QB
#14 Alex Carder QB 6-2 224 Sr. Shawnee, Kan.
(Shawnee Mission NW)--12 games played, 12 starts. 24 career starts. 330-502
passing for 3873 yards and 31 TD. 128 carries for 270 yards and 4 TD. 4 tackles.
#02 Tyler Van Tubbergen QB 6-4
197 Jr. Holland, Mich. (West Ottawa)--6 games played, 2 starts. 31-36 passing
for 349 yards and 7 TD. 12 carries for 88 yards and 1 TD.
#11 Zach Terrell QB 6-1 209 Fr.
Fort Wayne, Ind. (Homestead)--Incoming freshman.
#09 Anthony Maddie QB 6-2 200
Fr. Plainfield, Ill. (Aurora Christian)--Incoming freshman.
#10 Zack Wynn QB 6-2 207 So.
Hudson, Fla. (Hudson)--No stats in 2011.
#?? Tyler Hrycak QB 6-2 186
R-Fr. Wilmington, Del. (Valley Forge Military) (St. Marks)--Redshirted in 2011.
Alex Carder returns
for his senior season after throwing for 3873 yards and 31 touchdowns including
7 in one game for the Broncos last fall. He is the unquestioned starter for the
Broncos and will leave with at least a few school records with another
successful season. Backup Tyler Van Tubbergen played very well in limited
action with 349 yards passing and nearly 100 yards on the ground. A group of
young players including 3 freshmen (2 true, 1 redshirt) are buried on the depth
chart and will be important for the future.
RB
#20 Brian Fields RB 5-9 203 Jr. New Castle, Del.
(William Penn)--12 games played, 3 starts. 67 carries for 278 yards and 2 TD.
13 catches for 111 yards. 5
kickoff returns for 17.8 yard average. 5 tackles, 1 for loss.
#21 Antoin Scriven RB 6-0 210
Jr. Inverness, Fla. (Citrus)--13 games played, 2 starts. 25 carries for 62
yards and 4 TD. 7 catches for 36 yards and 1 TD. 3 tackles.
#29 Tevin Drake RB 5-11 212 Jr.
Brooksville, Fla. (Nature Coast Technical)--12 games played, 5 starts. 105 586
yards and 5 TD. 4 catches for 17 yards. 1 kickoff return for
19 yards.
#22 Dareyon Chance RB 5-5 160
Jr. Lauderhill, Fla. (Cardinal Gibbons)--3 games played. 9 carries for 31
yards. 1 catch for 7 yards.
#23 Jared Joyner RB 5-11 182
Fr. Margate, Fla. (Coral Springs)--Incoming freshman.
Junior Brian Fields leads a solid
group of running backs that combined for 957 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2011
for the Bronco offense. Fields will be backed up by the trio of Antoin Scriven
(62 yards), Tevin Drake (586 yards) and Dareyon Chance (31 yards). All will be
in the rotation and must be able to catch passes out of the backfield in this
pass heavy offense of Western Michigan.
Incoming freshman Jared Joyner will have a chance at making an impact as a
freshman but will likely be saved for the future.
TE
#46 Clark Mussman TE 6-3 232 Jr. Ogden Dunes,
Ind. (Portage)--10 games played, 4 starts. 6 catches for 31 yards and 2 TD.
#85 Blake Hammond TE 6-5 247
Sr. Mokena, Ill. (Lincoln Way East)--11 games played, 2 starts. 11 career
starts. 3 catches for 34 yards.
#87 Matt Cutler TE 6-3 251 Jr.
Kalamazoo, Mich. (Portage Central)--13 games played, 1 start. 1 catch for 1
yard.
#89 Eric Boyden TE 6-4 230
R-Fr. Hamilton Square, N.J. (Notre Dame)--Redshirted in 2011.
#84 Flenard Whitfield TE 6-7 238 Sr. Detroit,
Mich. (Martin Luther King)--No stats in 2011.
#47 Ben Arnold TE 6-5 208 Fr.
St. Louis, Mo. (Webster Groves)--Incoming freshman.
#12 Gabe Hantsbarger TE 6-4 225
Fr. Lighthouse Point, Fla. (Highland Christian)--Incoming freshman.
Junior Clark Mussman
will lead a tight end crew that was not very active in the passing game last
fall. Mussman leads all returning tight ends with 6 catches for 31 yards and
two touchdowns last fall in 10 games played. Senior Blake Hammond will be the
backup and has made 11 career starts with 3 catches last fall. Junior Matt
Cutler made 1 catch in limited action behind Mussman and Hammond. Boyden,
Whitfield, Arnold, and Hantsbarger will be more likely to make an impact on
special teams with the playing time limitations at the top of the tight end
depth chart.
