2024 MAC Position Group Rankings

[PoopyRhinoPickle]

For this post I'm going to be ranking the top 3 MAC schools at each position group. The most important factor in my rankings is how good the current projected starters are, but I also gave weight to how the rest of the room looks, aka do they have depth and/or good young players coming up. I'm not listing every player in that position group, just those that I see as relevant to my rankings. Also, all rankings are based on the idea that none of the players will declare early.

 

 

QUARTERBACKS

1. Bowling Green

 

 

Name	Year	Stars	Overall	Potential
Travis Kingery	(Jr)	4	A	A-
Melvin Velasquez	(So)	4	B	C+
Christopher Cannon	(Fr)	4	C	C+

Nothing but blue chips here. Kingery is the top returning QB in the conference and he has 2 years left. He was 2nd Team All-MAC last season and the top returning QB in terms of passing yards and TDs. Behind him is a capable young backup in Velasquez, who will be hoping to get some snaps this season. Add in Cannon and the future of the offense will be in good hands for the Falcons. Kingery Farms FTW.

 

2. Ball State

Scott Romero	(Jr)	4	A	B+
Fernando Woods	(So)	3	C+	C+
Kevin Johnson	Fr	4	C	B

Like Kingery, Romero has 2 seasons of eligibility left and @npklemm has to be very excited about it. He threw for over 3,500 yards in 2023 and was 2nd in the conference in completion percentage. Going into his 3rd season as the starter Romero will be looking to take Ball State to the next level. I'm assuming Johnson will get a redshirt this year, making Woods the backup. Both Woods and Johnson are scramblers, as opposed to Romero who is a Pocket QB so Ball State will be hoping Woods only sees the field in garbage time. Given the different archetypes of the future don't be surprised to see the Cardinals change offensive schemes, but Johnson will be a good one.

 

3. Western Michigan

David Ponce de Leon	(Jr)	4	A-	B+
OG Torres	(Sr)	3	B+	B-
Willie Robinson	(Fr)	4	B	B+

This is kind of a weird group but there's still a lot of talent there and they easily have the best names. Ponce de Leon played at RB last season but we all know that @Jieret doesn't believe in running the ball so he didn't see a lot of touches. It'll be interesting to see what his role will be in 2024. OG Torres couldn't stop flinging the ball around last season but I don't think the Broncos were too happy with his efficiency. Does that open the door for young stud Willie Robinson? WMU may have a bit of a QB battle in spring ball this year.

 

 

RUNNING BACKS/FULLBACKS

1. Bowling Green

Name	Year	Stars	Overall	Potential
Zach Graterol	Sr	3	A-	B
Ryan Cabinda	(Sr)	4	A-	C
Oscar Hand (FB)	(Jr)	3	B+	B
Taylor Brinkley	(So)	4	B	C-
Todd Marriott	Fr	4	C	B-
Myong Santo	So	3	C	B+

RB was a bit of a mixed bag for Bowling Green in 2023. Due to injuries to the normal starter, Graterol started just 7 games in 2023 but still managed over 1,100 scrimmage yards and 14 TDs. Cabinda has largely had a disappointing career but he will likely see an increase in snaps and carries in 2024. Brinkley has been a return specialist so far in his 2 seasons playing in Bowling Green, once Graterol and Cabinda graduate expect him to become The Guy. 

 

2. Central Michigan

Jalyn Farley (FB)	Sr	3	A-	A-
Jayson Artis-Payne	Sr	3	B+	B
Andy Cooper	Sr	3	B+	B
Tyler Jaime	Jr	3	B-	A
Charles Wilson	So	3	C	B+

This room is just begging for a coach to redshirt someone. Historically, Central Michigan has always had a workhorse back, with a different RB running for over 1,600 yards and 10 TDs every season of the sim so far. Things might be a bit different this year as it could be more of a RB-by-committee, but with a new scrambling QB for the Chippewas look for them to still run the ball. Artis-Payne ran for over 300 yards last season so he has some experience. They should still be ok for a couple seasons with Jaime and Wilson, but like the rest of Central Michigan's roster, it's going to fall off hard soon. 

