2026 NFL Draft Pro Day Report: Central Michigan Chippewas

The Central Michigan Chippewas finished their first year under new head coach Matt Drinkall as a bowl-worthy program, qualifying for the postseason for the first time since 2021.

Many of those senior leaders took the next step in their football careers on March 18th, working out in front of a gathering of scouts from both the NFL and CFL. In all, 12 former Chippewas participated in Combine exercises at the university's Indoor Athletic Complex.

For our reports, we’ve pulled raw numbers from both Draft Scout and RAS.football to populate RAS score cards. These cards are used with express written permission of RAS’ creator Kent Lee Platte.

HB Nahree Biggins

Elevator Pitch:

Arrived in Mt. Pleasant as "athlete" recruit under Jim McElwain. Spent first three years at safety before converting to halfback in 2024. Featured in 2025 under Matt Drinkall's power spread offense. Ran for 576 yards and two touchdowns on 105 carries, with nine catches for 185 yards and a touchdown in 2025. Biggins' background makes him an intriguing special teamer at the next level, with upside as a potential third-down back between his power running style and chops in the receiving game.

Draft Projections:

• Lower-league roster or tryout

Measurables (as of Pro Day)

• Height: five-foot-eleven
• Weight: 201 lbs.
• Arms: 31 and one-half inches
• Hands: 8 and three-quarter inches

Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)

• 40-yard dash: 4.65 seconds
• 10-yard split: 1.64 seconds
• 20-yard split: 2.76 seconds
• Shuttle: 4.32 seconds
• Three-cone drill: 7.05 seconds
• Vertical jump: 35.5 inches
• Broad jump: nine feet, nine inches
• Bench: 19 reps at 225 lbs.

Relative Athletic Score: 3.02

LB Lawai'a Brown

Elevator Pitch:

A linebacker from Hawai'i, Brown was a depth contributor in the linebacker room from his true freshman campaign onwards, primarily on special teams. Played in 47 games, with five starts. Finished career with 109 career tackles, 5.5 tackles-for-loss, one sack, two pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.

Draft Projections:

• Lower-league tryout

Measurables (as of Pro Day)

• Height: five-foot-ten
• Weight: 223 lbs.
• Arms: 31 and five-eighth inches
• Hands: 9 and one-half inches

Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)

• 40-yard dash: 5.01 seconds
• 10-yard split: 1.76 seconds
• 20-yard split: 2.90 seconds
• Shuttle: 4.76 seconds
• Three-cone drill: 7.57 seconds
• Vertical jump: 29 inches
• Broad jump: eight feet, 10 inches
• Bench: 14 reps at 225 lbs.

Relative Athletic Score: 0.25

LB Dakota Cochran

Elevator Pitch:

A five-year contributor at inside and outside linebacker who dressed for the Maroon and Gold for 49 games. Has the smarts to diagnose the offense, with effective play setting the edge in the run game and in passing lanes. Finished with 217 tackles, 21 TFLs, five sacks, two interceptions (including a pick-six), eight passes defensed, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and a scoop-and-score touchdown.

Draft Projections:

• Lower-league tryout

Measurables (as of Pro Day)

• Height: six-foot-one
• Weight: 241 lbs.
• Arms: 32 and one-eighth inches
• Hands: eight and one-quarter inches

Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)

• 40-yard dash: 4.88 seconds
• 10-yard split: 1.66 seconds
• 20-yard split: 2.89 seconds
• Shuttle: N/A
• Three-cone drill: N/A
• Vertical jump: 34.5 inches
• Broad jump: nine feet, one inches
• Bench: 14 reps at 225 lbs.

Relative Athletic Score: 3.08

DL/OL Jonathan Decker

Elevator Pitch:

A fascinating athletic presence with one year of starting experience. Under McElwain, converted to offensive line after redshirt freshman year and stayed at tackle until 2025, when Drinkall flipped Decker back to defensive tackle. Finished with 25 tackles and two TFLs and showed explosive first steps. Participated in both OL and DL workouts at Pro Day, with extremely favorable numbers at both positions. Projects as an offensive guard at the pro level, but would need to bulk up slightly and get lots of time to develop, as he lacks in-game experience.

Draft Projections:

• NFL rookie mini-camp tryout; lower-league contributor

Measurables (as of Pro Day)

• Height: six-foot-five
• Weight: 294 lbs.
• Arms: 32 inches
• Hands: 8 and five-eighth inches

Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)

• 40-yard dash: 5.01 seconds
• 10-yard split: 1.74 seconds
• 20-yard split: 2.98 seconds
• Shuttle: 4.69 seconds
• Three-cone drill: 7.54 seconds
• Vertical jump: 30.5 inches
• Broad jump: nine feet, one inch
• Bench: 23 reps at 225 lbs.

