Strong transfer class fuels Eastern Michigan OL optimism: ‘We hit on all those guys'
The Eagles had a major offensive line overhaul to undertake, and feel the five transfers could be transformational for the group.
Ypsilanti — Eastern Michigan’s returning contributors on the offensive line in 2026 can be counted on one hand.
Nick Gallegos played in all 12 games in 2025, while Dennis Strey Jr. and Joshua Anderson each played in nine. Cole Powell, another returning lineman for EMU, did not play in 2025 as a freshman. It meant a dive into the transfer portal would be required to field a solid five up front for Noah Kim and the rest of the offense to get going.
And the early returns from spring practice on the remade offensive line have EMU head coach Chris Creighton brimming with confidence about the individuals that Eastern Michigan added to the offensive line via transfers.
“And so the offensive line right now, we have, you know, privately — I guess, now publicly — said that ‘We hit on all those guys.’ You know, we feel really good about them. Now, do they all know what they're doing at a high level and do they know each other's, you know, middle name and fourth grade teacher and all that? No.”
