Radcliff officially named starting quarterback for CMU home opener

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It’s finally official.

Sophomore Ryan Radcliff was named the starting quarterback by Central Michigan head coach Dan Enos Monday for the team’s Sept. 2 home opener against Hampton.

“He’s earned it,” Enos said Wednesday evening. “He did a great job in the spring, continued in the summer and had a very good camp. We feel real confident and comfortable with him, and we think he’s going to be a very good player around here for the next three years.”

Radcliff, expected to fill the role after the departure of Dan LeFevour, took most of the snaps during CMU’s spring practice and and preseason camp.

He started and took every snap for the White team during CMU’s spring game in April, while backups junior Derek Rifenbury and redshirt freshman A.J. Westendorp split snaps for the Maroon. During the team’s preseason camp, Radcliff took reps with the first team and looked the sharpest.

Enos said Rifenbury and junior college transfer Brandon Fricke remain in a competition for the backup quarterback position. Entering his third season at CMU, Rifenbury has played in one game while not completing a pass. Fricke arrived at CMU over the summer from Grossmont Community College in El Cajon, Calif.

The start will be Radcliff’s first start since his senior season at Fairview High School in Sherwood, Ohio, where he was a two-time All-Ohio first team selection.

“I can’t wait to finally get out here and play ball for real again and just get out on the field and just have fun,” Radcliff said.

The 6-foot-2, 212-pound quarterback appeared in seven games last seven, going 10-for-21 for 115 yards and two interceptions.