Eastern Michigan Athletics
Ten EMU Football Players Earn All-MAC Accolades
11/28/2018 2:00:00 PM | Football
EMU had the second-most honorees behind only MAC East Champion Buffalo
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) — After its most successful Mid-American Conference season in 23 years, the Eastern Michigan University football team was rewarded with 10 of its student-athletes named to All-Mid-American Conference Teams, the league office announced Wednesday, Nov. 28. The 10 selections are second-most in program history, surpassed only by the 1989 team, which had 12 honorees.
Junior defensive lineman Maxx Crosby (Colleyville, Texas-Colleyville Heritage) joins former NFL Draft picks Ron Johnson and Lional Dalton as the only EMU defensive players to ever earn back-to-back First Team All-MAC selections. Johnson did so during the 1976 and 1977 campaigns, while Dalton collected the honors in 1996 and 1997. Meanwhile, Crosby is just the fourth EMU defender to earn the first team accolades twice in a career, joining Johnson, Dalton, Richard Palmer (1991 and 1993), and Pat O'Connor (2014 and 2016).
Senior linebacker Kyle Rachwal (Lapeer, Mich.-Lapeer East), junior defensive back Kevin McGill (Waldorf, Md.-Westlake), and sophomore punter Jake Julien (Barrie, Ontario-North Collegiate) were each named to the second team.
In addition, senior offensive lineman Jimmy Leatiota (San Jose, Calif.-Wilcox-College of San Mateo), junior offensive lineman Steve Nielsen (Dragoer, Denmark-La Lumiere (Ind.) School), senior wide receiver Blake Banham (St. Paul, Minn.-Cretin-Derham Hall), senior defensive lineman Jeremiah Harris (Lambertville, Mich.-Bedford Senior), junior defensive back Vince Calhoun (Middletown, Ohio-Middletown), and junior defensive back Brody Hoying (Coldwater, Ohio-Coldwater) all garnered All-MAC Third Team honors.
Harris was tabbed for the third time, while Calhoun, Crosby, Hoying, and Leatiota garnered the honor for the second time in their careers. The remaining players each earned the honor for the first time in their careers.
"All individual honors are only possible with help from the rest of the team," said Head Coach Chris Creighton. "Our guys know that, so we celebrate these outstanding accomplishments together as a team. We had some remarkable performances this year and I'm glad that some of our guys are being recognized by the opposing coaches."
Overall, Buffalo set the pace with 11 All-MAC honorees, followed by Eastern Michigan and Toledo with 10 selections.
Opposing quarterbacks have gotten to know Crosby more than they would like over the past three seasons, as the Colleyville, Texas native has wreaked havoc in opponents' backfields. Crosby ranks fifth nationally in forced fumbles per game (0.36), as well as 10th in tackles-for-loss per game (1.6). He is also fifth in the MAC in sacks (0.68), a mark that ranks 35th in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) ranks.
On the preseason watch lists for the Ted Hendricks Award, the Nagurski Trophy, and the Bednarik Award, Crosby recorded a sack and three tackles-for-loss against Akron, Nov. 10, to move into a tie for second all-time in EMU career sacks. His 20.0 career sacks are tied with O'Connor, who had 20.0 from 2011-16. Meanwhile, Crosby has 39.5 career tackles-for-loss, the second-most in EMU history, as well as the most since Jason Jones' 50 from 2004-07.
Rachwal notched 115 tackles, 10 TFLs, five quarterback hurries, and a pair of interceptions for the stout EMU defense. He became just the 25th player in school history to record more than 115 stops in a single season, while ranking fifth in the MAC in tackles per game at 9.6.
Earlier this season, Rachwal joined the 300 career tackles club against Army, Oct. 27. The senior led the Eagles defense with 14 stops on the day, becoming just the 17th player in school history to record 300-or-more tackles in a career. Overall, the Lapeer, Mich. native has 335 (143 solo, 192 assist) tackles, the 11th-most by any Eagle.
