Eastern Michigan Athletics

Football Places Nine on All-MAC teams in 2022

Ramirez Selected MAC’s Defensive MVP; Nine Earn All-MAC Status

11/30/2022 11:00:00 AM | Football

Jose Ramirez becomes the program’s first-ever defensive MVP

CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – After a historic 8-4 regular season, nine individuals from the Eastern Michigan University football team earned All-Mid-American Conference accolades, the league announced today, Nov. 30. The third-highest total of postseason award winners in program history, EMU earned a program-record-tying four spots on the first team, two second team selections, and three third team nods. Additionally, EMU's senior defensive end, Jose Ramirez (Lake Alfred, Fla.-Auburndale-Arizona-Riverside City), collected MAC Defensive MVP honors, becoming the first Eastern Michigan student-athlete to be named a league most valuable player in the sport of football.

In addition to Ramirez, junior running back/returner Jaylon Jackson (Burleson, Texas-Centennial-Lamar), senior offensive lineman Sidy Sow (Bromont, Quebec-J-H Leclerc-Champlain Lennoxville), and sophomore punter Mitchell Tomasek (Columbus, Ohio-Worthington Kilbourne) were all named First Team All-MAC selections.

Joining the first team selections on the list are senior captain, offensive lineman Brian Dooley (Bowling Green, Ohio-Toledo St. John's Jesuit), and senior running back Samson Evans (Crystal Lake, Ill.-Prairie Ridge-Iowa), who each earned Second Team All-MAC honors.

Senior wide receiver Hassan Beydoun (Dearborn, Mich.-Dearborn), sophomore placekicker Jesús Gómez (Puebla, Mexico-Prapa Tec Puebla), and junior wideout Tanner Knue (Mason, Ohio-Mason) all earned third team honors.

"This is a very talented group and they are all certainly deserving," said Head Coach Chris Creighton. "We are very proud and appreciate conference coaches recognizing how well they performed this year."

One of the most dominant pass rushers in college football, Ramirez finished the 2022 regular season slate on numerous national leaderboards. He was first in the nation with 1.09 sacks per game, tied for first in total sacks (12.0), and finished second nationally with 1.8 tackles for loss per contest. He also owns the nation's second-best single-game performance (in terms of sacks) this season. He collected a program-record 4.0 in Eastern's game at Western Michigan University, Oct. 8.  That game was one of three multiple-sack performances he issued for EMU this season.

He is Eastern Michigan's third-leading tackler this season with 63 stops, and leads the Eagles in both quarterback hurries (10) and forced fumbles (2).

Ramirez's 12 sacks is an all-time single-season record at EMU. He now has 20.5 sacks in his career, which places him second all-time in program history. He is only the fourth player since 1998 to record double-digit sacks in a single season for Eastern Michigan.

Additionally, Ramirez had 19.5 TFLs during the 2022 regular season, tied for ninth in school history and the most since multiple-year National Football League veteran and E-Club Hall of Fame inductee Jason Jones recorded the same number in 2007. His 34 career tackles for loss put Ramirez fifth in the EMU record book. He has earned All-MAC status in consecutive seasons.

Jackson grabbed All-MAC accolades for the first time after joining the program from Lamar University. The Burleson, Texas, product was one of just three MAC players to record a kick return for a touchdown this season and one of just 27 nationwide to do so.  Jackson ranked ninth nationally with an average of 26.2 yards per kick return.

Sow collected All-MAC honors for the third time in his career after earning first-team honors a year ago and third-team accolades in 2020. The all-time leader in Eastern Michigan history in games played (56) and games started (54), he will go down as one of the best offensive linemen to don the green and white. On the field for 876 snaps in 2022, Sow helped the Eagles lead the MAC in red zone offense (95.6%) and third down percentage (45.1), while finishing second in team passing efficiency (136.1). All told, the Bromont, Quebec, native directly allowed just two sacks this season and only six in his distinguished career.

Tomasek was outstanding all season long in his first year as the team's primary punter. The Columbus, Ohio native took home five MAC West Special Teams Player of the Week honors, the most weekly award wins for an Eagle since Jake Julien hit that mark in 2018. Tomasek punted 45 times for an average of 44.3 yards per attempt in 2022. That figure led the MAC, and ranked 19th in the nation. Moreover, his 44.3 yards per punt is the third-best single-season total in EMU program history. Tomasek was recognized nationally on two occasions this season by the Ray Guy Award as a "Ray's 8" selection, given to the eight best college punters in each respective week of the regular season.

