Eastern Michigan Athletics
EMU Football Lands 12 Eagles on Academic All-MAC Team
12/17/2018 5:14:00 PM | Football
Eagles were tied for the fifth-most student-athletes out of all MAC institutions
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) - The Eastern Michigan University football team had 12 student-athletes representing the Green and White on the 2018 Academic All-Mid-American Conference Football Team, the conference announced Monday, Dec. 17. The 12 Eagles on the list were tied with Kent State University and Miami University for the fifth-most out of all MAC institutions, as Western Michigan University led the conference with 20 selections.
Making the Academic All-MAC team were: senior Blake Banham (St. Paul, Minn.-Cretin-Durham), sophomore Jake Donnellon (Ann Arbor, Mich.-Gabriel Richard), senior Jeremiah Harris (Lambertville, Mich.-Bedford Senior), senior Jeremy Hickey (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-Brother Rice), junior Clay Holford (Carrollton, Texas-Hebron), junior Brody Hoying (Coldwater, Ohio-Coldwater), senior Tyler LaBarbera (Elk Grove Village, Ill.-James B. Conant-Dupage), sophomore Freddie McGee III (Canton, Mich.-Salem), junior Steve Nielsen (Dragoer, Denmark- La Lumiere School), junior Breck Turner (Norwalk, Ohio-Norwalk), senior Ville Valasti (Helsinki, Finland-Itakeskuksen Iukio-Diablo Valley College), and sophomore Mike Van Hoeven (Paw Paw, Mich.-Paw Paw).
Banham was one of only four MAC student-athletes named as four-time selections to the team, as the St. Paul, Minn. native received the conference academic honor all four years of his Eastern playing career. Harris, Holford, Hoying, and Turner earned the selection for the third time, while Donnellon and Nielsen were selected for the second time while donning the Green and White. In total, 154 student-athletes earned the honor.
The Academic All-MAC honor is for a student who has excelled in athletics and academics. To qualify, a student must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for that particular sport. First-year students and junior college transfers in their first year of residence are not eligible for the award.
From walk-on to team captain, Banham moved from running back to wide receiver for his senior season and it paid off with Third Team All-MAC accolades. Banham led the pass-heavy 2018 Eagles in receptions (60), receiving yards (758), and all-purpose yardage (83.7 ypg). 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 10th in the league in receiving yards per game (58.3). A Google Cloud Academic All-District® honoree by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), Banham also ranked second in the MAC and 22nd nationally with 10.0 yards per punt return.
Donnellon, an exercise major with a 3.45 GPA, played in all 13 games for the Eagles, earning three starts at Ball State (Oct. 20), against Army (Oct. 27), and versus Central Michigan (Nov. 3). He earned one start at right guard (BSU) and two at left guard (Army and CMU), aiding the Eagles' offensive line that marked the third-highest passing efficiency and fourth-best passing offense in the conference at 226.7 yards per game.
A two-time captain and leader of Eastern's defensive efforts, Harris started 12 of the team's 13 games this season. He racked up 64 tackles, including 7.5 for loss and five sacks en route to Third Team All-MAC honors. 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 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 career record with seven forced fumbles and ranks fifth with 16.0 career sacks.
Hickey started all 13 games in 2018 for the Green and White, earning a 3.20 GPA as a social studies and history major. Named a candidate for the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and the Wuerffel Trophy, the Bloomfield Hills, Mich. native was a huge part of EMU's offense that had the 32nd-best completion percentage in the nation.
A supply chain management major with a 3.58 GPA, Holford tallied 17 tackles and two quarterback hurries as a part of the Eastern defense. His best game came against Army West Point, Oct. 27, when he notched six tackles against the Black Knights. Overall, EMU ranked sixth in the nation when guarding the redzone with just 72.9 percent of trips inside the 20-yard line resulting in points.
Hoying, a three-time Academic All-MAC selection and two-time All-MAC selection, spent his junior season succeeding both on and off the field. The supply chain management major holds a 3.69 GPA, while also recording the fifth-most tackles of any Eagle student-athlete and 29th-most in the conference with 69 on the season. For his efforts, he earned Third-Team All-MAC recognition. Overall. Hoying's 8.5 tackles-for-loss ranked 10th in the league as EMU finished third nationally in fewest passing yards allowed at just 150.2 a contest.
Collecting the award for the first time, LaBarbera has a 3.36 GPA in exercise science. A staple of the EMU defensive line, he started nine of the 12 games he played in, while recording 42 tackles and a part of a TFL on the season. Against Army West Point's triple-option attack, LaBarbera filled the middle of the line for a career-high 11 tackles. He also added seven stops in an overtime contest against eventual MAC Champion Northern Illinois, Sept. 29
McGee III, a sport management major with a 3.34 GPA, had a standout sophomore season. The former walk-on tallied 18 tackles, along with an interception, a pass breakup, and a fumble recovery. The Canton, Mich. product made appearances in all 13 games and recorded the game-saving poke-away against the University of Toledo, Oct. 13, on a two-point conversion attempt to tie the game in the final moments.
Nielsen started all 13 games at right tackle for an Eastern Michigan line that has led the way for a pass-heavy offense. A sport management major with a 3.67 GPA, the Third Team All-MAC selection helped an EMU offense that ranked third nationally in fewest interceptions thrown (4) and 11th in turnover margin (+0.77).
Turner appeared in 12 games for Eastern Michigan this season, rushing for a total of 169 yards and two scores while grabbing nine passes for 72 yards out of the backfield. He registered 29 receiving yards on his career-long reception against Toledo (Oct. 13), while recording a season-best 50 rushing yards in his performance against Ball State. The sport management major from Norwalk, Ohio holds a 3.37 GPA.
