Photo by Max Muselmann on Unsplash
The Miami RedHawks have been a strength for the MAC, and 13 years ago, head coach Chuck Martin was hired to turn things around.
At the time, Miami had just let go of Don Treadwell after three seasons of bad football got worse: two years of 4-8 records followed by a 0-12 season in 2013. Three seasons in, Miami finally got back to a bowl game, but only after it started the 2016 season with an 0-6 record and flipped the script into six-straight victories. Miami missed out on going bowling the next two years, but in 2019, Miami won the MAC East division title and beat Central Michigan 26-21 in the MAC Championship game.
Four years later, Miami made it back to Detroit for its first of three consecutive MAC Championship trips. Miami beat Toledo 23-14 in 2023, which was the last time the game featured East and West division champions. In 2024, the MAC updated its league scheduling and championship game qualifications where it accepted the two best teams from the regular season. In 2024, Miami was the MAC’s #1 team, but fell 38-3 to rival Ohio, and it very narrowly clinched the #2 position last year, and fell to Western Michigan 23-13.
Miami’s legitimately investing in its roster this year, more than it ever has before. More money after three straight years of MAC championship appearances just means the expectations are going to be heightened in 2026.
As we’ve been doing on the newsletter already, we’re going to keep spending our Sundays with these MAC football team roster notes of mine and try to have an exhausted attempt at answering a few, simple questions. Who returns? Who’s gone? Who’s joining the team this year?
Miami OH Football Roster Breakdown
RETURN (Starters*) | DEPART | INCOMING | |
|---|---|---|---|
Total Offense | 27 (4) | 22 (7) | 19 |
Total Defense | 37 (3) | 15 (8) | 13 |
Total Specialists | 4 (1) | 2 (2) | 1 |
Offense
QUARTERBACKS
Returning players
#13 Thomas Gotkowski — Third-year signee from Indianapolis, Ind. (Ben Davis). Made 3 starts in 5 games played last year: 44% passing (38/86), 575 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT & 115 rush yards on 31 att., 1 TD.
Roster losses
Dequan Finn — Previously: Toledo for five years, Baylor for one. MAC MVP in 2023. Started eight games before he removed himself from the roster, entering Toledo week no less. At Miami: 1,451 passing yards, 58.6% pass rate (106/181, 8.0 yards/att.), 9 TD, 6 INT, 395 rush yards, 89 carries (4.4 avg.), 4 rush TD.
Henry Hesson — Career: 17 games, 4 starts, 742 pass yards, 41% pass rate (53/128, 5.8 Y/A), 15 rush yards on 34 att.
Jonah Kroenung — Transfer to Diablo Valley College.
New additions
#6 Caleb Heavner — FORT HAYS TRANSFER. From Denison, Texas (Denison). D2 career: 24 games, 63% passer (320/512), 3,398 yards (6.6 Y/A), 24 TD, 11 INT & 1,094 rush yards on 255 attempts with 11 rush TD.
#16 David McComb — KANSAS TRANSFER. From Edmond, Okla. (Memorial).
The quarterback room was certainly an interesting ride last season. After it got blanked by Ohio in the MAC Championship, Miami reached out to somebody that it saw a couple of times a season ago: Dequan Finn. Formerly of Toledo fame where he ended up as the league’s MVP, Finn split for Baylor in 2024 where his playing time was minimal. He was able to have one more year to play, and came to Miami to be its instant starter after the Brett Gabbert era. Finn’s play was decent to okay, nothing spectacular. Then his play became absent — literally — after he was a late scratch as Miami faced off against Finn’s old team. Finn left the team, and Miami was left with two unproven guys to play the rest of the year out. Leading up to the Toledo game, Miami was 5-4. It went 2-3 the rest of the way with losses in the MAC Championship and Arizona Bowl.
Now, Finn and Henry Hesson are gone, and the lone guy to have three starts last year, Thomas Gotkowski, still has some growing to do before he can be a capable starter at the college level. Two transfers come in: one (David McComb) was a freshman at Kansas who didn’t play last year, and the other (Caleb Heavner) is a Division II transfer who could be the dual threat that Martin was hoping to get out of Finn last year.
