Top Five: Biggest position needs for Central Michigan football's success in 2016
With National Signing Day around the corner on Feb. 3, Central Michigan football will be looking to add the best players possible for the future.
In the meantime, here are the five positions CMU will have to improve at if it wants to contend for the Mid-American Conference title in 2016.
1. Offensive Line
Center and offensive line leader Nick Beamish is no longer around to make the line calls as he heads to the NFL. It was already tough for CMU to run the ball with Beamish and quarterback Cooper Rush took some hits he was lucky to get up from. If the Chippewas can solidify its offensive line, CMU could have the most effective offense in the MAC.
If not, Rush might not make it through his senior season uninjured.
It was no secret all season that CMU couldn’t run the ball. Those problems led to Rush constantly having to play hero.
The Chippewas had the worst rushing attack in the conference in 2015, averaging just 3.1 yards per carry and 101. 3 yards per game.
CMU’s leading rusher Martez Walker, barely gained over 400 yards on the season.
The good news is freshmen Romello Ross showed flashes of greatness in the regular season finale and in the Quick Lane Bowl, but the question remains: Can he carry the load for an entire season?
If the running issues remain in 2016, CMU’s offense will be predictable and not balanced enough to win a conference championship.
3. Defensive line
The Chippewas had trouble getting to the opposing teams quarterback all season long, totaling a conference-low 14 sacks.
Losing defensive end Blake Serpa doesn’t help, especially in a pass-happy league like the MAC. CMU will need to find ways to get pressure and help its defensive backs, or it will have trouble getting off the field all year.
4. Cornerback
CMU lost to its rival Western Michigan on a fourth-and-one slant pass that wasn’t heavily contested. Although the Chippewas had the top passing defense in the MAC, they were often beat on the outside when it mattered most.
Their defensive secondary only accounted for seven interceptions, which was second to last in the conference.
In order for this defense to take the next step, Amari Coleman and Josh Cox will have to prove they can play on an island in high pressure situations.
5. Receiver/Tight End
Rush had a bevy of weapons to throw the ball to on his way to a record setting season. However, with his favorite target Jesse Kroll and versatile tight end Ben McCord graduating, new players will be called upon to do more.
With an increased role in the offense, comes higher expectations, so look for Anthony Rice and Corey Willis to be the ones asked to step up.
