Braeden Harlow

Eagles look to return to high-flying ways in 2023

8/10/2023 4:30:00 PM

Eastern led the country in total offense in 2021 and 2019

Eastern Washington football looks to bounce back from a down season in 2022 and return to their familiar position in the upper echelon of the Big Sky Conference this season.

After boasting the top-ranked offense in the entire FCS in 2019 and 2021 — two of four times the program has achieved the feat in its history — eyes will undoubtedly focus on that side of the ball with a new starting quarterback but many familiar faces looking to step into a more prominent role.

Quarterback

Kekoa Visperas returns to Cheney for his redshirt sophomore season after appearing in five games in 2022, starting one. The Spanaway, Wash. made his first career start in the Eagles' final game of the season, turning in a stellar performance that included 17-of-21 passes completed for 235 yards and 2 TDs, adding 33 yards and a TD on the ground. A threat with both his arm and legs, Visperas had 19 rushing attempts for 88 yards and 2 TDs on the season.

Also taking snaps behind center at fall camp are transfers Michael Wortham and Jared Taylor, joined by true freshmen Aidan Carter and Nate Bell. Wortham has shown his athleticism throughout spring and fall camps, even getting looks as a punt and kick returner. Taylor was an efficient passer at Feather River College last year, completing 69 percent of his passes for 1,961 yards and 24 touchdowns to only 1 interception.

Running Back

On any given day, Eagle fans might see a different name making a big play at running back. The group is chock full of talent, with returning veterans Tuna Altahir (R-So.) and Justice Jackson (Jr.) leading the way.

Altahir paced the team with 104 carries for 444 yards a season ago, scoring 3 TDs while adding a 4th TD receiving. He earned a career-high 153 yards on the ground against Northern Colorado. Jackson posted a similar line, gaining 408 yards on 83 carries with 2 scores on the ground.

Redshirt junior Micah Smith returns to the squad after chipping in 245 yards and 2 TDs on 45 rushes, with the majority of that production coming in a monster game against Montana State (13 car, 114 yds, 2 TDs).

Another player to watch is junior transfer Malik Dotson, who was teammates with Jared Taylor at Feather River College last season. The Arlington, Wash. product averaged an incredible 9.27 yards per carry in 2022, highlighted by a 276-yard, 6-TD performance vs. Los Medanos.

Wide Receiver

The storied tradition of wide receiver excellence at Eastern looks to continue in 2023 with a cadre of proven pass catchers competing with eager and anxious youngsters looking to make their mark.

Plenty of attention will go the way of Efton Chism III, who earned Preseason All-Big Sky honors after being selected to the All-Big Sky Third Team last season. Chism averaged 6.2 receptions per game, good for 3rd in the conference and 17th in the nation. He also returned kicks, averaging 100.9 all-purpose yards per game to rank 7th in the Big Sky. He finished the season with 607 yards receiving.

After Chism is a battle among several potential breakout candidates, including Nolan Ulm (29 rec, 396 yds, 4 TDs last season), Jakobie James (18 rec, 228 yds, 1 TD in 8 GP), Anthony Stell Jr. (14 rec, 163 yards, 1 TD) and Robert Mason III (5 rec, 36 yards in 4 GP).

Tight End

Blake Gobel looks to take over the reins as the go-to tight end after earning Preseason All-Big Sky recognition this summer. The redshirt senior from Banks, Ore. boasts 27 career receptions for 368 yards and 9 TDs, including 9 catches for 119 yards and 2 TD last season.

Also earning reps during spring and fall camps are redshirt junior Jett Carpenter as well as redshirt sophomores JP Murphy, a transfer from San Diego State, and Messiah Jones.

Offensive Line

The Eagle offensive line, as usual, goes about its business without much fanfare but will prove critical to the team's success. Eastern brings back four regular starters from a year ago in Wyatt Hansen, Luke Dahlgren, Brandon Rivera and Seth Carnahan.

Hansen started every game last year (mostly at left tackle) and earned Big Sky Honorable Mention honors. Dahlgren, who joins Chism, DE Brock Harrison, CB Darrien Sampson and P Nick Kokich as one of five team captains this season, started at center last year while Rivera lined up at right guard and Carnahan started the majority of games at right tackle. Matthew Hewa Baddege also saw time at right tackle, including two starts.

Tickets for the 2023 EWU Football season are now available! Visit goeags.com/tickets or call the EWU Athletics Ticket Office at 509-359-6059 to secure yours today.

ABOUT EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Eastern Washington University Athletics sponsors 14 intercollegiate sports, six for men and eight for women, both as learning opportunities for its most athletically talented students and as an enhancement to student and community life. Eastern is affiliated with Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and is a member of the Big Sky Conference, an association of 10 regional schools with comparable enrollments and academic goals.

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Eagles look to return to high-flying ways in 2023