RUNNING BACKS
Returning players
#14 D'Shawntae Jones — Third-year signee from Cleveland, Ohio (Glenville). Career: 14 games, 64 rush, 279 yards (4.4 avg.), 7 TD.
#30 Josh Ringer — Third-year signee from Lawrenceburg, Ind. (East Central). Career: 15 games, 1 start, 60 yards on 26 carries (2.3 avg.)
Roster losses
Jordan Brunson — Led Miami with 767 rush yards last year. Career: 31 games, 1,218 rush yards on 236 handles (5.2 avg.), 9 TD, and 8 receiving yards on 2 catches.
Kenny Tracy — Career: 43 games, 1,021 rush yards on 195 carries (5.2 avg.), 6 TD, 51 receptions, 481 rec. yards, 5 rec. TD, and 70 kick return yards.
Tito Glass Jr. — Transfer portal. 2025: 47 rush yards on 9 carries.
New additions
#5 Rodney Nelson — MONMOUTH TRANSFER. CAA Offensive Player of the Year in 2025: 1,802 rush yards on 293 carries (6.2 avg., 150.2 game avg.), 18 TD. From Owings, Md. (Franklin).
#20 Cade Yacamelli — WISCONSIN TRANSFER. With Badgers: 31 games, 571 yards on 107 carries (5.3 avg.), 2 TD, and 10 catches for 84 yards. From Trafford, Pa. (Penn-Trafford).
#22 Chancellor Sparks — Freshman transfer. From Birmingham, Ala. (A. H. Parker).
Only two running backs in the Martin era have reached All-MAC level heights. The first came in 2023 with Rashad Amos as a Third Team pick, and the next came in 2024 with Keyon Mozee on the Second Team list.
What do they both have in common? They came to Miami as transfers. Amos initially came from South Carolina, and Mozee was a transfer from Kansas State who spent three years in Oxford before he had his best rushing year.
Did Miami find a playmaker at running back through the portal? Rodney Nelson was the best offensive player in the Coastal Athletic Association as a redshirt-sophomore, and had seven games where he rushed for over 150 yards, and passed 200 yards three times. If he’s a homerun hitter for the Miami offense too, then this team should be on pace to let its defense dictate how the MAC will shape up again.
OFFENSE | RETURN (Starters*) | DEPART | INCOMING |
|---|---|---|---|
Quarterback | 1 | 3 (1) | 2 |
Running back | 2 | 3 (1) | 3 |
Wide receiver | 8 (1) | 7 (2) | 9 |
Tight end | 5 | 4 (1) | 1 |
Offensive line | 11 (3) | 5 (2) | 4 |
Total Offense | 27 (4) | 22 (7) | 19 |
WIDE RECEIVERS
Returning starter
#0 Keith Reynolds — Second-year Washington transfer. Made 13 starts for Miami in 2025: 36 catches, 352 yards, 1 receiving TD, 27 rushes for 186 yards, and 16 kick returns for 456 yards (including a 100-yard TD return). From Adelanto, Calif. (Adelanto).
Also returns
#2 Brady Simmons — Second-year transfer from Indiana. From Indianapolis, Ind. (Ben Davis).
#10 Lynel Billups-Williams — Fourth-year signee from University Park, Ill. (Crete Monee). Made 1 start in 2025. Career: 166 punt return yards (17 attempts), 90 kick return yards (4 returns), 51 receiving yards (6 catches), 19 rushing yards (3 carries), 0/1 passing, and 2 tackles.
#17 Braylon Isom — Third-year signee from Saginaw, Mich. (Herritage). Last year: 12 games, 10 catches, 141 yards, 3 TD.
#23 Ian Tepas — Second-year signee from Barrington, Ill. (Barrington).
#80 Michael Parrish — Third-year signee from Whitehouse, Ohio (St. Francis De Sales).
#82 Andrew Bjorson — Second-year signee from Hinsdale, Ill. (Fenwick).
#86 Wilson Roberts — Second-year signee from Powell, Ohio (Olentangy Liberty).
Roster losses
Deion Colzie — Previously: 21 receptions in 44 games at Notre Dame. Last year with Miami: 11 games, 11 rec., 178 rec. yards, 1 TD.
Paolo Papalia
Kam Perry — Transfer to Colorado. First Team All-MAC in 2025: 976 rec. yards (led team) on 43 catches, 6 TD. Previously: Indiana for two years.
