Five things to watch during Central Michigan's open spring practice

Jim McElwain is here to write a new chapter in CMU football's book that dates back to 1986. The goal is to turn things around immediately.

"The guys have done a great job practicing," McElwain said. "I really enjoy their enthusiasm and the way they've attacked this spring. Obviously, it's been different for them.

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"They're hungry, and that's fun."

Nine of McElwain's 10 assistant coaches are brand new – offensive coordinator Charlie Frye, defensive coordinator Robb Akey, wide receivers coach Kevin Barbay, running backs coach Cornell Jackson, offensive line coach Mike Cummings, defensive line coach Justin Hinds, linebackers coach Mark DeBastiani, cornerbacks coach David Rowe and special teams coordinator Ryan Beard.

"You talk about an easy transition, it's because of the people," McElwain said. "The people are great. It's not only the community but the university itself."

CMU's open practice on April 13 at Kelly/Shorts Stadium will be the first look at what the new coaches are working with heading into the 2019 season.

There won't be any possible way to tell if the Chippewas will return to their winning ways of the past, but here are the five most important things to watch for during CMU's open practice.

Which quarterbacks get most snaps?

In McElwain's 2017 season at Florida, he waited until three days before the opener against Michigan to publicly name Feleipe Franks the starter under center.

According to former Florida quarterback Luke Del Rio, who was on the roster at the time, McElwain didn't tell the team until six days before taking on the Wolverines.

"I was a part of that," Del Rio said on a Twitter video. "Even the quarterbacks between each other were like, 'Look, at this point, I don't even care if it's me. Just name a guy because the team needs you to name a guy.'

"The earlier you name a starter, the better chance for a good performance."

That season, the Gators finished 4-7.

One year prior, McElwain named Del Rio the starter on Aug. 18 for a Sept. 3 season opener against Massachusetts.

The point is that while Bonamego publicly named Tony Poljan his starting quarterback for the 2018 season at the beginning of fall practice, it might not be fair to expect the same from McElwain. From previous seasons, it's clear he likes to take his time to get the right guy.

However, that doesn't mean there won't be signs, and it all begins during spring practice.

A few of the potential options to start at quarterback are graduate transfer Quinten Dormady, senior Tommy Lazzaro, junior David Moore and true freshman Daniel Richardson.

CMU offensive coordinator Charlie Frye said all quarterbacks have "done good things" thus far.

"I like the command and leadership each one is showing," Frye said. "When they get a chance to play, they're going out and doing what we ask of them. The competition piece, I've been through it myself, those things just unfold with time."

Throughout 14 games in his longtime college career, Dormady has completed 102-of-181 passes for 1,290 yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions.

In seven games as CMU's top quarterback in 2018, Lazzaro tossed five touchdowns and 10 interceptions while throwing for 711 yards with a 48.2 percent completion rate.

"Here's the great thing, we've got a bunch of candidates," McElwain said. "I love it. We've got some guys that are really competing. Seeing how they move the team is where it's at right now."

During CMU's open practice on April 13, it'll be interesting to see which quarterbacks get the most reps with the starting offensive crew. One of those starters is expected to be center Steve Eipper, so that could be a key indication to which signal callers are leading the pack early.

How much action does early enrollee Lew Nichols get?

Lew Nichols is a name that not a ton should be expected to know right now, but the true freshman running back could prove as a standout for CMU in the near future.

Nichols locked himself in with the Chippewas during the early signing period and enrolled a few days later. He's been in Mount Pleasant since early January, meaning he has been able to learn the playbook, access the facilities and get to know the coaching staff as quick as anyone else.

The running back position is a spot that usually doesn't take as much time to adjust to at the Division I level, much different than a lineman out of high school who needs to put weight to be competitive.

Nichols ran for 1,078 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior for Cass Technical High School in Detroit during the 2018 season.

Even through McElwain has only seen Nichols for a few months, the new coach believes the 5-foot-10, 220-pound youngster could produce early and often.

"Lew's had a great spring so far," McElwain said. "We'll obviously see how he does throughout fall camp, and we will get those position groups settled at that time. When you look at the depth in that room, I think he will be a guy that will obviously be able to take some snaps."

