Post-portal roster, superlatives: EMU retooling around handful of key returners
The Eagles bring back a handful of critical pieces, but have a lot of work to do fleshing out some key positions like offensive line.
Note: This is the second of five stories digging into the makeup and changes of the rosters of the five FBS teams in Michigan. The publicly posted rosters — if available — are largely accurate but incomplete, and this series will compile from those, signing and transfer class announcements, and other available info to put together a fairly comprehensive breakdown for each team.
Read story No. 1, on Western Michigan, here.
Eastern Michigan will be a different looking football team in 2026, with some key carry overs.
Such is the nature of the beast when signing 30 freshmen, eight junior college players and a dozen transfers. That’s 50 new players.
However, Eastern Michigan will have some familiarity carrying over from the 2025 team, namely quarterback Noah Kim, returning for a seventh season to give EMU some much needed continuity. The secondary, too, returns a glut of players who were notable contributors in 2025.
Some other spots, like the offensive line and running back room, will need serious overhauling throughout the offseason and into fall camp. EMU returned just two running backs and six offensive linemen from 2025.
The team
Quarterback (4): Eastern Michigan got a big boost by getting Noah Kim a waiver for a seventh year of eligibility, and the MAC’s leading passer from 2025 is back to lead the Eagles on offense. EMU has little proven depth behind him, though. Jace Stuckey and Bryce Button both return from the 2025 team but minimal experience. Freshman Nick Kinsey also joins the Eagles.
Running back (6): One of the bigger replacements EMU will make on offense is at running back, as Dontae McMillan produced one of the better seasons in the MAC last year. EMU returns Joey Mattord and Amareon Blue, and Mattord could factor for some carries. But transfers Braydon Bennett and Malachi James will likely be big parts of the backfield. EMU also brings in a pair of freshmen in Decorie Johnson and Nazir Jones-Davis.
Wide receiver (15): Terry Lockett and Porter Rooks moving on will be felt, but Nick Devereaux, Harold Mack and Benson Prosper were all productive in 2025 and back for 2026, headlining the eight returners. EMU also got a transfer from Quinn Fracassi, who returns to the program after a transfer to Valpo. The Eagles also added a pair of junior college receivers, Cayden Burger and JT Beasley, and four freshmen: Bacori Minner, Carl Jean-Bart, CJ Miller and Shawn Fishwick.
Tight end (8): Josh Long is back as the top tight end for the Eagles, with Tanner Lemaster and Jackson Holt also returning. Adon Turner joins from the JUCO ranks and could factor in as the Eagles also added four freshmen to the tight end room: Armaad Sharp, Brady Shelton, Nathan Piggott and Payton Kokaly.
Offensive line (15): The Eagles are looking to add walk-on bodies to this room, which isn’t necessarily a great sign at this point in the calendar. Nick Gallegos and Josh Anderson are probably the best of the six returning offensive linemen. The Eagles thus got aggressive in the portal, bringing in five offensive linemen: Cole Dellinger, Elijha Payne, Guzzy Kayed, Tyler Brumfield and Tyler McMillan. Four freshmen also signed with EMU: Andrew Trahin, Carter Miculka, Nily Taylor and Samuel Adjin.
Defensive line (22): This group includes defensive ends and interior linemen, to be clear. And Eastern Michigan returns a fair bit up front, with 13 returners highlighted by Quincy Byas, Makhi Gilbert and Carter Evans. A healthy Jefferson Adam should be a big boost. Joseph Oluwayemi and Peyton Christian can contribute as transfers, as can JUCO signees Alijah Lacey and Mark Debiak.
Linebacker (12): This position was a bugaboo for EMU in 2025 largely due to a number of injuries. Bryce Eliuk, Colin Main, Ja’Quel Mack and Zach Mowchan featured heavily in 2025, and a healthy Kadin Bailey will be a factor. JUCO signees Elgin McDuffey and Jonah Flowers can contribute and three freshmen round out the room: Aaron Kearse, Kijon Braxton and Zach Brown.
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Andrew Graham
Andrew Graham
Defensive back (23): Much like defensive line, this includes cornerbacks and safeties. And like the defensive line, EMU returns a lot of guys — 16, to be exact. Jaivin Norman, James Monds III, Jason Marshall, Juan Salas, Bryce Llewellyn and Barry Manning are the top returners and should all contribute. The Eagles signed one JUCO defensive back, Rayquan Adkins, who began his college career at Cincinnati. EMU also added six freshmen: Antonio Solares-Vitti, Davontey Oliver, Fa’Rel Carter, Horace Glenn III, Jabari Monds and Marty Collins.
Specialists (7): Rudy Kessinger and Nathan Dibert are back and will take on the field goal/extra points and kickoffs, respectively. EMU needs to replace punter Mitch Tomasek, but has returner Daniel Hull, or freshman Van Krisiloff (who is also a kicker.) Long snapper Jack Kautz returns, and Luke Grant transferred in from Memphis. Former Michigan kicker Adam Samaha also transferred in from Akron.
Superlatives
Top returner: QB Noah Kim
Eastern Michigan would’ve been scrambling to find a quarterback if Kim hadn’t gotten an NCAA waiver to come back for 2026. Instead he’ll be back to lead up an offense that produced consistently last season. It’s also the first time in years that EMU will have a the same starting quarterback in back-to-back seasons.
- Honorable mention: WR Harold Mack
Top addition: RB Braydon Bennett
The Virginia Tech transfer, like Kim, is a seventh-year player. He also spent some time at Coastal Carolina with Kim. And Bennett has a chance to arrive in Ypsilanti and take over as the top back with his age and physical maturity. Fellow transfer back Malachi James could also qualify here.
- HM: OL Tyler McMillan
Instant impact transfer: DL Joseph Oluwayemi or Peyton Christian
A bit of a cheat including two players but one of the two big defensive line transfers, if not both, could find themselves playing big shares of the defensive line snaps for the Eagles. Both are over six feet tall and 300 pounds and have the type of frames that can plug up the middle of a defensive front.
- HM: DB Rayquan Adkins
FCS/JUCO transfer primed to shine: TE Adon Turner
Long will be the top tight end in most outcomes for EMU this season, but having a No. 2 that can be impactful can change the complexion of an offense. Heavy personnel packages that can be dangerous in the passing game are a nightmare to defend. In 19 games at Butte College, Turner had 51 catches for 612 yards and eight touchdowns. Turner coming in and adding value to the offense can be a force multiplier.
- HM: OL Guzzy Kayed