Relative Athletic Score (as defensive tackle): 8.15

DT Dylan Fisher

Elevator Pitch:

Up-transfer from D-II Ohio Dominican who played final season of eligibility at CMU. Finished with six tackles over eight games. At ODU, compiled 42 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, one interception, two pass breakups, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. Did not run the 40-yard dash at Pro Days.

Draft Projections:

• Lower-league tryout

Measurables (as of Pro Day)

• Height: five-foot-eleven
• Weight: 302 lbs.
• Arms: 31 inches
• Hands: 9 and three-quarter inches

Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)

• 40-yard dash: N/A
• 10-yard split: N/A
• 20-yard split: N/A
• Shuttle: 4.94 seconds
• Three-cone drill: 8.35 seconds
• Vertical jump: 24 inches
• Broad jump: seven feet, two inches
• Bench: 19 reps at 225 lbs.

Relative Athletic Score: 0.19

SAF Elijah Gordon

Elevator Pitch:

Up-transfer from D-II power Saginaw Valley State, played final season at CMU. Utilized primarily on special teams and as a subpackage safety, played in 12 of 13 games with three starts in 2025. Ranked sixth on team in 2025 with 48 tackles and hauled in an interception and a fumble recovery. Finished career between SVSU and CMU with 185 tackles, seven INTs, nine TFLs, 13 PBUs, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and four blocked kicks. Did not partake in agility drills at Pro Day.

Draft Projections:

• Lower-league tryout

Measurables (as of Pro Day)

• Height: five-foot-eleven
• Weight: 193 lbs.
• Arms: 31 inches
• Hands: 9 and one-eighth inches

Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)

• 40-yard dash: 4.64 seconds
• 10-yard split: 1.63 seconds
• 20-yard split: 2.72 seconds
• Shuttle: N/A
• Three-cone drill: N/A
• Vertical jump: 36 inches
• Broad jump: nine feet, nine inches
• Bench: 19 reps at 225 lbs.

Relative Athletic Score: 3.53

EDGE Michael Heldman

Elevator Pitch:

An anchor at the starting EDGE position over 53 games (42 starts), Heldman presents as an intriguing technical pass rusher with a good nose for chasing halfbacks. Wins pass-rush reps with advanced hand usage and understanding of leverage. Improved athletic profile greatly in senior season and it showed, doubling tackles, TFLs and sacks from the season prior. Earned first-team all-MAC honors and a second-team Group of Five All-American nod from HERO Sports in 2025 after picking up 48 tackles (24 solo), 16.5 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, four PBUs, nine QB hurries and a forced fumble. Ranked top 15 in NCAA in TFLs and sacks in 2025. Leaves Mt. Pleasant with program records in career QB hurries, QB hurries in a season and QB hurries in a game, while finishing top 10 in program history in games played, sacks, TFLs and forced fumbles.

Draft Projections:

• Day 3 NFL Draft pick or priority UDFA

Measurables (as of Pro Day)

• Height: six-foot-three
• Weight: 268 lbs.
• Arms: 32 and one-half inches
• Hands: 9 and one-half inches

Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)

• 40-yard dash: 4.70 seconds
• 10-yard split: 1.64 seconds
• 20-yard split: 2.73 seconds
• Shuttle: 4.31 seconds
• Three-cone drill: 7.05 seconds
• Vertical jump: 40 inches
• Broad jump: 10 feet, three inches
• Bench: 29 reps at 225 lbs.

Relative Athletic Score: 9.90

LB Jordan Kwiatkowski

Elevator Pitch:

Unquestioned leader of the Chippewa defense, elected a captain multiple times between different staffs. Returned to CMU after brief flirtation with transfer portal despite Power school interest. Excels in coverage and spy situations where he can roam the middle of the field and read the quarterback, using his explosive lateral movement to limit offenses. Had notable year-to-year improvement in 2025 with three picks, three forced fumbles and three sacks after collecing zero in all three stats in 2024. Career-high 117 tackles in 2025. Finished career with back-to-back placements on the all-MAC defense (first-team in 2025, second-team in 2024), compiling 255 tackles, 28.5 TFLs, four INTs (one pick-six), three sacks, nine PBUs, three forced fumbles, and a blocked kick over 47 games (25 starts.) Projects as a core special teamer with subpackage backer upside at the pro level.

Draft Projections:

• Day 3 NFL Draft pick or undrafted free agent

Measurables (as of Pro Day)

• Height: six-feet
• Weight: 229 lbs.
• Arms: 30 and one-eighth inches
• Hands: 8 and seven-eighth inches

Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)

• 40-yard dash: 4.84 seconds
• 10-yard split: 1.66 seconds
• 20-yard split: 2.78 seconds
• Shuttle: 4.32 seconds
• Three-cone drill: 6.98 seconds
• Vertical jump: 36.5 inches
• Broad jump: nine feet, five inches
• Bench: 18 reps at 225 lbs.

