If you’ve spent any time looking at the Western Michigan football depth chart lately, you know it’s basically a moving target.
College football in 2026 isn't what it used to be. The transfer portal moves faster than a slot receiver on a jet sweep, and for a program like Western Michigan, that means the roster you see in August is rarely the one that finishes in November.
Honestly, most national previews miss the nuance here. They see a "Group of Five" school and assume it’s just a developmental shop for the Big Ten. But if you look at how Lance Taylor has built this specific 2025-2026 cycle, there’s a much more deliberate architecture at play. It’s not just about finding "guys." It’s about finding the right guys who didn’t quite fit the scheme at Indiana or Michigan but have the "Maction" chip on their shoulder.
The Quarterback Room: The Broc Lowry Era
The biggest story on the Western Michigan football depth chart is undeniably Broc Lowry.
Remember the 2025 season? It was a wild ride. Lowry didn't even start the year as the "the guy." He was splitting reps with Brady Jones. Then came that Week 4 comeback against Toledo. Lowry threw for over 200 yards, ran for 50 more, and effectively snatched the job for good.
He ended that year as the MAC Offensive Player of the Year. You don't just "replace" that kind of production.
Heading into the 2026 season, Lowry is the undisputed heartbeat of this offense. He’s a dual-threat nightmare. Last season, he put up nearly 1,000 yards on the ground with 14 rushing touchdowns. That’s not a quarterback who "scrambles"; that’s a quarterback who is a primary rushing option.
The Backup Situation
- Brady Jones: The veteran backup. He’s reliable, but he’s a different flavor than Lowry. More of a pocket presence.
- Jaxson Dosh: The freshman everyone is whispering about. He’s a 3-star recruit from Davison, Michigan. Coach Taylor has praised his leadership, and while he’s likely headed for a redshirt, he’s the clear "QB of the future."
The Backfield: Jalen Buckley’s Workload
If Lowry is the heart, Jalen Buckley is the engine.
📖 Related: Score of the Tennessee Titans Football Game: What Really Happened in the Season Finale
Buckley is a 1,000-yard rusher who thrives on contact. He averaged 5.6 yards per carry last season, which is absurd when you consider how much defensive coordinators were selling out to stop the run.
But here is where the Western Michigan football depth chart gets interesting. You can't just run Buckley into a wall 25 times a game and expect him to last until the Central Michigan game in November.
The Supporting Cast
- Devin Miles: The change-of-pace back. He’s smaller, quicker, and catches the ball out of the backfield much better than people give him credit for.
- Ofa "Lolo" Mataele: The hammer. When it’s 3rd and 1 at the goal line, Lolo is usually the one moving the pile.
- Cole Cabana: The Michigan transfer. He hasn't had huge volume yet, but the pedigree is there. He’s the wildcard on this roster.
Wide Receivers and the "Big Target" Strategy
The Broncos' receiving corps is undergoing a bit of a facelift.
For a long time, WMU was known for those smaller, shifty slot guys. Now? They want length. Look at Aveion Chenault. He’s a sophomore who started making waves late last year. He’s got the height to win jump balls, which is exactly what a running quarterback like Lowry needs when a play breaks down.
Tailique Williams remains the veteran presence. He’s the guy who knows every route, every adjustment, and where the soft spot in the zone is. He’s the security blanket.
We’ve also seen some interesting additions through the portal. Christian Leary brings that high-level speed from Georgia Tech. He’s the vertical threat that keeps safeties from creeping into the box to stop Buckley and Lowry.
The Trenches: Where Games are Won
You can have all the skill players in the world, but if the offensive line is a sieve, it doesn’t matter.
The Western Michigan football depth chart on the line is anchored by Zach Vaughan at Left Tackle. He’s a massive human being who has started double-digit games. Beside him, Hunter Whitenack is a mountain at Guard.
One name to watch this spring: Ben Roebuck.
He’s a transfer from the University of Michigan. He didn’t see a ton of snaps in Ann Arbor, but he was practicing against some of the best defensive linemen in the country every day. Bringing that Big Ten physicality to the MAC is a proven formula for success in Kalamazoo.
Defensive Identity: Pressure and Turnovers
Defensively, the Broncos are trying to be "multiple."
💡 You might also like: Shane Lowry Score Today: Why the Dubai Invitational Grind Matters
They lost some key pieces to the portal—that’s the reality of modern mid-major football—but the core remains gritty. James Camden at linebacker is the quarterback of the defense. He’s high-IQ and rarely out of position.
Impact Players on Defense
- Tate Hallock (Safety): A ball hawk. He has a knack for being in the right place at the right time.
- Aaron Wofford (Cornerback): He’s often left on an island. If he holds up, the Broncos can blitz. If he doesn't, they have to play shell coverage.
- Teegan Haines (LB): A JUCO transfer from Hutchinson CC. He’s a thumper. He had 70 tackles last year at the JUCO level and brings a certain mean streak to the linebacker room.
What Most People Get Wrong
People often look at the Western Michigan football depth chart and see "star ratings."
That’s a mistake.
In the MAC, it’s about continuity and development.
Western Michigan wins when their redshirt juniors, who have been in the weight room for four years, go up against a "talented" freshman from a bigger school. The 2026 roster is deep with 4th and 5th-year players who have played a lot of "ugly" football in the rain and snow. That experience is worth more than a 4-star ranking in a recruiting magazine.
The biggest hurdle? The schedule.
The Broncos open the 2026 season against Michigan on September 5th. That game won't define their season, but it will show exactly where the depth stands. Can the second-string offensive line hold up against a Big Ten defensive front? We'll find out quickly.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're following the Broncos this year, keep an eye on these specific developments:
- Monitor the Kicking Game: Palmer Domschke is the incumbent, but special teams in the MAC are notoriously volatile. A missed PAT in a Tuesday night "Maction" game can ruin a season.
- The "Lowry" Factor: Watch his rushing attempts in the first three games. If he’s carrying the ball 20+ times against non-conference opponents, there’s a high risk of late-season fatigue.
- The Portal Window: The depth chart you see today will change after spring ball. Keep an eye on the "Transfers In" list, specifically at the Cornerback position where the Broncos are still a bit thin.
- Freshman Watch: Jaxson Dosh might not start, but if the Broncos find themselves in a blowout (either way), seeing how he handles the speed of the game will tell us a lot about the 2027 outlook.
Western Michigan is built to compete for a MAC title in 2026. The pieces are there, the quarterback is elite for this level, and the trenches have enough "big school" experience to hold their own. It’s all about staying healthy and surviving the mid-week gauntlet that defines this conference.