WMU C Jeremy Schleicher, DE Noah Bishop out for 2026 season, Lance Taylor says

Kalamazoo — Western Michigan's presumed starting center Jeremy Schleicher, along with defensive end Noah Bishop, will miss the 2026 season after suffering injury setbacks over the summer, head coach Lance Taylor said during his Week 1 press conference Monday. 

Both of the setbacks required additional surgery, Taylor said. 

“Really proud of how hard they worked in the offseason, coming back from season-ending surgeries last year, cut their seasons short,” Taylor said. “Both of those guys are great teammates, incredible work ethic and work real hard. Both of those guys, Jeremy and Noah, had a setback in the summer that required surgery and they'll be out for the season.”

Schleicher, a third-year lineman, suffered an injury in Week 3 of 2025 after winning the starting center job out of camp. He underwent a season-ending surgery and was originally slated to be back and healthy for this season. 

Bishop, as well a third-year player for the Broncos, also got injured in Week 3 of 2025 and missed the remainder of the 2025 season. 

Bishop had been in a boot for much of camp. Both players were regularly seen wearing red non-contact jerseys and watching practice from afar for much of camp. 

And Taylor expressed a measure of grief on behalf of both players for the injury wringer they’re currently going through. 

“My heart hurts for those guys,” Taylor said. “So close to returning to play and all that they invested. Both of those guys, their resilience to overcome adversity, and grit, they're going to come back bigger and better than ever.” 

Schleicher was anticipated to be Western Michigan’s starting center if healthy. 

With his absence from the lineup in 2026, Taylor and the Broncos will have to look elsewhere for a starting center. Taylor didn’t say who would take over that job on Monday, but WMU has options. 

Later in his press conference, Taylor rattled through a few of the offensive linemen that have impressed in camp, beyond the returning trio of starts in LG Hunter Whitenack, RG Gavin and RT Chad Schuster, who is healthy after an offseason shoulder surgery. 

Second year Liam Vaughan is an interior guy and has repped at center for WMU in practice, and appeared in two games in 2025. Taylor also noted fellow second-year Spencer Beckeman, who hasn’t played but is on the rise, and fifth-year Brandon Smith as linemen who have stood out and could feature on the interior. 

He also spoke highly of Michigan transfer Ben Roebuck, who is competing at tackle and highly improved over the summer. 

“We've got great competition there, probably six or seven guys that can play for us,” Taylor said of the offensive line. 

As for Bishop, his absence is notable, but the Broncos have also brought in a spate of transfers to restock a front seven that lost most of its production to graduation and the NFL. 

“I'm really excited about this group as a whole, and I think, you know, even interior wise, D line, I'm excited about this group,” Taylor said. “I think they are the most improved group for this team, from the winter to right now.”