“(Gino) has great character and is a tremendously hard worker,” said Enos. “He is tough and smart. He was here for two years and did a great job as a graduate assistant coach. He has great respect here from all of the people who worked with him. I am glad to be able to bring him back. He is going to bring energy, professionalism, and he will do a tremendous job coaching our backs.”

Guidugli assisted in coaching the receivers and the defensive scout team from 2009-2011 in his first stint at Central Michigan.

Most recently, Guidugli was the starting quarterback for the Arena Football League’s Milwaukee Mustangs. In 2011, he passed for 1,313 yards with 23 touchdowns and four interceptions in five games and helped lead the Mustangs on a three game winning streak to finish the season.

Guidugli has also played professionally in the AFL for the New York Dragons (2008), for the CFL’s British Columbia Lions (2007-08), and with the Green Bay Blizzard of the AFL2 (2007, 2009), earning Offensive Player of the Week honors three times during the regular season. He also spent training camp and the pre-season with the NFL’s Tennessee Titans in 2005.

Guidugli played collegiately at the University of Cincinnati from 2001-04. He is the Bearcats’ record holder for attempts (1,556), completions (880), passing yards (11,453), touchdown passes (78), and total offense (11,661).

Guidugli guided UC to a victory in the 2004 Fort Worth Bowl, when Enos was Guidugli’s position coach, earning MVP honors. In 2001, he received freshman All-America recognition, leading Cincinnati to seven wins and a berth in the Motor City Bowl.

A four-year letter winner, Guidugli was named the Claude Rost Team MVP in 2001 and 2004. Also a standout in the classroom, he was a three-time Conference USA Scholar Athlete. In 2005, Guidugli was inducted into the University’s Ring of Honor.

A native of Fort Thomas, Ky., Guidugli earned his bachelor’s degree in business marketing from Cincinnati (2005) and master’s degree in Sports Administration from Central Michigan (2012).

“I’m excited to be back in Mount Pleasant and part of the Chippewa football program,” said Guidugli. “I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with a talented group of running backs and alongside an exceptional coaching staff in our quest for a Mid American Conference Championship.”

For the 2013 season, CMU returns a gifted corps of running backs headlined by Second Team All-MAC performer Zurlon Tipton, who rushed for 1,492 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2012.

Butler was unable to see much action at WR because of a deep, talented group but many still believed he needed to be on the field more—this should accomplish that. In addition, having Butler on the field with a more traditional TE opposite him and 4 wideouts will create some matchup issues for the defense.

It’s still unclear what, if any, immediate impact this will have on the 2013 Chippewa team but it will be an interesting story to keep an eye on leading up to the Spring Game.

Many mock drafts are projecting Luke Joeckel, OT, out of Texas A&M to be the first overall pick in the draft. The Lions sit in waiting at the 5th spot and have a clear need at left tackle. Could the CMU/Lion hybrid fans finally have their dream scenario come true? This seems like a logical fit.

Central Michigan football will return to action on Tuesday when the Chippewas take the field at 7 a.m. for the first of 15 spring practices. The season will culminate with the annual Spring Game, which is scheduled for a 1 p.m. kick off on Saturday, April 13 at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

Spring Schedule:
Tuesday, March 12: Tuesday, March 12: 7-11:30 a.m.
Thursday, March 14: 7-11:30 a.m.
Friday, March 15: 3-6 p.m.
Saturday, March 16: 1-4 p.m.
Tuesday, March 19: 7-11:30 a.m.
Thursday, March 21: 7-11:30 a.m.
Saturday, March 23: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Tuesday, March 26: 7-11:30 a.m.
Thursday, March 28: 7-11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, April 2: 7-11:30 a.m.
Thursday, April 4: 7-11:30 a.m.
Saturday, April 6: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Tuesday, April 9: 7-11:30 a.m.
Thursday, April 11: 7-11:30 a.m.
Saturday, April 13: Spring Game (1 p.m.)

Fifteen members of CMU’s 2012 team that won seven games and captured a Little Caesars Pizza Bowl championship worked out for coaches and scouts. Participating in the event were Jahleel Addae, Taylor Bradley, Eric Fisher, David Harman, Curtis Huge, Darren Keyton, Joe Kinville, Mark Lathers, Ryan Radcliff, Chris Reeves, Mike Repovz, Caesar Rodriguez, Lorenzo White, Cody Wilson, and Nate Wiliams. Rocky Weaver, who started 35 games on the CMU offensive line from 2008-11, also took part, working out as a tight end.

