Central Michigan University Athletics
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
Photo by: 2026 Frames by Ty
Wide Receivers Preview: Developing Talent
8/17/2026 2:40:00 PM | Football
Third Team All-MAC honoree Langston Lewis leads a group of promising wide receivers.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.—With seven returnees who saw action last season at wide receiver, Central Michigan wide receivers coach Brandon Johnson-Farrell is excited about the prospects of his group for the upcoming season.
"We've gotten off to a good start to camp," Johnson-Farrell said. "This is a big camp for us for the development milestones that we're trying to hit. Our biggest goal for camp is to see how many players can get to the above-the-line status, meaning that we would feel comfortable putting them in the game at any point. They took that challenge personally."
The Chippewas return their top receiver from a year ago and one of the top receivers in the league in Third Team All-MAC honoree Langston Lewis. Lewis led the Chippewas in receptions (43), receiving yards (596), yards per reception (13.9), 100-yard receiving games (two) and caught three touchdown passes in 2025. He became the first CMU wide receiver to notch back-to-back 100-yard receiving games since 2016 when he caught four passes for 111 yards at Western Michigan and finished with six receptions for 118 yards vs. Buffalo. Returnee Tommy McIntosh, who is injured and out for the season, ranked No. 2 in receiving and finished 2025 with 31 receptions for 422 yards and three touchdowns.
Also returning to the squad with CMU game experience is Nasir Williams (4 receptions, 76 yards, 1 TD), Justin Ruffin, Jr. (7 receptions, 63 yards), Collin Payne (4 receptions, 87 yards), Tayte Vanderleest (2 receptions, 19 yards), and Camden Kruisenga (one catch, 26 yards). Kendall Jones (5 games played) and Braylon Naves, who redshirted last year, also return.
"With Tommy being out, it changes a few of things," Johnson-Farrell said. "The security you have with Langston Lewis, you know what you are getting. It's the same with Tommy; we knew exactly what we were getting from Tommy. That's the challenge because Tommy was so dependable in terms of contested catches, third down conversions when you needed him, big body, sure handed, height and size. That's the biggest difference from where you're going from a super experienced guy that had a ton of reps last season to a group of guys who have maybe played 10 reps per game. But we prepare these players for every situation that might arise. It's going to be on them to attack whatever opportunity they get."
Even with McIntosh out, Johnson-Farrell has a talented group to utilize.
"Nasir Williams put together his three best practices since fall camp started," Johnson-Farrell said. "Once he got his feet into, he's been executing at a high level. Justin Ruffin, Jr. is off to a great start. Mentally, he's as sharp as it gets. He's attacked the playbook, knows all three receiver positions, motions. He's been awesome from a mental standpoint. Kendall Jones has been Mr. Consistent. The improvement that he's made from last year has been outstanding. His work ethic has turned him from being a good to great player. Collin Payne was out this spring, but it's great to see him back. Now, it's basically just getting him back, he's been bringing it every day and knows what he can bring to us. He's been doing a great job with that."
"In his second year, Braylen Naves has been a hybrid. He's been training at two positions. He's such a versatile guy and can run and do everything under the sun. We want to utilize him in the best way possible."
"Tayle Vanderleest is our enforcer, probably our most physical guy from a blocking standpoint. This is only year two or three for him as a wide receiver. He's got the work ethic, and he's got the mindset to be physical. He's a tough kid. As his receiver acumen continues to grow, he's going to be able to help us."
"I was joking with Camden Kruisenga the other day, the way he has developed, he's strong, confident, and his speed is up. I'm happy with where he's at right now."
In addition to the returnees, the Chippewas added two high-impact transfers in Shawn Foster II (Michigan State) and Dontae Robinson (Sacramento State).
"Shawn Foster II is another new guy who we added this spring," Johnson-Farrell said. "His skillset is dynamic. He brings a splash of top-end speed and elite agility. There is nothing on the field he can't do. He'll be a factor for us. Dontae Robinson is another guy who is starting to emerge. He probably had the furthest to go from a playbook standpoint, but he's attacked that this fall camp. His frame comes with physicality, ability to stretch the field, he can run and jump, his wingspan is like nine feet. He can do everything. As soon as it clicks for him, he's going to be a gamechanger."
