Jim McElwain introduces five new transfers: Here's what to know
With five new additions, the transfer portal was fruitful for Central Michigan leading up to the 2021 season.
After adding three from the portal in the spring, coach Jim McElwain announced the addition of five more new faces. The Chippewas utilized the portal for depth purposes and came away with some experienced options at various areas.
Here's what to know about each of the five transfers McElwain announced at the beginning of fall camp:
Levar Gumms
Position: Wide receiver
Former school: Northwestern State
Height/Weight: 6-2/205
Year: Junior
The scoop: Gumms is reacquainted with Alvin Slaughter, who was formerly the receivers coach at NSU before taking the same position at CMU. During the spring FCS season, Gumms played in all six games and totaled 20 catches for 207 yards.
Gumms, based on size, projects as an outside receiver. Behind JaCorey Sullivan and Dallas Dixon, the Chippewas have Drayton Law and a plethora of unproven youngsters. Expect Gumms to come in and compete for time with the second group of wideouts -- with his experience with Slaughter playing in his favor.
Remi Simmons
Position: Wide receiver
Former school: Stephen F. Austin
Height/Weight: 5-11/205
Year: Senior
The scoop: Simmons began his career at Garden City Community College before transferring to SFA and played three seasons. His best season was in 2020, gathering 22 passes for 413 yards and four touchdowns.
Simmons has good speed and was used in a variety of ways at his former home. He dabbled in kick returning along with carrying the ball a couple of times in the run game. Transferring up allows him to test his skill set while also giving the Chippewas another versatile option on offense.
Zion Fitzpatrick
Position: Defensive back
Former school: Southwest Oklahoma State
Height/Weight: 6-1/205
Year: Junior
The scoop: Fitzpatrick is another junior college product, having started his career at Independence Community College. He hasn't had much playing time at the collegiate level as SW Oklahoma State's 2020 season was canceled.
Having Fitzpatrick adds experience to a defensive back room with a lot of youth. With the emergence of youngsters Daedae Hill and Donte Kent, along with Dishon McNary and Richard Bowens III, Fitzpatrick will have to fight for playing time.
John Wesley Whiteside
Position: Defensive line
Former school: Austin Peay
Height/Weight: 6-1, 297
Year: Freshman
The scoop: Thanks to the eligibility waiver given by the NCAA due to the pandemic, Whiteside is still just a freshman despite having played two seasons. As a freshman at Austin Peay, Whiteside made a splash by making 53 total tackles and earning Ohio Valley Conference All-Newcomer honors.
In the 2020 season, which was played in the spring, Whiteside played in five games and made 28 tackles. He is a much needed addition, with defensive tackle Robi Stuart done for the season. It remains to be seen if Whiteside can produce at a high level on the FBS stage, but he's a big addition regardless.
Tyrece Woods Jr.
Position: Defensive line
Former School: Buffalo
Height/Weight: 6-2, 295
Year: Sophomore
The scoop: Woods, a 2019 graduate of King High School in Detroit, is coming home to Michigan after two years at Buffalo. In 15 total games, he's produced 18 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Woods is in a similar spot as Whiteside in that he provides youth on a defensive line that is experienced.
Last season, the Chippewas relied heavily on a rotation comprised of Stuart, Tico Brown and Jacques Bristol. With Woods and Whiteside, along with almost all of their last two recruiting classes, the Chippewas now have plenty of depth.
