MAC News and Notes 5/8/12

MAC News and Notes 5/8/12:

Akron:
EDMONTON, Alberta – Hasan Hazime, a senior defensive lineman on The University of Akron football team in 2011, was selected by the Edmonton Eskimos as the 36th overall pick in the fifth round of the CFL's Canadian Draft on Thursday night.
Hazime, who received his undergraduate degree at UA last December, started at defensive end the first three games of the 2011 season before suffering a knee injury. He recorded 10 tackles last season and blocked one field goal attempt. He played in all 12 games as a sophomore and junior in 2009 and 2010, respectively, logging 11 starts as a junior. Hazime closed out his collegiate career with 108 tackles and 5.5 sacks.
A native of Pickering, Ontario, Hazime is the fifth Zip all-time to be drafted by a CFL franchise and the first since 2007 when Jabari Arthur was selected as the sixth overall pick by Calgary, and Jason Nedd as the 10th overall choice by Edmonton. Jermaine Reid was chosen ninth overall by Hamilton in 2006 and Cam Yeow second overall by Ottawa in 2005.
Last weekend, former Akron offensive lineman Jake Anderson signed an undrafted free agent contract with the NFL's Cleveland Browns.
http://www.gozips.com/sports/fball/2012-13/releases/20120504v9z9xx

Ball State
Sean Baker, a senior member of the Ball State football team in 2011, has signed a free agent contract with the National Football League's Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"I am looking forward to competing for a spot on the Tampa Bay roster," Baker says.  "I am very appreciative of the opportunity and it has been a goal of mine to get to the National Football League.  I will work my hardest and hope things work out for the best. I am thankful for all the people at Ball State that have helped me get to this point in my career.  My teammates and coaches, the strength coaches, the trainers and the support staff have all been great and I owe them a lot."
Baker was invited to a tryout with Tampa Bay and was one of 11 rookies to be signed to a contract for May organized team activities, June mini-camp and training camp in July and August.  Tampa Bay's OTA's will begin May 15, with mini-camp scheduled for June 12-14.
At Ball State, Baker was a 2011 All-Mid-American Conference First Team selection after being named to the second team in 2010.  He was the 2008 MAC Freshman of the Year and selected to The Sporting News Freshman All-America team.  Baker set the Ball State career interceptions record as a junior, and completed his four seasons with 18.  He was the first player in Ball State history to return two fumbles for touchdowns in a career.  Baker had four multiple interception games in his career, and was the active leader in career interceptions among all Football Bowl Subdivision players in 2011.
"Our entire football family is very happy for Sean," Ball State head coach Pete Lembo says.  "He was a very dedicated worker and leader in our program.  We are confident he will make the most of this opportunity."
http://ballstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=67657&SPID=7633&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=205424917&DB_OEM_ID=14200

Bowling Green
Ben Bojicic and Kamar Jorden, two seniors on the 2011 Bowling Green State University football team, have signed free agent contracts with teams from the National Football League. Bojicic agreed to terms on a contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, while Jorden will be joining the Minnesota Vikings.
Bojicic was a four-year starter for the Orange and Brown, finishing his career with 42 career starts and was a three-time Rimington Award Preseason Watch List member, an award given to the nation’s top center.
This past season the Farmington Hills, Mich., native started all 12 games for the Falcons, making six starts at center and another six at left tackle. He made his first career start at left tackle in the 2011 opener at Idaho, helping the Falcons to a 32-15 win versus the Vandals. He was named his team’s Offensive MVP for his efforts versus Idaho.
Jorden played just two seasons for the Falcons, but still managed to earn first-team All-MAC honors twice, while finishing his BGSU career with 174 receptions for 2,198 yards and 16 touchdowns. He ranks eighth in school history in career receptions and 11th in receiving yards.
In 2011 Jorden recorded 78 catches for 1,089 yards and a career-best 12 touchdowns (fourth-most in BGSU history). He had five 100-yard games and caught a touchdown in nine of 12 contests. His most impressive performance came this past season versus Kent State after recording 12 catches for 203 yards (fourth-most in a single game at BGSU). He also had 100-yard performances against Western Michigan (4-103), Toledo (7-106), Northern Illinois (8-152) and Wyoming (9-101).
http://www.bgsufalcons.com/news/2012/4/28/FB_0428124526.aspx

Buffalo
BUFFALO, NY – University at Buffalo wide receiver Marcus Rivers has signed a free agent contract with the Green Bay Packers. The Lackawanna, NY native will be reunited with former UB teammate James Starks.
Rivers had 117 career catches over his four-year career, but really blossomed as a junior in 2010. He had 50 catches for 690 yards and five touchdowns his junior year. As a senior, Rivers had a career-best 60 receptions for 615 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
http://www.buffalobulls.com/sports/fball/2011-12/releases/20120429kamin5

