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Photo by: 2026 Frames by Ty
Offensive Line Preview: Living the Standard
8/25/2026 8:25:00 AM | Football
Offensive Line is deep and talented as seven players return with experience; Chippewas add four experienced transfers.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.—Central Michigan Offensive Line Coach Hayden Mace returns seven players who made starts last year and adds four transfers with significant experience at other schools to a deep and talented offensive line that improved with every game in 2025.
"We have more consistent experience this year compared to last season," Mace said. "Last year we fewer than 20 starts coming back, going into this season, we have more than 70 starts coming back. We also prioritized finding guys who played a lot of football at other schools. We've found some talented guys at the FCS level who are contributing and competing right away. And then year two of our scheme and culture. We laid a good foundation last year in the eye of Coach Drinkall and we are building off that foundation this season."
"The opportunity to coach the offensive line here is one that is special for me and getting to work for Coach Drinkall and the pedigree that he has, but also Central Michigan's rich tradition of offensive line play. Just being a part of the offensive line fraternity is so special. Our guys understand the standard and expectations of wearing the Central Michigan jersey. There is nothing we wouldn't do for our team to get the job done."
That depth presents options and opportunities for the group. Those seven returnees that started at least one game last year include tackle Martin Koivisto (19 career starts, 35 career games), guard John Iannuzzi (one start), guard Brady Ploucha (17 career starts, 35 career games), tackle Jacob Russell (13 starts), guard Matthew Nehf (11 starts, 20 career games), guard Dasan Smith (11 starts, 17 career games), and tackle Jacob Booth (26 career games). Collectively, the Chippewas return four of their five starters from last year.
Mace spoke about each of his seven returnees.
"Martin Koivisto is a great veteran leader for us coming into his last year," Mace said. "He played multiple positions in the past and has really found a home at tackle. He's doing a great job for us and doing everything that we're asking of him, and we are excited to see the legacy he leaves."
"John Iannuzzi is back after suffering a terrible injury at the start of last year. We missed his presence last year. He's the guy who sets the tone for our room in physicality and mentality. We are excited to get him back healthy."
"Jacob Russell is back, a guy who started all 13 games for us last year. He's a no nonsense, silent leader who goes about his business and is tough as nails. He's a guy you'd want to have in your foxhole."
"Getting Matthew Nehf back is great as he was a key contributor for us during most of last season. We missed his presence late in the season after getting banged up in the Western Michigan game. He's experienced at multiple positions and he's a huge asset for us."
"Brady Ploucha has played a lot of football here. We know what to expect from him and we expect big things."
"Jacob Booth played a significant role for us last year. He's taken huge strides in how he approaches the game and how he prepares. We're excited to see him take the next step this season."
"Dasan Smith was a multi-game starter for us, and he's still a young guy. He's experienced and still has the desire to get better as a relatively young player."
The Chippewas also return two talented players who return for their second season in Talon Smith and Triston Pierre.
"Talon Smith is going into his second year for us," Mace said. "He's found a home at tackle. We are excited to see his athleticism shineas he grows into his frame. Triston Pierre is going into his second year as well. Another tackle, he's made big strides, learning how we do things here. He has a high ceiling and great things to achieve."
Central Michigan's four transfers include Georgetown transplants Losini Maka and Trevor Swan, Eastern Illinois transfer Nick DiSanto, and College of San Mateo transfer John Williams.
"Getting a guy like Losini Maka in the transfer portal, a guy who has played a bunch of football and has tremendous veteran leadership," Mace said. "Nick DiSanto, who was a multi-year starter at Eastern Illinois as a tackle, can play multiple positions for us. I'm really excited for him. Trevor Swan came in as a transfer with Losini from Georgetown. Talk about another guy who's played many positions, tackle, guard, and center. He's got a great attitude, exactly the type of guy we want in our room, he's a team-first guy. We also added John Williams from the College of San Mateo. He was injured all last season. Getting him back off injury, he's moving positions from tight end to tackle. I'm really excited about his professionalism and future."
