2026 MAC Football Preseason Preview: Western Michigan Broncos

No MAC champion has repeated since 2011 and 2012 Northern Illinois.

Immediately after Western Michigan obliterated Kennesaw State 41-6 in the Myrtle Beach Bowl for its 10th victory, the Broncos made it their mission to become the team that bucks that trend.

The offseason saw starting quarterback Broc Lowry, the MAC's reigning Offensive Player of the Year, announce his return to Kalamazoo. 1,000-yard running back Jalen Buckley committed soon after. The majority of the starting offensive line is also coming back, and so are four starters in the secondary.

Suffice to say: mission accomplished.

Western Michigan enters 2026 with unprecedented continuity for a MAC champion in the NIL/transfer portal era, retaining a MAC-high 11 starters. Most impressively, not a single primary offensive or defensive starter was lost to the transfer portal, with all 11 losses via graduation. Thus, there is a clear level of cohesiveness and camaraderie within Lance Taylor's facilities, just like there was when the Broncos overcame an 0-3 start for a 10-1 finish during their 2025 MAC championship run.

There will undoubtedly be a target on the Broncos' back this year, and they'll get every MAC opponent's best shot. How do Coach Taylor and Co. respond to the newfound pressure after concluding 2025 on a blistering hot streak?

What’s New?

Last time Western Michigan won a MAC title in 2016, the Broncos were forced to restart the following fall with a new head coach. That is not the case nearly a decade later as Lance Taylor remains in Kalamazoo after three seasons of upward progression.

However, that doesn't mean a lack of significant changes.

Defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary excelled to the point the NFL came calling. After guiding the Broncos to a top-10 national scoring defense, he was hired as the Los Angeles Chargers' defensive coordinator. Western Michigan chose to fill this vacancy with an internal hire, promoting linebackers coach Greer Martini, who can carry on O'Leary's system and verbiage.

Martini is new to a coordinator role, but he'll receive assistance from an outsider. Taylor hired Duane Vaughn as a co-defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach after Vaughn spent the past 13 seasons at Furman, including five as the DC.

Western Michigan also restructures some of its defensive staff. Defensive ends coach Sean Spence follows O'Leary as the Chargers new linebackers coach. Defensive line coach Seth Payne moved to Vanderbilt. Lorenzo Jackson will be tasked with replacing these two as the new defensive line coach, arriving from FCS program Lamar. Casey McHugh takes over as safeties coach — a role previously occupied by O'Leary — after serving as an assistant defensive backs coach at Notre Dame. Finally, Will Kirkendall was promoted from defensive analyst to nickels coach.

The remainder of the staff stays constant. Offensive coordinator Walt Bell and special teams coordinator Dan Sabock retain their roles on staff, as do the offensive position coaches.

Even though Western Michigan returns the most starters in the MAC, the Broncos leaned heavily on the transfer portal. The portal's main function was to restock the defensive line, but Western Michigan also filled in some cracks at tight end, on the offensive line, and within the secondary. Taylor succeeded with his prior year transfer class as defensive stars Nadame Tucker and James Camden were among newcomers to Kalamazoo.

Offense

• Key arrivals: RB AJ Green Jr., WR Emazon Littlejohn, TE Nate Levicki, TE Adam Parks, G Ben Roebuck, OT Brandon Smith
• Key departures: RB Devin Miles, WR Tailique Williams, WR Malique Dieudonne, TE Blake Bosma, TE Michael Brescia, C Raheem Anderson II, G John Hofer, OT Zach Vaughan, OT Adam Vandervest
• Key incumbents: QB Broc Lowry, RB Jalen Buckley, RB Ofa Mataele, WR Aveion Chenault, WR Baylin Brooks, C Jeremy Schleicher, G Gavin Dabo, G Hunter Whitenack, OT Chad Schuster

Western Michigan's offense didn't register a single point in two of its first three contests in 2025. Yet by the end of the season, it was a force to be reckoned with.

The Broncos were in experimentation mode last August and September, attempting a two-QB system with Brady Jones and Broc Lowry. But once they settled on Lowry as the starter and shifted the offense to a physical, ground-oriented, downhill attack, the wins started accumulating. Lowry finished 10-1 as a starter and earned MAC Offensive Player of the Year honors. And he didn't really need to pass either.

Lowry threw under 20 passes in each of his final five starts and all five were Western Michigan victories. He only eclipsed 180 yards through the air twice all year, but when he needed to throw, he did his job. Lowry maintained an efficient 63.4 completion rate while delivering nine touchdowns to three interceptions. But his running is what earned him postseason accolades. The QB power specialist compiled 963 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, surpassing 80 yards in seven-consecutive games.

