Central Michigan football inks 17 prospects on 2019 early signing day
UPDATE: On the final day of the early signing period, CMU picked up Garden City Community College quarterback David Moore. His pen to paper agreement gave the Chippewas 18 signees in the early signing period.
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During the first day of the national early signing period, Central Michigan football inked 17 high school prospects.
The Chippewas added eight players from Michigan, five from Florida, two from Illinois, one from New Jersey and one from Texas.
One of the most prized signees was graduate transfer quarterback Quinten Dormandy, who was the first to submit his national letter of intent on Dec. 19.
Dormandy worked under center at Tennessee from 2015-17 and Houston in 2018, but he did not play for the Cougars last season and took a redshirt. McElwain and Dormandy have a relationship that dates back to when CMU's new quarterback was at Boerne High School in Texas.
"He's played in some big games in the SEC. He's somebody who is a proven winner and he's done it on the biggest stage," McElwain said. "He's a very mature field general who I think will help us immensely on and off the field."
CMU also added a transfer in cornerback Dishon McNary from Independence Community College. McNary will be a redshirt sophomore in the 2019 season. He made 28 tackles and two sacks last campaign.
"It’s a blessing and honor to be a part of a hungry program," McNary said. "It still feels surreal, but I’m thanking God for every blessing. Excited to be a Chippewa."
Quarterback Daniel Richardson was the lone senior signal caller from CMU's 2019 class, and he committed on Dec. 18. One day later, Richardson signed. He will enroll early to prepare in spring practice for the Chippewas.
McElwain and Richardson first started their relationship when the quarterback was a freshman at Miami Carol City High School in Florida. Richardson holds the Miami-Dade County career passing record for yards (9,791) and touchdowns (116).
"He's a competitor, he's a proven winner, incredible leader – all the things you want at that position. He can throw the ball like nobody's business," McElwain added. "We're very fortunate to be able to bring a player of his caliber into our program."
Detroit Cass Tech 2019 three-star athlete Kyron McKinnie-Harper, who will play cornerback for the Chippewas, was CMU's biggest victory of the early signing period. He picked McElwain's group over Toledo after previously decommitting on Nov. 25 – two days following the firing of ex-coach John Bonamego.
McKinnie-Harper logged 32 tackles, 28 passes defended and six interceptions in 2018. He won a state championship in 2016.
"When Bono got fired, I stepped back," McKinnie-Harper said. "I compared both (CMU and Toledo) and realized (CMU) was a more comfortable place for me and my family. The coaching staff has a great plan for us coming in."
CMU also hauled in two of McKinnie-Harper's teammates – three-star running back Lew Nichols and three-star safety Ormondell Dingle. McElwain nabbed Detroit Martin Luther King 2019 three-star wide receiver Darrell Wyatt as well.
"Man, it's truly a dream come true," Wyatt said. "I just can't wait to get on campus with my brothers and ball out next season."
While many expected Harrison High School 2019 three-star offensive tackle Maverick Hansen to sign for CMU, the prospect flipped his commitment and signed with Michigan State.
Tight end Javon Gantt, cornerback Demarcus Governor, linebacker Logan Guthrie, offensive tackle Cameron Vaughn, Dormandy, McNary, Nichols and Richardson will enroll early at CMU.
Later in the afternoon on Wednesday, CMU received a national letter of intent from preferred walk-on kicker and punter Aidan Jennings from Walled Lake Western High School.
Central Michigan's 2019 signees (18):
Houston grad transfer QB Quinten Dormandy
Garden City Community College QB David Moore
Independence Community College CB Dishon McNary
Detroit (Mich.) Martin Luther King 3-star WR Darrell Wyatt
Bloomfield Hills (Mich.) Brother Rice DE Max Saylor
Warren (Mich.) De La Salle 3-star OL Danny Motowski
Hollywood (Fla.) Miami Carol City 3-star QB Daniel Richardson
Haines City (Fla.) Senior 3-star OT Cameron Vaughn
Plant City (Fla.) Durant 3-star CB Demarcus Governor
Alpena (Mich.) LB Logan Guthrie
Detroit (Mich.) Cass Tech 3-star RB Lew Nichols
Detroit (Mich.) Cass Tech 3-star ATH Kyron McKinnie-Harper
Detroit (Mich.) Cass Tech 3-star S Ormondell Dingle
Flossmoor (Ill.) Homewood-Flossmoor LB Justin Whiteside
River Rouge (Mich.) CB Kamal Hadden
Jacksonville (Fla.) Westside 3-star WR/TE Javon Gantt
Pembroke Pines (Fla.) Somerset Academy Charter OT Vashon Bailey
Montclair (N.J.) RB Joshua Crawford