Two freshmen, Da'Shon Febres (Oviedo, Fla.) and Avin Robinson (Brownsburg, Ind.), also join the Chippewas.
"The freshmen are coming along," Johnson-Farell said. "Avin Robinson has shown flashes to be able to do anything on the football field, he's electric, quick, very natural in a backyard football sense where knows how to get open and juke. Da'Shon has been out the last two weeks, but the first couple of practices, you saw flashes from him."
"I'm also really excited about the young crop of players, freshmen and sophomores," Johnson-Farrell said. "We are in a really good position for the future."
2026 WIDE RECEIVERS PERSONNEL ROSTER
83 | Da'Shon Febres | Fr. | 6-0 | 195 | Oviedo, Fla.
16 | Shawn Foster II | Sr. | 6-0 | 185 | Grand Ledge, Mich.
0 | Kendall Jones | Sr. | 6-2 | 180 | Tampa, Fla.
12 | Camden Kruisenga | Jr. | 6-2 | 185 | Rockford, Mich.
20 | Langston Lewis | Fifth Year | 6-0 | 195 | Savannah, Ga.
15 | Tommy McIntosh | Sr. | 6-4 | 205 | DeWitt, Mich.
17 | Braylen Naves | So. | 6-1 | 200 | Davison, Mich.
6 | Collin Payne | Sr. | 6-2 | 210 | Lake Forest, Calif.
80 | Avin Robinson | Fr. | 5-11 | 180 | Brownsburg, Ind.
84 | Dontae Robinson | Sr. | 6-4 | 215 | Lacey, Wash.
9 | Justin Ruffin, Jr. | So. | 5-9 | 180 | Buckner, Ky.
81 | Tayte Vanderleest | Sr. | 6-4 | 220 | Muskegon, Mich.
3 | Nasir Williams | Jr. | 6-1 | 205 | Tallahassee, Fla.
Follow Central Michigan Football: TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
"We've gotten off to a good start to camp," Johnson-Farrell said. "This is a big camp for us for the development milestones that we're trying to hit. Our biggest goal for camp is to see how many players can get to the above-the-line status, meaning that we would feel comfortable putting them in the game at any point. They took that challenge personally."
The Chippewas return their top receiver from a year ago and one of the top receivers in the league in Third Team All-MAC honoree Langston Lewis. Lewis led the Chippewas in receptions (43), receiving yards (596), yards per reception (13.9), 100-yard receiving games (two) and caught three touchdown passes in 2025. He became the first CMU wide receiver to notch back-to-back 100-yard receiving games since 2016 when he caught four passes for 111 yards at Western Michigan and finished with six receptions for 118 yards vs. Buffalo. Returnee Tommy McIntosh, who is injured and out for the season, ranked No. 2 in receiving and finished 2025 with 31 receptions for 422 yards and three touchdowns.
Also returning to the squad with CMU game experience is Nasir Williams (4 receptions, 76 yards, 1 TD), Justin Ruffin, Jr. (7 receptions, 63 yards), Collin Payne (4 receptions, 87 yards), Tayte Vanderleest (2 receptions, 19 yards), and Camden Kruisenga (one catch, 26 yards). Kendall Jones (5 games played) and Braylon Naves, who redshirted last year, also return.
"With Tommy being out, it changes a few of things," Johnson-Farrell said. "The security you have with Langston Lewis, you know what you are getting. It's the same with Tommy; we knew exactly what we were getting from Tommy. That's the challenge because Tommy was so dependable in terms of contested catches, third down conversions when you needed him, big body, sure handed, height and size. That's the biggest difference from where you're going from a super experienced guy that had a ton of reps last season to a group of guys who have maybe played 10 reps per game. But we prepare these players for every situation that might arise. It's going to be on them to attack whatever opportunity they get."