Valasti played in 11 games, recording seven tackles and was in on a tackle-for-loss. In his final year in the Green and White, the psychology major made his presence felt on a defensive line that topped the conference in pass defense efficiency.
A 2018 Google Cloud Academic All-District® honoree by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), Van Hoeven appeared in every game for the Eagles. A backup until recently, he has served on EMU's special teams unit as well.
2018 Academic All-MAC (154)
Akron (9):
Jamal Baggett, Senior, 3.700 GPA, Sport Science & Coaching (Oak Park, Ill.)
*+Nathan Bischof, Senior, 3.329 GPA, Health Professions (Akron, Ohio)
*Kyle Foster, Senior, 3.421 GPA, Health Professions (Parkersburg, W.V.)
*+John Lako, Junior, 3.366 GPA, Human Resources Management (Monroe, Mich.)
Cameron Lyons,R-Freshman, 3.344 GPA, Sport Management (Morgantown, W.V.)
Dylan Meeks, Sophomore, 3.949 GPA, Exercise Science, Pre-Physical Therapy (Orlando, Fla.)
Alex Ramart, R-Freshman, 3.541 GPA, Exercise Science (Richmond, Texas)
Brian Reinke, Senior, 3.201 GPA, Health Professions (Akron, Ohio)
Mykel Traylor-Bennett, Senior, 3.350 GPA, Graduate Studies (Columbus, Ohio)
Ball State (19):
*Chris Beech, Sophomore, 3.695 GPA, Business Administration (Miamisburg, Ohio)
Curtis Blackwell, Sophomore, 3.766 GPA, Business Administration (Uniondale, Ind.)
Brock Burns, R-Freshman, 3.66 GPA Communication Studies (Fishers, Ind.)
Bryce Cosby, Sophomore, 3.333 GPA, Pre-Telecommunications (Louisville, Ky.)
Jimmy Daw, R-Freshman, 3.435 GPA, Business Administration (Medina, Ohio)
Joseph Greenwood, Sophomore, 3.272 GPA, Sport Administration (Delaware, Ohio)
Trevor Hohlt, R-Freshman, 3.466 GPA, Entrepreneurial Management (Greenwood, Ind.)
Will Jones, R-Freshman, 3.366 GPA, Business Administration (Anderson, Ind.)
*Riley Miller, Junior, 3.587 GPA, Exercise Science (Yorktown, Ind.)
+Riley Neal, Junior, 3.511 GPA, Business Administration (Yorktown, Ind.)
*+Danny Pinter, Junior, 3.676 GPA, Business Administration (South Bend, Ind.)
Drew Plitt, Sophomore, 3.671 GPA, Accounting (Loveland, Ohio)
*Andrew Poenitsch, Junior, 3.75 GPA, Industry and Technology (Waukesha, Wis.)
*+Zac Ricketts, Junior, 3.568 GPA, Industry and Technology (Bremen, Ind.)
*+Kyle Schrank, Junior, 3.781 GPA, Business Administration (Fishers, Ind.)
*+Fred Schroeder, Senior, 3.384 GPA, Biology (Yuma, Ariz.)
*+Marc Walton, Senior, 3.290 GPA, Marketing (Mentor, Ohio)
Jordan Williams, R-Freshman, 3.90 GPA, Finance (Champaign, Ill.)
*Grant Williamson, Junior, 3.282 GPA, Accounting (Rolling Prairie, Ind.)
Bowling Green (9):
*Caleb Bright, Sophomore, 3.439 GPA, Criminal Justice (Urbandale, Iowa)
James Carolan, Sophomore, 3.388 GPA, Sport Management (Anthem, Ariz.)
Colin DeBord, R-Freshman, 3.294 GPA, Biology (Centerville, Ohio)
Derek Downs, R-Freshman, 3.828 GPA, Sport Management (Westerville, Ohio)
Zach Dziengelweski, R-Freshman, 3.818 GPA, Health Science (Swanton, Ohio)
John Kurtz, Senior, 3.272 GPA, Master's in Business Administration (Louisville, Ky.)
*Grant Loy, Sophomore, 3.301 GPA, Sport Management (New Washington, Ohio)
Matt Naranjo, Sophomore, 3.361 GPA, Aviation Studies (Skokie, Ill.)
*Gabe Skrobot, Sophomore, 4.00 GPA, Biology (Zanesville, Ohio)
Buffalo (7):
Evan Finegan, R-Freshman, 3.49 GPA, Business Administration (Sterling Heights, Mich.)
Nick Gallo, Junior, 3.37 GPA, Public Health (Schenectady, N.Y.)
*Tyree Jackson, Junior, 3.33 GPA, Social Science Interdisciplinary (Norton Shores, Mich.)
*Zach Lefebvre, Sophomore, 3.37 GPA, Social Science Interdisciplinary (Victor, N.Y.)
Adam Mitcheson, Senior, 3.25 GPA, Educational Studies (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
*K.J. Osborn, Junior, 3.35 GPA, Sociology (Ypsilanti, Mich.)
*Matt Otwinowski, Junior, 3.87 GPA, Accounting (LaPorte, Ind.)
Central Michigan (10):
Brandon Childress, Junior, 3.23 GPA, Communication (Baldwin, Mich.)
Nick Follmer, R-Freshman, 3.26 GPA, Undecided (O'Fallon, Mo.)
*+Luke Idoni, Senior, 3.76 GPA, Biology/Biomedical Sciences and Psychology (Fenton, Mich.)
*Kaden Keon, Junior, 3.53 GPA, Engineering Technology (St. Louis, Mo.)
