"It was truly a group effort," said Head Coach Jim McElwain , who was . . .
. . . named to lead the program on Dec. 2. "There's so many great things to sell at this university -- our community, the people who support the program, the administration and the president and the direction that they provide. The help that we received throughout the campus while the recruits visited is something that I am very grateful for.
"This is a place that understands what championships are all about. I saw that when I came here, and these kids saw that when they visited.
"The assistant coaches did an unbelievable job of maintaining this class and it was incredible to see, when the recruits visited campus, their interactions with our current players. We look forward to blending the newcomers with the veterans. Our current players did an outstanding job on the visits. They're enthused, they're excited to move forward and my hat's off to them for building relationships with this recruiting class.
"The staff did an unbelievable job in the short time since we came to Central Michigan, of keeping the class in tact and selling the vision. There is nothing but great things in the future and this group is going to be a catalyst as we build and move forward."
The class comprises eight student-athletes from Michigan, five from Florida, two from Illinois and one each from New Jersey and Texas.
Common denominators among the signees? Winning and leadership.
"The thing that really strikes me is the number of players in this class who come from winning programs," McElwain said, "guys that have a championship pedigree – be it a state championship, a conference championship or what have you – and a leadership pedigree. So many of them were team captains in high school. They possess the things that you look for in building a winning culture as you bring people to your campus.
"It's not just, 'Are they good football players?' That's obvious. The next step is you peel back the layers of who they are and what they're all about. Those guys that have been team captains, those guys that have been part of championship-winning programs and they understand what it takes to be successful. That's what really excites me about the group as a whole. And then blending them with the current players that we have who have done such an outstanding job of helping us attract not only good players, but good people."
Vashon Bailey • Offensive Line • 6-7 • 295 • Sunrise, Fla. • Somerset Academy
Four-year starter … three-year team captain … named Offense-Defense Sports All-American … earned all-conference honors … garnered four varsity letters in football and three in basketball … high school coach is Chance Benton … parents are Karen Bigby and Everton Bailey.
Coach McElwain says: "Vashon's a kid out of South Florida; a very big, strong athlete with a basketball background who is going to bring a lot of toughness, size and athleticism to the offensive line when he gets here."
Josh Crawford • Running Back • 5-11 • 190 • Montclair, N.J. • Montclair HS
Earned first team all-conference and all-county honors as a senior … named third team all-state in 2018 … received second team all-conference in his junior year, helping his team to a state title … team captain as a senior … rushed for more than 1,600 yards and 20 touchdowns in his career … also had 31 career catches for 375 yards and three scores … three-year starter … holds a 3.4 grade-point average … high school coach is John Fiore … parents are Verlaunda Crawford and Landon Crawford Sr.
Coach McElwain says: "Josh was the first commit in our 2019 class. He's very versatile. He's played running back, receiver, safety for his high school team in New Jersey. He comes from a great program. Can't wait to see what he does here."
Ormondell Dingle • Defensive Back • 6-3 • 205 • Detroit, Mich. • Cass Technical HS
Earned All-Detroit honors from the Detroit News as a senior … Finished career with 49 tackles … three interceptions, one returned for a touchdown … six pass deflections … caught 13 passes, three for touchdowns … four-year letterwinner … a part of Detroit Public School League championship team in 2018 … high school coach was Thomas Wilcher … parents are Karisa Dingle and Ormondell Dingle.
Coach McElwain says: "Ormondell is one of three commits from Detroit Cass Tech. Coach (Thomas) Wilcher does a great job with that program. Ormondell is a big, long safety with very good hands, he's very physical, and covers a lot of space in the secondary. He will be a great addition to our secondary and to our program."
Quinten Dormady • Quarterback • 6-4 • 225 • Boerne, Texas • Boerne HS • Houston
Will enroll in January. Houston (2018): Redshirted. Tennessee (2015-17): Threw for 1,282 yards and seven touchdowns, completing 57 percent of his passes during his time at UT … in first career start, led UT to a 42-41 double-overtime win over Georgia Tech, throwing for 221 yards and two touchdowns … named to the SEC academic honor roll in 2015. High School: Threw for nearly 6,000 yards and 59 touchdowns in two varsity seasons … had 2,893 yards on 210-of-369 passing with 32 touchdowns as a senior in 2014 … rthe No. 5-ranked quarterback in the nation by 24/7 Sports … earned all-state honors twice … coach was father Mike Dormady … parents are Mike and Lisa Dormady … .
Coach McElwain says: "Quinton's another quarterback that I had a relationship with when he was coming out of high school. He's played in some big games in the SEC. He's somebody who is a proven winner and he's done it on the biggest stage. He's a very mature field general who I think will help us immensely on and off the field."
Javon Gantt • Tight End • 6-4 • 215 • Jacksonville, Fla. • Westside HS
Early Enrollee … named to the North Florida Football Coaches Association Senior Bowl … earned all-conference honors as a senior … three-year varsity letterwinner … holds a 3.0 grade-point average … high school coach was Rodney Dubose … parent is Kizzy Williams.