Even with McIntosh out, Johnson-Farrell has a talented group to utilize.
"Nasir Williams put together his three best practices since fall camp started," Johnson-Farrell said. "Once he got his feet into, he's been executing at a high level. Justin Ruffin, Jr. is off to a great start. Mentally, he's as sharp as it gets. He's attacked the playbook, knows all three receiver positions, motions. He's been awesome from a mental standpoint. Kendall Jones has been Mr. Consistent. The improvement that he's made from last year has been outstanding. His work ethic has turned him from being a good to great player. Collin Payne was out this spring, but it's great to see him back. Now, it's basically just getting him back, he's been bringing it every day and knows what he can bring to us. He's been doing a great job with that."
"In his second year, Braylen Naves has been a hybrid. He's been training at two positions. He's such a versatile guy and can run and do everything under the sun. We want to utilize him in the best way possible."
"Tayle Vanderleest is our enforcer, probably our most physical guy from a blocking standpoint. This is only year two or three for him as a wide receiver. He's got the work ethic, and he's got the mindset to be physical. He's a tough kid. As his receiver acumen continues to grow, he's going to be able to help us."
"I was joking with Camden Kruisenga the other day, the way he has developed, he's strong, confident, and his speed is up. I'm happy with where he's at right now."
In addition to the returnees, the Chippewas added two high-impact transfers in Shawn Foster II (Michigan State) and Dontae Robinson (Sacramento State).
"Shawn Foster II is another new guy who we added this spring," Johnson-Farrell said. "His skillset is dynamic. He brings a splash of top-end speed and elite agility. There is nothing on the field he can't do. He'll be a factor for us. Dontae Robinson is another guy who is starting to emerge. He probably had the furthest to go from a playbook standpoint, but he's attacked that this fall camp. His frame comes with physicality, ability to stretch the field, he can run and jump, his wingspan is like nine feet. He can do everything. As soon as it clicks for him, he's going to be a gamechanger."
Two freshmen, Da'Shon Febres (Oviedo, Fla.) and Avin Robinson (Brownsburg, Ind.), also join the Chippewas.
"The freshmen are coming along," Johnson-Farell said. "Avin Robinson has shown flashes to be able to do anything on the football field, he's electric, quick, very natural in a backyard football sense where knows how to get open and juke. Da'Shon has been out the last two weeks, but the first couple of practices, you saw flashes from him."
"I'm also really excited about the young crop of players, freshmen and sophomores," Johnson-Farrell said. "We are in a really good position for the future."
2026 WIDE RECEIVERS PERSONNEL ROSTER
83 | Da'Shon Febres | Fr. | 6-0 | 195 | Oviedo, Fla.
16 | Shawn Foster II | Sr. | 6-0 | 185 | Grand Ledge, Mich.
0 | Kendall Jones | Sr. | 6-2 | 180 | Tampa, Fla.
12 | Camden Kruisenga | Jr. | 6-2 | 185 | Rockford, Mich.
20 | Langston Lewis | Fifth Year | 6-0 | 195 | Savannah, Ga.
15 | Tommy McIntosh | Sr. | 6-4 | 205 | DeWitt, Mich.
17 | Braylen Naves | So. | 6-1 | 200 | Davison, Mich.
6 | Collin Payne | Sr. | 6-2 | 210 | Lake Forest, Calif.
80 | Avin Robinson | Fr. | 5-11 | 180 | Brownsburg, Ind.
84 | Dontae Robinson | Sr. | 6-4 | 215 | Lacey, Wash.
9 | Justin Ruffin, Jr. | So. | 5-9 | 180 | Buckner, Ky.
81 | Tayte Vanderleest | Sr. | 6-4 | 220 | Muskegon, Mich.
3 | Nasir Williams | Jr. | 6-1 | 205 | Tallahassee, Fla.
Follow Central Michigan Football: TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
—CMU—
Thursday, August 06
Wednesday, August 05
Tuesday, August 04
Tuesday, August 04