Ryan Sims — Transfer portal.
Antwon Thomas — Transfer to Duquesne.
Cole Weaver — Transfer to Syracuse. Last year: 14 games, 13 starts, Miami’s leader in receptions (45) with 642 yards and 1 TD.
Darion Williamson
New additions
#1 Maleek Huggins — BETHUNE-COOKMAN TRANSFER. Also spent three years at Gardner-Webb. Last year: Second Team All-SWAC. 64 catches, 864 yards, 8 TD. From Bradenton, Fla. (Southeast).
#3 Quintin Simmons — KENTUCKY TRANSFER. From Cincinnati, Ohio (Withrow).
#4 Devin Hyatt — ARIZONA TRANSFER. As Wildcat: 14 games, 8 catches, 119 yards. From Bradenton, Fla. (IMG Academy).
#8 Damarion Witten — OHIO STATE TRANSFER. From Cleveland, Ohio (Glenville).
#9 William Pressley — Freshman signee from Oak Ridge, Tenn. (Oak Ridge).
#12 Carl Jenkins — UCF TRANSFER. As freshman: 12 games, 3 catches, 32 yards. From St. Augustine, Fla. (St. Augustine).
#18 Justen Hodge — Freshman signee from Mentor, Ohio (Mentor).
#24 Scoop Smith — Freshman signee from Pittsburgh, Pa. (Woodland Hills).
#88 CJ Castner — INDIANA STATE TRANSFER. From West Chester, Ohio (William Mason).
Miami’s two best receivers from last season can now be found at Colorado and Syracuse, but at least Miami returns its do-it-all transfer receiver from Washington. Six transfers come into Miami’s receiver room for the 2026 season, but I wonder how much production this unit expects to see come from them.
If transfer QB Heavner ends up as Miami’s starting guy, then we should probably take note of how his receivers did last year. In an 11-game season (6-5 record), Fort Hays’ top receiver finished with 31 catches for 291 yards, and there were just three games with at least 200 passing yards.
Could an improved roster around Heavner improve his passing results? And by how much?
TIGHT ENDS
Returning players
#81 Brendan Loftus — Second-year signee from Glenview, Ill. (Loyola Academy).
#83 Eric Karner — Second-year transfer from Texas A&M. From Itasca, Ill. (Immaculate Conception).
#85 Trey Zvonar — Second-year signee from Frankfort, Ill. (Lincoln Way East).
#87 Noam Butbul — Second-year signee from Calabasas, Calif. (Notre Dame).
#89 Brayden Boeing — Second-year signee from Cincinnati, Ohio (Elder).
Roster losses
Grant Leeper
Chase Becker
Brian Shane — The only tight end to catch a pass for Miami in 2025: 14 games, 8 starts, 13 receptions, 116 yards.
Brody Kosin
New additions
#15 Christian Ross — MEMPHIS TRANSFER. Last year: 13 games, 18 catches, 174 yards, 1 TD. From Midland City, Ala. (Dale County).
Only one tight end caught passes last year. That’s a fact I’m not going to be able to shake out of my head for a while. The offense relied more heavily on its receivers (obviously), but Miami also liked being able to spread its offense out to get a little bit more running room in the middle of the field. If that’s the same formula its offense is going with in its new quarterback, then I’m not sure just how much we should expect these tight ends to get involved in the passing attack.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Returning starter
#51 Eric Smith — Fifth-year signee from Fairmont, WV (Fairmont Senior). Starting left tackle in 2025, earned Third Team All-MAC honors.
#72 Kris Manu — Third-year signee from Dublin, Ohio (Dublin Coffman). Career: 17 games, starting center in 2025.
#74 Greg Smith Jr. — Fourth-year signee from Pittsburgh, Pa. (Steel Valley). Starting left guard in 2025, played 13 games and 1 start in 2024.
Also returns
#55 Ayden Annarino — Second-year signee from Pickerington, Ohio (Pickerington North).
#56 Mitchell Butler — Second-year transfer from Mississippi College (and Southern Mississippi in 2023). 2025: 10 games, 1 start. From Meridian, Miss. (Northeast Lauderdale).
