Central Michigan will pursue a medical redshirt for Devon Spalding

Central Michigan plans to pursue a medical redshirt for senior running back Devon Spalding, who won't play in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on Dec. 22 against Wyoming.

Since the Sept. 30 game against Miami (OH), the Chippewas have been without their team captain, receiving just one attempt in the first quarter before going down for the final eight games of the season.

"Devon is a very unselfish player, he wants to play," CMU coach John Bonamego said. "You can never have too much depth on your football team. The better depth you have creates competition and when you're able to spread practice reps out amongst a group of quality players, you reduce exposures and minimize the degree of guys getting hurt."

At the time of the injury, Spalding shared the bulk of the carries with sophomore Jonathan Ward, who rushed for 625 yards and seven touchdowns during CMU's five-game winning streak.

Spalding scored back-to-back touchdowns against FCS Rhode Island and Kansas. The 5-foot-11, 205-pound native of Westland, Michigan, recorded 70 yards on the ground with 20 carries during the home opener back on Aug. 31.

According to the NCAA’s medical hardship regulations, anyone can apply for another year of eligibly if the injury occurred before the second-half of the season. The player must also not have played in 30 percent or more of the program's schedule.

Returning next season at running back not only includes Ward but also Romello Ross, Kumehnnu Gwilly and former Minnesota transfer Berkley Edwards.

In the upcoming 2018 class, two running backs make up the group of 15 in two-star Eric McArn and New Jersey's Jonathan Clark.

"We'll look at that and evaluate that in the spring as (Devon) is healthy and comes back," Bonamego said. "It's a good dynamic and luxury to have, you'd love to have that at every position."

Spalding was the leading running back in 2016 for Central Michigan, garnering a season-high 758 yards and six touchdowns.