Players first went through a battery of tests including the bench press, vertical jump, broad jump, 40-yard dash, short shuttle, long shuttle and three-cone drill, which was followed by an hour-long session of position drills. Listed below are the unofficial results from CMU’s Pro Day testing. If a player’s numbers are not included in a specific drill’s listing, this signifies they did not take part.

CMU has become a regular destination for NFL player personnel in recent years. Seven Chippewas have been selected in the NFL Draft since 2005 and seven former CMU players are currently on NFL rosters, including All-Pro offensive tackle Joe Staley, who helped lead the San Francisco 49ers to Super Bowl XLVII. Staley was in attendance for Monday’s Pro Day activities.

Much of the attention of scouts in attendance was centered on Eric Fisher, who did not test but did take part in offensive lineman drills. A consensus first round pick among NFL Draft experts, Fisher’s standout showings at the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine have moved him into consideration as a solid top 10 selection. If projections, which have Fisher going as high as No. 1 overall, hold true, he will follow in the footsteps of a player who he is frequently compared to, Joe Staley, and become CMU’s second first round draft choice and potentially the highest player ever drafted from a MAC school.

The 2013 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 25-27 in New York City.

Pro Day officially kicks off the CMU spring football season. The Chippewas will take the practice field at 7 a.m. on Tuesday for the first of 15 spring practices. CMUChippewas.com will provide comprehensive coverage of the spring season, which will culminate with the annual Spring Game, set for a 1 p.m. start on Saturday, April 13.

The schedule also includes a match-up with a Big Ten opponent for the 15th consecutive season, road trips to ACC and Mountain West territory, and a key contest versus a BCS bowl qualifier at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

“We’re excited to get our 2013 season schedule, especially as we prepare to enter our spring practice season,” said head coach Dan Enos, who is in his fourth season at CMU. “We’ve had a great off-season and are excited to get our new freshmen on campus this summer. We have great leadership with our upperclassmen and the team has overall talent to reach our goals this fall. We are very excited about the season ahead, for both our team and our fans!.”

Central Michigan will kick off the 2013 season on the road, visiting Ann Arbor for a Saturday, Aug. 31 match-up with Michigan. The trip will be CMU’s first to the “Big House” since 2006. The Wolverines went 8-5 last season, earning a bid to the Outback Bowl.

CMU will open its home schedule the following week when the Chippewas host New Hampshire on Saturday, Sept. 7. The Wildcats went 8-4 in 2012, advancing to the second round of the FCS Championship, and return nearly an entire offense that averaged 34.1 points per game.

CMU will then head west to face UNLV for the first time since the 1994 season when the teams met in the Las Vegas Bowl. The Chippewas and the Rebels will square off on Saturday, Sept. 14 at Sam Boyd Stadium.

On Saturday, Sept. 21, Central will host Toledo in its 2013 MAC opener before it embarks on a three-game road swing. The Chippewas will visit ACC foe North Carolina State (Saturday, Sept. 28) and MAC opponents Miami (Ohio) (Saturday, Oct. 5) and Ohio (Saturday, Oct. 12) in consecutive weeks.

The annual highlight of the home schedule will take place on Saturday, Oct. 19 when defending MAC champion and Orange Bowl participant Northern Illinois comes to Mount Pleasant for Homecoming.

After a 17-day lay off, CMU will return to action when it travels to battle Ball State in a mid-week game. Scheduled for an 8 p.m. ET start on Wednesday, Nov. 6, the MAC clash will be televised nationally on ESPN2.

The final regular season road game pits CMU against Western Michigan. The Chippewas and the Broncos will renew their rivalry on Saturday, Nov. 16 in Kalamazoo.

CMU closes the regular season with back-to-back home games, facing UMass on Saturday, Nov. 23 and Eastern Michigan on Friday, Nov. 29 at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. The regular season finale versus the Eagles will be broadcast by either ESPNU or ESPN3.

The Mid-American Conference Championship game will be held on Friday, Dec. 6 at Ford Field in Detroit and will be aired to a national television audience on ESPN2.

The Chippewas finished the 2012 campaign on a four-game winning streak, capped off by a thrilling, come-from-behind 24-21 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl victory over Western Kentucky at Ford Field in Detroit.