 

3. Miami (OH)

Roy Clark	Sr	4	A	B
Marcus Belnome (FB)	Sr	3	B	C+
Caleb Andriese	Jr	3	B-	B
Sam Taylor	Fr	4	C	B-

Roy Clark is huge for this room. The speedy RB had almost 900 yards rushing and over 800 yards receiving, totaling 15 total TDs in 2023. Miami's offense will look vastly different in the upcoming season though. Offensive Player of the Year QB Randy Weiser is gone and will likely be replaced by scrambling QB JC Shroder. What does that mean for Clark? Probably more carries. Andriese will make an adequate starter for a season while Taylor develops and becomes a multiyear starter. 

 

 

WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS

1. Western Michigan

Name	Year	Stars	Overall	Potential
Lorenzo Whalen	(Sr)	3	A	C
Myles Osich	Sr	3	B+	D+
Caleb Jackson (TE)	(Jr)	3	B+	B+
Chris Portis	(Jr)	2	B	B+
Eli Madison	(So)	4	B	C+
MarShon Bohanon	Jr	3	B-	C+
Rayan Brate (TE)	(So)	3	C+	A-
Shane Morris	Fr	4	C	C+
James Whitcomb (TE)	(Fr)	4	C	C
David Pause (TE)	Fr	3	C	A

An incredible room from top to bottom. Whalen is an example of good roster management from Jieret. The 3 star was redshirted then proceeded to have 1,000 yard seasons in both 2022 and 2023 and is currently 9th all-time in MAC receiving yards, needing 1,200 to become the all-time leader. Osich had over 300 yards receiving last year, look for him to see a big jump in targets this season. In the past TE hasn't gotten much action at WMU but Jackson returns as a starter and the position appears to have been a recruiting priority for the staff, we'll see if there's more productivity there in the future. Remember the name Eli Madison, he'll likely be the next Western Michigan WR to light up box scores for multiple years to come. 

 

2. Kent State

Romeo Ford	Sr	4	A-	D
Jimmie Ford	Sr	3	A-	B
Alex Thompson	Jr	4	B	C
David Robinson (TE)	Sr	3	B	C-
Colton Wisler	Jr	3	B	B-
Timmy Hikutini	Jr	3	B-	B
Akrum Law (TE)	Jr	3	C+	C+
George Campus	Fr	3	C	B+

Kent State makes a rare appearance with a really good group of receivers. Unfortunately for all those Golden Flashes fans out there, I worry that these players won't see out their full potential. Kent State has never had anyone reach 600 receiving yards in a season and neither of the Ford cousins nor Thompson has recorded a reception in their careers (but Hikutini has?). On top of that, Kent State will likely have the worst overall starting QB in the MAC with 2 star senior, B- overall James Kivlehan. He is a pocket QB so look for speedy Romeo and Thompson to stretch defenses and it wouldn't surprise me if some Kent State records for passing or receiving yards are broken this year. With all due respect, that isn't saying much though. Even when this senior class graduates they'll be set up well next year.

 

3. Bowling Green

Ross Carter	Sr	3	A-	C+
Kenneth De Jesus	(So)	4	B+	C+
Caleb Sierra (TE)	(So)	4	B	C+
Nick Shittu (TE)	(Jr)	3	B	C
Gary Vandyke	So	3	B	C+
Frank Hernande	(Fr)	4	B	C+
Richard Allgier	(Fr)	4	B	B-
Irvin Barlow (TE)	(Fr)	4	B	C+
Donald Hairston	Fr	4	C	B-
Frank Tilghman	Fr	3	C	B+

This is another receiver room with a lot of talent but it is very young and inexperienced. Bowling Green has to replace a lot of production with their top 3 receivers all graduating. Carter is the leading returning receiver here with over 500 career receiving yards, but outside of that there isn't much in terms of production. Sierra and Shittu will fight it out in preseason for the #1 TE spot, I suspect Sierra has the inside track given Sierra saw more time last year. The battle for WR3 will be hotly contested and could likely depend on who's the best scheme fit. In 2 season look for this to be a scary group. 