*Oakley Lavalli, Sophomore, 3.34 GPA, Entrepreneurship (Boca Raton, Fla.)
*Derek Smith, Sophomore, 3.26 GPA, Criminal Justice (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
Devon Spalding, Senior, 3.40 GPA, Criminal Justice (Canton, Mich.)
*^Mitch Stanitzek, Senior, 3.74 GPA, Marketing and Logistics -Graduate-Business Administration (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
Robi Stuart, Sophomore, 3.75 GPA, Undecided (Saginaw, Mich.)
*Clay Walderzak, Senior, 3.23 GPA, Construction Management (Standish, Mich.)
Eastern Michigan (12):
*+^Blake Banham, Senior, 3.64 GPA, Criminology and Criminal Justice (St. Paul, Minn.)
*Jake Donnellon, Junior, 3.45 GPA, Exercise Science (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
*+Jeremiah Harris, Senior, 3.44 GPA, Sports Performance and Entrepreneurship (Lambertville, Mich.)
Jeremy Hickey, Senior, 3.20 GPA, Social Studies and History (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.)
*+Clay Holford, Junior, 3.58 GPA, Supply Chain Management (Carrollton, Texas)
*+Brody Hoying, Senior, 3.69 GPA, Supply Chain Management (Coldwater, Ohio)
Tyler LaBarbera, Senior, 3.36 GPA, Exercise Science (Elk Grove Village, Ill.)
Freddie McGee III, Sophomore, 3.34 GPA, Sport Management (Canton, Mich.)
*Steve Nielsen, Junior, 3.67 GPA, Sport Management (Dragoer, Denmark)
*+Breck Turner, Junior, 3.37 GPA, Sport Management (Norwalk, Ohio)
Ville Valasti, Senior, 3.47 GPA, Psychology (Helsinki, Finland)
Mike Van Hoeven, Sophomore, 3.95 GPA, Exercise Science (Paw Paw, Mich.)
Kent State (12):
+^Matt Bahr, Senior, 3.89 GPA/3.96 Grad. GPA, Criminal Justice/Criminology (Kenton, Ohio)
*John Henry Bronczek, Junior, 3.65 GPA, Business Management (Massillon, Ohio)
Dustin Crum, Sophomore, 3.58 GPA, Aeronautical Systems Engineering (Grafton, Ohio)
*Trey Harrell, Junior, 3.20 GPA, General Business (Metaire, La.)
+Mike Marinelli, Junior, 3.29 GPA, Accounting (Allison Park, Pa.)
Colt McFadden, R-Freshman, 3.55 GPA, General Business (Poland, Ohio)
A.J. Musolino, R-Freshman, 3.59 GPA, Marketing (Struthers, Ohio)
*Joey Palumbo, Junior, 3.23 GPA, Sport Administration (Hudson, Ohio)
*Kavious Price, Junior, 3.25 GPA, Interpersonal Communication (Bradenton, Fla.)
Keith Sherald, Jr., Sophomore, 3.40 GPA, Digital Sciences (Waldorf, Md.)
Isaac Vance, R-Freshman, 3.44 GPA, Sport Administration (Las Cruces, N.M.)
*+Chase Van Hoef, Junior, 3.43 GPA, Marketing (Grand Haven, Mich.)
Miami (12):
Mike Brown, Sophomore, 3.42 GPA, Sports Leadership and Management (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
*+Evan Crabtree, Junior, 3.81 GPA, Sports Leadership and Management (Dublin, Ohio)
Tommy Doyle, Sophomore, 3.34 GPA, Marketing (Edina, Minn.)
Isaac Hampton, Redshirt Freshman, 3.21 GPA, Sports Leadership and Management (Charlotte, N.C.)
Zach Kahn, Sophomore, 3.61 GPA, Marketing and Accounting (Strongsville, Ohio)
Nick Marosi, Junior, 3.21 GPA, Marketing (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
Ryan McWood, Sophomore, 3.45 GPA, Kinesiology (Grosse Pointe, Mich.)
Adam Mehelic, Redshirt Freshman, 3.33 GPA, Strategic Communications (Hudson, Ohio)
*+Ryan Mullen, Senior, 3.43 GPA, Kinesiology (Lake Villa, Ill.)
*+Mitch Palmer, Senior, 3.37 GPA, Biology (St. Louis, Mo.)
Jalen Walker, R-Freshman, 3.26 GPA, Sports Leadership and Management (Carmel, Ind.)
Sterling Weatherford, R-Freshman, 3.72 GPA, Mechanical Engineering (Cicero, Ind.)
Northern Illinois (10):
Calvin Dassow, R-Freshman, 4.00 GPA, Chemistry (Menominee Falls, Wis.)
*+Trayshon Foster, Junior, 3.301 GPA, Communications/Organizational & Corporate (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
Andrew Gregory, Sophomore, 3.422 GPA, Accountancy (Normal, Ill.)
*Ty Harmston, Senior, 3.628 GPA, Human Anatomical Sciences (Stockton, Ill.)
Jaden Huff, Senior, 3.778 GPA, MBA (Bolingbrook, Ill.)
Corey Lersch, Sophomore, 3.968 GPA, Nursing (McHenry, Ill.)
Benn Olson, Sophomore, 3.829 GPA, Engineering Management (Burnsville, Minn.)
*+^Max Scharping, Senior, 3.875 GPA, Exercise Physiology/Fitness Leadership (Green Bay, Wis.)
*+^Luke Shively, Senior, 3.302 GPA, Public Health Administration (Tipton, Ind.)
*+Jordan Steckler, Junior, 3.416 GPA, Leadership and Management (Two Rivers, Wis.)