A total of 26 players that have starting experience return to lead Central Michigan in 2013. Included in that group is All-MAC performers Zurlon Tipton and Titus Davis, the team’s leading rusher and receiver a year ago, and CMU’s top two tacklers in linebackers Justin Cherocci and Shamari Benton. Combine the returnees with a talented group of 17 redshirts looking to make an impact and a top-ranked recruiting class and the Chippewas are primed for big things in 2013.

Central Michigan will begin the quest for a MAC Championship when spring practice opens on Tuesday, March 12.

2013 Central Michigan Football Schedule
Kickoff times, special event dates, and additional television appearances will be announced as they become available.
Saturday, August 31, at Michigan
Saturday, September 7, vs. New Hampshire
Saturday, September 14, at UNLV
Saturday, September 21, vs. Toledo*
Saturday, September 28, at North Carolina State
Saturday, October 5, at Miami (Ohio)*
Saturday, October 12, at Ohio*
Saturday, October 19, vs. Northern Illinois* (Homecoming)
Wednesday, November 6, at Ball State* (8 p.m., ESPN2)
Saturday, November 16, at Western Michigan*
Saturday, November 23, vs. UMass*
Friday, November 29, vs. Eastern Michigan* (ESPNU/ESPN3)

Friday, December 6, MAC Championship (Ford Field, Detroit, ESPN2)

*Mid-American Conference game

1. 2012 Review – How’d CMU do last year vs how you thought they’d do?

CMU’s 2012 season was pretty much the best case scenario for most fans. After back-to-back 3-9 records, even noticeable improvement could have seen the Chippewas finish with a losing record. A nationally televised beat down from Navy and a 2-5 start to the year didn’t do anything to raise those expectations, either.

But Dan Enos and his team finally turned the corner mid-season, winning five of their last six in route to a bowl victory. It came as a shocking turn of events to a fan base that grew accustom to watching multiple MAC championships during the recent Dan LeFevour and Antonio Brown years.

2. What are CMU’s main strengths heading into spring practice?

Statistically, CMU finished in the middle of the pack among MAC teams in nearly every notable category last year. Not without bright spots, however, juniors wide receivers Titus Davis and Courtney Williams demonstrated a flare for the spectacular despite both being suspended from the Motor City Bowl* due to “violation of team rules”. In their absence, unheralded sophomore Andrew Flory registered over 100 yards receiving and two touchdowns.

There are a lot of question marks heading into spring practice for the Chippewas, but wide receiver should be a bright spot if these young playmakers continue to develop.

*Actually called the Little Cesars Pizza Bowl

3. What are their main weaknesses?

In 2012, CMU’s pass rush ranked 9th in the MAC in sacks and was the main culprit in an all around miserable season in defending the pass. Dan Enos used considerable resources to bolster the defensive line the last two recruiting seasons and found some really nice pieces to build around. The defensive line keeps getting bigger and faster but this is a work in progress and more troubles could be afoot in 2013.

4. Does CMU have the talent and experience this year to improve upon last year 7-6 record and challenge for the MAC Championship?

CMU football made great strides in 2012 and met the expectations of most fans. The 2013 squad will be the most talented team, top to bottom, to strap it up since 2009 but there is one major question mark heading into the season–the quarterback position. Coach Enos did not do a good job of preparing for Ryan Radcliff’s departure as none of the replacement candidates on the roster last year saw any sort of meaningful playing time.

The quarterback position will be very competitive as Cooper Rush, Alex Niznak, Cody Kater and Darrien Boone duke it out for the starting gig. That said, I have a hard time believing that a first year starter could lead the team to a conference title but sometimes funny things happen, right? See the 2006 Chippewa squad led by Dan Lefevour.

CMU’s pro day will be held on March 11th in Mount Pleasant, MI. There will be an abnormal amount of NFL interest with Fisher’s high stock at a premium position which gives other prospects a chance to shine. I, for one, am hoping like hell that Jahleel Addae winds up in Detroit. More to come…

“We are excited to welcome the 2013 recruiting class to the Chippewa family,” said Enos. “It is a group of gifted, high character, and hard-working individuals that will contribute to our program on the football field, in the classroom, and in the community. This day is the culmination of a lot of hard work by our staff and I want to thank them for their time and effort.”

The class includes 14 student-athletes who hail from the state of Michigan. Twelve of those players appeared in the Detroit Free Press Fab 50, while 11 were recognized on the Detroit News Blue Chip list. A total of nine were selected to play in the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association East-West All-Star Game.