Part of an experienced EMU secondary that ranks second in the league in interceptions and 24th nationally, McGill completed the regular season tied for the team lead with three picks to go along with 35 tackles. His three INTs are second-most in the MAC and are tied for 36th in the FBS ranks.
Named the MAC West Division Special Teams Player of the Week a school-record five times in 2018, Julien finished the regular season tied for first in the MAC and 25th nationally in punting with an average of 43.6. He registered 12 punts of 50-or-more yards with 22 downed inside the 20-yard line. Furthermore, 15 of those 22 have actually been whistled dead inside the 10-yard line with three having traveled more than 68 yards.
Julien is the only EMU player in records that date back to 1959 to have recorded two punts of 70-or-more yards in their career. Julien had a 71 yards boot in the first quarter against Army, Oct. 27. It was his second 70+ punt in a three week span, as the Barrie, Ontario native turned in a career-best 73-yard punt against Western Michigan, Oct. 6. The punt against the Broncos made him just the fourth EMU player since 1993 to have eclipsed a punt of 70+ yards.
Leatiota, a team captain and two-time Outland Trophy candidate, played in 10 games on the offensive line for the Eagles this season. Leading the way up front, Leatiota helped EMU to the third-highest passing efficiency and fourth-best passing offense in the conference at 228.6 yards per game. A Second Team All-MAC honors a season ago, he was selected as a candidate for the 2018 Polynesian Player of the Year.
Nielsen started all 12 games at right tackle for an Eastern Michigan line that has led the way for a pass-heavy offense. Overall, Eastern's offensive line made way for the third-most efficient passing offense in the league as well as the fourth-best passing offense in the MAC at 228.6 yards per game.
From walk-on to team captain, Banham has become a key part of Eastern's offense. A true team player, Banham moved from running back to wide receiver for his senior season, embracing his changed role in the fullest. Banham's senior campaign has been the best of his Eastern career, leading the pass-heavy 2018 Eagles in receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, and all-purpose yardage. Appearing in all 12 games for the Green and White, Banham has hauled in 54 catches for 714 yards, including five touchdowns. The St. Paul, Minn. product has posted 100+ yards receiving three times this season, including a season-best 159 at Buffalo, Sept. 15, and ranks ninth in the league in receiving yards per game (59.5).
Recently named as a Google Cloud Academic All-District® honoree by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), Banham also ranks second in the MAC and 25th nationally with 9.8 yards per punt return.
A two-time captain and leader of Eastern's defensive efforts, Harris has started 11 of the team's 12 games this season. He has racked up 58 tackles, including 7.5 for loss and five sacks. His five sacks are tied for 11th-most in the MAC. The Lambertville, Mich. native has also blocked a kick, intercepted a pass, forced a fumble, and recovered a fumble this season.
Harris, a two-time Wuerffel Award Watch list member, recorded a career-high 3.0 sacks in EMU's regular season finale at Kent State, Nov. 23, tying the program record for single-game sacks. Overall, Harris tied the EMU record with seven forced fumbles and is fifth with 16.0 career sacks.
A Third Team All-MAC selection for the second time, Calhoun has continued to lead the Eagles' secondary this season. His 77 stops rank second-most on the team, while his three interceptions tied for the most by an Eagle this season as well as the third-most in the conference. He has also tallied two tackles-for-loss, including a sack. Calhoun sealed Eastern Michigan's seventh win of the year with a fourth-quarter interception at Kent State, Nov. 23.
Hoying, a First Team All-MAC awardee a year ago, has tallied 68 tackles this season, including a career-best 11 TFLs, while also setting a career-high with 1.5 sacks. A native of Coldwater, Ohio, Hoying ranks 22nd in the MAC in tackles per game at 6.8 stops per contest and ninth in tackles-for-loss.