WR
#06 Kendrick Roberts WR 6-3 190 R-Fr. Flint,
Mich. (Soutwestern Academy)--Redshirted in 2011.
#82 Josh Schaffer WR 6-2 211 Jr. Naperville,
Ill. (Neuqua Valley)--10 games played, 2 starts. 1 carry for 13 yards. 19
catches for 241 yards and 2 TD. 3
tackles. 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble.
#86 Eric Monette WR 6-6 201 Sr. Portage, Mich.
(Portage Central)--13 games played, 4 starts. 29 catches for 306 yards and 1
TD. 1 fumble recovery.
#05 Timmy Keith WR 6-1 201
R-Fr. Manassas, Va. (Osbourn)--Redshirted in 2011.
#19 Courtney Bynes WR 5-10 149
R-Fr. Lauderdale Lakes, Fla. (Boyd Anderson)--Redshirted in 2011.
#01 Darrin Duncan WR 6-0 190
Jr. Victorville, Calif. (Mt. San Antonio) (Valley)--No stats in 2011.
#15 Justin Collins WR 6-3 205
Jr. Fairfield, Calif. (American River) (Fairfield)--No stats in 2011.
#13 A.J. King WR 5-9 159 Fr.
Seffner, Fla. (Armwood)--Incoming freshman.
#27 David Stout WR 6-6 224 Jr.
Escondido, Calif. (Calvin Christian)--No stats in 2011.
#80 Daniel Braverman WR 5-10
175 Fr. Miramar, Fla. (University)--Incoming freshman.
#83 Michael Henry WR 5-11 170
Fr. Flint, Mich. (Northwestern Prep. Academy)--Incoming freshman.
#81 Mike Howey WR 5-11 175
R-Fr. Monroe, Mich. (Saint Mary Catholic Central)--Redshirted in 2011.
#88 Jack Stevens WR 6-2 176
R-Fr. Traverse City, Mich. (Traverse City Central)--Redshirted in 2011.
#04 Jaime Wilson WR 5-11 197
Fr. Belle Glade, Fla. (Glades Central)--Incoming freshman.
With only 2 returning wide
receivers having any catches in 2011, this will be an important year for some
young players to step up and make an impact. Senior Eric Monette led all wide
receivers with 29 catches but only one touchdown. Junior Josh Monette made 19
catches with 2 touchdowns last fall. Rounding out the starters is redshirt
freshman Kendrick Roberts who has not seen any game action but was impressive
enough to shoot straight to the top of the depth chart for 2012. Any
combination of Keith, Byens, Duncan, Collins, King, Stout and Braverman should
see playing time with everyone having a chance to show the ability to make some
plays in the passing game this fall.
OL
#67 Terry Davisson LT 6-6 301 Jr. Rensselaer,
Ind. (Rensselaer Central)--13 games played, 13 starts. 1 tackle. 16 career
starts.
#65 Kasimili Uitalia LG 6-2 292 Sr. American
Samoa, (Los Angeles Valley College)--13
games played, 13 starts. 1 tackle.
#62 Kevin Galeher C 6-3 300 Sr. Chicago, Ill.
(St. Rita)--12 career starts.
#?? Deon Cammock RG 6-6 342 Jr. Washington, D.C.
(ASA College)--JUCO transfer.
#68 Dann O'Neill RT 6-8 307 Sr. Grand Haven,
Mich. (Michigan) (Grand Haven)--Starter at right tackle.
#70 Willie Beavers LT 6-6 296
R-Fr. Lathrup Village, Mich. (Southfield Lathrup)--Redshirted in 2011. 2nd
string left tackle.
#73 Greg Peterson LG 6-5 282
Jr. Waukesha, Wis. (Waukesha West)--2nd string left guard.
#75 Josh Hadel C 6-6 310 Jr.
Gladstone, Mich. (Gladstone)--2nd string center.
#79 James Kristof RG 6-4 296
R-Fr. Lake Barrington, Ill. (Barrington)--Redshirted in 2011. 2nd string right
guard.
#63 Tim Maka RT 6-7 295 Sr.
Pomona, Calif. (Mt. San Antonio) (Meridian)--2nd string right tackle.
#76 Khaled Mheisen LT 6-4 295
Sr. Dearborn, Mich. (Detroit Catholic Central)--3rd string left tackle.
#78 Travis Turner LG 6-5 275
R-Fr. Miami, Fla. (North Miami Beach)--Redshirted in 2011. 3rd string left
guard.