Broken down by position, the class is composed of five offensive linemen, four wide receivers, three defensive linemen and defensive backs, and one quarterback, running back, tight end, linebacker, punter/kicker, and “athlete.”

Twelve members of the recruiting class maintain a grade point average of at least 3.0, while 19 of the 21 helped lead their teams to championships and/or playoff appearances during their high school careers.

Central Michigan Football 2013 Recruiting Class

Darrien Boone • QB • 6-2, 190 • Chicago, Ill./Hales Franciscan HS

Three-year starter at quarterback…a three-time all-conference and all-city selection…named all-area as a sophomore and junior…earned all-state honors after junior season…as a junior, led Fenger Academy to a conference championship and to the second round state and semifinals of city playoffs…became the only freshman quarterback in school history to lead his team to a city playoff berth…broke the schools record for all-purpose yards and most total touchdowns in a game and season…passed for 36 touchdowns and rushed for 10 as a junior…named Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Week twice as a freshman after throwing four and five touchdowns in back-to-back weeks…ran the 4×200 in track as a sophomore and lettered in basketball as a freshman…advanced to the city sectionals in the 4×200 relay and in the high jump…named principal scholar of HFHS…maintains a 4.0 GPA.

Mark Chapman • WR • 6-0, 180 • Port Huron, Mich./Port Huron HS

Three-year varsity letterwinner and starter at quarterback…team co-captain in 2012…ranked No. 9 on Detroit Free Press Fab 50 and No. 18 on Detroit News Blue Chip List…2012 Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year and Metro PCS Mr. Football…named team MVP, MAC Conference MVP, and won the Prep Kickoff Classic Outstanding Player Award…member of the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News Dream Teams…honored on AP Division 1-2 All-State First Team…two-time First Team All-MAC White 2012 and MAC Blue 2011 selection…also earned honorable mention recognition as a sophomore…led team to three consecutive playoff appearances…won a MAC White Championship in 2012…guided team to a school record 10 wins and a MAC Blue and District Championships in 2011…in 2012, rushed for 1,554 yards (8.7 avg.) and 25 touchdowns, completed 71-of-133 passes for 989 yards and eight touchdowns with one interception…totaled 5,033 yards for his career (3,035 rushing, 1,722 passing)…averaged 10.1 yards per carry with 44 rushing and 15 passing touchdowns…holds the single season school record for rushing yards (3,035), points in a season (150), and yards per rush (11.8 in 2011) and career record for points (363)…possesses a 3.75 GPA…four years all-academic in football, basketball, and track…member of the National Honor Society…winner of the Michigan Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete Award…also earned four letters in track & field, two in basketball, and one in powerlifting…brother, Jarret, and cousin, Winslow, are current members of the CMU football team.

Eric Cooper • WR • 5-11, 177 • Flint, Mich./Beecher HS

Three-year letterwinner and starter….played wide receiver, defensive back, and returned kicks…ranked No. 37 on Detroit Free Press Fab 50…in 2012, named First Team All-Genesee Area Conference as a wide receiver and all-state as a defensive back…honored on 2012 Flint Journal Dream Team…selected to play in the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association East-West All-Star Game…earned first team all-conference honors as junior and second team recognition as a sophomore (WR)…led the Buccaneers to a conference, district, and regional championship during his career…totaled 51 receptions for 987 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2012…also recorded seven interceptions on defense…tallied 109 receptions for 2,051 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions for his career…also lettered four years in basketball and three years in track & field…earned all-conference honors in the long jump, 4×100 relay, 4×200 relay, 4×400 relay…received all-state recognition in the long jump and 4×200 relay.

Matt Cotiguala • P/K • 5-10, 180 • LaGrange, Ill./College of DuPage

Has three years of eligibility remaining after transferring from the College of DuPage in Illinois…recognized with all-conference honors as a punter/kicker on 9-2 team in 2012…averaged 42.7 yards per punt and converted on 5-of-8 field goals attempts…had a perfect 4.0 GPA and made the Dean’s List…started two varsity seasons at Lyons Township High School in LaGrange, Ill….as a senior, averaged 44.2 yards per punt and registered 56 touchbacks on 64 kickoffs…named all-conference, helping LTHS to a West Suburban Conference championship and the third round of the playoffs…also lettered in tennis one year.