To round out the room, Central Michigan added seven freshmen.
"I'm really excited about our freshman class," Mace said. "We had one early enrollee; the rest got here this summer. I'm excited about that group and the future of our room. They will all have the chance to learn from our older guys on how we want things done."
2026 OFFENSIVE LINE PERSONNEL ROSTER
61 | Zander Barth | Fr. | 6-6 | 255 | Three Rivers, Mich.
69 | Jacob Booth | Sr. | 6-5 | 295 | Swartz Creek, Mich.
56 | Nic DiSanto | Sr. | 6-5 | 320 | Wyandotte, Mich.
63 | Wyatt Graffin | Fr. | 6-4 | 290 | Columbus, Wis.
68 | Landon Harper | Fr. | 6-3 | 285 | Republic, Mo.
79 | Isaac Hutchinson | Fr. | 6-4 | 315 | Brownstown, Ind.
60 | John Iannuzzi | 5th year | 6-4 | 320 | Belmont, Mass.
76 | Martin Koivisto | 5th year | 6-7 | 295 | Shakopee, Minn.
55 | Losini Maka | 5th year | 6-2 | 315 | Ewa, Hawaii
67 | Charlie Mandabach | Fr. | 6-6 | 260 | Greenwood, Ind.
77 | Jack Nolan | Fr. | 6-4 | 260 | Arlington Heights, Ill.
66 | Matthew Nehf | Sr. | 6-3 | 300 | DeWitt, Mich.
54 | Triston Pierre | So. | 6-4 | 270 | Gaithersburg, Md.
59 | Brady Ploucha | 5th year | 6-6 | 315 | Allen Park, Mich.
70 | Jacob Russell | Sr. | 6-4 | 300 | Glen Ridge, N.J.
73 | Dasan Smith | Jr. | 6-6 | 295 | Marquette, Mich.
78 | Talon Smith | So. | 6-6 | 270 | Marquette, Mich.
72 | Trevor Swan | 5th year | 6-6 | 300 | Gilbert, Ariz.
71 | Jacob Timmer | Fr. | 6-7 | 270 | Grand Rapids, Mich.
58 | John Williams | Sr. | 6-5 | 290 | San Jose, Calif.
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"We have more consistent experience this year compared to last season," Mace said. "Last year we fewer than 20 starts coming back, going into this season, we have more than 70 starts coming back. We also prioritized finding guys who played a lot of football at other schools. We've found some talented guys at the FCS level who are contributing and competing right away. And then year two of our scheme and culture. We laid a good foundation last year in the eye of Coach Drinkall and we are building off that foundation this season."
"The opportunity to coach the offensive line here is one that is special for me and getting to work for Coach Drinkall and the pedigree that he has, but also Central Michigan's rich tradition of offensive line play. Just being a part of the offensive line fraternity is so special. Our guys understand the standard and expectations of wearing the Central Michigan jersey. There is nothing we wouldn't do for our team to get the job done."
That depth presents options and opportunities for the group. Those seven returnees that started at least one game last year include tackle Martin Koivisto (19 career starts, 35 career games), guard John Iannuzzi (one start), guard Brady Ploucha (17 career starts, 35 career games), tackle Jacob Russell (13 starts), guard Matthew Nehf (11 starts, 20 career games), guard Dasan Smith (11 starts, 17 career games), and tackle Jacob Booth (26 career games). Collectively, the Chippewas return four of their five starters from last year.
Mace spoke about each of his seven returnees.
"Martin Koivisto is a great veteran leader for us coming into his last year," Mace said. "He played multiple positions in the past and has really found a home at tackle. He's doing a great job for us and doing everything that we're asking of him, and we are excited to see the legacy he leaves."
"John Iannuzzi is back after suffering a terrible injury at the start of last year. We missed his presence last year. He's the guy who sets the tone for our room in physicality and mentality. We are excited to get him back healthy."
"Jacob Russell is back, a guy who started all 13 games for us last year. He's a no nonsense, silent leader who goes about his business and is tough as nails. He's a guy you'd want to have in your foxhole."
