Central Michigan University Athletics
Players Mentioned
DB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
Photo by: Ty Klopf
Safeties Preview: Fresh Faces, New Leadership, Good Voices
8/12/2026 3:43:00 PM | Football
Central Michigan must replace its top 4 safeties from last year’s squad; Eight safeties prepare for the 2026 season, including a mix of newcomers and returnees.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.—Central Michigan must replace its top 4 safeties from a year ago, but the Chippewas return players with experience and have added talented newcomers to its defensive backfield.
Safeties coach Wes Fleming must replace starters Caleb Spann, Elijah Rikard and top backups Elijah Gordon and Maddix Blackwell. The foursome combined for all 26 starts at the safety positions, while all four ranked among the team's top 10 leaders in tackles last year. Spann ranked No. 3 with 54 tackles (27 solo), broke up four passes, and intercepted one pass, Rikard contributed 45 tackles and an interception, Gordon made 48 tackles with an interception, tackle for loss, three pass breakups, and a fumble recovery, and Blackwell finished with 42 tackles and interception.
Eight players are in the mix at safety. Three transfers including senior Justin Taylor (Wyoming/Wisconsin), fifth year Darrell Bryant, Jr. (Northern Colorado), and sophomore Coen Ali (Saddleback J.C.), along with freshmen Colton Benaitis (Homer Glen, Ill.) and David Williams (Detroit, Mich.) have joined three returnees in fifth-year special teams dynamo Ed Conoran, junior Tysen Campbell, and sophomore Nolan Anderson.
"Its always scary losing four at a time, but we did a bunch of homework in the offseason," Fleming said. "We've got a really good group and with some experienced transfers, two freshmen, and the returners, we were able to refill and reload pretty quick. We've had a great spring and summer. The guys that have been here have taken big strides and stepped up. When you've got eight dudes who have the same vision as you, it's a great deal. I'm blessed to be working with this group."
"The best thing we have right now is a lot of good leadership and a lot of good voices in the room. The guys are not afraid to work hard and not afraid to compete. The good part is we had a fresh start, so everyone knew that each job is up for grabs. They're pushing each other but bringing each other along at the same time. It's been a great competition through the spring to summer and now the fall. A lot of guys are showing flashes. With five new players, they have bought into the culture very quickly, and that's a testament to Coach Drinkall and the leaders we had last season."
"It's been a lot of fun coaching this group. I'm excited to watch these guys continue to grow this fall. We've got guys with high football IQ and I'm looking forward to seeing who the first two we roll out in game one."
2026 SAFETIES PERSONNEL ROSTER
17 | Coen Ali | So. | 6-2 | 200 | Yorba Linda, Calif.
22 | Nolan Anderson | So. | 5-10 | 185 | Menomonee Falls, Wis.
37 | Colton Benaitis | Fr. | 6-2 | 195 | Homer Glen, Ill.
19 | Darrell Bryant, Jr. | Fifth Year | 5-11 | 210 | Hampton, Va.
27 | Tysen Campbell | Jr. | 5-11 | 175 | Akron, Ohio
7 | Ed Conoran | Fifth Year | 5-11 | 190 | Dover, N.J.
14 | Justin Taylor | Sr. | 6-0 | 195 | Chicago, Ill.
29 | David Williams | Fr. | 6-0 | 190 | Detroit, Mich.
Bryant joins the Chippewas after transferring from Northern Colorado. He originally attended James Madison but opted to join the U.S. Army for four years. After fulfilling his requirement, he returned to college football and played the last two seasons at Northern Colorado, where he made 75 tackles last year and 52 in 2024.
"Darell has an amazing story," Fleming said. "Watching him, it's like having a second coach in the room. He takes the young guys under his wing. I don't know how he does it at his age. He takes care of his body and knows how to be a pro. He's been a blessing to coach."
Taylor transferred to Central Michigan from Wyoming, CMU's third opponent of the 2026 season. In playing all 12 games at safety for the Cowboys last year, he made 19 tackles, intercepted a pass, broke up a pass, and recovered a fumble. He played his first two seasons at Wisconsin and is from Chicago, Ill.
"Justin's had an interesting path to get here, attending Wisconsin out of high school," Fleming said. "Coach Drinkall and I recruited him out of Nazareth Academy, so we've known him for quite awhile. He's a smart football player and he's a guy who is hungry for an opportunity. He shows up to work every day with unbelievable energy and competitive edge."
Ali transferred in from Saddleback Junior College, where he played just one season.
"Coen has impressed a lot of people," Fleming said. "He looks like a completely different person physically. He bought into Coach Riedel and our strength program, and he's going to be a real good player for us."
Campbell is a player who endured several injuries to start his CMU football career.
"Talk about a guy who made strides," Fleming said of Campbell. "He's made a lot of life changes, body changes, but I couldn't be more proud of that dude. He's turned his career and life around. We are really excited about what the future holds for him."
Anderson is in his second year with the Chippewas and is coming back after missing spring drills.
"We got Nolan back this summer," Fleming said. "He's a guy who plays a million miles an hour. Day-by-day he's getting better on the scheme."
Conoran returns for his fifth and final year with the Central Michigan football program after seeing action in 41 career games. If he plays in all 12 games this fall, he will conclude his career ranked among the program's top-20 in most games played. Though he's played most of his football and excels on special teams, Conoran has made strides at safety.
"Our trusty vet Ed has been here two or three times as long as I have," Fleming said. "He is as good of a teammate that you will find. He gets better every day. He's going to be a guy that Coach Murphy trusts to be on special teams as well. Just from when I got here until now, he's made so many strides."
Williams and Benaitis are the two youngest players.