Ohio (15):
*+Kent Berger, Senior, 3.715 GPA, Finance (Mentor, Ohio)
*+Austin Clack, Junior, 3.365 GPA, Finance (Tipp City, Ohio)
*Dylan Conner, Sophomore, 3.974 GPA, Bios Pre-Professional (Fort Wayne, Ind.)
*Austin Conrad, Sophomore, 3.488 GPA, Marketing (LaGrange, Ohio)
*Jared Dorsa, Sophomore, 3.291 GPA, Exercise Physiology (Kings Mills, Ohio)
Tariq Drake, R-Freshman, 3.276 GPA, Communication Studies (Leavittsburg, Ohio)
Brett Kitrell, Sophomore, 3.819 GPA, Marketing (Ashland, Neb.)
Joe Lowery, Senior, 3.256 GPA, Health Services Administration (Tallmadge, Ohio)
*+Quinton Maxwell, Junior, 3.493 GPA, Management and Strategic Leadership (Rayville, Mo.)
*Andrew Meyer, Senior, 3.593 GPA, Finance (Canal Winchester, Ohio)
Jake Neatherton, R-Freshman, 3.381 GPA, Exercise Physiology-Pre-Physical Therapy (Miamisburg, Ohio)
A.J. Ouellette, Senior, 3.400 GPA, Coaching Education (Covington, Ohio)
Andrew Payne, Senior, 3.30 GPA, Coaching Education (Danville, Ohio)
*Eric Popp, Junior, 3.370 GPA, Engineering Technology & Management (Loveland, Ohio)
Nathan Rourke, Junior, 3.556 GPA, Physical Activity & Sport Coaching (Oakville, Ontario, Canada)
Toledo (19):
Tycen Anderson, Sophomore, 3.437 GPA, Business (Toledo, Ohio)
Yazeed Atariwa, Senior, 3.243 GPA, Marketing (Sterling, Va.)
*Cameron Bell, Junior, 3.368 GPA, History (Sagamore Hills, Ohio)
Mitchell Berg, Redshirt Freshman, 3.252 GPA, Business (Maumee, Ohio)
*Nate Childress, Junior, 3.315 GPA, Marketing (Rossford, Ohio)
Devonte Dunn, Redshirt Freshman, 3.251 GPA, Business (Plainfield, Ill.)
Jordan Fisher, Junior, 3.291 GPA, Communication (Leesburg, Va.)
Bailey Flint, Sophomore, 3.769 GPA, Media Communication (Melbourne, Australia)
Zachary Ford, R-Freshman, 3.201 GPA, Business (Cleveland, Ohio)
*Reggie Gilliam, Junior, 3.483 GPA, Interdisciplinary Studies (Columbus, Ohio)
Mitchell Guadagni, Junior, 3.318 GPA, Marketing (Hudson, Ohio)
*Bryce Harris, Junior, 3.44 GPA, Psychology (Akron, Ohio)
DeAmonte King, R-Freshman, 3.290 GPA, Business (Akron, Ohio)
Nick Kovacs, R-Freshman, 3.843 GPA, Marketing (Springboro, Ohio)
Drew Rosi, Sophomore, 3.573 GPA, Business (Powell, Ohio)
*Shakif Seymour, Sophomore, 3.466 GPA, Business (Cleveland, Ohio)
*+Tyler Taafe, Senior, 3.425 GPA, Finance (Hubbard, Ohio)
+^Cody Thompson, Senior, 3.66 GPA; 3.74 Grad GPA, Marketing; Grad. Recreation & Leisure (Huron, Ohio)
Victor Williams, Sophomore, 3.284 GPA, Business (Warren, Ohio)
Western Michigan (20):
Tyron Arnett, Sophomore, 3.28 GPA, Biomedical Studies (Belle Glade, Fla.)
Jamauri Bogan, Graduate, 3.25 GPA, MBA (Union, N.J.)
Brett Borske, Sophomore, 3.54 GPA, Finance (Naperville, Ill.)
*Mike Caliendo, Sophomore, 3.83 GPA, Biomedical Sciences (Brookfield, Wis.)
*Stefan Claiborne, Junior, 3.48 GPA, Business (Clinton Township, Mich.)
Dylan Deatherage, R-Freshman, 3.64 GPA, Nursing (Kankakee, Ill.)
Wesley French, Junior, 3.43 GPA, Interdisciplinary Health Services (Benton Harbor, Mich.)
Jaylen Hall, Sophomore, 3.40 GPA, Sports Management (Macomb, Mich.)
Ralph Holley, Sophomore, 3.28 GPA, University Curriculum (West Bloomfield, Mich.)
*+Luke Juriga, Junior, 3.61 GPA, Manufacturing Engineering Technology (Aurora, Ill.)
*Spencer Kanz, Sophomore, 3.72 GPA, Finance (Luxemburg, Wis.)
*+John Keenoy, Graduate, 3.72 GPA, MBA (Kentwood, Mich.)
*+Odell Miller, Senior, 3.57 GPA, Exercise Science (Kalamazoo, Mich.)
Tanner Motz, R-Freshman, 3.84 GPA, Environmental and Sustainability Studies (St. John's, Mich.)
*+^Zach Novoselsky, Graduate, 3.67 GPA, Management (Lincolnshire, Ill.)
*+Giovanni Ricci, Junior, 3.33 GPA, Finance (Loveland, Ohio)
Luke Sanders, Sophomore, 3.95 GPA, Business (Fishers, Ind.)
Harrison Taylor, R-Freshman, 3.77 GPA, Business (St. Charles, Ill.)
