Central Michigan University Athletics
Photo by: Sydney Kline '26 - @sydney.kline.photography
Townsend Ready for Spotlight, Matures into Leadership Role
8/20/2026 9:00:00 AM | Football
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – A year ago, Brock Townsend was an option in the Central Michigan offense.
He got his share of touches, averaging 5.82 yards per touch (82 rushes, 13 pass receptions) and sharing the team lead with eight touchdowns while showing flashes of big-play ability. His four TD receptions tied for the second most in a season by a running back in program history.
This year, the 6-foot, 215-pound junior running back from Caledonia is the bellcow in a run game that, under second-year coach Matt Drinkall, will drive the Chippewa offense.
"He had a very good year last year and he's really starting to grow," said Drinkall, who led the Chippewas to a 7-6 mark and opens the 2026 season on Sept. 5 at New Mexico. "You see him now and the way his body moves and functions; he's leaner, he's eating different, his confidence level's different.
"He was really a power-only guy for us last year, like a bigger back, and now he's a really can-do-everything complete guy."
That completeness extends beyond the field as Townsend is the veteran now at his position, and that's an important role as he sets an example for the likes of freshman Trav Moore and talented first-year transfers Vaughn Blue and Jayden Clerveaux, among others.
"They have him as the beacon that is the unbelievable leader and standard for how you do things," Drinkall said.
Like nearly every running back playing college football, Townsend had a phenomenal prep career. He was a two-time All-Stater and the MLive Grand Rapids Offensive Player of the Year at Caledonia High School.
Some make the transition to the college level, some don't. Townsend is clearly among the former because it's about more than talent and instincts.
"I feel like I'm working on becoming more whole, being able to do everything at the position," Townsend said. "Whether that's pass protection, catching the ball, running routes, understanding different concepts, understanding different positions, and then running the ball as well.
"The No. 1 thing I always focus on and what my dad has always instilled in me since I was little is don't be selfish. Understand the ball needs to be shared with other people. And it doesn't matter how many carries I get in a game. It's about what I can do with the carries I get. Dad always taught me if you get three carries, you need to score on those three carries. It's not necessarily about how many carries I'm getting or anyone else is getting, it's about taking advantage of those."
He got his share of touches, averaging 5.82 yards per touch (82 rushes, 13 pass receptions) and sharing the team lead with eight touchdowns while showing flashes of big-play ability. His four TD receptions tied for the second most in a season by a running back in program history.
This year, the 6-foot, 215-pound junior running back from Caledonia is the bellcow in a run game that, under second-year coach Matt Drinkall, will drive the Chippewa offense.
"He had a very good year last year and he's really starting to grow," said Drinkall, who led the Chippewas to a 7-6 mark and opens the 2026 season on Sept. 5 at New Mexico. "You see him now and the way his body moves and functions; he's leaner, he's eating different, his confidence level's different.
"He was really a power-only guy for us last year, like a bigger back, and now he's a really can-do-everything complete guy."
That completeness extends beyond the field as Townsend is the veteran now at his position, and that's an important role as he sets an example for the likes of freshman Trav Moore and talented first-year transfers Vaughn Blue and Jayden Clerveaux, among others.
"They have him as the beacon that is the unbelievable leader and standard for how you do things," Drinkall said.
Like nearly every running back playing college football, Townsend had a phenomenal prep career. He was a two-time All-Stater and the MLive Grand Rapids Offensive Player of the Year at Caledonia High School.
Some make the transition to the college level, some don't. Townsend is clearly among the former because it's about more than talent and instincts.
"I feel like I'm working on becoming more whole, being able to do everything at the position," Townsend said. "Whether that's pass protection, catching the ball, running routes, understanding different concepts, understanding different positions, and then running the ball as well.
"The No. 1 thing I always focus on and what my dad has always instilled in me since I was little is don't be selfish. Understand the ball needs to be shared with other people. And it doesn't matter how many carries I get in a game. It's about what I can do with the carries I get. Dad always taught me if you get three carries, you need to score on those three carries. It's not necessarily about how many carries I'm getting or anyone else is getting, it's about taking advantage of those."
Players Mentioned
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