MAC · 2026

Central Michigan

2025 record 7–6 5–3 conference
Postseason GameAbove Sports Bowl L 7–34 vs Northwestern
Head coach Matt Drinkall
Scheme Pro Style / 3-4
Conference
B−

7–6 bowl team with top-five market profile; Portal #11 cap it under Miami/Toledo/WMU

Portal
C−

Portal #11 with board-low avg 82.67; high-school pipeline depth is the real tell

Depth
C

Named Labas/Heldman/Kwiatkowski spine is real; depth chart needs a refresh

Market odds

To Win MAC
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%
To Make Conf. Championship
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%
Over 6.5 wins
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%

Recruiting ranks

Overall #3 53 commits · 186.77 pts
Portal #11 15 commits· avg 82.67

Roster notes

Leading story

Joe Labas at QB1 with Nahree Biggins at RB1

Offense

WR Tommy McIntosh / Langston Lewis; TE Henry Dryden. OL: Jacob Russell / Dasan Smith / Brady Ploucha / Martin Koivisto

Defense

D.J. Bennett / Jonathan Decker / Michael Heldman; Korver Demma / Lawai'a Brown / Jordan Kwiatkowski / Dakota Cochran; Aakeem Snell / Caleb Spann / Elijah Rikard / Kyle Krebs / Jaion Jackson

Key offense

  1. 01
    Joe Labas QB
    Returning
    • 2025: 147/208, 1,854 yds, 13 TD, 6 INT. Listed QB1
  2. 02
    Nahree Biggins RB
    Returning
    • 2025: 105 carries, 540 yds, 2 rushing TD. Listed RB1
    • Angel Flores added 107 carries, 527 yds, 8 rushing TD
  3. 03
    Langston Lewis WR
    Returning
    • 2025: 43 receptions, 596 yds, 3 TD. Listed WR-Z

Key defense

  1. 01
    Jordan Kwiatkowski MLB
    Returning
    • 2025: 113 tackles, 3 INT. Listed MLB1
  2. 02
    Michael Heldman RDE
    Returning
    • 2025: 10.5 sacks. Listed RDE1
  3. 03
    Dakota Cochran ROLB
    Returning
    • Listed ROLB1
    • 2nd-team All-MAC LB