EMU Football Depth Chart: Preseason

Fifteen starters return and four new transfers listed as first-stringers. Eastern Michigan released its first team depth chart for the 2022 season.

Image via Eastern Michigan Athletics

Eastern Michigan published its initial depth chart on Tuesday at MAC Media Day to open the 2022 season. Below is how the coaching staff has organized its team’s starting and backup units as the team transitions into start-of-the-season practices.

(Note: Returning starters in bold, first-year players in italics.)

Offense

Quarterback

1. Taylor Powell

2. Austin Smith

Running back

1. Samson Evans

2. Darius Boone Jr.

3. Bryson Moss

X-Wide receiver

1. Tanner Knue

2. Zach Westmoreland

Z-Wide receiver

1. Dylan Drummond

2. Dennis Smith

H-Wide receiver

1. Hassan Beydoun

2. I‘Shawn Stewart

Y-Tight end

1. Gunnar Oakes

2. Andreas Paaske

Left tackle

1. Marcellus Johnson

2. Jez Janiver

Left guard

1. Sidy Sow

2. Mickey Rewolinski

Center

1. Richard Bates Jr.

2. Dimitri Douglas

Right guard

1. Alex Howie

2. Jimi McAdams IV

Right tackle

1. Brian Dooley

2. Zack Conti

Notes

• With three scholarship quarterbacks departed from last year’s roster, EMU will open fall camp with incoming transfer Taylor Powell as the team’s starting quarterback, followed by Austin Smith.

• RB Darius Boone slipped to the team’s RB2 role, passed by Samson Evans. Boone started the first 10 games last year.

• The offensive line returns, however it’ll be missing the experienced guard Jake Donnellon.

• New pair of tight ends after two seniors graduated after three years of Bryson Cannon and Thomas Odukoya.

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Defense

Defensive end

1. Mikah Coleman

2. Carter Evans

Nose tackle

1. Jordan Crawford

2. Tim Grant-Randall

Defensive tackle

1. Alex Merritt

2. Peyton Price

3. Dexter Manior

BULL-Defensive end

1. Jose Ramirez

2. Grant Trueman

3. Aaron Hamilton

MIKE-Linebacker

1. Chase Kline

2. Justin Jefferson

WILL-Linebacker

1. Joe Sparacio

2. Tariq Speights

Cornerback

1. Joshua Scott

2. Korey Hernandez

Cornerback

1. Mark Lee Jr.

2. Keylen Gulley

DOG-Safety

1. T.J. Peavy

2. Robert Daniel Jr.

3. E.J. Williams

Free safety

1. Russell Vaden IV

2. David Carter Jr.

3. Tristen HInes

ROVER-Safety

1. Blake Bogan

2. Brandon Benson

Notes

• Welcome back from injury to two senior defensive backs: S Brandon Benson and CB Korey Hernandez. Neither of them are penciled in as starters, but they’ll definitely get their playing time if they remain durable.

• Three transfers to start, one JUCO newcomer already slated as a backup. New starters: LBs Chase Kline (Michigan State), LB Joe Sparacio (Boston College), and CB Joshua Scott (City College of San Francisco). CB Keylen Gulley (Coffeyville C.C.) slated as Mark Lee Jr.’s backup.

• Two starters not on the depth chart to open the year: DE Mikey Haney and CB Kempton Shine.

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Special Teams

Punter

• Mitch Tomasek OR Blake Oschsendorf OR Adam Heston OR Ryan Kingston

Place kicker

• Jesus Gomez OR Brady Pohl

Long Snapper

1. Steve Bird

2. Zach Zoglio

Kickoffs

• Jesus Gomez OR Mitch Tomasek OR Blake Oschsendorf OR Adam Heston OR Ryan Kingston

Kick returner(s)

1. Jaylon Jackson

2. Hassan Beydoun

3. Dylan Drummond

4. Tanner Knue

Punt returner(s)

1. Dylan Drummond

2. Hassan Beydoun

Holder

• Adam Heston OR Blake Oscsendorf

Notes

• Jaylon Jackson wasn’t in for the spring, but the incoming transfer from Lamar is already the team’s #1 kick returner. So that should give you an idea of what this team thinks about his speed and ability.

• New punter? New kicker? After years of being comfortable with the legs of Jake Julien and Chad Ryland, this is going to be a big transition year for the special teams department.

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