Justin Tranquill, Junior, 3.62 GPA, Sales & Business Marketing (Huntertown, Ind.)
*Jon Wassink, Junior, 3.95 GPA, Accountancy (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
*2017 Academic All-MAC selection
+2016 Academic All-MAC selection
^2015 Academic All-MAC selection
Making the Academic All-MAC team were: senior Blake Banham (St. Paul, Minn.-Cretin-Durham), sophomore Jake Donnellon (Ann Arbor, Mich.-Gabriel Richard), senior Jeremiah Harris (Lambertville, Mich.-Bedford Senior), senior Jeremy Hickey (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-Brother Rice), junior Clay Holford (Carrollton, Texas-Hebron), junior Brody Hoying (Coldwater, Ohio-Coldwater), senior Tyler LaBarbera (Elk Grove Village, Ill.-James B. Conant-Dupage), sophomore Freddie McGee III (Canton, Mich.-Salem), junior Steve Nielsen (Dragoer, Denmark- La Lumiere School), junior Breck Turner (Norwalk, Ohio-Norwalk), senior Ville Valasti (Helsinki, Finland-Itakeskuksen Iukio-Diablo Valley College), and sophomore Mike Van Hoeven (Paw Paw, Mich.-Paw Paw).
Banham was one of only four MAC student-athletes named as four-time selections to the team, as the St. Paul, Minn. native received the conference academic honor all four years of his Eastern playing career. Harris, Holford, Hoying, and Turner earned the selection for the third time, while Donnellon and Nielsen were selected for the second time while donning the Green and White. In total, 154 student-athletes earned the honor.
The Academic All-MAC honor is for a student who has excelled in athletics and academics. To qualify, a student must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for that particular sport. First-year students and junior college transfers in their first year of residence are not eligible for the award.
From walk-on to team captain, Banham moved from running back to wide receiver for his senior season and it paid off with Third Team All-MAC accolades. Banham led the pass-heavy 2018 Eagles in receptions (60), receiving yards (758), and all-purpose yardage (83.7 ypg). 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 10th in the league in receiving yards per game (58.3). A Google Cloud Academic All-District® honoree by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), Banham also ranked second in the MAC and 22nd nationally with 10.0 yards per punt return.
Donnellon, an exercise major with a 3.45 GPA, played in all 13 games for the Eagles, earning three starts at Ball State (Oct. 20), against Army (Oct. 27), and versus Central Michigan (Nov. 3). He earned one start at right guard (BSU) and two at left guard (Army and CMU), aiding the Eagles' offensive line that marked the third-highest passing efficiency and fourth-best passing offense in the conference at 226.7 yards per game.
A two-time captain and leader of Eastern's defensive efforts, Harris started 12 of the team's 13 games this season. He racked up 64 tackles, including 7.5 for loss and five sacks en route to Third Team All-MAC honors. 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 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 career record with seven forced fumbles and ranks fifth with 16.0 career sacks.
Hickey started all 13 games in 2018 for the Green and White, earning a 3.20 GPA as a social studies and history major. Named a candidate for the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and the Wuerffel Trophy, the Bloomfield Hills, Mich. native was a huge part of EMU's offense that had the 32nd-best completion percentage in the nation.
A supply chain management major with a 3.58 GPA, Holford tallied 17 tackles and two quarterback hurries as a part of the Eastern defense. His best game came against Army West Point, Oct. 27, when he notched six tackles against the Black Knights. Overall, EMU ranked sixth in the nation when guarding the redzone with just 72.9 percent of trips inside the 20-yard line resulting in points.
Hoying, a three-time Academic All-MAC selection and two-time All-MAC selection, spent his junior season succeeding both on and off the field. The supply chain management major holds a 3.69 GPA, while also recording the fifth-most tackles of any Eagle student-athlete and 29th-most in the conference with 69 on the season. For his efforts, he earned Third-Team All-MAC recognition. Overall. Hoying's 8.5 tackles-for-loss ranked 10th in the league as EMU finished third nationally in fewest passing yards allowed at just 150.2 a contest.
Collecting the award for the first time, LaBarbera has a 3.36 GPA in exercise science. A staple of the EMU defensive line, he started nine of the 12 games he played in, while recording 42 tackles and a part of a TFL on the season. Against Army West Point's triple-option attack, LaBarbera filled the middle of the line for a career-high 11 tackles. He also added seven stops in an overtime contest against eventual MAC Champion Northern Illinois, Sept. 29
McGee III, a sport management major with a 3.34 GPA, had a standout sophomore season. The former walk-on tallied 18 tackles, along with an interception, a pass breakup, and a fumble recovery. The Canton, Mich. product made appearances in all 13 games and recorded the game-saving poke-away against the University of Toledo, Oct. 13, on a two-point conversion attempt to tie the game in the final moments.
Nielsen started all 13 games at right tackle for an Eastern Michigan line that has led the way for a pass-heavy offense. A sport management major with a 3.67 GPA, the Third Team All-MAC selection helped an EMU offense that ranked third nationally in fewest interceptions thrown (4) and 11th in turnover margin (+0.77).
Turner appeared in 12 games for Eastern Michigan this season, rushing for a total of 169 yards and two scores while grabbing nine passes for 72 yards out of the backfield. He registered 29 receiving yards on his career-long reception against Toledo (Oct. 13), while recording a season-best 50 rushing yards in his performance against Ball State. The sport management major from Norwalk, Ohio holds a 3.37 GPA.
Valasti played in 11 games, recording seven tackles and was in on a tackle-for-loss. In his final year in the Green and White, the psychology major made his presence felt on a defensive line that topped the conference in pass defense efficiency.