Relative Athletic Score: 4.94

QB Joe Labas

Elevator Pitch:

A former transfer from Iowa, Labas started two seasons for the Chippewas– one season each under McElwain and Drinkall. Played six games in 2024 before losing the rest of the season to a severe leg injury. Returned from transfer portal after 2024 offseason. A serviceable hand who finished with 2,968 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2025 on 71 percent completion.

Draft Projections:

• Lower-league tryout

Measurables (as of Pro Day)

• Height: six-foot-two
• Weight: 191 lbs.
• Arms: 31 inches
• Hands: 9 and three-eighth inches

Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)

• 40-yard dash: 5.07 seconds
• 10-yard split: 1.75 seconds
• 20-yard split: 2.95 seconds
• Shuttle: 4.64 seconds
• Three-cone drill: 7.32 seconds
• Vertical jump: 32.5 inches
• Broad jump: nine feet, three inches
• Bench: N/A

Relative Athletic Score: 1.65

LS Benjamin Pratt

Elevator Pitch:

A three-year starter at long-snapper, had no passed snaps over 37 games. MAC All-Academic roster three-straight seasons (2023-25), with all-MAC nods as a long snapper from outside publications.

Draft Projections:

• Lower-league tryout

Measurables (as of Pro Day)

• Height: five-foot-ten
• Weight: 237 lbs.
• Arms: 29 and three-quarter inches
• Hands: 8 and one-half inches

Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)

• 40-yard dash: 5.51 seconds
• 10-yard split: 2.00 seconds
• 20-yard split: 3.18 seconds
• Shuttle: 4.84 seconds
• Three-cone drill: 8.12 seconds
• Vertical jump: 23 inches
• Broad jump: seven feet, six inches
• Bench: 18 reps at 225 lbs.

Relative Athletic Score: 0.62

SAF Elijah Rikard

Elevator Pitch:

A reliable free safety with 37 games and 26 starts under his belt, Rikard finished his four-year career with 131 tackles, a sack, four TFLs, two pass breakups, a fumble recovery, and two interceptions. Also has experience at cornerback and on special teams. A solid tackler who finished eighth on the team in 2025 with 48 tackles, including 27 solo stops.

Draft Projections:

• Lower-league tryout

Measurables (as of Pro Day)

• Height: six-foot
• Weight: 191 lbs.
• Arms: 30 and one-eighth inches
• Hands: 9 and one-eighth inches

Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)

• 40-yard dash: 4.65 seconds
• 10-yard split: 1.66 seconds
• 20-yard split: 2.68 seconds
• Shuttle: 4.65 seconds
• Three-cone drill: 7.55 seconds
• Vertical jump: 32.5 inches
• Broad jump: nine feet, nine inches
• Bench: 8 reps at 225 lbs.

Relative Athletic Score: 1.12

DB Akeem Snell

Elevator Pitch:

Up-transfer from then-FCS St. Francis [PA], Snell was largely a special teams contributor at CMU. Plucked a pick-six against Central Connecticut State in his debut game in 2024. Finished CMU career with 24 tackles, two TFLs, two interceptions, a sack and two pass break-ups. At SFU, collected 16 tackles, an interception, a sack and a pass break-up.

Draft Projections:

• Lower-league tryout

Measurables (as of Pro Day)

• Height: six-foot-one
• Weight: 182 lbs.
• Arms: 31 and three-eighth inches
• Hands: 9 and three-quarter inches

Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)

• 40-yard dash: 4.70 seconds
• 10-yard split: 1.63 seconds
• 20-yard split: 2.75 seconds
• Shuttle: 4.47 seconds
• Three-cone drill: 7.37 seconds
• Vertical jump: 32.5 inches
• Broad jump: 10 feet
• Bench: N/A

Relative Athletic Score: 1.50

DB Caleb Spann

Elevator Pitch:

A native of New Orleans, Spann was a valued member of the defensive secondary from his true freshman season onwards, with 53 games and 32 starts over five years. Often featured as a defensive leader. Spann saw time at safety and punt returner in his time at CMU. Finished third on the team with 54 tackles to go along with an interception and four PBUs in 2025. Best season was in 2024, collecting 61 tackles, four TFLs, 1.5 sacks and six pass break-ups. Over five-year career, finished with 184 tackles, eight TFLs, two sacks, two interceptions and 16 pass breakups.

Draft Projections:

• Lower-league tryout

Measurables (as of Pro Day)

• Height: five-foot-10
• Weight: 203 lbs.
• Arms: 31 and five-eighth inches
• Hands: 9 inches

Skill Drills (numbers from Pro Day)

• 40-yard dash: 4.75 seconds
• 10-yard split: 1.60 seconds
• 20-yard split: 2.73 seconds
• Shuttle: 4.69 seconds
• Three-cone drill: 7.31 seconds
• Vertical jump: 34.5 inches
• Broad jump: nine feet, three inches
• Bench: 20 reps at 225 lbs.

Relative Athletic Score: 2.43