Alex Coty • OL • 6-4, 280 • South Bend, Ind./Clay HS

Three-year varsity letterwinner…played defensive end and tight end at Clay HS…totaled 30 catches for 250 yards and eight touchdowns…led Colonials to a sectional runner-up finish in 2010…ranked as the No. 38 prospect in Indiana by 24/7 sports…also played two years of baseball.

Josh Cox • DB • 5-11, 195 • Warren, Mich./De La Salle Collegiate HS

Four-year letterwinner and three-year varsity starter…ranked No. 33 on Detroit News Blue Chip list…named All-Catholic and All-Macomb County…earned All-State Honorable Mention recognition…selected to play in Michigan High School Football East-West All-Star game…recorded 169 tackles and had five interceptions, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 2012…set two school records, returning an interception 104 yards for a touchdown and had 23 tackles in one game…played for former Chippewa Paul Verska at De La Salle Collegiate.

Zach Crouch • TE • 6-5, 230 • Lowell, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS

Two-year varsity starter at tight end and defensive end… ranked No. 30 on Detroit News Blue Chip list and No. 38 on Detroit Free Press Fab 50…No. 66-ranked tight end nationally in 2013 (24/7 Sports)…No. 40 on 2013 24/7 Sports Top Michigan Recruits list…No. 37 on Scout.com’s Michigan Preseason State Rankings…No. 10 on Lake Michigan Football Report Top 25 College Prospects list…No. 52-ranked tight end nationally by ESPN…named to D-Zone All-West Michigan Football Team and All-Michigan Offensive Team…recognized on 2013 MLive.com West Michigan Dream Team (Offense, Second Team)…earned all-conference honors at tight end and defensive end in 2011…led GRCHS to a 13-1 record and the Michigan Division 3 State Championship in 2012…team ranked third nationally by Max Preps (medium schools)…team named to 8th annual Max Prep Tour of Champions…caught 13 passes for 238 yards and three touchdowns in 2012…on defense, recorded 28 tackles, including seven for loss, and 2.5 sacks…helped the Eagles track & field team win a state championship in 2012, competing in the discus, 200-meters, and 4×200 relay…owns a 3.25 GPA.

Austin Doan • OL • 6-4, 290 • Romeo, Mich./Romeo HS

Three-year varsity starter…played on offensive and defensive lines and as a punter…ranked No. 45 on Detroit Free Press Fab 50 and No. 48 on Detroit News Blue Chip list…named to AP All-State First Team (Division 1-2)…recognized on Detroit News and Free Press All-Metro East First Team…earned first team all-county and all-conference honors in 2012…voted team Most Valuable Player…selected to play in MHSFCA East-West All-Star Game…totaled 23 tackles, two quarterback hurries, and two passes defensed in 2012…punted 35 times for 1,345 (38.4 avg.) with a long of 65 yards, placing two inside the 200-yard line…led the Bulldogs to a MAC Red Championship in 2010 and the playoffs from 2010-12, advancing to districts in 2010 and 2011…also lettered one year in basketball and track & field…possesses a 3.75 GPA…member of the National Honor Society…earned All-Academic honors in three sports…attended the same high school as 2012 CMU recruit, linebacker Joe Bacci.

Derek Edwards • OL • 6-5, 275 • Novi, Mich./Detroit Catholic Central HS

Three-year varsity starter…started as a sophomore at Novi HS before transferring to DCC for junior and senior seasons…played right guard and right tackle…senior captain…ranked No. 16 on Detroit Free Press Fab 50 and No. 26 on Detroit News Blue Chip list…ranked No. 78 nationally at position by Scout.com…named first team all-state, All-Metro Detroit North, all-area, and All-Catholic League…honored as team offensive lineman MVP…recognized as Midwest top performer by Rivals.com…won a Catholic League championship and finished as a state runner-up in 2011…led the Shamrocks to a Catholic League and state championship runner-up finish in 2012…named a KLAA Scholar Athlete…attended the same high school as current CMU tight end Mike Kinville.

