[2024] The Bucking Bronco: Meet the 2024 Recruiting Class (Offense)

[Jieret]

Soon.

 

On the field, the football season is over for your Western Michigan Broncos.  The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl ended in a 34-26 loss to the Colorado State Rams and their senior standout running back Mark Nelson.  No one likes to end on a down note like that, yet there were moments and stories to celebrate along the way. 

Those will have to wait for another time, however.  Today is for the other football season, the one that ended over five weeks ago for WMU.  Recruiting season.  Due to roster space this was always going to be a small class for the Broncos, and indeed they filled out at 17 new commits for the 2024 season.  Currently, the Broncos have the 34th-rated class in the nation.

So let's meet the class and discuss what they'll bring to the team!

Without further ado, YOUR newest Western Michigan Broncos:

#39 5* WR Ismael Leon [Red Zone Threat] (Los Angeles, CA) B/C
#162 4* CB Ed Agosta [Zone Coverage] (Lansing, MI) B/B-
#204 4* QB Solomon Walker [Balanced] (St. Johns, FL) B/B
4* RB Thomas Giumarra [Balanced] (Leavittsburg, OH) C/C+
4* WR William Macie [Possession] (Lawrenceville, GA) C/A-
4* OT Kevin Lowe [Pass Blocking] (Opelousas, LA) C/B-
4* OG Aldo Alvarado [Pass Blocking] (Milledgeville, GA) C/B-
4* C Joshua Bouchard [Balanced] (Keyser, WV) C/C
4* DE Kevin Perkins [Run Stopper] (Laurel, MS) C/C+
4* DE Tucker Adakwa [Run Stopper] (Battle Creek, MI) C/B
4* DT Mikel Smith [Nose Tackle] (Washington, DC) C/B 
4* FS Warren Mohsin [Man Coverage] (St. Leon, IN) C/B+
3* WR Zion Dowden [Possession] (Monroe, MI) C/B+
3* TE Steven Elder [Vertical Threat] (Independence, LA) C/B
3* CB Craig Wingate [Zone Coverage] (Lebanon, OH) C/A-
3* ATH Eugene Haywood [Slotback] (Childress, TX) C/B
3* ATH Steven Tharp [Strongside] (Terre Haute, IN) C/B-

Quarterback

4* QB Solomon Walker [Balanced] (St. Johns, FL) B/B: Position Ranks: #13 overall, #5 Balanced

WMU felt it was time to find an heir apparent to the Duck Commander Willie Robinson, and initially offered local standout Willis Humphrey.  However, Humphrey turned out to favor even more local (and "known" QB factory) Michigan, causing the Broncos to pivot and zero in on Walker.  Walker was more than receptive to the pitch, and despite a late push from FAU was WMU's second commit in the class.  

Walker doesn't have the pure arm talent that Robinson does, but makes up for it with his ability to extend plays outside the pocket.  If the Broncos ever decide to shift to a more balanced offensive approach, he could be the perfect man to lead them.  In the meantime, he'll try to show enough to earn a place on the 2025 depth chart.

The Bucking Bronco's projection: 2025 redshirt, 2026 QB2, 2028 starter

 

Running Back

4* RB Thomas Giumarra [Balanced] (Leavittsburg, OH) C/C+: Position Ranks: #29 overall, #7 Balanced

As mentioned elsewhere, Giumarra was once seen as a likely Wisconsin commit.  But when coach Kwheele left mid-season for the Miami Gators (and later the Arkansas Razorbacks) the new staff decided to pursue fellow Ohioan Matthew Jones instead, leaving Giumarra in the lurch somewhat late in the cycle.  WMU won his signature over Purdue, and Giumarra makes their second-ever blue-chip RB, after Carlo Liu last year.  Like Liu, Giumarra is a well-rounded player that is equally adept in the run or pass game.  Converted QB David Ponce de Leon is the unquestioned starter next year, and 2026 senior Douglas Wrobel is probably the man then.  After that though, it looks like an open competition.

On a sadder note, Giumarra's late commitment likely came at the expense of 3* ATH Richard Jones, who lost his spot in the recruiting class to Giumarra.  Jones ended up enrolling at Tennessee Tech.

