Athlon projects the best of the MAC for 2017.
The favorites to win the 2017 MAC title feature a couple of familiar faces in Toledo, Western Michigan and Ohio, but Miami is a team to watch after winning six of its final seven games last year. The RedHawks feature 14 players on Athlon’s 2017 All-MAC team, which is tied with Western Michigan for the most of any team in the league. Eastern Michigan and Ohio are tied for second with 12 selections, while Toledo is third with 10 players.
Athlon Sports has released its top 25 for 2017. Now, it’s time to take a look at the best of the best and honor the top players in the league with a release of first, second, third and fourth all-conference teams for 2017.
An important note on the all-conference teams: These are based on how players will perform in 2017. Career statistics and awards matter in the evaluation, but choosing players for the 2017 all-conference team is largely based on predicting and projecting the best for the upcoming year.
MAC Football 2017 All-Conference Team
|
First-Team Offense |
Second-Team Offense |
Third-Team Offense |
Fourth-Team Offense |
|
| QB |
Logan Woodside Toledo |
Brogan Roback EMU |
Gus Ragland Miami |
Thomas Woodson Akron |
| RB |
Jarvion Franklin WMU |
Terry Swanson Toledo |
Shaq Vann EMU |
Warren Ball Akron |
| RB |
James Gilbert Ball State |
Jamauri Bogan WMU |
A.J. Ouellette Ohio |
Jordan Huff NIU |
| AP |
Nick Holley Kent State |
James Gardner (WR) Miami |
Josh Cleveland (RB) BGSU |
Alonzo Smith (RB) Miami |
| WR |
Cody Thompson Toledo |
Jon'Vea Johnson Toledo |
Sergio Bailey EMU |
Dieuly Aristilde EMU |
| WR |
Scott Miller BGSU |
Corey Willis CMU |
Papi White Ohio |
A.J. Wolf Akron |
| TE |
Tyler Conklin CMU |
Donnie Ernsberger WMU |
Ryan Smith Miami |
Jared Murphy (WR) Miami |
| C |
John Keenoy WMU |
James O'Hagan Buffalo |
Derek Edwards CMU |
Luke Shively NIU |
| OL |
Jake Pruehs Ohio |
Sam McCollum Miami |
Kyle Ritz Akron |
Stefano Millin Kent State |
| OL |
Tim McAuliffe BGSU |
Jimmy Leatiota EMU |
Jordan Diamond Miami |
Brandon Manosalvas Buffalo |
| OL |
Max Scharping NIU |
Elijah Nkansah Toledo |
Vinnie Palazeti Ball State |
Joe Lowery Ohio |
| OL |
Chukwuma Okorafor WMU |
Ryan Hunter BGSU |
Nate Jeppesen Toledo |
Luke Juriga WMU |
|
First-Team Defense |
Second-Team Defense |
Third-Team Defense |
Fourth-Team Defense |
|
| DL |
Joe Ostman CMU |
Ikeem Allen Miami |
Kevin Robbins Ohio |
Andre Turner WMU |
| DL |
Jeremiah Harris EMU |
Eric Assoua WMU |
Cleon Aloese Ohio |
William Lee NIU |
| DL |
Anthony Winbush Ball State |
Olasunkanmi Adeniyi Toledo |
Marquise Moore Toledo |
Darius Copeland Akron |
| DL |
Jon Cunningham Kent State |
Gus Schwieterman BGSU |
Nate Trawick Miami |
Chris Ford Buffalo |
| LB |
Quentin Poling Ohio |
Ja'Wuan Woodley Toledo |
Junior McMullen Miami |
Chad Moore Ohio |
| LB |
Ulysees Gilbert Akron |
Robert Spillane WMU |
De'Andre Montgomery Miami |
Jarrett Franklin Buffalo |
| LB |
Malik Fountain CMU |
Khalil Hodge Buffalo |
Asantay Brown WMU |
Kyle Rachwal EMU |
| DB |
Darius Phillips WMU |
Josh Cox CMU |
Justin Tranquill WMU |