A 2018 Google Cloud Academic All-District® honoree by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), Van Hoeven appeared in every game for the Eagles. A backup until recently, he has served on EMU's special teams unit as well.
2018 Academic All-MAC (154)
Akron (9):
Jamal Baggett, Senior, 3.700 GPA, Sport Science & Coaching (Oak Park, Ill.)
*+Nathan Bischof, Senior, 3.329 GPA, Health Professions (Akron, Ohio)
*Kyle Foster, Senior, 3.421 GPA, Health Professions (Parkersburg, W.V.)
*+John Lako, Junior, 3.366 GPA, Human Resources Management (Monroe, Mich.)
Cameron Lyons,R-Freshman, 3.344 GPA, Sport Management (Morgantown, W.V.)
Dylan Meeks, Sophomore, 3.949 GPA, Exercise Science, Pre-Physical Therapy (Orlando, Fla.)
Alex Ramart, R-Freshman, 3.541 GPA, Exercise Science (Richmond, Texas)
Brian Reinke, Senior, 3.201 GPA, Health Professions (Akron, Ohio)
Mykel Traylor-Bennett, Senior, 3.350 GPA, Graduate Studies (Columbus, Ohio)
Ball State (19):
*Chris Beech, Sophomore, 3.695 GPA, Business Administration (Miamisburg, Ohio)
Curtis Blackwell, Sophomore, 3.766 GPA, Business Administration (Uniondale, Ind.)
Brock Burns, R-Freshman, 3.66 GPA Communication Studies (Fishers, Ind.)
Bryce Cosby, Sophomore, 3.333 GPA, Pre-Telecommunications (Louisville, Ky.)
Jimmy Daw, R-Freshman, 3.435 GPA, Business Administration (Medina, Ohio)
Joseph Greenwood, Sophomore, 3.272 GPA, Sport Administration (Delaware, Ohio)
Trevor Hohlt, R-Freshman, 3.466 GPA, Entrepreneurial Management (Greenwood, Ind.)
Will Jones, R-Freshman, 3.366 GPA, Business Administration (Anderson, Ind.)
*Riley Miller, Junior, 3.587 GPA, Exercise Science (Yorktown, Ind.)
+Riley Neal, Junior, 3.511 GPA, Business Administration (Yorktown, Ind.)
*+Danny Pinter, Junior, 3.676 GPA, Business Administration (South Bend, Ind.)
Drew Plitt, Sophomore, 3.671 GPA, Accounting (Loveland, Ohio)
*Andrew Poenitsch, Junior, 3.75 GPA, Industry and Technology (Waukesha, Wis.)
*+Zac Ricketts, Junior, 3.568 GPA, Industry and Technology (Bremen, Ind.)
*+Kyle Schrank, Junior, 3.781 GPA, Business Administration (Fishers, Ind.)
*+Fred Schroeder, Senior, 3.384 GPA, Biology (Yuma, Ariz.)
*+Marc Walton, Senior, 3.290 GPA, Marketing (Mentor, Ohio)
Jordan Williams, R-Freshman, 3.90 GPA, Finance (Champaign, Ill.)
*Grant Williamson, Junior, 3.282 GPA, Accounting (Rolling Prairie, Ind.)
Bowling Green (9):
*Caleb Bright, Sophomore, 3.439 GPA, Criminal Justice (Urbandale, Iowa)
James Carolan, Sophomore, 3.388 GPA, Sport Management (Anthem, Ariz.)
Colin DeBord, R-Freshman, 3.294 GPA, Biology (Centerville, Ohio)
Derek Downs, R-Freshman, 3.828 GPA, Sport Management (Westerville, Ohio)
Zach Dziengelweski, R-Freshman, 3.818 GPA, Health Science (Swanton, Ohio)
John Kurtz, Senior, 3.272 GPA, Master's in Business Administration (Louisville, Ky.)
*Grant Loy, Sophomore, 3.301 GPA, Sport Management (New Washington, Ohio)
Matt Naranjo, Sophomore, 3.361 GPA, Aviation Studies (Skokie, Ill.)
*Gabe Skrobot, Sophomore, 4.00 GPA, Biology (Zanesville, Ohio)
Buffalo (7):
Evan Finegan, R-Freshman, 3.49 GPA, Business Administration (Sterling Heights, Mich.)
Nick Gallo, Junior, 3.37 GPA, Public Health (Schenectady, N.Y.)
*Tyree Jackson, Junior, 3.33 GPA, Social Science Interdisciplinary (Norton Shores, Mich.)
*Zach Lefebvre, Sophomore, 3.37 GPA, Social Science Interdisciplinary (Victor, N.Y.)
Adam Mitcheson, Senior, 3.25 GPA, Educational Studies (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
*K.J. Osborn, Junior, 3.35 GPA, Sociology (Ypsilanti, Mich.)
*Matt Otwinowski, Junior, 3.87 GPA, Accounting (LaPorte, Ind.)
Central Michigan (10):
Brandon Childress, Junior, 3.23 GPA, Communication (Baldwin, Mich.)
Nick Follmer, R-Freshman, 3.26 GPA, Undecided (O'Fallon, Mo.)
*+Luke Idoni, Senior, 3.76 GPA, Biology/Biomedical Sciences and Psychology (Fenton, Mich.)
*Kaden Keon, Junior, 3.53 GPA, Engineering Technology (St. Louis, Mo.)
*Oakley Lavalli, Sophomore, 3.34 GPA, Entrepreneurship (Boca Raton, Fla.)
*Derek Smith, Sophomore, 3.26 GPA, Criminal Justice (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
Devon Spalding, Senior, 3.40 GPA, Criminal Justice (Canton, Mich.)