"Getting Matthew Nehf back is great as he was a key contributor for us during most of last season. We missed his presence late in the season after getting banged up in the Western Michigan game. He's experienced at multiple positions and he's a huge asset for us."
"Brady Ploucha has played a lot of football here. We know what to expect from him and we expect big things."
"Jacob Booth played a significant role for us last year. He's taken huge strides in how he approaches the game and how he prepares. We're excited to see him take the next step this season."
"Dasan Smith was a multi-game starter for us, and he's still a young guy. He's experienced and still has the desire to get better as a relatively young player."
The Chippewas also return two talented players who return for their second season in Talon Smith and Triston Pierre.
"Talon Smith is going into his second year for us," Mace said. "He's found a home at tackle. We are excited to see his athleticism shineas he grows into his frame. Triston Pierre is going into his second year as well. Another tackle, he's made big strides, learning how we do things here. He has a high ceiling and great things to achieve."
Central Michigan's four transfers include Georgetown transplants Losini Maka and Trevor Swan, Eastern Illinois transfer Nick DiSanto, and College of San Mateo transfer John Williams.
"Getting a guy like Losini Maka in the transfer portal, a guy who has played a bunch of football and has tremendous veteran leadership," Mace said. "Nick DiSanto, who was a multi-year starter at Eastern Illinois as a tackle, can play multiple positions for us. I'm really excited for him. Trevor Swan came in as a transfer with Losini from Georgetown. Talk about another guy who's played many positions, tackle, guard, and center. He's got a great attitude, exactly the type of guy we want in our room, he's a team-first guy. We also added John Williams from the College of San Mateo. He was injured all last season. Getting him back off injury, he's moving positions from tight end to tackle. I'm really excited about his professionalism and future."
To round out the room, Central Michigan added seven freshmen.
"I'm really excited about our freshman class," Mace said. "We had one early enrollee; the rest got here this summer. I'm excited about that group and the future of our room. They will all have the chance to learn from our older guys on how we want things done."
2026 OFFENSIVE LINE PERSONNEL ROSTER
61 | Zander Barth | Fr. | 6-6 | 255 | Three Rivers, Mich.
69 | Jacob Booth | Sr. | 6-5 | 295 | Swartz Creek, Mich.
56 | Nic DiSanto | Sr. | 6-5 | 320 | Wyandotte, Mich.
63 | Wyatt Graffin | Fr. | 6-4 | 290 | Columbus, Wis.
68 | Landon Harper | Fr. | 6-3 | 285 | Republic, Mo.
79 | Isaac Hutchinson | Fr. | 6-4 | 315 | Brownstown, Ind.
60 | John Iannuzzi | 5th year | 6-4 | 320 | Belmont, Mass.
76 | Martin Koivisto | 5th year | 6-7 | 295 | Shakopee, Minn.
55 | Losini Maka | 5th year | 6-2 | 315 | Ewa, Hawaii
67 | Charlie Mandabach | Fr. | 6-6 | 260 | Greenwood, Ind.
77 | Jack Nolan | Fr. | 6-4 | 260 | Arlington Heights, Ill.
66 | Matthew Nehf | Sr. | 6-3 | 300 | DeWitt, Mich.
54 | Triston Pierre | So. | 6-4 | 270 | Gaithersburg, Md.
59 | Brady Ploucha | 5th year | 6-6 | 315 | Allen Park, Mich.
70 | Jacob Russell | Sr. | 6-4 | 300 | Glen Ridge, N.J.
73 | Dasan Smith | Jr. | 6-6 | 295 | Marquette, Mich.
78 | Talon Smith | So. | 6-6 | 270 | Marquette, Mich.
72 | Trevor Swan | 5th year | 6-6 | 300 | Gilbert, Ariz.
71 | Jacob Timmer | Fr. | 6-7 | 270 | Grand Rapids, Mich.
58 | John Williams | Sr. | 6-5 | 290 | San Jose, Calif.
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