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Linebackers Preview: Talented Group Leads CMU Defense
8/21/2024 6:00:00 PM | Football
Veteran group of six linebackers led by Justin Whiteside, Dakota Cochran, Jordan Kwiatkowski, Ke’Shon Parker, Fernando Sanchez, and Lawai’a Brown return to bolster defense.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.—Central Michigan linebackers coach Ryan McNamara has a deep, talented, and veteran group of linebackers back who will help lead the Chippewa defense in 2024.
Six players who saw extensive action at linebacker last season return including seniors Justin Whitside and Ke'Shon Parker and juniors Dakota Cochran, Jordan Kwiatkowski, Lawai'a Brown, and Fernando Sanchez III.
LINEBACKERS PERSONNEL ROSTER
6 | Justin Whiteside | 6-0 | 220 | Sr. | Flossmoor, Ill.
11 | Dakota Cochran | 6-2 | 240 | R-Jr. | Shaker Heights, Ohio.
12 | Jordan Kwiatkowski | 6-1 | 235 | Jr. | Sterling Heights, Mich.
14 | Fernando Sanchez III | 6-3 | 250 | R-Jr. | Loganville, Ga.
20 | Ke'Shon Parker | 6-1 | 230 | Sr. | Detroit, Mich.
26 | Cairo Rhodes | 6-2 | 230 | R-Jr. | Grand Rapids, Mich.
33 | Victor Earl | 6-2 | 215 | Fr. | Romeo, Mich..
40 | Lawai'a Brown | 6-0 | 230 | R-Jr. | Honolulu, Hawaii
45 | Xavier White | 6-0 | 235 | Fr. | Los Angeles, Calif. | Sierra Canyon School
51 | Landon Swanson | 6-3 | 220 | Fr. | Charlevoix, Mich./Charlevoix H.S.
53 | Khari Johnson | 5-11 | 220 | R-Fr. | Wixom, Mich./South Lyon East H.S.
57 | Mckeegan Ferguson | 6-0 | 220 | R-Fr. | Blanchard, Mich./Montabella H.S.
Justin Whiteside returns for his final season after earning several preseason All-MAC accolades. In 2003, Whiteside saw action in all 12 games with nine starts and ranked No. 4 on the squad in tackles with 53 total (31 solo) with 3.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble on the year. He registered at least one tackle in each of the 12 games. In 47-game, 24-start career, Whiteside has totaled 156 tackles (89 solo) with 18 tackles for loss for 63 yards, 3.5 sacks for 28 yards, one interception, three pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
Dakota Cochran is also back after starting five games and playing in all 12 last year. A College Sports Communicators All-District Team and Academic All-MAC selection, Cochran ranked No. 5 on the squad in tackles with 51 (31 solo), finished with 2.0 tackles for loss for six yards, intercepted one pass for nine yards, broke up one pass, and registered two quarterback hurries in 2023. In his 24-game, five-start career, he has made a total of 81 tackles (51 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss for 13 yards, five pass breakups, 1.0 sacks, intercepted one pass, and also blocked two kicks.
Jordan Kwiatkowski enters his third year at Central Michigan after playing in 23 previous games with 42 total tackles, three pass breakups and a blocked kick in his career. Last year, Kwiatkowski played in 11 games with one start on the season and also played extensively on special teams. He also earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-District and Academic All-MAC honors after ranking No. 10 on the team in tackles with 32 (17 solo) and registering 0.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups and a quarterback hurry.
Senior Ke'Shon Parker is in his final season at Central Michigan after playing in 40 career games at linebacker and as a key player on special teams. He has made four career tackles (two solo) after seeing action in 11 of 12 contests last year.
A redshirt junior, Fernando Sanchez III played in eight games last year and was listed as a starter or backup linebacker on the depth chart. He played in the season's first eight games but missed the last four. In his three-year career, Sanchez has played in 25 career games, made 21 career tackles (nine solo), 2.5 tackles for loss for five yards, one pass breakup, one forced fumble with one blocked kick.
Lawai'a Brown also returns to the mix after seeing action in 22 career games at linebacker. Over his three-year career, he has made 28 career tackles (18 solo) with 1.0 tackle for loss and one pass breakup. Last year he saw action in 10 games with one start and finished the year with 16 tackles (nine solo) with 1.0 tackle for loss on the season.
Khari Johnson and Mckeegan Ferguson both return to the squad after redshirting the 2023 season.