*^Mitch Stanitzek, Senior, 3.74 GPA, Marketing and Logistics -Graduate-Business Administration (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
Robi Stuart, Sophomore, 3.75 GPA, Undecided (Saginaw, Mich.)
*Clay Walderzak, Senior, 3.23 GPA, Construction Management (Standish, Mich.)
Eastern Michigan (12):
*+^Blake Banham, Senior, 3.64 GPA, Criminology and Criminal Justice (St. Paul, Minn.)
*Jake Donnellon, Junior, 3.45 GPA, Exercise Science (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
*+Jeremiah Harris, Senior, 3.44 GPA, Sports Performance and Entrepreneurship (Lambertville, Mich.)
Jeremy Hickey, Senior, 3.20 GPA, Social Studies and History (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.)
*+Clay Holford, Junior, 3.58 GPA, Supply Chain Management (Carrollton, Texas)
*+Brody Hoying, Senior, 3.69 GPA, Supply Chain Management (Coldwater, Ohio)
Tyler LaBarbera, Senior, 3.36 GPA, Exercise Science (Elk Grove Village, Ill.)
Freddie McGee III, Sophomore, 3.34 GPA, Sport Management (Canton, Mich.)
*Steve Nielsen, Junior, 3.67 GPA, Sport Management (Dragoer, Denmark)
*+Breck Turner, Junior, 3.37 GPA, Sport Management (Norwalk, Ohio)
Ville Valasti, Senior, 3.47 GPA, Psychology (Helsinki, Finland)
Mike Van Hoeven, Sophomore, 3.95 GPA, Exercise Science (Paw Paw, Mich.)
Kent State (12):
+^Matt Bahr, Senior, 3.89 GPA/3.96 Grad. GPA, Criminal Justice/Criminology (Kenton, Ohio)
*John Henry Bronczek, Junior, 3.65 GPA, Business Management (Massillon, Ohio)
Dustin Crum, Sophomore, 3.58 GPA, Aeronautical Systems Engineering (Grafton, Ohio)
*Trey Harrell, Junior, 3.20 GPA, General Business (Metaire, La.)
+Mike Marinelli, Junior, 3.29 GPA, Accounting (Allison Park, Pa.)
Colt McFadden, R-Freshman, 3.55 GPA, General Business (Poland, Ohio)
A.J. Musolino, R-Freshman, 3.59 GPA, Marketing (Struthers, Ohio)
*Joey Palumbo, Junior, 3.23 GPA, Sport Administration (Hudson, Ohio)
*Kavious Price, Junior, 3.25 GPA, Interpersonal Communication (Bradenton, Fla.)
Keith Sherald, Jr., Sophomore, 3.40 GPA, Digital Sciences (Waldorf, Md.)
Isaac Vance, R-Freshman, 3.44 GPA, Sport Administration (Las Cruces, N.M.)
*+Chase Van Hoef, Junior, 3.43 GPA, Marketing (Grand Haven, Mich.)
Miami (12):
Mike Brown, Sophomore, 3.42 GPA, Sports Leadership and Management (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
*+Evan Crabtree, Junior, 3.81 GPA, Sports Leadership and Management (Dublin, Ohio)
Tommy Doyle, Sophomore, 3.34 GPA, Marketing (Edina, Minn.)
Isaac Hampton, Redshirt Freshman, 3.21 GPA, Sports Leadership and Management (Charlotte, N.C.)
Zach Kahn, Sophomore, 3.61 GPA, Marketing and Accounting (Strongsville, Ohio)
Nick Marosi, Junior, 3.21 GPA, Marketing (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
Ryan McWood, Sophomore, 3.45 GPA, Kinesiology (Grosse Pointe, Mich.)
Adam Mehelic, Redshirt Freshman, 3.33 GPA, Strategic Communications (Hudson, Ohio)
*+Ryan Mullen, Senior, 3.43 GPA, Kinesiology (Lake Villa, Ill.)
*+Mitch Palmer, Senior, 3.37 GPA, Biology (St. Louis, Mo.)
Jalen Walker, R-Freshman, 3.26 GPA, Sports Leadership and Management (Carmel, Ind.)
Sterling Weatherford, R-Freshman, 3.72 GPA, Mechanical Engineering (Cicero, Ind.)
Northern Illinois (10):
Calvin Dassow, R-Freshman, 4.00 GPA, Chemistry (Menominee Falls, Wis.)
*+Trayshon Foster, Junior, 3.301 GPA, Communications/Organizational & Corporate (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
Andrew Gregory, Sophomore, 3.422 GPA, Accountancy (Normal, Ill.)
*Ty Harmston, Senior, 3.628 GPA, Human Anatomical Sciences (Stockton, Ill.)
Jaden Huff, Senior, 3.778 GPA, MBA (Bolingbrook, Ill.)
Corey Lersch, Sophomore, 3.968 GPA, Nursing (McHenry, Ill.)
Benn Olson, Sophomore, 3.829 GPA, Engineering Management (Burnsville, Minn.)
*+^Max Scharping, Senior, 3.875 GPA, Exercise Physiology/Fitness Leadership (Green Bay, Wis.)
*+^Luke Shively, Senior, 3.302 GPA, Public Health Administration (Tipton, Ind.)
*+Jordan Steckler, Junior, 3.416 GPA, Leadership and Management (Two Rivers, Wis.)
Ohio (15):
*+Kent Berger, Senior, 3.715 GPA, Finance (Mentor, Ohio)
*+Austin Clack, Junior, 3.365 GPA, Finance (Tipp City, Ohio)
*Dylan Conner, Sophomore, 3.974 GPA, Bios Pre-Professional (Fort Wayne, Ind.)