 

 

OFFENSIVE LINE

1. Ball State

Name	Year	Stars	Overall	Potential
Joaqin Williams (OT)	Sr	4	A	B+
Davontae Kaser (OG)	Sr	4	A	C+
John Nunez (OT)	So	5	A	A-
Rob McNichols (C)	(Sr)	3	B+	C+
Branden Bowanko (OT)	(Sr)	2	B+	A
Chad Coleman (OT)	Jr	4	B+	C-
Taylor Nugent (OT)	(So)	3	B-	B
Brett Federowicz (OT)	(So)	3	B-	B
Austin Williams (OG)	(So)	3	C+	B+
Yi Xiao (OT)	So	3	C	B

The top 6 lineman here are very strong and we'll probably see multiple of them in the NFL. I know scouts have to be salivating over John Nunez as a prospect. 4 of them are balanced as well, allowing for some flexibility in scheme. My only concern with the group is that it's pretty OT heavy as a whole, leaving one to wonder what the plan is at OG. This isn't even half of Ball State's offensive lineman with npklemm pulling in four 3 stars in the most recent class. They'll lose a lot after this season but it's still going to be a good line going forward. 

 

2. Bowling Green

Jordan Marte (OT)	(Sr)	3	A	A
Don Williamson (OT)	(Jr)	4	A	C+
Bam Lamp (OG)	Jr	4	A-	D+
Bennie Daniels (OG)	(Jr)	3	A-	B
Khalid Davis (C)	(So)	4	B	C+
Whitney Johnson (OT)	(So)	4	B	C+
Frank Berman (OG)	(Fr)	4	B	C
David Flores (OG)	(Fr)	4	B	C+
Richard Chung (OT)	(Fr)	4	B	C+
Douglas Springsteen (C)	Fr	4	C	A-
Alexander Hahn (OT)	(Fr)	3	C	A-

Another very good starting lineup, just lacking the top end depth that Ball State has. Marte is looking to play in the NFL next season and will be a solid RT option. Bam Lamp will have the opportunity to go down in Bowling Green history as the only offensive lineman to start all 4 years straight out of high school. It's looking like that feat won't be duplicated any time soon with the depth the Falcons are building and only 1 player set to graduate from this group. 

 

3. Ohio

Trey Leamon (C)	Sr	4	A	C
Ronald Gould (OT)	Sr	4	A-	C-
Nick Diarse (OT)	(Sr)	2	B+	B+
Tony Hoyt (OT)	(Jr)	2	B	A-
DJ White (OG)	Jr	3	B	C+
Daniel Martin (OG)	Sr	2	B	B
Jose Necoechea (OT)	So	4	B	B-
Gregory Fuller (OT)	Fr	4	C	B+

This is a group that has made the most of very little and will have benefitted from a couple early redshirts. Leamon and Gould are really good options on any offensive line, we'll see if the Bobcats continue to run the ball like they have in the past, going against Gould's pass blocking archetype. I don't think they'll collectively improve for quite a while after this season given the plethora of 1 and 2 star recruits on the roster, but they have a couple bright spots to look forward to in Necoechea and Fuller. Look for Western Michigan to jump into this ranking in the very near future, bringing in a lot of talent the last couple seasons.

 

 

DEFENSIVE LINE

1. Bowling Green

Name	Year	Stars	Overall	Potential
Jake Cuthbert (DE)	(Sr)	3	A	B
Jasper Chunk (DT)	(Fr)	5	A	B+
Damontae Lim (DE)	Sr	4	A-	C
ArDarius Tiller (DT)	Sr	3	B+	C
Ty Ivie (DE)	(So)	4	B+	B
Michael Findlay (DE)	(Fr)	4	B	C+
Luis Seumalo (DT)	(So)	3	B-	B+
Ray Wise (DE)	Fr	4	C	A-
Paul Riggs (DE)	Fr	3	C	A-

Both starting DEs return for Bowling Green while freshman Jasper Chunk looks to replace MAC Defensive Player of the Year and potential 1st round draft pick Phillip Bell at DT. DE Lim will be a 4 year starter and is looking to extend his lead as the MAC's all-time sack leader after compiling 15.5 in his first 3 years.  It remains to be seen if the Falcons will utilize a 3 or 4 man front but they have some good depth pieces on the roster and multiple talented, young blue chip players looking to step up and contribute. 