It also helps Nichols' case that the running back depth is filled with inconsistencies. Over the past few years, there's been a lack of year-to-year dominance from Jonathan Ward, Romello Ross and Kuhmennu Gwilly – the top three backs on the roster. There also hasn't been enough on-field time to fully evaluate sophomore running back Kobe Lewis.

Nichols is healthy and will be present for CMU's open practice, so watch to see how much attention he gets from the coaching staff. Keep an eye on him for not only the future but even this season.

Where do new offensive linemen fit?

CMU features three new members of the offensive line as transfers to the program. Ja'Raymond Hall and Luke Goedeke came over from Michigan and Wisconsin Stevens-Point, respectively, but were forced to sit out in 2018 due to NCAA transfer rules.

The Chippewas also nabbed a JUCO offensive tackle in Jake Dominguez from Foothill College in California.

All three play at the tackle position, which should make for an interesting combination come fall considering Derek Smith and Nick Follmer have both spent a majority of their college careers at tackle.

"They just bring numbers," Eipper said. "It's nice to have those guys we didn't have last season that can now play. They are really talented kids, and we are looking forward to seeing what they can do next fall."

The only way to see which new offensive linemen are getting the most reps is to check out the formations at CMU's open practice. The Chippewas need help on the front line to protect the quarterback and running back, and these three transfers might be the answer to all the problems.

What exactly does McElwain's 'personnel driven' offense mean?

When Frye opened up to the media regarding CMU's offense, he said it will be a "personnel driven" attack where the best players during any given week see the field more often than others. Those athletes could change weekly, and that's what makes the style unique.

However, the fine-tuned details of Frye and McElwain's new offense is still unknown.

Instead of trying to figure out if the offense will be a run-first or pass-first type, the current step in the process is figuring out which players deserve to be on the gridiron.

"This spring is about trying to find out who can play, who can block and tackle, who's willing to invest in themselves in a positive way and not bring the people around them down, which is something we've really worked on," McElwain said.

The first-year coach also added Frye was referring to get-it-to players when he was discussing the personnel driven offense, thus exemplifying putting the most dynamic and explosive athletes on the field during any given week.

"There are certain guys that need to touch it," McElwain said. "They're on the get-it-to chart, and they'll touch it."

One of the already solidified get-it-to players is slot wide receiver Kalil Pimpleton, McElwain said. Pimpleton came over to CMU from Virginia Tech before the 2018 season but was forced to sit out due to NCAA transfer rules.

"He's fun, man," McElwain said. "There's one of your get it to (players)."

Pimpleton ran the ball once for four yards in four games at Virginia Tech in 2017. He registered over 2,800 career yards and 43 touchdowns while playing three positions at Muskegon High School.

“I’ve always used speed to my advantage,” Pimpleton told CM Life in January 2018. “Being little, I have to use my speed. I have to use my quickness to get away from those big guys. I just want to win.”

Watch which players touch the ball the most during practice, as it should be an indication to which guys are rising in McElwain's eyes.

Is the football culture really changing in Mount Pleasant?

McElwain said the aspects of CMU that drew him to the program were the rich history and tradition. The Chippewas are in the top 50 winningest Division I FBS programs (No. 46) and have produced players like All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown and offensive lineman Eric Fisher, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.

However, after a 1-11 campaign with the only win against FCS Maine, nobody is reminiscing on the old glory days. Rather, people are focused on the future. From watching the team, McElwain sees promise.

"There are some parts here to win, in a hurry," he said. "This is going to be a transition that's going to be fast and furious, and yet we cannot cut corners."

Another sign of the culture change was made through McElwain's remarks of intensity. He said the players needed discipline, to learn how to sit up straight and how to focus.

McElwain needs to turn the program in the right direction, and it seems his plan is to bring a newfound physical and mental approach to the team. Expect to see it on full display at the open practice.

If McElwain is unable to avoid the reoccurring problems from the 2018 season, it'll likely be another poor year for the Chippewas.

But again, he's here to write a new chapter in the program's book.

Putting pen to paper has already begun.