NIU junior defensive end Sutton Smith was tabbed as the winner of the 37th Vern Smith Leadership Award as the top player in the MAC and was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive year. Buffalo Head Coach Lance Leipold was selected as the MAC Head Coach of the Year, while Bulls junior quarterback Tyree Jackson was named MAC Offensive Player of the Year and Bulls running back Jaret Patterson was selected as the MAC Freshman of the Year. Toledo junior kickoff and punt returner Diontae Johnson was named MAC Special Teams Player of the Year.
Eastern Michigan wrapped up the regular season with a 7-5 record to become bowl eligible for the second time in three years and continues one of the best three-year stretches in program history. Eastern's 19 wins over the past three years are the most since EMU won 23 from 1987-89. The Eagles closed out the season strong, winning five straight MAC games for their first winning record in conference play since 1995.
The Green and White turned in another stout season on the defensive side of the ball in 2018, as it posted one of the most successful defensive campaigns in program history. EMU's 22.0 points allowed per game tied for the fifth-best mark in school history in the modern era (since 1976), and the best since 1993. Eastern's 352.9 yards of offense allowed was the second-best mark since 1998, as well as the best since 2011. Furthermore, the Eagles intercepted 13 passes, the most since 2007, and forced 24 total turnovers.
On the national scale, the Eagles were one of the top defenses in the country. Eastern currently owns the sixth-best redzone defense in the country, while holding opponents to 160.0 passing yards per game, the fifth-fewest in the nation. EMU ranked ninth in turnover margin, 12th in turnovers gained, 13th in passing efficiency defense, 14th in fumbles recovered, 18th in the nation in fourth down conversion defense, 24th in interceptions, 34th in scoring defense, and 41st in first downs defense.
Furthermore, Defensive Coordinator Neal Neathery's crew proved to be very stingy late in the year, as EMU's defense only allowed one offensive touchdown over the final 12 quarters of the season. Moreover, Eastern is ranked 12th nationally in the fewest second-half points allowed at just 8.9 a game.
Eastern now awaits its bowl selection, which will take place Sunday, Dec. 2. For more information on possible bowl destinations, visit EMU's bowl ticket interest page.
2018 MAC Specialty Award Winners
Coach of the Year: Lance Leipold, Buffalo
Offensive Player of the Year: QB Tyree Jackson, Buffalo
Defensive Player of the Year: DE Sutton Smith, Northern Illinois
Special Teams Player of the Year: KR/PR Diontae Johnson, Toledo
Freshman of the Year: RB Jaret Patterson, Buffalo
Vern Smith Leadership Award Winner: DE Sutton Smith, Northern Illinois
2018 All-MAC First Team Offense
Quarterback – Tyree Jackson, Buffalo
Offensive Linemen – Max Scharping, Northern Illinois &@
Offensive Linemen – Luke Juriga, Western Michigan +
Offensive Lineman – Joe Lowery, Ohio +
Offensive Linemen – James O'Hagan, Buffalo %^
Offensive Linemen – Joe Anderson, Ohio +
Tight End – Tyler Mabry, Buffalo
Wide Receiver – Anthony Johnson, Buffalo &
Wide Receiver – Diontae Johnson, Toledo &
Wide Receiver – Cody Thompson, Toledo @
Wide Receiver – Papi White, Ohio +
Running Back – LeVante Bellamy, Western Michigan
Running Back – A.J. Ouellette, Ohio +
Placekicker – Matt Trickett, Kent State
2018 All-MAC First Team Defense
Outside Linebacker – Brad Koenig, Miami
Outside Linebacker – Antonio Jones-Davis, Northern Illinois
Inside Linebacker – Khalil Hodge, Buffalo &#
Inside Linebacker – Malik Fountain, Central Michigan +@
Down Lineman – Sutton Smith, Northern Illinois &
Down Lineman – Maxx Crosby, Eastern Michigan &
Down Lineman – Michael Danna, Central Michigan
Down Lineman – Chuck Harris, Buffalo %
