The Central Michigan football team got a little lighter recently as it lost seven players from last season’s roster heading into the 2011 season.
OL Matt Kanitz, OL Kent King, K Paul Mudgett, RB Nick St. John, LB Kevin Sweet, DL Joe Wirth, and LB Shane Torzy have all left the program in one way or another.
In the case of Kanitz, he was not medically cleared to play due to a number of knee injuries he has suffered over the years.
For Torzy, he is graduating in May and is opting to not return for his final season of eligibility.
Certainly the loss of Kanitz and King affect the depth of the offensive line and the loss of Mudgett takes away some of the contenders in the race at kicker.
Mudgett went 1-for-5 in field goals last season, with a 29 yarder being the only one he made during the season. He also went 5-for-5 in PAT’s.

Join me starting at 6:30 p.m.

Join me starting at 7:30 p.m. for a live chat during the Central-Easter men's basketball game.

Join me starting at 6:30 p.m. for a live chat during the CMU-Bowling Green men's basketball game.



*I will be covering the CMU vs. Kent State women's basketball prior to the live chat, so the start time could be affected if the women's game runs long.

There was a lot of talk in the fall and early winter about the addition of Massachusetts to the Mid-American Conference.

The talk died down recently but the buzz around the MAC, through conversations I have had with others around the conference, is that a meeting is planned in the upcoming week where presidents from the 13 schools in the conference will be meeting to formally discuss the idea of adding UMass to the MAC for football.

From what I have gathered, there has been no decision made one way or another and this meeting will be to discuss the pros and cons of the idea.

All detail about a potential addition, like division realignment, timetables for their addition, and other things can't really even be discussed until the MAC approves UMass as the school becomes certified for FBS play.

Currently, UMass is a FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) program and they must go through a season of certification before becoming an official FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) program. Once an official FBS program, they can then join a conference.

UMass still could become certified for the 2012 season and possibly be added then, but the timetable for them to enter into a certification process is closing, which could delay any possible addition until at least 2013.

As I hear more on the situation, I will be sure to let you know.

Join me starting at 7:20 p.m. for a live chat during the CMU men's basketball game against Ohio.

Here is the list of players that will be part of CMU's 2011 recruiting class for National Signing Day. This doesn't include preferred walk-ons. All of these players are expected to sign Letters of Intent today. Some may be unable due to school closings, but unless some unforeseen circumstances take place, this is your 2011 class.

-Ramadan Ahmeti, OL, 6-6, 280, Lansing, MI; Waverly HS
-Stefon Armstead, DB, 5-11, 175, Southfield, MI; Southfield Lathrup HS
-Nick Beamish, OL, 6-3, 280, Riverview, MI; Riverview Community HS
-Josh Carter, RB/DB, 5-11, 195, South Haven, MI; South Haven HS
-Jarret Chapman, DB, 5-11, 180, Port Huron, MI; Port Hurton HS
-Titus Davis, WR, 6-2, 180, Wheaton, IL; Wheaton-Warrenville South HS
-Dorian Dawson, DL, 6-1, 258, Los Angeles, CA; Saint John Bosco HS
-Andrew Flory, WR, 6-0, 170, Miramar, FL; American Heritage Plantation HS
-Anthony Garland, RB, 6-1, 215, Fernale, MI; Ferndale HS
-Tim Hamilton, LB, 6-1, 240, Bloomfield Hills, MI; Brother Rice HS
-Curtis Huge, P, 6-0, 177, Bakersfield, CA; Bakersfield College
-Shafer Johnson, DL, 6-1, 300, Southfield, MI; Southfield Christian HS
-Jesse Kroll, WR, 6-3, 210, Algoma, WI; Algoma HS
-Cody Lopez, LB, 6-1, 215, Plainfield, IL; Plainfield North HS
-Matt Losiniecki, DL, 6-3, 270, Waukesha, WI; Waukesha West HS
-Ben McCord, TE, 6-3, 210, Warren, MI; Cousino HS
-Dennis Nalor, DB, 6-0, 180, Miami, FL; Miami Central HS
-Alex Niznak, QB, 6-3, 220, Ithaca, MI; Ithaca HS
-Ryan Petro, LB, 6-2, 210, Winter Springs, FL; Winter Springs HS
-Ben Randle, TE, 6-5, 250, Rodney, MI; Big Rapids HS
-Kenny Rogers, OL, 6-6, 268, Dimondale, MI; Holt HS
-Blake Serpa, TE, 6-3, 230, Sugar Grove, IL; Kaneland HS
-Austin White, RB, 6-0, 200, Livonia, MI; University of Michigan
-Courtney Williams, WR, 6-1, 212, Melvindale, MI; Melvindale HS
-Jason Wilson, WR, 6-0, 178, Farmington Hills, MI; Farmington HS
-Denzel Wimberly, ATH, 5-9, 198, Pompano Beach, FL; Cardinal Gibbons HS

*At first glance, what stands out to me about this group is the size of some of them. I see a few 280's, some 240 and greater, and even one player at 300 pounds. Also Dan Enos and his staff was able to address some needs, especially at punter and also was able to hit Florida with four additions.