It can only go up from a 2023 season best described as “forgettable”, but it’ll take some time to know what this team will look like.
Eastern Michigan’s offense regressed markedly in 2023, averaging below 20 points per game for the first time since 2014. The Eagles finished 129th in the FBS in total offense. While there is nowhere to go but up, the Eagles must weather the storm of significant losses at the skill positions to improve.
Luckily, Eastern Michigan received several experienced players at the skill positions during the offseason which should help stop the gaps a little.
Quarterbacks
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Returnees:
- None
Departures:
- Austin Smith (1775 passing yards, nine TDs, seven INTs, 134 rushing yards)
- Ike Udengwu (100 passing yards)
- Cam’ron McCoy (73 passing yards, 63 rushing yards, 1 TD)
Arrivals
- Cole Snyder
- Drew Viotto (Minnesota transfer; no stats)
The quarterback position was arguably Eastern Michigan’s weakest link. Austin Smith, Ike Udengwu, and Cam’ron McCoy combined for a 9:12 TD-INT ratio. This year, all three depart.
Taking their place is a seasoned veteran in Cole Snyder. Snyder is a familiar name to EMU fans, having arrived from fellow MAC program Buffalo. Snyder threw for over 3,000 yards in 2022, but regressed to 2,109 yards in 2023 as the Bulls defense slid as a whole. Snyder’s two years of starting experience bodes well for an Eastern Michigan team in need of leadership at the position.
The last time the Eagles started a transfer at quarterback was 2021 when Ben Bryant transferred from Cincinnati and threw for 3,121 yards, leading the Eagles to a berth in the LendingTree Bowl. Another transfer, Drew Viotto from Minnesota also provides depth.
Running Backs
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Returnees:
- Deion Brown (no stats accumulated in 2023)
- Joey Mattrod (no stats accumulated in 2023)
- Elijah Jackson-Anderson (one rush yard in 2022; one catch for 28 yards and a touchdown in 2023)
Departures:
- Samson Evans (635 rushing yards, 12 TDs in 2023; 2302 career rushing yards and 41 career rushing touchdowns)
- Jaylon Jackson (576 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns; 234 receiving yards, two touchdowns)
Arrivals
- Delbert Mimms (NC State transfer; 282 rushing yards and eight touchdowns)
The power-speed combo of Samson Evans (635 rushing yards) and Jaylon Jackson was a bright spot of the Eagles offense. The two combined for over 1,200 yards, with Evans scoring 12 touchdowns and Jackson rushing for 576 yards. This year, both depart, but the transfer portal provides the Eagles with another power and speed combo to replace them.
Dontae McMillan looks to receive a larger role in the Eastern Michigan backfield after receiving only 11 carries last season. McMillan showed amazing big-play ability, averaging nearly six yards per carry on 283 carries at Weber State. Accompanying him is NC State transfer Delbert Mimms. Mimms looks to replicate Samson Evans’ short-yardage effectiveness. The five-foor-11, 215 lb. Mimms ran for eight touchdowns on only 96 carries as a member of the Wolfpack.
Young running backs Deion Brown, Joey Mattrod, and Elijah Jackson-Anderson also look to contribute after a year of experience in the Eagles system. With a new quarterback, Eastern Michigan’s run game could take a central role in the offense while Cole Snyder adjusts to the new scheme.
Pass Catchers
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Returnees:
- Blake Daniels (13 receptions for 149 yards)
- Jere Getzinger (16 receptions for 88 yards)
- JB Mitchell (35 receptions for 398 yards and one touchdown)
- Terry Lockett (three receptions for 34 yards)
Departures:
- Tanner Knue (50 receptions for 479 yards and three touchdowns)
- Hamze El-Zayat (27 receptions for 360 yards and two touchdowns)
- Andreas Paaske (three receptions for 49 yards)
- Von Swinton (four receptions for 26 yards)
Arrivals
- Porter Rooks (NC State transfer; 79 career receptions for 891 yards and two touchdowns)
- Zyel Griffin (UNLV transfer; 22 receptions for 388 yards)
- Oran Singleton (Akron and JUCO transfer; 11 receptions for 102 receiving yards and 106 return yards for Akron Iin 2021)
The receiving corps is the strength of the Eagles’ offense. Wide receiver JB Mitchell and a pair of tight ends return to give Cole Snyder experienced targets to balance the offense. Mitchell caught 35 passes for 398 yards and should improve those numbers with a more experienced and talented quarterback.
Like the running back room, transfer look to make an impact in the receiving corps. Michigan State transfer, Terry Lockett will take a bigger role in the offense after catching only three passes. Akron and JUCO transfer Oran Singleton provides several possibilities for the offense with his elusive diminutive five-foot-seven, 151 lb. frame. Akron used Singleton in the run game in his lone year there in 2021. The Eagles could do the same to open the inside run game. Porter Rooks brings 79 career receptions from NC State and Zyel Griffin transfers from UNLV with 22 career catches.
The tight ends will be relied on heavily in this edition of the Eagles offense. Blake Daniels and Jere Getzinger combined for 29 catches last year and will provide a safety blanket in the short passing game for Cole Snyder. The unit also adds Florida transfer Jonathan Odom. The tight ends may cause the passing game to have a “death by 1000 paper cuts approach.”
Offensive Line
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Returnees:
- Mickey Reowlinski (Nine starts in 2023)
- Carson Lee (Six starts in 2023)
Departures:
- Brian Dooley (58 career starts)
- Zack Conti (11 starts in 2023)
- Alex Howie (28 career starts, 12 in 2023)
Arrivals
- Blake Bustard (19 career starts at Wayne State; nine in 2023)
- Logan Bednar (2023 Phil Steele All-Ivy League fourth-team at Harvard)
Like many aspects of the offense, the offensive line could use significant improvement.
The Eagles averaged 111 rushing yards per game and allowed 32 sacks in 2023, both of which are below their typical standard. The Eagles return only two starters this year as well, making improvement questionable. Brian Dooley, a four-year starter and second-team all-MAC tackle, departs, as do fellow 2023 starting guards Zack Conti and Alex Howie. offensive center Carson Lee and guard Mickey Rewolinski weather the storm of departures and are set to return to their positions for the 2024 seasons, leaving the tackle situation largely unresolved. The unit does add guard Logan Bednar from Harvard and Wayne State starting tackle Blake Bustard to the rotation, but we’ll need to see it on the field before we talk improvements.