Defensive Back – Alvin Davis, Akron +
Defensive Back – Sean Bunting, Central Michigan
Defensive Back – Javon Hagan, Ohio +#
Defensive Back – Xavier Crawford, Central Michigan
Punter – Michael Farkas, Ohio ^
2018 All-MAC First Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Maurice Thomas, Miami ^
Punt Return Specialist – Diontae Johnson, Toledo &
2018 All-MAC Second Team Offense
Quarterback – Nathan Rourke, Ohio +
Offensive Lineman – John Keenoy, Western Michigan &#
Offensive Lineman – Bryce Harris, Toledo
Offensive Lineman – Luke Shively, Northern Illinois
Offensive Lineman – Durrell Wood, Ohio
Offensive Lineman – Evin Ksiezarczyk, Buffalo
Tight End – Reggie Gilliam, Toledo
Wide Receiver – K.J. Osborn, Buffalo
Wide Receiver – Scott Miller, Bowling Green %@
Wide Receiver – Jayden Reed, Western Michigan
Wide Receiver – Riley Miller, Ball State
Running Back – Tre Harbison, Northern Illinois
Running Back – Jaret Patterson, Buffalo
Placekicker – Ryan Tice, Central Michigan
2018 All-MAC Second Team Defense
Outside Linebacker – Evan Croutch, Ohio
Outside Linebacker – Ulysees Gilbert III, Akron &@
Inside Linebacker – Kyle Pugh, Northern Illinois
Inside Linebacker – Kyle Rachwal, Eastern Michigan
Down Lineman – Josh Corcoran, Northern Illinois %
Down Lineman – Jamal Davis, Akron %
Down Lineman – Kalil Morris, Kent State
Down Lineman – Doug Costin, Miami
Defensive Back – Cameron Lewis, Buffalo
Defensive Back – Kevin McGill, Eastern Michigan
Defensive Back – Mykelti Williams, Northern Illinois
Defensive Back – Kyron Brown, Akron
Punter – Jake Julien, Eastern Michigan
2018 All-MAC Second Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Diontae Johnson, Toledo +
Punt Return Specialist – Jayden Reed, Western Michigan
2018 All-MAC Third Team Offense
Quarterback – Gus Ragland, Miami
Offensive Lineman – Jimmy Leatiota, Eastern Michigan +
Offensive Lineman – Danny Godlevske, Miami
Offensive Lineman – Steve Nielsen, Eastern Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Jack Kramer, Bowling Green
Offensive Lineman – Jordan Rigg, Miami %
Tight End – Giovanni Ricci, Western Michigan
Wide Receiver – Blake Banham, Eastern Michigan
Wide Receiver – Justin Hall, Ball State +
Wide Receiver – Jon'Vea Johnson, Toledo #
Wide Receiver – Jack Sorenson, Miami
Running Back – Andrew Clair, Bowling Green %
Running Back – Jamauri Bogan, Western Michigan !
Placekicker – Jameson Vest, Toledo &
2018 All-MAC Third Team Defense
Outside Linebacker – John Lako, Akron
Outside Linebacker – Christian Albright, Ball State
Inside Linebacker – Brian Bell, Akron
Inside Linebacker – Jacob White, Ball State
Down Lineman – Tuzar Skipper, Toledo
Down Lineman – Jack Heflin, Northern Illinois
Down Lineman – Jeremiah Harris, Eastern Michigan +^
Down Lineman – Nate Brisson-Fast, Central Michigan
Defensive Back – Marcus Milton, Bowling Green
Defensive Back – Vince Calhoun, Eastern Michigan %
Defensive Back – Brody Hoying, Eastern Michigan &
Defensive Back – Josh Teachey, Toledo
Punter – Kyle Kramer, Miami
2018 All-MAC Third Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Malik Dunner, Ball State %
Punt Return Specialist – K.J. Osborn, Buffalo
& 2017 First-Team All-MAC
+ 2017 Second-Team All-MAC
% 2017 Third-Team All-MAC
@ 2016 First-Team All-MAC
# 2016 Second-Team All-MAC
^ 2016 Third-Team All-MAC
= 2015 First-Team All-MAC
* 2015 Second-Team All-MAC
! 2015 Third-Team All-MAC
Junior defensive lineman Maxx Crosby (Colleyville, Texas-Colleyville Heritage) joins former NFL Draft picks Ron Johnson and Lional Dalton as the only EMU defensive players to ever earn back-to-back First Team All-MAC selections. Johnson did so during the 1976 and 1977 campaigns, while Dalton collected the honors in 1996 and 1997. Meanwhile, Crosby is just the fourth EMU defender to earn the first team accolades twice in a career, joining Johnson, Dalton, Richard Palmer (1991 and 1993), and Pat O'Connor (2014 and 2016).