*Austin Conrad, Sophomore, 3.488 GPA, Marketing (LaGrange, Ohio)
*Jared Dorsa, Sophomore, 3.291 GPA, Exercise Physiology (Kings Mills, Ohio)
Tariq Drake, R-Freshman, 3.276 GPA, Communication Studies (Leavittsburg, Ohio)
Brett Kitrell, Sophomore, 3.819 GPA, Marketing (Ashland, Neb.)
Joe Lowery, Senior, 3.256 GPA, Health Services Administration (Tallmadge, Ohio)
*+Quinton Maxwell, Junior, 3.493 GPA, Management and Strategic Leadership (Rayville, Mo.)
*Andrew Meyer, Senior, 3.593 GPA, Finance (Canal Winchester, Ohio)
Jake Neatherton, R-Freshman, 3.381 GPA, Exercise Physiology-Pre-Physical Therapy (Miamisburg, Ohio)
A.J. Ouellette, Senior, 3.400 GPA, Coaching Education (Covington, Ohio)
Andrew Payne, Senior, 3.30 GPA, Coaching Education (Danville, Ohio)
*Eric Popp, Junior, 3.370 GPA, Engineering Technology & Management (Loveland, Ohio)
Nathan Rourke, Junior, 3.556 GPA, Physical Activity & Sport Coaching (Oakville, Ontario, Canada)
Toledo (19):
Tycen Anderson, Sophomore, 3.437 GPA, Business (Toledo, Ohio)
Yazeed Atariwa, Senior, 3.243 GPA, Marketing (Sterling, Va.)
*Cameron Bell, Junior, 3.368 GPA, History (Sagamore Hills, Ohio)
Mitchell Berg, Redshirt Freshman, 3.252 GPA, Business (Maumee, Ohio)
*Nate Childress, Junior, 3.315 GPA, Marketing (Rossford, Ohio)
Devonte Dunn, Redshirt Freshman, 3.251 GPA, Business (Plainfield, Ill.)
Jordan Fisher, Junior, 3.291 GPA, Communication (Leesburg, Va.)
Bailey Flint, Sophomore, 3.769 GPA, Media Communication (Melbourne, Australia)
Zachary Ford, R-Freshman, 3.201 GPA, Business (Cleveland, Ohio)
*Reggie Gilliam, Junior, 3.483 GPA, Interdisciplinary Studies (Columbus, Ohio)
Mitchell Guadagni, Junior, 3.318 GPA, Marketing (Hudson, Ohio)
*Bryce Harris, Junior, 3.44 GPA, Psychology (Akron, Ohio)
DeAmonte King, R-Freshman, 3.290 GPA, Business (Akron, Ohio)
Nick Kovacs, R-Freshman, 3.843 GPA, Marketing (Springboro, Ohio)
Drew Rosi, Sophomore, 3.573 GPA, Business (Powell, Ohio)
*Shakif Seymour, Sophomore, 3.466 GPA, Business (Cleveland, Ohio)
*+Tyler Taafe, Senior, 3.425 GPA, Finance (Hubbard, Ohio)
+^Cody Thompson, Senior, 3.66 GPA; 3.74 Grad GPA, Marketing; Grad. Recreation & Leisure (Huron, Ohio)
Victor Williams, Sophomore, 3.284 GPA, Business (Warren, Ohio)
Western Michigan (20):
Tyron Arnett, Sophomore, 3.28 GPA, Biomedical Studies (Belle Glade, Fla.)
Jamauri Bogan, Graduate, 3.25 GPA, MBA (Union, N.J.)
Brett Borske, Sophomore, 3.54 GPA, Finance (Naperville, Ill.)
*Mike Caliendo, Sophomore, 3.83 GPA, Biomedical Sciences (Brookfield, Wis.)
*Stefan Claiborne, Junior, 3.48 GPA, Business (Clinton Township, Mich.)
Dylan Deatherage, R-Freshman, 3.64 GPA, Nursing (Kankakee, Ill.)
Wesley French, Junior, 3.43 GPA, Interdisciplinary Health Services (Benton Harbor, Mich.)
Jaylen Hall, Sophomore, 3.40 GPA, Sports Management (Macomb, Mich.)
Ralph Holley, Sophomore, 3.28 GPA, University Curriculum (West Bloomfield, Mich.)
*+Luke Juriga, Junior, 3.61 GPA, Manufacturing Engineering Technology (Aurora, Ill.)
*Spencer Kanz, Sophomore, 3.72 GPA, Finance (Luxemburg, Wis.)
*+John Keenoy, Graduate, 3.72 GPA, MBA (Kentwood, Mich.)
*+Odell Miller, Senior, 3.57 GPA, Exercise Science (Kalamazoo, Mich.)
Tanner Motz, R-Freshman, 3.84 GPA, Environmental and Sustainability Studies (St. John's, Mich.)
*+^Zach Novoselsky, Graduate, 3.67 GPA, Management (Lincolnshire, Ill.)
*+Giovanni Ricci, Junior, 3.33 GPA, Finance (Loveland, Ohio)
Luke Sanders, Sophomore, 3.95 GPA, Business (Fishers, Ind.)
Harrison Taylor, R-Freshman, 3.77 GPA, Business (St. Charles, Ill.)
Justin Tranquill, Junior, 3.62 GPA, Sales & Business Marketing (Huntertown, Ind.)
*Jon Wassink, Junior, 3.95 GPA, Accountancy (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
*2017 Academic All-MAC selection
+2016 Academic All-MAC selection
^2015 Academic All-MAC selection
Players Mentioned
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