#71 Jon Hoffing C 6-5 276 So.
Libertyville, Ill. (Libertyville)--3rd string center.
#61 Dustin Pringle RG 6-5 291
R-Fr. Beaver Hills, Pa. (Blackhawk)--Redshirted in 2011. 3rd string right
guard.
#77 Ben Samson LG 6-6 305 Sr. Long Grove, Ill.
(Adlai E. Stevenson)--4th string left guard.
#58 Nick Roach C 6-4 300 Fr.
Schererville, Ind. (Mount Carmel)--Incoming freshman. 4th string center.
#64 John Jackson RT 6-3 302
R-Fr. Detroit, Mich. (Cass Tech)--Redshirted in 2011. 4th string right tackle.
#59 Ben Davisson OL 6-9 345 Fr.
Rensselaer, Ind. (Rensselaer Central)--Incoming freshman.
#72 Taylor Moton OL 6-6 275 Fr.
Okemos, Mich. (Okemos)--Incoming freshman.
The Broncos return an offensive
line that have 3 starters with double digit career starts. Senior Kevin Galeher
and Kasimili Uitalia combine for 25 career starts and will be very important
senior leaders. Junior Terry Davisson has made 16 career starts in his first 2
years at WMU and will look to compete for all conference honors as a junior
starter. Cammock and O'Neill are the inexperienced linemen and will look to
settle a right side of the line that is much less experienced than the left
side. Beavers, Peterson, Hadel, Kristof, and Maka are the backups and all have
the ability to step in and play solid for the Broncos this fall.
DL
#97 Freddie Bishop DE 6-4 253 Sr. Inkster, Mich.
(Carleton Airport)--13
games played, 11 starts. 51 tackles, 12 for loss. 5.5 sacks.
#99 Paul Hazel DE 6-5 210 Sr. Miami, Fla. (South
Miami)--13 games played, 3
starts. 26 tackles, 3.5 for loss. 2.5 sacks, 4 pbu, 4 pd, 3 forced fumbles, 1 blocked
kick.
#55 Travonte Boles NT 6-0 298 Jr. Vero Beach,
Fla. (Vero Beach)--13
games played, 12 starts. 25 tackles, 4.5 for loss. 0.5 sacks, 1 pbu, 1 pd, 1
forced fumble.
#90 Demetris Anderson DT 6-3 300 So. Fort
Pierce, Fla. (Westwood)--10
games played, 1 start. 7 tackles.
#38 Chris Prom DE 6-3 228 Sr.
Saukville, Wis. (Port Washington)--12 games played. 3 catches for 13 yards
and 1 TD. 12 tackles, 1.5 for loss. 1 interception, 1 pbu, 2 pd, 2 fumble
recoveries, 1 forced fumble. 2nd string defensive end.
#91 Cory Sueing DE 6-4 245 Jr.
Grand Rapids, Mich. (Ottawa Hills)--8 games played. 3 tackles, 0.5 for
loss. 1 fumble recovery. 2nd string defensive end.
#94 Junior Estelus NT 6-1 256
Fr. West Palm Beach, Fla. (Lake Worth)--Incoming freshman. 2nd team nose
tackle.
#41 Cleveland Smith DL 6-2 223
R-Fr. Miami, Fla. (North Miami Beach)--Redshirted in 2011. 2nd string defensive
tackle.
#48 Manny Diaz DE 6-3 229 So.
Hialeah, Fla. (Hialeah Miami Lakes)--11 games played, 1 start. 1 tackle. 3rd
string defensive end.
#98 Jarrell McKinney DE 6-5 215
So. Detroit, Mich. (Cody)--No stats in 2011. 3rd string defensive end.
#36 Deauntay Legrier DE 6-1 249
Sr. Rochelle, Ga. (Wilcox County)--10 games played, 2 starts. 24 tackles, 5
for loss. 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles.
#92 Roosevelt Donaldson DE 6-1
275 Fr. Cutler Bay, Fla. (Miami Southridge)--Incoming freshman.
#93 Mikhail Dubose DE 6-2 245
Fr. Chicago, Ill. (Hubbard)--Incoming freshman.
#95 Jabarai Bothwell DT 5-11
292 Fr. Ocala, Fla. (North Marion)--Incoming freshman.
#96 Jonathan Harden DT 5-10 339
Fr. Saint Paul, Minn. (Cretin-Derham Hall)--Incoming freshman.
All four of the projected
starters for the Bronco defensive line have previous starting experience and
are led by junior nose tackle Travonte Boles who started 12 games last fall
making 25 tackles in the middle. Flanking Boles are tackle Demetrius Anderson
(7 tackles), end Paul Hazel (26 tackles), and end Freddie Bishop (51 tackles).