Senior linebacker Kyle Rachwal (Lapeer, Mich.-Lapeer East), junior defensive back Kevin McGill (Waldorf, Md.-Westlake), and sophomore punter Jake Julien (Barrie, Ontario-North Collegiate) were each named to the second team.
In addition, senior offensive lineman Jimmy Leatiota (San Jose, Calif.-Wilcox-College of San Mateo), junior offensive lineman Steve Nielsen (Dragoer, Denmark-La Lumiere (Ind.) School), senior wide receiver Blake Banham (St. Paul, Minn.-Cretin-Derham Hall), senior defensive lineman Jeremiah Harris (Lambertville, Mich.-Bedford Senior), junior defensive back Vince Calhoun (Middletown, Ohio-Middletown), and junior defensive back Brody Hoying (Coldwater, Ohio-Coldwater) all garnered All-MAC Third Team honors.
Harris was tabbed for the third time, while Calhoun, Crosby, Hoying, and Leatiota garnered the honor for the second time in their careers. The remaining players each earned the honor for the first time in their careers.
"All individual honors are only possible with help from the rest of the team," said Head Coach Chris Creighton. "Our guys know that, so we celebrate these outstanding accomplishments together as a team. We had some remarkable performances this year and I'm glad that some of our guys are being recognized by the opposing coaches."
Overall, Buffalo set the pace with 11 All-MAC honorees, followed by Eastern Michigan and Toledo with 10 selections.
Opposing quarterbacks have gotten to know Crosby more than they would like over the past three seasons, as the Colleyville, Texas native has wreaked havoc in opponents' backfields. Crosby ranks fifth nationally in forced fumbles per game (0.36), as well as 10th in tackles-for-loss per game (1.6). He is also fifth in the MAC in sacks (0.68), a mark that ranks 35th in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) ranks.
On the preseason watch lists for the Ted Hendricks Award, the Nagurski Trophy, and the Bednarik Award, Crosby recorded a sack and three tackles-for-loss against Akron, Nov. 10, to move into a tie for second all-time in EMU career sacks. His 20.0 career sacks are tied with O'Connor, who had 20.0 from 2011-16. Meanwhile, Crosby has 39.5 career tackles-for-loss, the second-most in EMU history, as well as the most since Jason Jones' 50 from 2004-07.
Rachwal notched 115 tackles, 10 TFLs, five quarterback hurries, and a pair of interceptions for the stout EMU defense. He became just the 25th player in school history to record more than 115 stops in a single season, while ranking fifth in the MAC in tackles per game at 9.6.
Earlier this season, Rachwal joined the 300 career tackles club against Army, Oct. 27. The senior led the Eagles defense with 14 stops on the day, becoming just the 17th player in school history to record 300-or-more tackles in a career. Overall, the Lapeer, Mich. native has 335 (143 solo, 192 assist) tackles, the 11th-most by any Eagle.
Part of an experienced EMU secondary that ranks second in the league in interceptions and 24th nationally, McGill completed the regular season tied for the team lead with three picks to go along with 35 tackles. His three INTs are second-most in the MAC and are tied for 36th in the FBS ranks.