Dooley found himself on the all-conference honor roll for the second consecutive season after grabbing third-team honors in 2021. A leader and team captain, the Bowling Green, Ohio, product played 916 snaps for the Eagles in the regular season allowing just five quarterback hits all season. He helped EMU's offense tally 28.8 points per game, a number that ranks sixth-best in program history. EMU ranked third in the league and 38th nationally with a time of possession of 31:08, including winning the battle of the clock in five of its final six contests.

Evans earned his first all-conference honors after a historic season in the backfield for EMU. The Crystal Lake, Ill. native scored his 27th career rushing touchdown to move into first place in Eastern Michigan program history in the category during a 2022 season which saw him rush for 100+ yards in four contests, a career-best mark. His 27 scores put him in a tie for third on EMU's all-time touchdowns list (rushing and receiving). With 1,084 yards on the ground this season, Evans is the 14th EMU player to rush for a total of 1,000 yards or more in a single season. The senior's current total is good for eighth all-time in single-season laurels at EMU. His 13 touchdowns in 2022 rank second in the MAC and 23rd nationally.

Honored with an All-MAC selection for the second consecutive season, Beydoun led the Eagles with 47 receptions during the regular season for a total of 451 yards and four touchdowns. The Dearborn, Mich., native caught 20 passes that resulted in first downs while picking up 211 yards after the catch.  Overall, he has 214 receptions in his career, which ranks 11th among all active players in the NCAA. Beydoun is also just one of 40 active FBS players with more than 2,000 yards receiving in a career. He ranks 22nd on that list with 2,323 yards to his credit. Furthermore, he ranks third all-time in program history in receptions and yards receiving.

Gomez wasted no time entering the EMU record books in his first season as the team's primary place kicker. The team's leader in total points (82), Gomez has knocked in 13-of-16 field goal attempts this season (81%),  a percentage which ranks fourth in the MAC. Additionally, he was a perfect 43-of-43 on extra point attempts during the 2022 regular season.  Gomez's signature kick came against Ball State University, Oct. 22, when he drilled a program-record-tying 55-yard field goal attempt as time expired in the first half.

Earning all-conference honors for the first time, Knue led the Eagles with 592 yards receiving, nine touchdowns, and just one dropped pass. Ranked seventh in the MAC in total touchdowns, the Mason, Ohio, native's nine TDs are tied for third-best in a single season at EMU.  Furthermore, the former walk-on is ranked third in the league and 14th nationally in receiving touchdowns. Knue caught at least three passes in all but one game in 2022, while he went for a season-high 106 yards against Buffalo, Sept. 24.

EMU finished with an 8-4 overall record, including a 5-3 record in MAC play during the 2022 regular season. The eight wins are the most for the program since the 1987 season. Additionally, with its 5-3 conference record, the team secured its first ever co-MAC West Division title. The Eagles also recaptured the Michigan MAC Trophy for the first time since 2012 following impressive defeats of both their in-state rivals, Central Michigan University and Western Michigan University.

Eastern is set to play in another postseason bowl game, its sixth all-time and fifth since 2016. Full details regarding bowl destinations, matchups, and more will be made available Sunday, Dec. 4, between 2:30 p.m.-5 p.m. on EMUEagles.com.

2022 MAC Specialty Award Winners
Coach of the Year: Tim Albin, Ohio
Vern Smith Leadership Award Winner: Kurtis Rourke, QB, Ohio
Offensive Player of the Year: Kurtis Rourke, QB, Ohio
Defensive Player of the Year: Jose Ramirez, DL, Eastern Michigan
Special Teams Player of the Year: Alex McNulty, PK, Buffalo
Freshman of the Year: Sieh Bangura, RB, Ohio

2022 All-MAC First Team Offense
Quarterback – Kurtis Rourke, Ohio
Offensive Lineman – Sidy Sow, Eastern Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Marcellus Marshall, Kent State
Offensive Lineman – Nolan Potter, Northern Illinois
Offensive Lineman – Hagen Meservy, Ohio
Offensive Lineman – Nick Rosi, Toledo
Tight End – Brady Hunt, Ball State
Wide Receiver – Alex Adams, Akron
Wide Receiver – Devontez Walker, Kent State
Wide Receiver – Dante Cephas, Kent State
Wide Receiver – Sam Wiglusz, Ohio
Running Back – Carson Steele, Ball State
Running Back – Marquez Cooper, Kent State
Placekicker – Alex McNulty, Buffalo