Vince Calhoun EMU |
| DB |
Heath Harding Miami |
Javon Hagan Ohio |
Trevon Mathis Toledo |
Marc Walton Ball State |
| DB |
Amari Coleman CMU |
Tony Reid Miami |
Jason Beck EMU 
|
Demetrius Monday Kent State |
| DB |
Shawun Lurry NIU |
Jerrell Foster Kent State |
Jamari Bozeman BGSU |
Zach Guiser Akron |
|
First-Team Specialists |
Second-Team Specialists |
Third-Team Specialists |
Fourth-Team Specialists |
|
| K |
Louie Zervos Ohio |
Paul Fricano EMU |
Tom O'Leary Akron |
Morgan Hagee Ball State |
| P |
Joe Davidson BGSU |
Austin Barnes* EMU |
Michael Farkas Ohio |
Derek Adams Kent State |
| KR |
Maurice Thomas Miami |
Darius Phillips WMU |
Van Edwards Akron |
Blake Banham EMU |
| PR |
Darius Phillips WMU |
Chad Beebe NIU |
Zaquon Tyson Kent State |
Papi White Ohio |
Team-by-Team Breakdown of Athlon's 2017 All-MAC Team
| First | Second | Third | Fourth | |
|
Akron
|
Offense: 0 Defense: 1 Special Teams: 0 |
Offense: 0 Defense: 0 Special Teams: 0 |
Offense: 1 Defense: 0 Special Teams: 2 |
Offense: 3 Defense: 2 Special Teams: 0 |
|
Ball State
|
Offense: 1 Defense: 1 Special Teams: 0 |
Offense: 0 Defense: 0 Special Teams: 0 |
Offense: 1 Defense: 0 Special Teams: 0 |
Offense: 0 Defense: 1 Special Teams: 1 |
|
Bowling Green
|
Offense: 2 Defense: 0 Special Teams: 1 |
Offense: 1 Defense: 1 Special Teams: 0 |
Offense: 1 Defense: 1 Special Teams: 0 |
Offense: 0 Defense: 0 Special Teams: 0 |
|
Buffalo
|
Offense: 0 Defense: 0 Special Teams: 0 |
Offense: 1 Defense: 1 Special Teams: 0 |
Offense: 0 Defense: 0 Special Teams: 0 |
Offense: 1 Defense: 2 Special Teams: 0 |
|
Central Michigan
|
Offense: 1 Defense: 3 Special Teams: 0 |
Offense: 1 Defense: 1 Special Teams: 0 |
Offense: 1 Defense: 0 Special Teams: 0 |
Offense: 0 Defense: 0 Special Teams: 0 |
|
Eastern Michigan
|
Offense: 0 Defense: 1 Special Teams: 0 |
Offense: 2 Defense: 0 Special Teams: 2 |
Offense: 2 Defense: 1 Special Teams: 0 |
Offense: 1 Defense: 2 Special Teams: 1 |
|
Kent State
|
Offense: 1 Defense: 1 Special Teams: 0 |
Offense: 0 Defense: 1 Special Teams: 0 |
Offense: 0 Defense: 0 Special Teams: 1 |
Offense: 1 Defense: 1 Special Teams: 1 |
|
Miami
|
Offense: 0 Defense: 1 Special Teams: 1 |
Offense: 2 Defense: 2 Special Teams: 0 |
Offense: 3 Defense: 3 Special Teams: 0 |
Offense: 2 Defense: 0 Special Teams: 0 |
|
Northern Illinois
|
Offense: 1 Defense: 1 Special Teams: 0 |
Offense: 0 Defense: 0 Special Teams: 1 |
Offense: 0 Defense: 0 Special Teams: 0 |
Offense: 2 Defense: 1 Special Teams: 0 |
|
Ohio
|
Offense: 1 Defense: 1 Special Teams: 1 |
Offense: 0 Defense: 1 Special Teams: 0 |
Offense: 2 Defense: 2 Special Teams: 1 |
Offense: 1 Defense: 1 Special Teams: 1 |
|
Toledo
|
Offense: 2 Defense: 0 Special Teams: 0 |
Offense: 3 Defense: 2 Special Teams: 0 |
Offense: 1 Defense: 2 Special Teams: 0 |
Offense: 0 Defense: 0 Special Teams: 0 |
|
Western Michigan
|
Offense: 3 Defense: 1 Special Teams: 1 |
Offense: 2 Defense: 2 Special Teams: 1 |
Offense: 0 Defense: 2 Special Teams: 0 |
Offense: 1 Defense: 1 Special Teams: 0 |
* Eastern Michigan punter Austin Barnes is no longer with the team.