 

2. Buffalo

Reggie Newton (DE)	Sr	4	A	C+
Tyler Winslow (DT)	Sr	4	A	B
Roberto Mercado (DT)	So	3	B	C+
Joey Duffy (DE)	Sr	3	B	B
Reid Altavilla (DE)	Jr	3	B-	C+
Michael Luck (DT)	Fr	3	C	C+

Like Lim above, Newton will be a 4 year starter and brought his productivity up a level in 2023, recording 5.5 sacks. Newton and Winslow form a menacing pairing on the D line and will look to wreak havoc on MAC QBs in 2024 as both are rushers. Tackling machine ILB Justin White graduated so I think Buffalo will be looking for their D Line to make more plays, relying on their LBs less than before. Like Ohio's O Line, I think this will be the best D Line that Buffalo will have for a while.

 

3. Western Michigan

Will Lee (DE)	Sr	3	B+	C+
Nick Gosselin (DE)	(Jr)	3	B+	C
Jordan Rosales (DE)	(Sr)	2	B	A-
Brian Barea (DE)	(So)	4	B	C
Wesley Reed (DT)	So	4	B	C
Sebastian Perez (DT)	(Jr)	2	B	B
Denard Mattheus (DT)	(So)	3	B	B+
Steve Ricco (DE)	So	4	B	C
Cole Stewart (DE)	(So)	3	C+	B+
Andrew Wolff (DT)	(Fr)	3	C	A-

Western Michigan earned their spot here because of the depth of talent that they have coming into the season. They have a lot to replace, losing 2 starters to graduation, but Will Lee was 1st Team All-MAC in 2023, will be a 3 year starter and is 2nd all-time in MAC sacks with 14 in 2 years as a starter. Jieret doesn't have much of an option other than trusting his youth with only 2 seniors and 3 juniors out of 15 total defensive lineman. Only losing 2 players after this season means this line will be a force to reckon with for years to come.

 

 

LINEBACKERS

1. Western Michigan

Name	Year	Stars	Overall	Potential
Seantrel Garate (OLB)	Jr	5	A	C
Robertson Moore (ILB)	Sr	4	A	A-
Adam Ingram (ILB)	(Jr)	2	B	A
Austin Chatwood (OLB)	(Jr)	2	B-	A
David Hartshorn (OLB)	Fr	4	C	B-
Ronald Fennell (ILB)	Fr	4	C	B
Anthony Reevey (OLB)	Fr	4	C	C
Robert Roe (ILB)	Fr	3	C	A-

The Broncos have 2 HIGH impact players at this level of the defense. Both Garate and Moore were 1st Team All-MAC in 2023 with Robertson setting a WMU record with 100 total tackles along with 23 TFLs and Garate recording 13 sacks in just 2 seasons (good for 5th all-time in MAC). With only Robertson graduating it transitions perfectly for Jieret's incredible linebacker class he brought in this year. Looks like it's at least 5 more years of good linebacker play in Kalamazoo. 

 

2. Bowling Green

Evan Mangen (ILB)	Sr	4	A	C+
Leyson Escobar (OLB)	(Jr)	3	B+	A
Zach Guzman (OLB)	(So)	4	B	C
Raffy Kahnle (OLB)	(So)	4	B	C+
Kenneth Buchanan (ILB)	(Fr)	4	B	C+
Bahman Downs (ILB)	(Fr)	4	B	A-
Norman Jones (OLB)	(Fr)	4	C	C

 

Mangen will be 4 year starter and go down as one of the Bowling Green greats. He's currently 2nd all-time in MAC tackles and 3rd all-time in MAC TFLs, battling Toledo ILB JT Jungmann (see below) for both records. Escobar, another returning 1st Team All-MAC player, led the conference in sacks last season with 9, tying a conference season record. After them there are position battles to be had, with playing time likely dependent on scheme fits. Coaches are looking for the young players in this group to grow and make a big jump for next season. 

