When the news of former Central Michigan athletic director Michael Alford's decision to jump to Florida State, Chippewa fans assumed that would be the worst news they'd hear during the day's cycle.
Then, soon after, Tony Poljan announced his decision to transfer.
Poljan, a tight end with NFL aspirations, quickly chose Virginia as his destination for his final year of eligibility. His decision leaves the Chippewas in the market for a tight end and in search of an option to replace his production from a season ago.
This begs the question - Is Poljan irreplaceable?
Let's look at the numbers from a season ago: 33 catches, 496 yards and four touchdowns. Nothing out of the ordinary in terms of eye-popping numbers, however he had a profound effect on the offense and what it was able to accomplish.
He was a threat - plain and simple. While receivers JaCorey Sullivan and Tyrone Scott controlled the boundaries with their routes and Kalil Pimpleton stretched defenses with his speed, Poljan was a force over the middle. His size allows him to absorb hits from linebackers, and his unique agility gives him the burst he needs to get open. He always occupied defender's interest and, as a result, opened up the field for his teammates.
All of those characteristics are luxuries that teams appreciate in their players regardless of situation. For a team like Central Michigan, a squad that will be breaking in a new quarterback, it's pivotal to have a playmaker such as Poljan.
As a result, his loss is devastating.
Coach Jim McElwain will have to turn elsewhere, and with the clock ticking toward the potential start of the season, the replacement will likely come from in house. Currently, the Chippewas have juniors Bernhard Raimann and Austin Hergott, sophomore Joel Wilson and freshmen Davis Heinzen and Mitchel Collier. Hergott is a converted quarterback, Wilson missed all but two games last year due to injury and Raimann has only caught 20 passes in three years.
The only common point between these options - very little experience.
While Raimann has a leg up on the competition due to his experience, however little it may be, don't be surprised to see Heinzen or Collier make some sort of impact. Heinzen, who holds several receiving records at Lincoln High School in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, has the physical attributes and size to play right away.
Though these players may come close to matching Poljan physically, they lack the natural footwork, speed and strength that made Poljan such a threat.
There is always the possibility of an increased role for fullbacks Hunter Buczkowski and Oakley Lavallii, however both are more suited as blockers as opposed to receiving threats. Poljan's receiving abilities make him unique, and unique players don't come along every year.
Whether it be Raimann, Heinzen, Wilson or any other option the Chippewas use to throw into the fold, replacing Poljan won't be easy.
They say nobody on a team is irreplaceable but for Central Michigan, a team so desparately in need of playmakers to surround its young quarterback, Poljan is as close as it gets.
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