Central Michigan was already going to have to replace leading rusher Thomas Rawls. Now, the Chips will have to replace one of Rawls’ backups as well.
The football program has confirmed that Saylor Lavallii will not play at all in 2015 because of an injury. The specific nature of Lavallii’s health issue wasn’t detailed because of student-athlete privacy laws.
Lavallii, a senior, will seek a medical hardship waiver to give himself another season of eligibility in 2016. In the meanwhile, he’ll serve as a student assistant coach on John Bonamego‘s staff.
Last season, Lavallii was third on the team with 298 yards rushing and tied for second with four rushing touchdowns. For his career he’s rushed for 1,368 yards and 11 touchdowns, and he led the Chips in rushing in 2013.
The good news for Bonamego is that they return their second- and fourth-leading rushers from 2014, Devon Spalding (371 yards) and Martez Walker (265), respectively.