 

3. Toledo

JT Jungmann (ILB)	Sr	4	A	C+
Seunghwan Lambert (OLB)	Sr	3	B+	B-
Zack Janikowski (OLB)	(Sr)	2	B	C+
JC Davis (ILB)	(Jr)	2	B-	B+
Kelechi Carpenter (OLB)	Jr	3	B-	A
Brian Woodyard (ILB)	Jr	3	B-	A
Mark Schoene (OLB)	So	3	C	B-
Ernest Bolte (ILB)	Fr	3	C	A

As mentioned above Jungmann will probably go down as a MAC record holder in multiple statistics, starting all 4 years at Toledo. He's a 3-time All-MAC player (1st team in 2022, 2023, 2nd team in 2021) and has been one of the few bright spots for the losingest program in MAC history. Toledo has some pieces to have their best season ever so you'd like to see Jungmann go out having a little success. Other than him Lambert should be able to make an impact on the game in his first chance to start. The Rockets have a couple high ceiling players in Carpenter and Woodyard, you'd imagine coaches want to see them start putting production on the field at this point in their careers.

 

 

CORNERBACKS

1. Bowling Green

Name	Year	Stars	Overall	Potential
Donald Dingus	Jr	5	A	A-
Jace Light	(Jr)	3	B+	B-
Jake Bergen	(Jr)	3	B+	B-
Richie O'Malley	(So)	4	B+	C+
Scott Brewer	(Fr)	4	B	C+
Jason Keene	(Fr)	4	B	C+

Donald Dingus took a small step back his sophomore season, but still had 5 interceptions, giving him 14 in his career, good enough for 1st all-time in the MAC. He's totaled over 100 career tackles in those 2 seasons so he's shown he's willing to come up and make a tackle as well. Look for him to line up against any WR1 the Falcons play. Light and Bergen both have experience at nickel corner, look for them to compete with O'Malley for the CB2 spot in what will surely be a fierce competition. No seniors and talented, young depth rates this group as one of the best in the country going forward.

 

2. Western Michigan

Omari Stanley	(Jr)	4	A	C
Michael Gonzalez	(So)	3	B	A
Scott Kottaras	Sr	2	B	C+
Preston Richburg	Jr	3	B-	C+
Ryan Topping	Fr	4	C	C+
Henry Hyman	(Fr)	3	C	B

Omari Stanley has quietly emerged as one of the best CBs in the conference. He'll be entering his 3rd season as a starter, recording 5 picks and 81 tackles up to this point. Gonzalez also played a lot last year so there is plenty of returning experience at CB for the Broncos. All the top CBs here match up scheme-wise which gives the group an advantage over some other CB rooms out there. I think Jieret would like to have a little more depth here but as long as there aren't any injuries there shouldn't be any problems. With only Kottaras graduating there's a bright future for the group. 

 

3. Ohio

Dayan Holley	(Jr)	4	A	B
Javarius Jones	(Sr)	2	B	C+
Arthur Embrey	So	4	B	C
John Baron	Jr	3	B-	B-
Tyler Thompson	So	3	C	C+
Gerard Sewell	Fr	3	C	C

Ohio has a very similar CB group to WMU but schematically the Bobcats are all over the place. Dayan Holley continues the tradition of Ohio lockdown CBs following in the footsteps of Jonathan Parks, who figures to be a 1st round draft pick this year. Holley started the 2 previous seasons but has yet to record an interception so he will be looking to increase his productivity in the future. Embrey could be one of the breakout players this season if he can win the CB2 role.