What made it all work — he wasn't even the most dominant rusher in the offense. That title belongs to Jalen Buckley, the MAC Championship Game and Myrtle Beach Bowl Offensive MVP who persevered through several injuries for a storybook ending to the season. Buckley finished with 1,003 rushing yards thanks to his 193-yard rampage on the MAC title game stage and his uber-efficient eight-carry, 174-yard barnburner in the bowl game. Ranked ninth in program history in rushing yards, Buckley is back in Kalamazoo for a fifth season, hoping to replicate his December performances.

For a team that ranked sixth in rushing attempts per game and 12th in time of possession, more than two bodies are needed in such a ground-heavy offense. In fact, Western Michigan became the first team since 2017 Notre Dame to produce three 100-yard rushers in a single game last year.

Thus, the RB2 role is essential in Kalamazoo. This season, it will belong to Arkansas transfer AJ Green Jr., who tallied 964 rushing yards and four touchdowns in four seasons with the Razorbacks. The redshirt senior should arrive as a perfect complement to Buckley. Ofa Mataele (252 rushing yards in 2025) could also eat some carries, giving Western Michigan depth in a position that needs it most.

Wielding an established offensive line is another plus for the run game. Guards Gavin Dabo and Hunter Whitenack and right tackle Chad Schuster were all primary starters during the Broncos' 10-1 stretch to end 2025. Still, a new tackle and center must be identified. Jeremy Schleicher started the first three games at center last fall and could return to the role. Other linemen gunning for starting spots include transfers Ben Roebuck and Brandon Smith. Roebuck made two appearances at Michigan, while Smith was a starting left tackle at FCS Illinois State, prior to suffering a midseason injury.

Returning a mobile quarterback, a star running back, and three linemen is massive for the offense, but the unsung heroes of the run game are the tight ends. Western Michigan had great blockers in Blake Bosmia and Michael Brescia for the 2025 season, but both tight ends graduated. Replacing that production was a priority in the portal for Coach Taylor and his staff, who landed on FCS All-American Nate Levicki (Presbyterian) and Adam Parks (New Mexico State). Levicki was a unanimous first-team all-conference selection at his prior stop, securing 34 receptions for 471 yards, and six touchdowns in the FCS.

Levicki should be a focal point in the passing game, as will returning starting wide receivers Baylin Brooks and Aveion Chenault. Brooks and Chenault were second and third on the team, respectively, with 372 and 277 receiving yards. Western Michigan still needs a replacement for leading receiver Tailique Williams, and that's where Emazon Littlejohn comes into play. The former South Carolina walk-on could be poised for a breakout season after an offseason adjusting to new scenery.

Defense

• Key arrivals: DE Scoop Gardner Jr., DE Austin Alexander, DE DeJuan Echoles Jr., DT Zavian Tibbs, DT Ahmed Tounkara, DT Blair Alexander, ILB Brenden Anes, ILB Justyce Betts, CB Willard Ferrell, CB Cam'ron Barber, FS Daeh McCullough, SS Tahj Owens
• Key departures: DE Nadame Tucker, DE Rodney McGraw, DE Kershawn Fisher, DT Marcel Tyler, DT Mustafi Al-Garawi, DT Tyson Lee, ILB James Camden, OLB Sefa Saipaia, CB John Peters, SS Tate Hallock
• Key incumbents: ILB Dillon Moore, OLB Domanick Moon, CB Josh Franklin, CB Jarvarius Sims, FS Micah Davis, SS Joey Pope

As potent as Western Michigan's rushing offense was to end last season, defense was the primary reason the Broncos secured their first MAC title in nine years. They were fifth nationally in sacks per game and ninth in scoring defense, exhibiting a well-rounded unit that held eight of 14 opponents below 20 points.

The Broncos boast great continuity, but the defense must replace more key pieces than the offense. Defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary is off to the Chargers, and linebackers coach Greer Martini will put forth his best effort at replicating what O'Leary established last season.

All defensive line and linebacker starters must be replaced. The most significant loss is reigning Vern Smith Leadership Award (MAC MVP) winner Nadame Tucker, who led the FBS in sacks (14.5) and tackles for loss (21.0) during his 2025 All-American campaign. Prior to dominating the MAC last season, Tucker flew under the radar, producing 10 tackles and zero sacks in his prior three seasons at Houston.

Western Michigan hopes to find another Tucker with untapped potential on the defensive line. The Broncos brought in his former Houston teammate Zavian Tibbs, who registered 11 tackles in two seasons with the Cougars, as well as North Carolina defensive end Austin Alexander, Ohio State defensive tackle Ahmed Tounkara, and NC State defensive tackle Blair Alexander — all who experienced limited playing time at their prior stops. Former Ball State defensive end DeJuan Echoles Jr. and FCS Long Island transfer Scoop Gardner Jr. are among additions with more collegiate experience on the completely refurbished d-line.