#61 Andrew Lowry — Fourth-year signee from Newmarket, Ontario (Huron Heights). Career: 12 games played.
#70 Jacob Schorsch — Third-year signee from Cincinnati, Ohio (Elder). Played every game last year, including 7 straight starts to finish the year (6 at right guard, 1 at right tackle).
#71 Lucas Barnes — Second-year signee from Canton, Mich. (Plymouth).
#73 Brandon Lawhorn Moore — Fifth-year signee from Vandergrift, Penn (Kiski Area). 13 total games played in 2023 and 2025.
#75 Anthony Tanaka — Second-year signee from Nokomis, Fla. (Venice).
#79 Jonathan Stangl — Second-year signee from Canton, Ohio (Canton Central Catholic).
Roster losses
Aiden Howard — Transfer to Lindenwood. Miami’s Offensive Scout Player of the Year in 2024 as true freshman.
Marcus White
Gavin Rohrs — Last year: 13 games, 2 starts at right guard.
Austin Uke — 2025: 11 games, 6 starts at right guard. Previously: 18 games in 4 seasons at Stanford.
Drew Terrill — Second Team All-MAC in 2025: 12 starts at right tackle.
New additions
#54 Evan Malcore — NORTHERN ILLINOIS TRANSFER. NIU: 32 starts at left tackle, Third Team All-MAC in back-to-back seasons. From Sun Prairie, Wisc. (Sun Prairie).
#76 Brian Beidatsch — DUQUESNE TRANSFER. From Greenfield, Wisc. (Marquette University). Named Phil Steele’s FCS Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2024.
#77 Shaun Shahu — SAGINAW VALLEY TRANSFER. From Livonia, Mich. (Livonia Stevenson). Second Team All-GLIAC in 2025.
#78 Devontae Armstrong — OHIO STATE TRANSFER. From Elyria, Ohio (St. Edwards).
The left side plus the center from last season’s offensive line all return for 2026, which is basically the dream scenario for any coach in this transfer portal era. Now, who’s going to win the jobs at right guard and right tackle?
Evan Malcore was a two-time All-MAC recipient at left tackle for Northern Illinois, so he may end up challenging Eric Smith for his LT spot. Brian Beidatsch was a two-time All-Northeast Conference lineman at left guard, so maybe Greg Smith Jr.’s spot is up for competition as well. Shaun Shahu transferred from Saginaw Valley (all-conference last year), and Devontae Armstrong moved from Ohio State (DNP).
Stacking these transfers on top of a huge group of returning guys should mean that Miami has a lot of useful depth here.
More roster updates:
Defense
DEFENSIVE LINE
Returning starter
#92 Roosevelt Andrews III — Fourth-year signee from Barberton, Ohio (Barberton). Made 13 starts at DT last year: 19 tackles (4 solo, 4 TFL), 1 sack, 2 QBH
Also returns
#4 Kam Wilson — Second-year transfer from Cincinnati (Also: 4 years at Louisville). Missed 2025 season to injury. From Decatur, Ga. (Mount Zion).
#5 Devin Bell — Third-year signee from Akron, Ohio (Archbishop Hoban). Last year: 12 games, 13 tackles (2 TFL), 0.5 sack, 1 QBH.
#9 Javon Hammonds — Third-year signee from Dayton, Ohio (Wayne). DNP last year (injury).
#22 Bai Jobe — Second-year Kansas transfer, also played at Michigan State. From Norman, Okla. (Community Christian School). Last year: 13 games, 16 tackles (8 solo, 4.5 TFL), 4 sacks.
#32 James Schott — Second-year transfer from Michigan State. From Greenwood, Ind. (Center Grove). Last year: 14 games, 18 tackles (8 solo, 3.5 TFL), 3.5 sacks, 1 PBU, 1 fumble.
#47 Brach Rice — Third-year signee from Covington, Ky. (Dixie Heights). Made 4 starts in 13 games played last year: 16 tackles (5 solo, 2.5 TFL), 2 sacks, 1 PBU.
#49 Anthony Ludington — Second-year signee from Indianapolis, Ind. (Lawrence North).
#67 Carson Noonan — Second-year transfer from Medina, Ohio (Highland).
#90 Donovan Davis — Third-year signee from Reynoldsburg, Ohio (Bishop Hartley).