Jack Ford • OL • 6-6, 280 • Cadillac, Mich./Cadillac HS

Two-year starter, playing on the offensive and defensive lines…ranked No. 42 on Detroit News Blue Chip list and No. 44 on Detroit Free Press Fab 50…ranked No. 28 in the state by Rivals.com and No. 41 by 24/7 Sports…Lake Michigan Football Report No. 2 recruit…listed as No. 37 recruit in Michigan by ESPN…named to Cadillac News Dream Team and Big North Conference Second Team in 2011…honored on Cadillac News Dream Team and Big North Conference First Team in 2012…also earned AP All-State honorable mention recognition and First Team Detroit Free Press and Traverse City Record Eagle Regional honors…selected to play in the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association East-West All-Star Game…led the Vikings to a playoff appearance…CHS finished No. 6 in Lake Michigan Football Report rankings…made 35 tackles, including six for a loss, with one fumble recovery and one pass defensed in 2012…earned two varsity letters in track & field, serving as team captain as senior…selected Second Team Big North Conference in 2011…carries a 3.3 GPA.

Gary Jones • ATH • 6-2, 200 • Allegan, Mich./Allegan HS

Three-year letterwinner…played running back, wide receiver, and defensive back…ranked No. 41 on Detroit Free Press Fab 50…Kalamazoo Gazette/MLive.com Dream Team selection as an all-purpose player…three-time All-Wolverine Conference honoree…named all-county by the Allegan County News…three-time offensive team MVP…caught 36 passes for 873 yards (24.3/catch) and eight touchdowns, and rushed 25 times for 177 yards and two scores in 2012…also returned nine kickoffs for 302 yards (33.6/return) and one touchdown… made 49 tackles as a defensive back, forced three fumbles and intercepted three passes…returned an interception 103 yards for a touchdown, setting a Wolverine Conference record…also earned four letters in track & field and two in basketball…track team captain…four-year team MVP…selected MVP of conference track meet…state champion in the 200-meter dash as a sophomore…set school record in 100-meter dash (10.5 seconds) and 200-meter dash (21.5 seconds)…set the freshman long jump and high jump records …named all-county in basketball…honor roll student.

Chris Kantzavelos • DE • 6-3, 265 • Bartlett, Ill. /Bartlett HS

Three-year varsity letterwinner and two-year starter…played tight end and defensive end…ranked as No. 73 overall recruit in the state of Illinois by MaxPreps…named to MaxPreps 2012 Illinois Preseason All-State Team…honored on EdgyTim.com (Rivals) All-State defensive team…earned All-Upstate Eight Valley and Courier-News All-Area First Team honors as a junior and senior…won conference championships in 2010 and 2011…helped lead the Hawks to three playoff appearances, advancing to the second round in 2010 and 2012…recorded 43 tackles, 18 quarterback hurries, 12 sacks, six passes defended, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, and one interception in 2012…possesses a 3.2 GPA.

Donny Kyre • DE • 6-2, 250 • Olivet, Mich. /Olivet HS

Four-year starter on defense and three-year starter on offense…team captain as a senior…ranked No. 39 on Detroit News Blue Chip list…ranked No. 28 in Michigan Preps Class of 2013…voted most valuable defensive lineman and most improved player as freshman…named All-KVA, Battle Creek Enquirer All-Area Team, and Detroit Free Press Division 5 All-State Defense in 2011 and 2012…selected defensive and offensive MVP as a junior and senior…honored on 2012 Lansing State Journal Dream Team (offense) and AP Division 5 All-State (defense)…member of the Michigan High School All-Star Football Game Team West…led the Eagles to playoff appearances all four years…in 2010-11, won a district, regional, and semifinal championships and team finished as Division 5 runner-up…totaled 84 tackles, including 52 solos, 12.5 sacks, and two fumble recoveries in 2012…ended career with 240 total tackles (147 solos and 36 for a loss)…state powerlifting champion as a freshman…also a four-year letterwinner in track & field, earning All-KVA honors in 2011-12…most valuable shot put for the 2011-12 season…recognized multiple times on academic honor roll…carries a 3.3 GPA.

Derrick Nash • RB • 5-10, 195 • Saginaw, Mich./Carrollton HS

Three-year letterwinner…ranked No. 43 on Detroit Free Press Fab 50 and No. 57 on Detroit News Blue Chip List…named The Saginaw News Offensive Player of the Year and to its Dream Team…earned First Team All-Tri-Valley honors…selected to the AP Division 5-6 All-State football team… selected to play in Michigan High School Football East-West All-Star game…led the Cavaliers to the playoffs in 2012…rushed for 1,934 yards and 34 total touchdowns…averaged 9.6 yards per rush in 2012…also had 211 yards receiving and a kick and punt return for a touchdown…broke the school record for most yards and touchdowns in a season…rushed for 768 yards as a junior…received first team all-conference honors in the 100 meters on CHS Track & Field team…owns a 3.56 GPA.