Coach McElwain says: "Javon's a very versatile athlete. He can line up out wide or in the slot with is his hand on the ground. Great size, great frame. What really excites me about him is not just his ability to catch the ball, but also the fact that he's a very physical blocker."
Demarcus Governor • Defensive Back • 6-0 • 185 • Plant City, Fla. • Durant HS
Early Enrollee … earned first team all-conference honors as a cornerback and a returner … selected the Focus Magazine Player of the Year … listed by the Tampa Bay Times as a top 100 player in the region … team captain … finished career with five interceptions … also had nearly 1,000 career return yards … earned three varsity letters … ranked as one of the top 150 cornerbacks in the 2019 class … four-year all-academic team … holds a 4.28 grade-point average … high school coach is Mike Gottman … parents are Angelina Valdez and Marques Governor.
Coach McElwain says: "Demarcus is one of the captains of this class. He was very instrumental in holding this thing together for us. He's possesses a very high football IQ, he's a great athlete and a true defensive back. I know his high school coach very well and we've heard nothing but great things about Demarcus and have really enjoyed getting to know him."
Logan Guthrie • Linebacker • 6-2 • 215 • Alpena, Mich. • Alpena HS
Early Enrollee … three-time all-conference selection … earned all-state recognition from the Associated Press and Detroit News as a senior … team MVP in 2017 and 2018 and two-time offensive team MVP … holds school record in career rushing with more than 2,700 yards … four-year starter … tied school record with 27 tackles in a game … earned all-conference honors in basketball and baseball … earned academic all-state earns in 2016, 2017 and 2018 … holds a 3.54 grade-point average … high school coach is Aaron Sims … parents are Candie Dombroski and Harry Guthrie.
Coach McElwain says: "Logan is a true football player. He never left the field for his high school team. He finished as Alpena's all-time leading rusher. Very strong, plays with a great motor, great intensity. Logan will be another great addition for us."
Kamal Hadden • Defensive Back • 6-1 • 175 • Ypsilanti, Mich. • River Rouge HS
Earned all-conference honors as a senior … three-year starter … his squad went 10-1 his senior season … high school coach is Corey Parker … mother is Jeannette Hadden.
Coach McElwain says: "Kamal comes to us from River Rough High School where coach Corey Parker has a lot of experience and a great track record of getting kids prepared for college. Kamal adds some great length to our secondary, plays with terrific tenacity and is really a bulldog back there. Great coverage ability, but he'll also come up and hit you."
Kyron McKinnie-Harper • Defensive Back • 6-1 • 185 • Detroit, Mich. • Cass Technical HS
Named to the 2018 Detroit News Dream team … earned first team all-state honors by the Detroit Free Press and Associated Press as a senior … named to the Detroit Free Press and the Detroit News All-Detroit first team … had six interceptions, 28 pass break-ups and 32 tackles in his senior season … also tallied 23 receptions for 487 yards and nine receiving touchdowns … earned all-conference honors … named to the Detroit News Blue Chip list … won a state championship in 2016 … a part of two Detroit Public School league championships … high school coach was Thomas Wilcher … father is Myron Harper.
Coach McElwain says: "Kyron is another Cass Tech kid. He's shown a lot of versatility on both sides of the ball. He has very good feet and he's another guy that brings great athleticism and length into the secondary. He's a playmaker. He is somebody who jumps off the tape when you watch him. Another guy who has been groomed and coached at Cass Tech by Thomas Wilcher who has just done a great job with this group of kids. It's been great getting back into Cass Tech again and working with him."
Dishon McNary • Defensive Back • 6-1 • 195 • Chicago, Ill. • East Paulding HS • Independence CC
Will enroll in January. Independence CC: Made 28 tackles including 17 solo stops with two sacks last season … also tallied 10 pass break-ups and a blocked kick … coach was Jason Brown … parents are Kim and James Richardson.
Coach McElwain says: "Dishon is somebody who is very focused about his work and we feel very excited and grateful that we've had the opportunity to get to know him these past few weeks and to bring him into the program. He's a Chicago native, has family that has attended Central Michigan, and brings a level of maturity and veteran experience that will be very valuable in this program. He's the type of student-athlete that we're looking to build this program around."
Danny Motowski • Offensive Line • 6-3 • 295 • Macomb, Mich. • De La Salle HS
Earned first team All-State honors from the Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press … was named the captain of the Detroit Free Press D2 all-state team … earned second team all-state honors from the Associated Press … named All-East first team by the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News … earned all-county and all-conference honors … named to the Detroit News Blue Chip list … team captain … three-year starter … squad won two state titles, two conference titles and was the Macomb County team of the year twice during his career … had a 28-9 team record … 3.5 grade-point average … high school coach was Mike Giannone … parents are Tara Motowski and Lou Motowski.
Coach McElwain says: "Danny is a true blue-collar football player, a very tough, physical kid who plays with a true mean streak on the field and knows how to finish. He's received a lot of great coaching, he's a two-time state champion at DeLaSalle, a proven winner."