#91 Sam Williams — Third-year signee from Wyoming, Ohio (Wyoming).
#93 Logan Howell — Second-year signee from Detroit, Mich. (Cass Technical).
#95 Aariz Taylor — Second-year signee from Chicago, Ill. (Kenwood Academy).
#96 Carmine Orozco — Second-year signee from South Bend, Ind. (Elkhart).
#97 William Goodvine III — Fourth-year signee from Westfield, Ind. (Westfield). Last year: 11 games, 5 tackles (1 solo, 0.5 TFL).
#99 OJ Alexander — Third-year signee from Scarborough, Ontario (Providence Christian Academy). Last year: 12 games, 13 tackles (2 solo).
Roster losses
Eli Shereshovech IV — Transfer portal.
Adam Trick — Transfer to Texas Tech. First Team All-MAC in 2025: 59 tackles (26 solo, 12.5 TFL), 8.5 sacks, 1 INT, 4 PBU, 13 QB hurries, 3 fumbles.
Jayden Fuller — Transfer to SC State. 2025: 6 tackles (4 solo), 2 sacks, 1 QBH, 2 fumbles
Nasir Washington — Two-year starting defensive tackle. Career: 51 games, 20 starts, 67 tackles (25 solo, 8.5 TFL), 4.5 sacks, 5 PBU.
Logan Neu
Jameil Hamm — Transfer to Coffeyville C.C.
Josh Lukusa — Starting defensive end in 2025: 13 tackles (3 solo, 0.5 TFL), 1 PBU.
New additions
#14 Mikah Coleman — CINCINNATI TRANSFER. From Reynoldsburg, Ohio (Reynoldsburg). Former EMU Eagle: Team’s sacks leader (4.5) in 2023. Total: 40 games, 83 tackles (30 solo, 13.5 TFL), 8.5 sacks, 3 PBU.
#20 Zhaiylen Scott — NORTH TEXAS TRANSFER. Last year as redshirt-freshman: 5 games, 14 tackles, 2 sacks. Sidelined mid-season to injury. From Cedar Hill, Texas (Cedar Hill).
#23 Isaiah Harris — Freshman signee from Saline, Mich. (Saline).
#27 London Shackleford-Vickroy — Freshman signee from Columbus, Ohio (Westerville South).
#52 Marcus Moore — PURDUE TRANSFER. Also spent 2023-2024 season at Akron: 8 starts as redshirt-freshman with 31 tackles. From Massillon, Ohio (Massillon Washington).
I generally have a company line when it comes to Martin-coached defenses when it comes to D-lines with names I don’t recognize. It doesn’t matter how many All-MAC types graduate or transfer out of Miami, this team always figures out ways to get new players to apply lots and lots of pressure on the opposing offenses. Sure, only one starter comes back, but with 16 returning guys, I’m sure Miami already knew that it’d have some answers this offseason.
Oh, and speaking of new Miami players, welcome back to the MAC, Mikah Coleman.
DEFENSE | RETURN (Starters*) | DEPART | INCOMING |
|---|---|---|---|
Defense line | 16 (1) | 7 (3) | 5 |
Linebackers | 10 | 3 (2) | 3 |
Defensive backs | 11 (2) | 5 (3) | 5 |
Total Defense | 37 (3) | 15 (8) | 13 |
LINEBACKERS
Returning players
#3 Malcolm McCain — Fourth-year signee from Snellville, Ga. (Brookwood). Made 8 starts in 14 games last year; full-time starter after Corban Hondru’s injury. Career: 28 games, 88 tackles (34 solo, 7.5 TFL) 2 sacks, 1 fumble.
#11 Brock Uihlein — Fourth-year signee from Lake Forest, Ill. (Lake Forest). Last year: 13 games, 29 tackles (10 solo, 2 TFL), 0.5 sack, 1 fumble, 1 blocked kick.
#16 Christian McKinney — Fourth-year signee from Homewood, Ill. (Homewood-Flossmoor). Career: 16 games, 9 tackles (6 solo, 2 sacks), 1 fumble.
#26 Eli Coppess — Fifth-year signee from Pickerington, Ohio (Pickerington North). Career: 32 games, 1 start, 34 tackles (22 solo), 3 INT.