Joe Ostman • LB • 6-3, 235 • St. Ignace, Mich./LaSalle HS

Four-year letterwinner… played linebacker and tight end…ranked No. 32 on Detroit Free Press Fab 50 and No. 51 on Detroit News Blue Chip List…selected to the AP Division 7-8 All-State football team…named a first team linebacker by the Detroit Free Press and to the All-U.P. Dream Team…honored as Ski Valley Conference North Defensive and Conference Player of the Year…named First Team Ski Valley Conference North and all-area as a linebacker and tight end…selected to play in the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association East-West All-Star Game…led the Saints to a conference championship and advanced to the state semifinals in junior and senior seasons…as a senior, recorded 145 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery as well as 38 receptions for 638 yards and nine touchdowns…totaled 444 career tackles, 16 sacks, four interceptions, two forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries…had 76 career receptions for 1,098 yards and 11 touchdowns…also lettered four years in wrestling and track & field…a two-time state wrestling champion…owns the school record for consecutive wins (127), wins in a season (57), and career win percentage (93%)…three-time U.P. champion and four-time conference champion…maintains a 3.8 GPA.

Jeff Perry • DB • 6-2, 227 • Morris, Ill. /Morris HS

Three-year letterwinner…played linebacker/safety and running back…two-time all-conference and first team all-area honoree…all-state team defensive MVP…led the Redskins to the state finals in 2012, finishing as a runner-up…team was a conference runner-up and made a playoff appearance in 2011…won a conference championship in 2009 and 2010, going undefeated both seasons…totaled 91 tackles, three forced fumbles, two sacks, and one interception on defense and 679 rushing yards (7.5 avg.) and seven touchdowns (10 overall) on offense in 2012…three-year letterwinner in track & field…maintains a 5.47 GPA (weighted scale)…two-time academic all-state honoree…attended the same high school as current Chippewa offensive lineman Kevin Henry.

J.P. Quinn • OL • 6-4, 270 • Naperville, Ill. /Neuqua Valley HS

Two-year varsity starter…two-time Upstate 8 All-Conference First Team honoree…earned all-area honors…named to EdgyTim.com (Rivals) All-State team…led the Wildcats to a 12-1 record, a conference championship, and to the state semifinals in 2012…recorded 55 pancake blocks as a senior…two-year varsity starter on NVHS lacrosse team…possesses a 3.0 GPA.

Michael Steinhauer • DT • 6-3, 275 • Chelsea, Mich./Chelsea HS

Three-year varsity starter…ranked No. 26 on Detroit Free Press Fab 50 and No. 50 on Detroit News Blue Chip List…member of Detroit Free Press All-State Dream Team and All-Washtenaw County Dream Team…received AP Division 3-4 All-State Team Special Mention…earned First Team All-Southeastern Conference and all-league recognition…named to the East roster for the 2013 MHSAA All-Star Football Game…led the Bulldogs to SEC White Division championships in 2011 and 2012…in 2012, registered 74 tackles, including 12 for loss, seven sacks, one blocked field goal and returned two interceptions for touchdowns (58 and 22 yards)…started two years on basketball team…started two years on baseball team, earning all-league honors in 2012…helped team to district and regional championships…carries a 3.16 GPA.

Wesley Thomas • WR • 6-0, 195 • South Bend, Ind./Clay HS

Three-year varsity letterwinner and starter…team captain as a senior…selected First Team All-North Indiana Conference and all-state in 2012…voted team MVP…named Second Team All-North Indiana Conference in 2011… led Colonials to a sectional runner-up finish in 2010…caught 48 passes for 654 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior…had 57 receptions for 955 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior…totaled 113 receptions, 1,714 yards, and 22 touchdowns for his career…two-year letterwinner in track & field…ran the 100 meters in 10.6 seconds.