All four are solid players with Bishop the biggest playmaker of the bunch.
Prom, Sueing, Estelus, and Smith will back them up and get significant playing
time in the defensive line rotation this fall.
LB
#27 Trevor Ishmael WLB 6-1 185 So. Miami, Fla.
(North Miami Beach)--11
games played, 2 starts. 26 tackles, 2.5 for loss. 1.5 sacks, 3 fumble
recoveries.
#42 Devon Brant MLB 5-11 219 So. Ocala, Fla.
(North Marion)--8
games played, 7 starts. 43 tackles, 0.5 for loss. 1 fumble recovery.
#08 Terry Easmon WLB 6-3 230
Jr. Sacramento, Calif. (American River) (Laguna Creek)--No stats in 2011. 2nd
string WLB.
#51 Desmond Bozeman MLB 6-0 213
Jr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Dillard)--13 games played, 2 starts. 25
tackles, 0.5 for loss. 2nd string MLB.
#35 Nicholas Dance WLB 6-0 215
R-Fr. Nashville, Tenn. (Pearl-Cohn)--Redshirted in 2011. 3rd sting WLB.
#43 Jake Minster MLB 6-2 235
Jr. Augoura, Calif. (L.A. Pierce) (Augoura)--No stats in 2011. 3rd string MLB.
#52 Nick Galvin WLB 6-0 222 So.
Cincinnati, Ohio (Moeller)--No stats in 2011. 4th string WLB.
#41 Calvin Smith LB 6-2 234 So.
Monee, Ill. (Joliet Catholic)--7 games played. 2 tackles. 4th string
MLB.
#40 Kyle Lark LB 6-1 227 Jr.
Alma, Mich. (Alma)--No starts in 2011.
In the 4-2-5 defense of the
Broncos, it is very important to have solid, experienced players at linebacker.
Sophomores Trevor Ishmael and Devone Brant both got that experience as freshmen
with 9 starts and 69 tackles on the season. Both are expected to step up and
become full time starters for the Broncos with Easmon and Bozeman backing them
up. Bozeman made 25 tackles last fall and will push Brant for the starting job
this fall. The remaining reserves will have a chance to get playing time this
fall on special teams.
DB
#02 Demetrius Pettway SS 5-10 188 Jr. Homestead,
Fla. (Homestead Senior)--11
games played, 10 starts. 57 tackles, 1 for loss. 2 interceptions, 2 pbu, 4 pd,
1 fumble recovery, 2 forced fumbles.
#03 Johnnie Simon ROV 6-0 180 Jr. West Palm
Beach, Fla. (Palm Beach Lakes)--13
games played, 12 starts. 114 tackles, 10.5 for loss. 3.5 sacks, 2
interceptions, 7 pbu, 9 pd.
#34 Donald Celiscar CB 5-11 175 So. Winter
Haven, Fla. (Winter Haven)--11
games played, 4 starts. 45 tackles. 1 interception, 5 pbu, 6 pd, 3 fumble
recoveries, 2 forced fumbles.
#33 Justin Currie FS 6-3 192 So. Big Rapids,
Mich. (Big Rapids)--10
games played. 24 tackles. 1 interception, 1 pbu, 2 pd. 2 kickoff returns for 27
yard average.
#24 Lewis Toler CB 5-10 172 Jr. New Castle, Del.
(William Penn)--13
games played, 13 starts. 1 punt return for -1 yard. 59 tackles, 4.5 for loss. 4
pbu, 4 pd, 1 forced fumble.
#26 Jon Henry SS 6-0 173 So.
Kentwood, Mich. (East Kentwood)--9 games played. 3 tackles. 1 fumble
recovery. 1 kickoff return for 14 yards. 2nd string strong safety.
#?? Andrew Buskirk ROV 6-1 187 R-Fr.
Paw Paw, Mich. (Paw Paw)--Redshirted in 2011. 2nd string rover.
#18 Rontavious Atkins FS 6-0
181 So. Pahokee, Fla. (Pahokee)--12 games played, 5 starts. 40 tackles.
2 interceptions, 2 pd, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery. 1 punt return for -2
yards. 2nd string free safety.
#16 Garrett Smith CB 5-10 170
So. Pompano, Fla. (Cardinal Gibbons)--7 games played. 3
tackles. 1 pbu, 1 pd. 2nd string cornerback.
#07 Ronald Zamort CB 5-10 170
R-Fr. Delray Beach, Fla. (Atlantic)--Redshirted in 2011. 2nd string cornerback.