 

 

SAFETIES

1. Northern Illinois

Name	Year	Stars	Overall	Potential
Chris Neasman (FS)	Sr	4	A	C+
Darius McLemore (SS)	Sr	4	A	C+
Greer Howard (SS)	Jr	3	B-	B-
Daniel Kovacs (FS)	Fr	3	C	C+

Northern Illinois easily has the best starting safety pairing in the conference and one of the best in the entire country. Both Neasman and McLemore will be 3 year starters and they play off each other very well with Neasman recording 5 interceptions in his career and McLemore showing he can come up and stuff the run, recording 11 TFLs through his career. If either need a breather look for junior Greer Howard to spell them and be the starter after this season. Coach @Ape has done well to take over a depleted roster, look for more talent to be brought in.

 

2. Bowling Green

Austin Pena (SS)	Jr	4	A-	C+
Ray-Ray Williams (SS)	(Sr)	3	B+	C+
Spencer Taylor (FS)	(So)	4	B	C
Michael Puig (FS)	(So)	4	B	D+
Krishna LaBrie (FS)	Fr	4	C	B+
Phillip Quiton (SS)	Fr	4	C	C
Christopher Mason (FS)	So	3	C	B

Pena has shown an incredible nose for the ball in his 2 seasons as a starter, recording 134 total tackles, 4 interceptions, 3 FFs and 4 FRs. The 2023 3rd Team All-MAC selection, along with redshirt senior Ray-Ray Williams, will look to lead a young group of safeties this year. What's going to happen at the FS position remains to be seen. Will Williams make the switch or will Taylor or Puig step up? This is what spring camp is made for to figure these things out. LaBrie and Quiton will likely redshirt to round the group out.

 

3. Western Michigan

Vernon Wilber (FS)	(Sr)	2	B+	B
Bradley Richar (FS)	Sr	3	B+	C+
Timothy Khan (SS)	Fr	5	B	B-
Pat Gant (SS)	Sr	2	B	C
Brandon Eckerman (FS)	(Fr)	4	B	B-
Francis Deng (FS)	Jr	3	B-	C+

Western Michigan lost a couple 1st Team All-MAC safeties in Dallas Maulet and D'Montre Davis to graduation, so there's a lot to replace here. Jieret has a lot of decisions to make regarding his safeties. Who's going to start at FS? Does he want to go with experience at SS or throw the highly touted true freshman in and let him figure it out? Fortunately he has some time and spring games to figure it out. Knowing his history of starting OLB Garate as a true freshman, it wouldn't surprise me to see Khan starting this season. 

 

 

SPECIAL TEAMS

1. Western Michigan

Name	Year	Stars	Overall	Potential
Duke Lotulelei (K)	(Jr)	3	B+	B-
Devon Casellanos (P)	Sr	3	B	C-
Deon Golson (P)	(So)	3	C+	C+
Alejandro Rivera (K)	Fr	4	C	B-
Phan Dighe (P)	Fr	4	C	C+

It's safe to say WMU is one of the few MAC teams to prioritize special teams recruiting. Lotulelei converted just 50% of his FGs last season so Jieret will want to see improvement there. Casellanos enters his first season as a starter and is one of the most accurate punters in the conference. Rivera and Dighe make up half of the blue chip special teamers in the MAC.

 

2. Eastern Michigan

PJ Wilk (K)	Sr	3	B+	C-
Deone Musa (P)	Jr	3	B	A+
Edwin Orona (P)	So	3	C	C
Matthew White (K)	Fr	3	C	B

Musa will be a 3 year starter this season after an impressive 2023 campaign, averaging almost 54 yards per punt. PJ Wilk is another first year player at kicker, but he has a cannon for a leg, hopefully his accuracy proves serviceable.

 

3. Central Michigan

TY Bisnowaty (K)	Sr	3	A-	B
Richard Durrance (P)	Fr	3	C	C

The Chippewas made this list because of the return of Bisnowaty. The 3rd Team All-MAC kicker went 26 of 36 for FGs in 2023 so, especially with CMU's offense taking a step back, look for Bisnowaty to attempt quite a few FGs this season. Durrance was an important pickup in the offseason seeing as the next best option is D overall Crispin Fiorentino.