#33 Harrison Brewster — Second-year signee from Delaware, Ohio (Olentangy Berlin).
#35 Tyler Dikos — Fourth-year signee from Westfield, Ind. (Westfield). Last year: 9 tackles in 11 games.
#37 Vito McConnell — Second-year signee from Massillon, Ohio (Massillon Washington).
#43 Grant Lyons — Fifth-year signee from Cincinnati, Ohio (St. Xavier). Career: 23 games, 15 tackles (5 solo, 3 TFL), 2.5 sacks, 1 fumble).
#46 Luke Myers — Fifth-year signee from Miamisburg, Ohio (Miamisburg). Career: 16 games, 9 tackles.
#53 Malik Ray — Fourth-year signee from Pickerington, Ohio (Pickerington North).
Roster losses
Corban Hondru — Second Team All-MAC in 2025: 10 starts (missed final four games to arm injury), 83 tackles (33 solo, 6 TFL), 2 sacks, 3 INT, 2 PBU, 7 hurries, 1 fumble.
Oscar McWood — Career: 43 games, 18 starts (5 last year), 128 tackles (52 solo, 14 TFL), 4 sacks, 1 PBU.
Jackson Kuwatch — Seventh-round NFL Draft Pick (Pick #227, Carolina). Third Team All-MAC in 2025. Full-year starter in 2025: 109 tackles (47 solo, 10 TFL), 5 sacks, 2 QBH, 1 PBU
New additions
#8 CJ Young — KENT STATE TRANSFER. Second Team All-MAC in 2025. At Kent State: 21 games, 123 tackles (63 solo, 10 TFL), 3.5 sacks, 1 INT, 3 PUB, 1 fumble. From Strongsville, Ohio (Strongsville).
#15 Blayne Myrick — SOUTH ALABAMA TRANSFER. Career: 36 games, 191 tackles (87 solo, 15 TFL), 2 sacks, 1 INT (returned for TD), 5 PBU, 1 fumble. From Fairhope, Ala. (Fairhope).
#45 Ryan Stolarski — Freshman signee from Avon, Ohio (Avon).
I didn’t officially count Malcolm McCain as a starter for the table above, but that’s only because he officially took over Corban Hondru’s spot once he was sidelined with an arm injury. But forecasting into the year, yes, McCain should absolutely be thought of as a returning starter; he did have eight nods after all.
Think about this group of linebackers Miami has: eight guys are in their fourth or fifth years with the team, and they all signed with Miami out of high school. Sure, two All-MAC types leave and one (Jackson Kuwatch) was a seventh-round pick in the NFL Draft, but I’m going to repeat my company line from earlier: It doesn’t matter (etc.) because, at the end of the day, I’m sure Miami will be just fine on this side of the ball.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Returning starter
#12 Kaleb Martin — Third-year signee from Chattanooga, Tenn. (Bradley Central). Made 12 starts at cornerback last year: 33 tackles (23 solo), 7 PBU.
#24 Mychal Yharbrough — Fourth-year signee from Belleville, Mich. (Belleville). Made 14 starts over 2024-2025 seasons. Career: 30 games, 74 tackles (54 solo, 2 TFL) 6 PBU, 1 fumble.
Also returns
#2 Jackson Pons — Third-year signee from North Huntington, Pa. (Norwin). Played 9 games in 2024, missed most of 2025 to injury. Career: 10 games, 5 tackles, 1 INT.
#6 Adrian Walker Jr. — Second-year signee from Inkster, Mich. (Belleville). As true freshman: 12 games, 2 starts, 21 tackles (14 solo, 0.5 TFL), 1 INT.
#10 Jermaine Agee — Third-year signee from Cleveland, Ohio (Glenville). 2025: 12 games, 9 tackles (6 solo), 1 pass breakup, 1 PBU, 1 fumble, 1 blocked punt.
#13 Desmon Yharbrough — Second-year signee from Inkster, Mich. (Belleville).
#18 Isaiah Rollins — Second-year signee from Indianapolis, Ind. (Warren Central). Missed 2025 to injury.
#19 Jerome Smith — Second-year signee from Indianapolis, Ind. (Lawrence North).