Named the MAC West Division Special Teams Player of the Week a school-record five times in 2018, Julien finished the regular season tied for first in the MAC and 25th nationally in punting with an average of 43.6. He registered 12 punts of 50-or-more yards with 22 downed inside the 20-yard line. Furthermore, 15 of those 22 have actually been whistled dead inside the 10-yard line with three having traveled more than 68 yards.
Julien is the only EMU player in records that date back to 1959 to have recorded two punts of 70-or-more yards in their career. Julien had a 71 yards boot in the first quarter against Army, Oct. 27. It was his second 70+ punt in a three week span, as the Barrie, Ontario native turned in a career-best 73-yard punt against Western Michigan, Oct. 6. The punt against the Broncos made him just the fourth EMU player since 1993 to have eclipsed a punt of 70+ yards.
Leatiota, a team captain and two-time Outland Trophy candidate, played in 10 games on the offensive line for the Eagles this season. Leading the way up front, Leatiota helped EMU to the third-highest passing efficiency and fourth-best passing offense in the conference at 228.6 yards per game. A Second Team All-MAC honors a season ago, he was selected as a candidate for the 2018 Polynesian Player of the Year.
Nielsen started all 12 games at right tackle for an Eastern Michigan line that has led the way for a pass-heavy offense. Overall, Eastern's offensive line made way for the third-most efficient passing offense in the league as well as the fourth-best passing offense in the MAC at 228.6 yards per game.
From walk-on to team captain, Banham has become a key part of Eastern's offense. A true team player, Banham moved from running back to wide receiver for his senior season, embracing his changed role in the fullest. Banham's senior campaign has been the best of his Eastern career, leading the pass-heavy 2018 Eagles in receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, and all-purpose yardage. Appearing in all 12 games for the Green and White, Banham has hauled in 54 catches for 714 yards, including five touchdowns. The St. Paul, Minn. product has posted 100+ yards receiving three times this season, including a season-best 159 at Buffalo, Sept. 15, and ranks ninth in the league in receiving yards per game (59.5).
Recently named as a Google Cloud Academic All-District® honoree by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), Banham also ranks second in the MAC and 25th nationally with 9.8 yards per punt return.
A two-time captain and leader of Eastern's defensive efforts, Harris has started 11 of the team's 12 games this season. He has racked up 58 tackles, including 7.5 for loss and five sacks. His five sacks are tied for 11th-most in the MAC. The Lambertville, Mich. native has also blocked a kick, intercepted a pass, forced a fumble, and recovered a fumble this season.
Harris, a two-time Wuerffel Award Watch list member, recorded a career-high 3.0 sacks in EMU's regular season finale at Kent State, Nov. 23, tying the program record for single-game sacks. Overall, Harris tied the EMU record with seven forced fumbles and is fifth with 16.0 career sacks.
A Third Team All-MAC selection for the second time, Calhoun has continued to lead the Eagles' secondary this season. His 77 stops rank second-most on the team, while his three interceptions tied for the most by an Eagle this season as well as the third-most in the conference. He has also tallied two tackles-for-loss, including a sack. Calhoun sealed Eastern Michigan's seventh win of the year with a fourth-quarter interception at Kent State, Nov. 23.
Hoying, a First Team All-MAC awardee a year ago, has tallied 68 tackles this season, including a career-best 11 TFLs, while also setting a career-high with 1.5 sacks. A native of Coldwater, Ohio, Hoying ranks 22nd in the MAC in tackles per game at 6.8 stops per contest and ninth in tackles-for-loss.
NIU junior defensive end Sutton Smith was tabbed as the winner of the 37th Vern Smith Leadership Award as the top player in the MAC and was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive year. Buffalo Head Coach Lance Leipold was selected as the MAC Head Coach of the Year, while Bulls junior quarterback Tyree Jackson was named MAC Offensive Player of the Year and Bulls running back Jaret Patterson was selected as the MAC Freshman of the Year. Toledo junior kickoff and punt returner Diontae Johnson was named MAC Special Teams Player of the Year.