Tyree Waller • S • 6-1, 205 • Ypsilanti, Mich. /Lincoln HS

Three-year varsity starter…played safety and wide receiver…team captain…ranked No. 47 on Detroit Free Press Fab 50 and No. 56 on Detroit News Blue Chip List…a three-time All-Southeastern Conference selection…received all-state honorable mention from the Detroit News…member of All-Washtenaw County Dream Team…voted team MVP… selected to play in the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association East-West All-Star Game…helped the Railsplitters go from a winless team to a playoff team and back-to-back winning seasons…in 2012, registered 53 tackles and two interceptions, taking one back for a touchdown, and had 874 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns…also saw spot duty at running back, rushing for 212 yards and three touchdowns…totaled 141 tackles and four sacks for career…three-year letterwinner in track & field, two-year captain, and two-year MVP…three-time All-Southeastern Conference…earned all-state honors as junior, finishing second in the state in the long jump (23’4”).

Corey Willis • WR • 5-10, 170 • Holland, Mich./Holland HS

Two-year letterwinner…played quarterback and defensive back…ranked No. 13 on Detroit Free Press Fab 50 and No. 40 on Detroit News Blue Chip List…named Ottawa/Kent Player of the Year and First Team All-OK Conference quarterback in 2011…earned First Team All-OK Conference running back honors in 2010 as a sophomore…helped lead the Dutch to the school’s first district championship…rushed for a school record 2,334 yards and 33 touchdowns and passed for 1,100 yards and threw for 10 in 2011…owns the school record for touchdowns in a game (6) and longest kickoff return for a touchdown (95 yards)…ranked second in the state in rushing yards in a season…had 42 tackles and five interceptions, returning one for a touchdown as a junior…also lettered two years in track & field and basketball…named Ottawa/Kent County Track Athlete of the Year in 2011…finished as the state runner-up in the long jump (23’0’’)…placed seventh in the 110 meter hurdles final…owns the school record in the long jump (23’3”) and in the 110 meter high hurdles (14.5 seconds).

“George was one of Central Michigan’s greatest linebackers and we’re extremely excited to have him back here at Central Michigan to join our staff,” said Enos. “He brings more than 16 years of defensive coaching experience and is a man of high integrity. His Michigan roots make him invaluable with recruiting. He will be a great role model and mentor to our players. We all look forward to having Coach Ricumstrict join our football family.”

Ricumstrict’s coaching career spans two decades, all at the collegiate level, beginning in 1991 as a graduate assistant at his alma mater. Most recently, Ricumstrict served as an assistant at Eastern Illinois, coaching defensive ends and linebackers. One year earlier, he spent a season at Central Missouri, where he directed special teams and the linebackers.

Prior to working at Central Missouri, Ricumstrict spent six years in the Big Ten with Indiana (2005-10) as the co-special teams coordinator and defensive ends and linebackers coach.

In 2000, Ricumstrict returned to CMU to coach linebackers and special teams under head coach Mike DeBord and remained on staff through 2003. In 2004, he coached the linebackers at Miami (Ohio).

Prior to his stint at CMU, Ricumstrict served in a variety of coaching roles at a number of stops including Northwood (1993-94), Wayne State (1995), Michigan State (1996), Army (1997), and Missouri Southern (1998-99)

Ricumstrict was a four-year letterman from 1985-88 at CMU, contributing to 24 wins during his career. In his senior year, he was named the team’s Most Valuable Player and received Second Team All-MAC recognition as an inside linebacker. That season, he was honored as MAC Defensive Player of the Week on two occasions, following a 10-tackle performance versus Montana State and after recording 10 tackles and two interceptions, returning one 71 yards for a touchdown, against Toledo. He finished the season with 121 total tackles, including 71 solos and 11 for loss, and had three interceptions and one fumble recovery.

Ricumstrict was also the recipient of the 1988 Kurt Dobronski Award, an honor presented annually to the Central Michigan senior who demonstrates great effort, intensity and appreciation for the football program.

For his CMU career, the Detroit native and Northwestern High School grad compiled 266 total tackles (126 solos), 18 stops for a loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and three interceptions.

Ricumstrict earned both his bachelor’s degree (1990) and master’s degree (1992) from Central Michigan.

Enos’ staff’s ties to Central Michigan run deep, as three of his coaches are former Chippewas players (Butch Barry, Mose Rison, and Ricumstrict), Offensive Coordinator Mike Cummings is in his third stint as a coach at CMU, and his Director of Operations, Plas Presnell, has been on staff for 31 years.

For the 2013 season, CMU returns several defensive linemen who were significant contributors in 2012 including interior players Jabari Dean, Leterrius Walton, Matt Losiniecki, Louis Palmer, and Shafer Johnson and ends Blake Serpa and Kenny McClendon.