#25 Jeremy Renda S 5-8 180 Jr.
Portage, Mich. (Portage Central)--No stats in 2011. 3rd string rover.
#30 Demetris Ates FS 6-0 173
Fr. Pembroke Pines, Fla. (Flanagan)--Incoming freshman. 3rd string free safety.
#09 Tronic Williams CB 6-1 195
Jr. Fort Myers, Fla. (South Fort Myers)--No stats in 2011. 3rd string strong
safety.
#31 Leo Alba CB 5-11 163 Fr.
Pembroke Pines, Fla. (University)--Incoming freshman. 3rd string cornerback.
#39 Dan Quinn CB 5-10 180 R-Fr.
Grand Rapids, Mich. (Catholic Central)--Redshirted in 2011. 3rd string
cornerback.
#?? C.J. Thomas ROV 5-11 168
R-Fr. Kalamazoo, Mich. (Kalamazoo Central)--Redshirted in 2011. 4th string
rover.
#32 Justin Motley CB 5-11 180
Fr. Virginia Beach, Va. (Landstown)--Incoming freshman. 4th string cornerback.
#25 Treyvon Johnson SS 5-11 198
Fr. Stuart, Fla. (Martin County)--Incoming freshman.
#28 David Reed SS 5-11 193 Fr.
Miami Beach, Fla. (Miami Beach Senior)--Incoming freshman.
The Broncos use a nickel heavy
defensive lineup with all of the pass happy offenses of the MAC. Therefore, the
Broncos must have a large group of defensive backs on the roster. The Broncos
have 19 secondary members on the team who are led by junior Johnnie Simon and
his 114 tackles and 2 interceptions from 2011. Simon is a bit of a hybrid that
can cover but is willing to mix it up in the running game. Flanking Simon are
Pettway (57 tackles), Celiscar (45 tackles), Currie (24 tackles), and Toler (59
tackles). This group of starters combined for 299 tackles which was good for 23
tackles per game among the secondary last fall. Henry (3 tackles), Buskirk,
Atkins (40 tackles), Smith (3 tackles) and Zamort are all backups ready to play
at a moment's notice. Atkins is an unusual backup actually playing better
statistically than the current starter. The free safety positional battle will
be one to watch this fall.
LS
#66 Kirk Nakama LS 5-8 224 Jr. Santa Clara,
Calif. (St. Francis)--13
games played. 1 tackle.
Junior Kirk Nakama brings a solid
presence to the kicking game after playing in all 13 games last fall as the
long snapper. His solid play allows the kickers and punters to not rush
anything and make kicks without extra pressure. Nakama is a solid player that
does his job well for the Bronco program.
P
#37 J Schroeder P 6-2 195 Fr. Columbus, Ohio
(St. Charles Prep)--Incoming freshman.
Giving the punting job to a true
freshman right out of the game is a risky proposition but the Bronco coaching
staff seem content that Schroeder will be up to the challenge. They are not
expecting miracles but if he can average in the 38-40 yards per punt range, he
will be more than solid for the Broncos.
K
#57 Andrew Haldeman K 5-10 165 R-Fr. Ferndale,
Mich. (Wayland Union)--Redshirted in 2011.
#38 Chris Colombe K 5-11 175
R-Fr. Waukesha, Wis. (Catholic Memorial)--Redshirted in 2011.
Similar to the issue at punter,
there is no returning kicker with any in-game experience this fall. Redshirt
freshman Andrew Haldeman is the current leader in the clubhouse for the Broncos
but will be pushed by fellow redshirt freshman Chris Colombe. This battle could
come down to the season opener with both kickers having a chance to prove their
worth.
Western Michigan had a 2011
season that was split in half. The first six games saw the Broncos go 4-2 with
wins over Central Michigan and Connecticut and the only losses coming versus
Michigan and Illinois. The second half of the season saw The Broncos lose to
MAC champion NIU, Eastern Michigan, and Toledo before falling to Purdue in the
Little Ceasar's bowl making them 0-3 versus the Big Ten in 2011. 2012 sees the
Broncos making another trip to Illinois and replacing Michigan with Minnesota.
Eastern Illinois and a home game versus Connecticut round out the out of
conference games. Western Michigan could easily go 3-1 if everything falls
right to start the season. 2-2 is probably more likely with the Connecticut
game being more of a toss up. Home games versus NIU, Toledo, and EMU give the
Broncos a chance to avenge all three conference losses from 2012 and take
control of the division. After 7-6 in 2011, anything less than 8-5 including a
bowl game would be a disappointment for the Broncos.
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