Joining the linebackers group as new players include freshmen Xavier White, Victor Earl, and Landon Swanson, along with redshirt junior Cairo Rhodes. Earl and White were both All-State honorees in their respective states.
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Six players who saw extensive action at linebacker last season return including seniors Justin Whitside and Ke'Shon Parker and juniors Dakota Cochran, Jordan Kwiatkowski, Lawai'a Brown, and Fernando Sanchez III.
LINEBACKERS PERSONNEL ROSTER
6 | Justin Whiteside | 6-0 | 220 | Sr. | Flossmoor, Ill.
11 | Dakota Cochran | 6-2 | 240 | R-Jr. | Shaker Heights, Ohio.
12 | Jordan Kwiatkowski | 6-1 | 235 | Jr. | Sterling Heights, Mich.
14 | Fernando Sanchez III | 6-3 | 250 | R-Jr. | Loganville, Ga.
20 | Ke'Shon Parker | 6-1 | 230 | Sr. | Detroit, Mich.
26 | Cairo Rhodes | 6-2 | 230 | R-Jr. | Grand Rapids, Mich.
33 | Victor Earl | 6-2 | 215 | Fr. | Romeo, Mich..
40 | Lawai'a Brown | 6-0 | 230 | R-Jr. | Honolulu, Hawaii
45 | Xavier White | 6-0 | 235 | Fr. | Los Angeles, Calif. | Sierra Canyon School
51 | Landon Swanson | 6-3 | 220 | Fr. | Charlevoix, Mich./Charlevoix H.S.
53 | Khari Johnson | 5-11 | 220 | R-Fr. | Wixom, Mich./South Lyon East H.S.
57 | Mckeegan Ferguson | 6-0 | 220 | R-Fr. | Blanchard, Mich./Montabella H.S.
Justin Whiteside returns for his final season after earning several preseason All-MAC accolades. In 2003, Whiteside saw action in all 12 games with nine starts and ranked No. 4 on the squad in tackles with 53 total (31 solo) with 3.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble on the year. He registered at least one tackle in each of the 12 games. In 47-game, 24-start career, Whiteside has totaled 156 tackles (89 solo) with 18 tackles for loss for 63 yards, 3.5 sacks for 28 yards, one interception, three pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
Dakota Cochran is also back after starting five games and playing in all 12 last year. A College Sports Communicators All-District Team and Academic All-MAC selection, Cochran ranked No. 5 on the squad in tackles with 51 (31 solo), finished with 2.0 tackles for loss for six yards, intercepted one pass for nine yards, broke up one pass, and registered two quarterback hurries in 2023. In his 24-game, five-start career, he has made a total of 81 tackles (51 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss for 13 yards, five pass breakups, 1.0 sacks, intercepted one pass, and also blocked two kicks.
Jordan Kwiatkowski enters his third year at Central Michigan after playing in 23 previous games with 42 total tackles, three pass breakups and a blocked kick in his career. Last year, Kwiatkowski played in 11 games with one start on the season and also played extensively on special teams. He also earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-District and Academic All-MAC honors after ranking No. 10 on the team in tackles with 32 (17 solo) and registering 0.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups and a quarterback hurry.
Senior Ke'Shon Parker is in his final season at Central Michigan after playing in 40 career games at linebacker and as a key player on special teams. He has made four career tackles (two solo) after seeing action in 11 of 12 contests last year.
A redshirt junior, Fernando Sanchez III played in eight games last year and was listed as a starter or backup linebacker on the depth chart. He played in the season's first eight games but missed the last four. In his three-year career, Sanchez has played in 25 career games, made 21 career tackles (nine solo), 2.5 tackles for loss for five yards, one pass breakup, one forced fumble with one blocked kick.
Lawai'a Brown also returns to the mix after seeing action in 22 career games at linebacker. Over his three-year career, he has made 28 career tackles (18 solo) with 1.0 tackle for loss and one pass breakup. Last year he saw action in 10 games with one start and finished the year with 16 tackles (nine solo) with 1.0 tackle for loss on the season.
Khari Johnson and Mckeegan Ferguson both return to the squad after redshirting the 2023 season.
Joining the linebackers group as new players include freshmen Xavier White, Victor Earl, and Landon Swanson, along with redshirt junior Cairo Rhodes. Earl and White were both All-State honorees in their respective states.
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