Eastern Michigan wrapped up the regular season with a 7-5 record to become bowl eligible for the second time in three years and continues one of the best three-year stretches in program history. Eastern's 19 wins over the past three years are the most since EMU won 23 from 1987-89. The Eagles closed out the season strong, winning five straight MAC games for their first winning record in conference play since 1995.
The Green and White turned in another stout season on the defensive side of the ball in 2018, as it posted one of the most successful defensive campaigns in program history. EMU's 22.0 points allowed per game tied for the fifth-best mark in school history in the modern era (since 1976), and the best since 1993. Eastern's 352.9 yards of offense allowed was the second-best mark since 1998, as well as the best since 2011. Furthermore, the Eagles intercepted 13 passes, the most since 2007, and forced 24 total turnovers.
On the national scale, the Eagles were one of the top defenses in the country. Eastern currently owns the sixth-best redzone defense in the country, while holding opponents to 160.0 passing yards per game, the fifth-fewest in the nation. EMU ranked ninth in turnover margin, 12th in turnovers gained, 13th in passing efficiency defense, 14th in fumbles recovered, 18th in the nation in fourth down conversion defense, 24th in interceptions, 34th in scoring defense, and 41st in first downs defense.
Furthermore, Defensive Coordinator Neal Neathery's crew proved to be very stingy late in the year, as EMU's defense only allowed one offensive touchdown over the final 12 quarters of the season. Moreover, Eastern is ranked 12th nationally in the fewest second-half points allowed at just 8.9 a game.
Eastern now awaits its bowl selection, which will take place Sunday, Dec. 2. For more information on possible bowl destinations, visit EMU's bowl ticket interest page.
2018 MAC Specialty Award Winners
Coach of the Year: Lance Leipold, Buffalo
Offensive Player of the Year: QB Tyree Jackson, Buffalo
Defensive Player of the Year: DE Sutton Smith, Northern Illinois
Special Teams Player of the Year: KR/PR Diontae Johnson, Toledo
Freshman of the Year: RB Jaret Patterson, Buffalo
Vern Smith Leadership Award Winner: DE Sutton Smith, Northern Illinois
2018 All-MAC First Team Offense
Quarterback – Tyree Jackson, Buffalo
Offensive Linemen – Max Scharping, Northern Illinois &@
Offensive Linemen – Luke Juriga, Western Michigan +
Offensive Lineman – Joe Lowery, Ohio +
Offensive Linemen – James O'Hagan, Buffalo %^
Offensive Linemen – Joe Anderson, Ohio +
Tight End – Tyler Mabry, Buffalo
Wide Receiver – Anthony Johnson, Buffalo &
Wide Receiver – Diontae Johnson, Toledo &
Wide Receiver – Cody Thompson, Toledo @
Wide Receiver – Papi White, Ohio +
Running Back – LeVante Bellamy, Western Michigan
Running Back – A.J. Ouellette, Ohio +
Placekicker – Matt Trickett, Kent State
2018 All-MAC First Team Defense
Outside Linebacker – Brad Koenig, Miami
Outside Linebacker – Antonio Jones-Davis, Northern Illinois
Inside Linebacker – Khalil Hodge, Buffalo &#
Inside Linebacker – Malik Fountain, Central Michigan +@
Down Lineman – Sutton Smith, Northern Illinois &
Down Lineman – Maxx Crosby, Eastern Michigan &
Down Lineman – Michael Danna, Central Michigan
Down Lineman – Chuck Harris, Buffalo %
Defensive Back – Alvin Davis, Akron +
