Kenny Brewer III. Davis returns from injury after making three receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown in 2022. Lewis played in two games as a true freshman and caught two passes for 54 yards and a 45-yard touchdown last year. Parker saw action in six games and registered four catches for 33 yards, while Jackson played in all 12 games with two starts, returned 12 kickoffs for 220 yards, and caught three passes for 19 yards. Brewer has played in 25 career games with four receptions for 31 yards. All will play a factor at wide receiver.
Six more players return to the squad with talent. Jordyn Williams earned Third Team All-MAC honors by Phil Steele Magazine as a punt returner last year, while Javon Gantt, Jesse Prewitt III, and Matteo Carriere all add different strengths and will compete for playing time.
Two transfers enter the mix in Stephan Bracey, Jr., and Thomas Pannunzio. Bracey, a Grand Rapids native, transfers to CMU from Wisconsin. At Wisconsin, Bracey contributed primarily as a kickoff returner with 307 yards on 12 attempts and one touchdown. Pannunzio moves to wide receiver after playing defensive back at Colorado State.
Several freshmen newcomers join the program with talent including Evan Boyd, Shatavious Hogan, Khari Johnson, Kyren Ware, Troy Wertman, and Javorian Wimberly.
The Chippewas look to replace leading wide receiver Carlos Carriere, who led CMU in receptions (45) and receiving yards (520) with two touchdowns.
Offensive Coordinator Paul Petrino moves over to coach the wide receivers in his second season at Central Michigan. A 34-year coaching veteran, Petrino has sent dozens of wide receivers to the NFL over the years.
WIDE RECEIVERS PERSONNEL BREAKDOWN
84 | Kenny Brewer III | 6-0 | 205 | Sr. | Lansing, Mich.
81 | Thomas Pannunzio | 5-8 | 180 | Sr. | Pueblo, Colo.
10 | Stephan Bracey, Jr. | 5-10 | 190 | Jr. | Grand Rapids, Mich.
89 | Javon Gantt | 6-4 | 220 | Jr. | Jacksonville, Fla.
0 | Jalen McGaughy | 6-4 | 220 | Jr. | Detroit, Mich.
17 | Jesse Prewitt III | 6-0 | 185 | Jr. | Columbus, Ohio
19 | Tyson Davis | 5-10 | 180 | R-So. | Flint, Mich.
15 | Irone Jackson | 6-1 | 175 | R-So. | Bradenton, Fla.
13 | Chris Parker | 6-3 | 195 | R-So. | Saginaw, Mich.
18 | Jordyn Williams | 6-1 | 185 | R-So. | Albany, Ga.
20 | Langston Lewis | 6-0 | 195 | R-Fr. | Savannah, Ga.
80 | Matteo Carriere | 6-0 | 185 | R-Fr. | Alpharetta, Ga.
2 | Evan Boyd | 6-3 | 205 | Fr. | East Lansing, Mich.
83 | Shatavious Hogan | 6-1 | 205 | Fr. | Milledgeville, Ga.
22 | Khari Johnson | 5-11 | 205 | Fr. | Wixom, Mich.
16 | Kyren Ware | 5-10 | 170 | Fr. | Detroit, Mich.
47 | Troy Wertman | 6-1 | 205 | Fr. | Pewamo, Mich.
7 | Javorian Wimberly | 5-11 | 195 | Fr. | Muck City, Fla.
Leading the returnees with the most experience at wide receiver is junior Jalen McGaughy, who made 20 receptions for 313 yards and two touchdowns (15.7 yards per catch) in 11 games and five starts in 2022. He ranked third on the squad in both receptions and receiving yards. His top performance came in the season opener at Oklahoma State, where he registered career-highs for receptions (six), receiving yards (126) and touchdown receptions (two).
Next, a group of five players return to the Chippewas with game experience. That group includes Tyson Davis, Langston Lewis, Chris Parker, Irone Jackson, and Kenny Brewer III. Davis returns from injury after making three receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown in 2022. Lewis played in two games as a true freshman and caught two passes for 54 yards and a 45-yard touchdown last year. Parker saw action in six games and registered four catches for 33 yards, while Jackson played in all 12 games with two starts, returned 12 kickoffs for 220 yards, and caught three passes for 19 yards. Brewer has played in 25 career games with four receptions for 31 yards. All will play a factor at wide receiver.
Six more players return to the squad with talent. Jordyn Williams earned Third Team All-MAC honors by Phil Steele Magazine as a punt returner last year, while Javon Gantt, Jesse Prewitt III, and Matteo Carriere all add different strengths and will compete for playing time.
Two transfers enter the mix in Stephan Bracey, Jr., and Thomas Pannunzio. Bracey, a Grand Rapids native, transfers to CMU from Wisconsin. At Wisconsin, Bracey contributed primarily as a kickoff returner with 307 yards on 12 attempts and one touchdown. Pannunzio moves to wide receiver after playing defensive back at Colorado State.
Several freshmen newcomers join the program with talent including Evan Boyd, Shatavious Hogan, Khari Johnson, Kyren Ware, Troy Wertman, and Javorian Wimberly.
The Chippewas look to replace leading wide receiver Carlos Carriere, who led CMU in receptions (45) and receiving yards (520) with two touchdowns.
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