The Bucking Bronco's projection: 2025 redshirt, 2027 RB1 competition

 

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

5* WR Ismael Leon [Red Zone Threat] (Los Angeles, CA) B/C: Position Ranks: #6 overall, #2 Red Zone Threat
4* WR William Macie [Possession] (Lawrenceville, GA) C/A-: Position Ranks: #62 overall, #16 Possession
3* WR Zion Dowden [Possession] (Monroe, MI) C/B+: Position Ranks: #241 overall, #69 Possession (nice)
3* TE Steven Elder [Vertical Threat] (Independence, LA) C/B: Position Ranks: #46 overall, #15 Vertical Threat
3* ATH Eugene Haywood [Slotback] (Childress, TX) C/B: Position Ranks: #69 overall (nice), #5 Slotback

Western Michigan has not recruited the WR position well since coach Jieret arrived - odd for such a traditionally pass-happy offense.  The coaching staff apparently heard the grumbling and took it to heart with easily the best pass-catching group they've ever signed.  Ismael Leon is the crown jewel of the class, WMU's first 5-star WR ever.  At 6'2" 205 Leon presents a big target for his QB, shielding the ball well from defenders, and provides a different look from many of the WRs on the current roster.  Georgia's William Macie is more in the mold of past Bronco great Durham Simmons, a sure-handed operator that focuses on moving the chains, while Zion Dowden grew up a WMU fan and can't wait to live out his dream.  Dowden isn't just a feel-good story though; WR coach Sam McCullum believes he's a diamond in the rough that needs time to develop.

We grouped the TEs with the WRs primarily because of Eugene Haywood.  He has the agility to play in the slot while showing enough in the blocking game that he could line up as a Move-type TE.  We expect him to land in the TE group, but the Western coaches seem open to using as a WR when needed.

Steven Elder is a more traditional TE, but not in the "block you to the ground" sense.  He was often used at Independence high school to stretch the field, where the Tigers loved lining him up against smaller safeties.  Expect the Broncos to use him the same way.

The Bucking Bronco's projection: 

• Leon: Immediate starter (WR3 or WR4?)
• Macie: 2025 redshirt, 2027 rotation
• Dowden: 2025 redshirt, 2028 rotation
• Elder:  2025 redshirt, 2028 rotation
• Haywood:  2025 possible redshirt, 2027/2028 rotation

 

 

Offensive Line

4* OT Kevin Lowe [Pass Blocking] (Opelousas, LA) C/B-: #41 overall, #16 Pass Blocking
4* OG Aldo Alvarado [Pass Blocking] (Milledgeville, GA) C/B-: #26 overall, #13 Pass Blocking
4* C Joshua Bouchard [Balanced] (Keyser, WV) C/C: #15 overall, #5 Balanced

After last year's heavy focus on OL, the Broncos could have been forgiven for not taking any this cycle.  But not only did they do so, they took quality depth at each position.  Tackle Kevin Lowe will actually be the second-heaviest OT on the 2025 roster, the hope is that this will allow him to become an effective run blocker as both he and guard Aldo Alvarado were notable pass blockers in high school.  Alvarado himself is a light-footed blocker who shows the athleticism to improve and become a multi-year starter, perhaps stepping in after current starter Mark Stevens graduates. 

Lowe was a Tennessee lean but was didn't like the idea of being OT4 in his own recruiting class, while WMU had no real competition for Alvarado after a couple weeks of strong push.

From a Broncos' need perspective, Joshua Bouchard from Keyser, WV is actually the biggest get.  Richard Powley started as a true freshman and seems entrenched at starter, but Western badly needed someone to back him up who wasn't likely to leave after 2025 one way or another.  The coaches rave about the nastiness he brings, finishing his blocks and looking for the next one to make.  Bouchard does need to improve his footwork and reach blocking, but he should have time to work on that.

The Bucking Bronco's projection: 

• Lowe: 2025 redshirt, 2026 rotation, 2028 starter
• Alvarado: 2025 redshirt, 2026 rotation, 2027 starter
• Bouchard: 2025 redshirt, 2026 backup, 2028 starter

 

Defense to follow soon(-ish).