#21 Toney Coleman Jr. — Third-year signee from Eufaula, Ala. (Eufaula). Career: 23 games, 34 tackles (27 solo, 1 TFL), 2 PBU.
#25 Mitch Bolden — Second-year Army transfer. From West Chester, Ohio (Lakota West). Played 12 games in 2025, mostly on special teams.
#28 Leo Colombi — Third-year signee from Chardon, Ohio (Chardon)
Roster losses
Koy Beasley — Transfer to Kansas State. Last year: 40 tackles (21 solo, 2 TFL), 1 INT, 6 PBU. Previously: Purdue.
Eli Blakey — Miami’s team leader in tackles made last season (118) and named First Team All-MAC (Third Team in 2024). Career: 48 games, 281 tackles (141 solo, 6.5 TFL), 1 sack, 4 INT, 21 PBU, 3 fumbles.
Luke Evans — Three starts at cornerback in 2025: 9 games, 10 tackles, 3 PBU.
Khory Moss — Transfer to Akron.
Silas Walters — Two-year starter. Second Team All-MAC in 2025: 71 tackles (33 solo, 2.5 TFL), 2 sacks, 3 INT.
New additions
#0 Amariyun Knighten — INDIANA TRANSFER. Also played at Northern Illinois, where he made 13 starts across 27 games. His first-career interception at Notre Dame in 2024 set up NIU’s game-winning field goal drive for the biggest upset victory of the season. From Hollywood, Fla. (Deerfield Beach).
#1 Dillon Tatum — NORTHWESTERN TRANSFER. Also played at Michigan State, where he played 22 games and made 8 starts. Northwestern: 12 games, 22 tackles. Career totals: 34 games, 79 tackles (56 solo, 2.5 TFL), 9 PBU. From Farmington Hills, Mich. (West Bloomfield).
#29 Easton Jointer — Freshman signee from Brentwood, Tenn. (Brentwood Academy).
#31 Mason Ellens — IOWA STATE TRANSFER. From Glen Ellyn, Ill. (Glenbard West).
#39 Eli Limouris — Freshman signee from Glen Ellyn, Ill. (Glenbard West).
Three starting defensive backs leave; two are trying their shots as rookies in the NFL, and the third bounced to Kansas State. Three transfers come in from Power 4 schools, so you do the math there.
But with all the attention transfers get here to fill-in the gaps, we shouldn’t overlook any true freshmen, like Adrian Walker Jr., who played right away, earned a small amount of starts, and even had an interception to show for.
Special Teams
SPECIALISTS | RETURN (Starters*) | DEPART | INCOMING |
|---|---|---|---|
Kicker | 2 | 1 (1) | |
Punter | 1 (1) | ||
Long Snapper | 1 | 1 (1) | 1 |
Total Specialists | 4 (1) | 2 (2) | 1 |
KICKER, PUNTER, & LONG SNAPPER
Returning players
(P) #34 Pierse Stainton — Second-year transfer from South Florida. From Sarasota, Fla. (Cardinal Mooney). Last year: 63 punts, 2,663 yards (42.3 avg.), 12 of 50+, long: 65, 3 touchbacks, 30 fair catches, 21 inside-20, blocked once.
(K/P) #36 Carter Holden — Third-year signee from Dublin, Ohio (Dublin Jerome).
(LS) #48 Gray Maultsby — From Rockingham, NC (IMG Academy).
(K) #38 Kellan McLaughlin — Fourth-year signee from Louisville, Ky. (Trinity).
Roster losses
(K) Dom Dzioban — Two-time, First Team All-MAC honoree as kicker, Second Team All-MAC punter in 2022. Career, kicking: 46/53 field goals (86.8%), long: 51, 70/72 PATs, 945 kickoff yards, 1 touchback. Punting: 141 punts, 5,823 yards (41.3 avg.) 4 touchbacks, 43 fair catches, 23 of 50+, long: 67, 48 inside-20.
(LS) Hudson Powell — Team’s starting long snapper previous two seasons.
New addition
(LS) #60 Trey Wallman — STONY BROOK TRANSFER. From Pittsford, NY (Pittsford Mendon)
Dom Dzioban really is a spectacular name for a trivia answer. Who’s the last MAC player to win All-MAC awards as a punter and as a kicker? Dom Dzioban!