Defensive Back – Sean Bunting, Central Michigan
Defensive Back – Javon Hagan, Ohio +#
Defensive Back – Xavier Crawford, Central Michigan
Punter – Michael Farkas, Ohio ^
2018 All-MAC First Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Maurice Thomas, Miami ^
Punt Return Specialist – Diontae Johnson, Toledo &
2018 All-MAC Second Team Offense
Quarterback – Nathan Rourke, Ohio +
Offensive Lineman – John Keenoy, Western Michigan &#
Offensive Lineman – Bryce Harris, Toledo
Offensive Lineman – Luke Shively, Northern Illinois
Offensive Lineman – Durrell Wood, Ohio
Offensive Lineman – Evin Ksiezarczyk, Buffalo
Tight End – Reggie Gilliam, Toledo
Wide Receiver – K.J. Osborn, Buffalo
Wide Receiver – Scott Miller, Bowling Green %@
Wide Receiver – Jayden Reed, Western Michigan
Wide Receiver – Riley Miller, Ball State
Running Back – Tre Harbison, Northern Illinois
Running Back – Jaret Patterson, Buffalo
Placekicker – Ryan Tice, Central Michigan
2018 All-MAC Second Team Defense
Outside Linebacker – Evan Croutch, Ohio
Outside Linebacker – Ulysees Gilbert III, Akron &@
Inside Linebacker – Kyle Pugh, Northern Illinois
Inside Linebacker – Kyle Rachwal, Eastern Michigan
Down Lineman – Josh Corcoran, Northern Illinois %
Down Lineman – Jamal Davis, Akron %
Down Lineman – Kalil Morris, Kent State
Down Lineman – Doug Costin, Miami
Defensive Back – Cameron Lewis, Buffalo
Defensive Back – Kevin McGill, Eastern Michigan
Defensive Back – Mykelti Williams, Northern Illinois
Defensive Back – Kyron Brown, Akron
Punter – Jake Julien, Eastern Michigan
2018 All-MAC Second Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Diontae Johnson, Toledo +
Punt Return Specialist – Jayden Reed, Western Michigan
2018 All-MAC Third Team Offense
Quarterback – Gus Ragland, Miami
Offensive Lineman – Jimmy Leatiota, Eastern Michigan +
Offensive Lineman – Danny Godlevske, Miami
Offensive Lineman – Steve Nielsen, Eastern Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Jack Kramer, Bowling Green
Offensive Lineman – Jordan Rigg, Miami %
Tight End – Giovanni Ricci, Western Michigan
Wide Receiver – Blake Banham, Eastern Michigan
Wide Receiver – Justin Hall, Ball State +
Wide Receiver – Jon'Vea Johnson, Toledo #
Wide Receiver – Jack Sorenson, Miami
Running Back – Andrew Clair, Bowling Green %
Running Back – Jamauri Bogan, Western Michigan !
Placekicker – Jameson Vest, Toledo &
2018 All-MAC Third Team Defense
Outside Linebacker – John Lako, Akron
Outside Linebacker – Christian Albright, Ball State
Inside Linebacker – Brian Bell, Akron
Inside Linebacker – Jacob White, Ball State
Down Lineman – Tuzar Skipper, Toledo
Down Lineman – Jack Heflin, Northern Illinois
Down Lineman – Jeremiah Harris, Eastern Michigan +^
Down Lineman – Nate Brisson-Fast, Central Michigan
Defensive Back – Marcus Milton, Bowling Green
Defensive Back – Vince Calhoun, Eastern Michigan %
Defensive Back – Brody Hoying, Eastern Michigan &
Defensive Back – Josh Teachey, Toledo
Punter – Kyle Kramer, Miami
2018 All-MAC Third Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Malik Dunner, Ball State %
Punt Return Specialist – K.J. Osborn, Buffalo
& 2017 First-Team All-MAC
+ 2017 Second-Team All-MAC
% 2017 Third-Team All-MAC
@ 2016 First-Team All-MAC
# 2016 Second-Team All-MAC
^ 2016 Third-Team All-MAC
= 2015 First-Team All-MAC
* 2015 Second-Team All-MAC
! 2015 Third-Team All-MAC
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