"The two young guys, it's fun to watch them grow. David is from down the street in Detroit and Colton from outside of Chicago. Those guys are going to have an opportunity. Colton has made some strides in the spring. They both play hard. Colton will run through a brick wall for you."
Follow Central Michigan Football: TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
Safeties coach Wes Fleming must replace starters Caleb Spann, Elijah Rikard and top backups Elijah Gordon and Maddix Blackwell. The foursome combined for all 26 starts at the safety positions, while all four ranked among the team's top 10 leaders in tackles last year. Spann ranked No. 3 with 54 tackles (27 solo), broke up four passes, and intercepted one pass, Rikard contributed 45 tackles and an interception, Gordon made 48 tackles with an interception, tackle for loss, three pass breakups, and a fumble recovery, and Blackwell finished with 42 tackles and interception.
Eight players are in the mix at safety. Three transfers including senior Justin Taylor (Wyoming/Wisconsin), fifth year Darrell Bryant, Jr. (Northern Colorado), and sophomore Coen Ali (Saddleback J.C.), along with freshmen Colton Benaitis (Homer Glen, Ill.) and David Williams (Detroit, Mich.) have joined three returnees in fifth-year special teams dynamo Ed Conoran, junior Tysen Campbell, and sophomore Nolan Anderson.
"Its always scary losing four at a time, but we did a bunch of homework in the offseason," Fleming said. "We've got a really good group and with some experienced transfers, two freshmen, and the returners, we were able to refill and reload pretty quick. We've had a great spring and summer. The guys that have been here have taken big strides and stepped up. When you've got eight dudes who have the same vision as you, it's a great deal. I'm blessed to be working with this group."
"The best thing we have right now is a lot of good leadership and a lot of good voices in the room. The guys are not afraid to work hard and not afraid to compete. The good part is we had a fresh start, so everyone knew that each job is up for grabs. They're pushing each other but bringing each other along at the same time. It's been a great competition through the spring to summer and now the fall. A lot of guys are showing flashes. With five new players, they have bought into the culture very quickly, and that's a testament to Coach Drinkall and the leaders we had last season."
"It's been a lot of fun coaching this group. I'm excited to watch these guys continue to grow this fall. We've got guys with high football IQ and I'm looking forward to seeing who the first two we roll out in game one."
2026 SAFETIES PERSONNEL ROSTER
17 | Coen Ali | So. | 6-2 | 200 | Yorba Linda, Calif.
22 | Nolan Anderson | So. | 5-10 | 185 | Menomonee Falls, Wis.
37 | Colton Benaitis | Fr. | 6-2 | 195 | Homer Glen, Ill.
19 | Darrell Bryant, Jr. | Fifth Year | 5-11 | 210 | Hampton, Va.
27 | Tysen Campbell | Jr. | 5-11 | 175 | Akron, Ohio
7 | Ed Conoran | Fifth Year | 5-11 | 190 | Dover, N.J.
14 | Justin Taylor | Sr. | 6-0 | 195 | Chicago, Ill.
29 | David Williams | Fr. | 6-0 | 190 | Detroit, Mich.
Bryant joins the Chippewas after transferring from Northern Colorado. He originally attended James Madison but opted to join the U.S. Army for four years. After fulfilling his requirement, he returned to college football and played the last two seasons at Northern Colorado, where he made 75 tackles last year and 52 in 2024.
"Darell has an amazing story," Fleming said. "Watching him, it's like having a second coach in the room. He takes the young guys under his wing. I don't know how he does it at his age. He takes care of his body and knows how to be a pro. He's been a blessing to coach."
Taylor transferred to Central Michigan from Wyoming, CMU's third opponent of the 2026 season. In playing all 12 games at safety for the Cowboys last year, he made 19 tackles, intercepted a pass, broke up a pass, and recovered a fumble. He played his first two seasons at Wisconsin and is from Chicago, Ill.
"Justin's had an interesting path to get here, attending Wisconsin out of high school," Fleming said. "Coach Drinkall and I recruited him out of Nazareth Academy, so we've known him for quite awhile. He's a smart football player and he's a guy who is hungry for an opportunity. He shows up to work every day with unbelievable energy and competitive edge."
Ali transferred in from Saddleback Junior College, where he played just one season.
"Coen has impressed a lot of people," Fleming said. "He looks like a completely different person physically. He bought into Coach Riedel and our strength program, and he's going to be a real good player for us."
Campbell is a player who endured several injuries to start his CMU football career.
"Talk about a guy who made strides," Fleming said of Campbell. "He's made a lot of life changes, body changes, but I couldn't be more proud of that dude. He's turned his career and life around. We are really excited about what the future holds for him."
Anderson is in his second year with the Chippewas and is coming back after missing spring drills.
"We got Nolan back this summer," Fleming said. "He's a guy who plays a million miles an hour. Day-by-day he's getting better on the scheme."
Conoran returns for his fifth and final year with the Central Michigan football program after seeing action in 41 career games. If he plays in all 12 games this fall, he will conclude his career ranked among the program's top-20 in most games played. Though he's played most of his football and excels on special teams, Conoran has made strides at safety.
"Our trusty vet Ed has been here two or three times as long as I have," Fleming said. "He is as good of a teammate that you will find. He gets better every day. He's going to be a guy that Coach Murphy trusts to be on special teams as well. Just from when I got here until now, he's made so many strides."
Williams and Benaitis are the two youngest players.
"The two young guys, it's fun to watch them grow. David is from down the street in Detroit and Colton from outside of Chicago. Those guys are going to have an opportunity. Colton has made some strides in the spring. They both play hard. Colton will run through a brick wall for you."
Follow Central Michigan Football: TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
—CMU—
Thursday, August 06
Wednesday, August 05
Tuesday, August 04
Tuesday, August 04