The Broncos' two leading tacklers — James Camden and Sefa Saipaia — must be replaced in the linebacking corps. Once again, Western Michigan mitigated its losses through the portal, bringing in Tennessee's Brenden Anes (5 tackles in 2025) and JUCO standouts Justyce Betts, Jermar McCarter, and Teegan Haines. Betts is particularly intriguing among the newcomers after posting 96 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks at Butler Community College (KS).

Returning pieces to the group include inside linebacker Dillon Moore and outside linebacker Domanick Moon. Both reserves were rotation fixtures in 2025, combining for 42 tackles and 3.0 tackles for loss, arriving into 2026 as potential starters.

Western Michigan's most experienced position group on defense, by a significant margin, is the secondary. All four returning starters from last year's 10-win squad reside in the defensive backfield, with super-senior Tate Hallock as the only loss. Third Team All-MAC selection Josh Franklin and Jarvarius Sims are the returning corners. Franklin was the top coverage specialist with a team-best 10 pass breakups, while Sims is the returning tackles leader after contributing 64. Micah Davis and Joey Pope are back as the starting safeties. Pope generated 60 stops, while Pope tied for the team lead with three interceptions — including a 75-yard pick-six in the Myrtle Beach Bowl domination. With these four playing vital roles, Western Michigan ranked 18th nationally in fewest passing yards allowed and 12th in lowest opponent completion percentage.

It never hurts to add more depth. Western Michigan brought in numerous FCS defensive backs to bolster the room. Cornerbacks Cam'ron Barber and Willard Ferrell arrive together from Presbyterian, while safeties Tahj Owens and Kouri Crump join after stints at Princeton and VMI, respectively.

Special Teams

• Key arrivals: PR Josh Franklin, LS Drew Doyle
• Key departures: KR Devin Miles
• Key incumbents: K Palmer Domschke, P Ryan Millmore, PR Keivin Boone-Nelson, PR Josh Franklin

Western Michigan fans are well-acquainted with the faces of their special teams.

Palmer Domschke has been the Broncos' primary placekicker since 2022, and the fifth-year senior returns after scoring setting a new season-high with 79 points last year. Domschke attempted 19 field goals in 2025 and sunk 10-of-13 tries from 40 yards and beyond — hitting a long of 50 in the MAC Championship.

Ryan Millmore returns for his third season as the Broncos' punter. The junior from Bloomington, IL increased his average from 40.3 to 42.4 year over year, and he'll look to rise into All-MAC status as one of the most experienced punters in the conference.

In the return game, the Broncos seek a new kick returner after the departure of Devin Miles. Candidates to take over this role could include last season's primary punt returners, Josh Franklin and Keivin Boone-Nelson. However, Western Michigan struggled with muffed punts last season, to the point where tight end Blake Bosma finished the season as punt returner, in order for a secure set of hands to guarantee possession.

Kick returner and punt returner are two of the more open competitions on this team, and Western Michigan hopes to find long-term solutions at these positions prior to the Week 1 opener at Michigan.

Outlook

Nothing short of a MAC championship will be a satisfying season for Western Michigan. The Broncos created a standard for themselves when rattling off 10 victories in their final 11 games last year, and that momentum is expected to carry forward after the return of Broc Lowry, Jalen Buckley, two starting receivers, three starting offensive linemen, and four starting defensive backs.

Yes, there are significant holes to fill, especially within the defensive front and the Nadame Tucker-sized vacancy there. But Western Michigan is well-positioned for a second-straight MAC Championship given its continuity and success from October onward last season. Once the Broncos found a winning formula, they stayed true to themselves. That clock-consuming, ground-dominating physical style of football will remain their identity in 2026.

Now the question is, can Western Michigan take a MAC championship to the next level and secure a College Football Playoff bid? It sounds impossible, but the Broncos have a schedule which allows for statement wins. They open at the Big House against Michigan on Sept. 5, but the result which impacts their playoff prospects most is their home game against Boise State on Sept. 26. A win that Saturday at Waldo over the preseason Pac-12 favorite could work wonders for a CFP bid.

But Western Michigan must also deliver in conference play. The MAC schedule features some challenges, with consecutive October road trips to rival Central Michigan and Toledo as a notable obstacle. Two nights before Thanksgiving, there will be a 2025 MAC Championship Game rematch against Miami (OH) — a game which is likely to have conference championship stakes for at least one party involved. Taking care of those specific games should favorably position Western Michigan to become the first MAC team to repeat as champions since 2011 and 2012 Northern Illinois.

Schedule

All dates and times are current as of publication. An asterisk (*) denotes a conference game.

^ played at neutral-site Ford Field in Detroit, MI