Jonathan Harden leaves program
Western Michigan sophomore defensive tackle Jonathan Harden has left the football program, WMU athletics confirmed Wednesday evening.
Harden left for personal reasons, and is headed home to St. Paul, Minn., according to the media relations department. It isn't clear at this time if he plans to continue a football career at another school.
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The 5-foot-9, 319 pound tackle appeared in twelve games in 2012, starting one as a freshman and recording 19 total tackles. He also had 2.5 tackles for loss in his rookie campaign. He was considered a likely starter for 2013.
Harden's departure leaves the Broncos quite thin on the defensive line, with only Cleveland Smith and Travonte Boles returning with experience. Junior Estelus and Jabari Bothwell will be redshirt freshmen.
The Broncos also have new signees David Curle, Jamar Simpkins, and Kristof Ifkovits entering the program and may consider moving a bigger defensive end, like the 6-foot-1, 276 pound Roosevelt Donaldson, to the interior.
New head coach P.J. Fleck and Western Michigan will open the season against Michigan State on August 31.