Lew Nichols • Running Back • 6-0 • 215 • Detroit, Mich. • Cass Technical HS
Early Enrollee … earned all-state honors from the Detroit Free Press, Detroit News and Associated Press as a senior … named All-Detroit by the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press … ran for 1,078 yards on 84 carries and 23 touchdowns as a senior … named to the Detroit NewsBlue Chip list, ranking 24th in the state … three-year starter … won a state championship in 2016 … a part of two Detroit Public School league championships … high school coach was Thomas Wilcher … parents are Artia Nichols and Lewis Nichols Jr.
Coach McElwain says: "Lew is somebody who is going to move the chains for you, a true running back who can be a three-down back. He does a really good job of getting north and south. He's a physically strong kid, a very good student and lets his play do the talking. Another outstanding student-athlete from Coach Wilcher's program"
Daniel Richardson • Quarterback • 5-11 • 195 • Miami, Fla. • Carol City HS
Early Enrollee … holds the Miami Dade County Career passing records for yards (9,791) and touchdowns (116) … three-time all-state and four-time all-county … named the South Florida player of the year in 2016 … selected a Top Gun quarterback in 2016 … led his team to a state title in 2015 … four-year starter … finished career with 1,600 yards rushing and 32 touchdowns … holds a 3.6 grade-point average … high school coach was Benedict Hypolite … parents are Renessa Gordon and Dwayne Richardson.
Coach McElwain says: "I've known him since he was a freshman in high school when he led his team to state championship. He's a competitor, he's a proven winner, incredible leader – all the things you want at that position. He can throw the ball like nobody's business. He is Miami-Dade County's all-time leading passer. We're very fortunate to be able to bring a player of his caliber into our program."
Max Saylor • Defensive Line • 6-3 • 235 • Rochester, Mich. • Brother Rice HS
Named all-state by the Detroit Free Press, Detroit News and the Associated Press … earned All-North honors from the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press … received first team all-conference honors … team captain … earned three varsity letters and was a two-year starter … team defensive MVP in 2018 … finished senior season with 55 tackles, 15 tackles-for-a-loss and five sacks … high school coach was Adam Korzeniewski … parents are Diane Hewson and Dale Saylor.
Coach McElwain says: "Max is another student-athlete who comes from another great high school program in Brother Rice. He worked under coach Adam Korzeniewski there and also the legendary Al Fracassa, who I've known for a long time. You know what type of kid you're getting when you bring in a Brother Rice student-athlete. He works extremely hard in practice and doesn't take any days off, doesn't take any plays off. He's got a tremendous motor and he's somebody who has the potential to continue the tradition of great defensive line play at Central Michigan."
Cameron Vaughn • Offensive Line • 6-6 • 315 • Orlando, Fla. • Haines City HS
Early Enrollee … Selected to play in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl … earned all-conference honors … tallied 34 pancake blocks in his senior season … team captain … named team's best offensive lineman and also earned the team community service award in 2018 … high school coach was Hoku Pratt … parents are Brandie B Vaughn and David Vaughn III.
Coach McElwain says: "When you see Cameron, the first thing that you notice is his size obviously, but he has tremendous feet. He's a very physical kid with long arms and a great frame on him. His dad, David, played in the NBA with the Orlando Magic and played with Penny Hardaway at Memphis, and you can tell he has great athletic abilities with his ability to attack and finish."
Justin Whiteside • Linebacker • 6-1 • 200 • Flossmoor, Ill. • Homewood-Flossmoor HS
Earned All-conference honors … team went 10-2 in his senior season and qualified for the IHSA quarterfinals … high school coach is Craig Buzea … parents are LaToya Stokes and Charles Whiteside.
Coach McElwain says: "Justin comes from a great program at Homewood-Flossmoor High School, which is the same school that produced (CMU starting lineman) Jamezz Kimbrough. Justin was one of the leaders of that team. He's a tremendous student in the classroom and also a great student of the game. He is a tremendous pass rusher from the outside linebacker position, but he also has the speed and athleticism to cover ground and play in space."
Darrell Wyatt • Wide Receiver • 6-1 • 175 • Detroit, Mich. • Martin Luther King HS
Earned all-state honors from the Detroit Free Press, Detroit News and Associated Press in 2017 and 2018 … named All-Detroit by the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press … earned first team all-city honors in 2017 and 2018 and second team honors in 2016 … named to the Detroit NewsBlue Chips listing … a part of two state championship teams, three regional and district title teams and a city championship squad … three-year starter … holds a 3.1 grade-point average … high school coach is Tyrone Spencer … parents are Natea Motley and Darrell Wyatt Sr.
Coach McElwain says: "Rell is somebody who is fresh off a state title and plays for a great coach in Coach Spencer a program that has consistently produced great players and championship-level teams. Rell has good size and length for a wide receiver and possesses great footwork, great hands and a very good catch radius and has finish speed."