Central Michigan University Athletics
Football Opens Spring Practice
3/18/2026 5:18:00 AM | Football
Chippewas complete first of 15 spring practices on Tuesday at the Indoor Athletic Center Turf Bay.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.—The Central Michigan Football program completed its first spring ball practice on Tuesday morning at its Indoor Athletic Center Turf Bay.
The one-hour and 45-minute practice included a variety of position-specific drills. Central Michigan began practice with stretching, individual position drills, and open field tackling drills. 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. The Chippewas also went through special teams drills.
Head coach Matt Drinkall and staff welcome a total of 98 players to spring practice, including 39 newcomers. The Chippewas return 59 players from their 2025 roster, including 13 players who made starts last year.
Central Michigan's entire 2026 football schedule has yet to be announced. Click here to access Central Michigan's 2026 non conference schedule. CMU opens its 2026 football season at New Mexico on Saturday, September 5. The Chippewas will play six home games in 2026 (four MAC games and two non conference games), including their home opener on Saturday, Sept. 12 vs. Colgate.
2026 Central Michigan Football season tickets will go on sale sometime after the schedule is announced. Details will be announced at a later date.
UPCOMING 2026 CENTRAL MICHIGAN SPRING FOOTBALL PRACTICE SCHEDULE
(as of Tuesday, March 17)
No.: Day, Date
Practice 2: Wednesday, March 18 (NFL Pro Day, Indoor Athletic Center Turf Bay)
Practice 3: Thursday, March 19
Practice 4: Monday, March 23
Practice 5: Wednesday, March 25
Practice 6: Thursday, March 26 (Full pads)
Practice 7: Monday, March 30
Practice 8: Monday, April 6
Practice 9: Wednesday, April 8
Practice 10: Thursday, April 9 (Full pads/referees)
Practice 11: Monday, April 13
Practice 12: Wednesday, April 15
Practice 13: Thursday, April 16
Practice 14: Monday, April 20
Spring Game/Practice 15: Tuesday, April 21 (Shells/referees)
All practice dates are tentative and could be moved or changed
Follow Central Michigan Football: TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
The one-hour and 45-minute practice included a variety of position-specific drills. Central Michigan began practice with stretching, individual position drills, and open field tackling drills. 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. The Chippewas also went through special teams drills.
Head coach Matt Drinkall and staff welcome a total of 98 players to spring practice, including 39 newcomers. The Chippewas return 59 players from their 2025 roster, including 13 players who made starts last year.
Central Michigan's entire 2026 football schedule has yet to be announced. Click here to access Central Michigan's 2026 non conference schedule. CMU opens its 2026 football season at New Mexico on Saturday, September 5. The Chippewas will play six home games in 2026 (four MAC games and two non conference games), including their home opener on Saturday, Sept. 12 vs. Colgate.
2026 Central Michigan Football season tickets will go on sale sometime after the schedule is announced. Details will be announced at a later date.
UPCOMING 2026 CENTRAL MICHIGAN SPRING FOOTBALL PRACTICE SCHEDULE
(as of Tuesday, March 17)
No.: Day, Date
Practice 2: Wednesday, March 18 (NFL Pro Day, Indoor Athletic Center Turf Bay)
Practice 3: Thursday, March 19
Practice 4: Monday, March 23
Practice 5: Wednesday, March 25
Practice 6: Thursday, March 26 (Full pads)
Practice 7: Monday, March 30
Practice 8: Monday, April 6
Practice 9: Wednesday, April 8
Practice 10: Thursday, April 9 (Full pads/referees)
Practice 11: Monday, April 13
Practice 12: Wednesday, April 15
Practice 13: Thursday, April 16
Practice 14: Monday, April 20
Spring Game/Practice 15: Tuesday, April 21 (Shells/referees)
All practice dates are tentative and could be moved or changed
Follow Central Michigan Football: TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
—CMU—
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