2022 All-MAC First Team Defense
Down Lineman – Karl Brooks, Bowling Green
Down Lineman – Thomas Incoom, Central Michigan
Down Lineman – Jose Ramirez, Eastern Michigan
Down Lineman – Desjuan Johnson, Toledo
Linebacker – Bubba Arslanian, Akron
Linebacker – Shaun Dolac, Buffalo
Linebacker – Dallas Gant, Toledo
Linebacker – Zaire Barnes, Western Michigan
Defensive Back – Marcus Fuqua, Buffalo
Defensive Back – Donte Kent, Central Michigan
Defensive Back – Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
Defensive Back – Maxen Hook, Toledo
Punter – Mitchell Tomasek, Eastern Michigan

2022 All-MAC First Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Jaylon Jackson, Eastern Michigan
Kickoff Return Specialist – Keegan Wilburn, Ohio

2022 All-MAC Second Team Offense
Quarterback – Dequan Finn, Toledo
Offensive Lineman – Ethan Crowe, Ball State
Offensive Lineman – Jamezz Kimbrough, Central Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Brian Dooley, Eastern Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Sam Allan, Kent State
Offensive Lineman – Rusty Feth, Miami
Tight End – Christian Sims, Bowling Green
Wide Receiver – Jayshon Jackson, Ball State
Wide Receiver – Odieu Hillare, Bowling Green
Wide Receiver – Mac Hippenhammer, Miami
Wide Receiver – Jerjuan Newton, Toledo
Wide Receiver – Corey Crooms, Western Michigan
Running Back – Samson Evans, Eastern Michigan
Running Back – Sean Tyler, Western Michigan
Placekicker – Nathanial Vakos, Ohio

2022 All-MAC Second Team Defense
Down Lineman – DeVonte O'Malley, Northern Illinois
Down Lineman – Jamal Hines, Toledo
Down Lineman – Andre Carter, Western Michigan
Down Lineman – Brandon Fiske, Western Michigan
Linebacker – Clayton Coll, Ball State
Linebacker – James Patterson, Buffalo
Linebacker – Ryan McWood, Miami
Linebacker – Dyontae Johnson, Toledo
Defensive Back – Amechi Uzodinma, Ball State
Defensive Back – Nic Jones, Ball State
Defensive Back – Nico Bolden, Kent State
Defensive Back – C.J. Brown, Northern Illinois
Defensive Back – Nate Bauer, Toledo
Punter – Dom Dzioban, Miami

2022 All-MAC Second Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Ta'ron Keith, Bowling Green
Kickoff Return Specialist – Ja'Shaun Poke, Kent State

2022 All-MAC Third Team Offense
Quarterback – DJ Irons, Akron
Quarterback – Collin Schlee, Kent State
Offensive Lineman – Anthony Whigan, Akron
Offensive Lineman – Gabe Wallace, Buffalo
Offensive Lineman – Desmond Bessent, Buffalo
Offensive Lineman – Deiyantei Powell-Woods, Central Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Logan Zschemitz, Northern Illinois
Tight End – Joel Wilson, Central Michigan
Wide Receiver – Shocky Jacques-Louis, Akron
Wide Receiver – Quian Williams, Buffalo
Wide Receiver – Tanner Knue, Eastern Michigan
Wide Receiver – Hassan Beydoun, Eastern Michigan
Running Back – Harrison Waylee, Northern Illinois
Running Back – Sieh Bangura, Ohio
Placekicker – Jesus Gomez, Eastern Michigan

2022 All-MAC Third Team Defense
Down Lineman – Zay West, Kent State
Down Lineman – Michael Kennedy, Northern Illinois
Down Lineman – James Ester, Northern Illinois
Down Lineman – Jack McCrory, Ohio
Linebacker – Kyle Moretti, Central Michigan
Linebacker – Matthew Salopek, Miami
Linebacker – Keye Thompson, Ohio
Linebacker – Corvin Moment, Western Michigan
Defensive Back – Jordan Riley, Ball State
Defensive Back – John Saunders Jr., Miami
Defensive Back – Tariq Drake, Ohio
Defensive Back – Keni-H Lovely, Western Michigan
Punter – Luke Elzinga, Central Michigan

2022 All-MAC Third Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Jalen Walker, Miami
Kickoff Return Specialist – De'Javion Stepney, Central Michigan
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