Central Michigan
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - In accordance with the 2012 Football Ticket Plan, Central Michigan Athletics will release on Wednesday, May 9, the limited number of remaining tickets for the Michigan State game to 2012-13 Chippewa Club members and football season ticket holders. This priority purchase window will remain open through Friday, June 8 or until the ticket allotment is exhausted.
If you are not a current Chippewa Club member or season ticket holder, it is not too late to become one and ensure you are in the stadium for The Clash at Kelly/Shorts.
Purchase opportunities for these tickets will be determined by Chippewa Club membership level and orders will be accepted on a first-come first-served basis. The following structure will be applied to all supporters during this final priority sales window, regardless of previous purchase activity, since many requests were not fully accommodated:
Champion Level members - No restriction
Victory Level members - No restriction
All-American Level members - 20 tickets
Team Level members - 20 tickets
Executive Level members -20 tickets
Athletic Director members -10 tickets
Coach Level members - 10 tickets
Varsity Level members and season ticket holders - 10 tickets
Tickets On Sale Beginning May 9 at Ticket Central
Beginning Wednesday, May 9, orders, at $55 per ticket plus a $3 processing fee per transaction, can be made through Ticket Central at 1-888-FIRE-UP2 (347-3872). Chippewa Club membership and/or season ticket holder status must be established at the time of purchase. New memberships or season ticket holder accounts are being accepted at this time as well.
Ticket Central may be reached Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
http://www.cmuchippewas.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=46371&SPID=4199&DB_OEM_ID=10500&ATCLID=205423583

Eastern Michigan
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Former Eastern Michigan University football player Jabar Westerman (Brampton, Ontario, Canada-Notre Dame Catholic-Dodge City (Kan.) JC) was selected the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 Canadian Football League draft Thursday, May 3, 2012.
The Brampton, Ontario, Canada, native went to the defending champion Lions after they traded up to acquire the second overall pick from the Edmonton Eskimos.  In return, the Eskimos receive BC's fourth, 14th and 38th selections. The Lions will also acquire the 20th overall pick.
Westerman enjoyed a standout career while playing two seasons for the Eagles. In 2011, he racked up 26 tackles and four sacks, a striking improvement from his 2010 season, which saw him register 22 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
At 6-foot-2, 285 pounds, Westerman knows that using his size will play a major role in deciding whether or not he has what it takes to play professional football.
"My greatest asset, I would say is my size and strength, just because how big I am," Westernan told CFL.ca. "I am almost 300-pounds - and I'm pretty quick for my size. Most people underestimate my speed."
At E-Camp, he pumped out 22 reps on the bench press, and ran a respectable 5.16 40-yard dash.
He becomes the highest Eagle taken in the CFL draft, surpassing Corey Annett and Mike Logan who were each drafted third overall.
http://www.emueagles.com/news/2012/5/3/FB_0503122139.aspx

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Former Eastern Michigan University football player Latarrius Thomas (New Smyrna Beach, Fla.-Smyrna Beach-Louisville) has signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Indianapolis Colts.
The 6-foot-1, 210 pound Thomas spent his last two seasons as a safety at EMU following his transfer from the University of Louisville at the conclusion of the 2008 campaign. He missed a majority of the 2010 season due to an injury, but rebounded in 2011 to earn third team All-Mid-American Conference honors. Including his tenure with the Cardinals, Thomas finished his collegiate career with 140 tackles.
Last season, the New Smyrna Beach, Fla. native started all 12 games for the Eagles in the secondary, recording 79 tackles (42 solo, 37 assists) to go along with 0.5 tackles-for-loss, four pass breakups and one forced fumble. Thomas led the team in unassisted tackles, ranking 29th in the MAC in tackles and third most among All-MAC nominated defensive backs.
Thomas recorded seven tackles in a 14-10 win over Western Michigan and was in on the Eagles' game-changing fourth quarter goal-line stand that stopped the Broncos from scoring in the red zone.
http://www.emueagles.com/news/2012/5/4/FB_0504120436.aspx

Kent State
Anzevino, Kitchen and Kirkland Sign NFL Contracts
Three seniors from Kent State’s 2011 team recently signed free agent contracts with NFL teams.  Northeast Ohio products Chris Anzevino (Warren, Ohio) and Ish Kitchen (Youngstown, Ohio) both signed with the Baltimore Ravens, while wide receiver Sam Kirkland (Chesapeake, Va.) signed with the Washington Redskins.
Anzevino, a 300-pound center, and Kitchen, a 335-pound nose tackle, lined up across from each other at practice for five seasons at Kent State.  They will continue that streak this summer in Baltimore.
Named to the Rimington Watch List in each of the last two seasons, Anzevino started 48 straight games at center from 2008-2011.  He was named to the All-MAC Third Team in 2010 and was a team captain in 2011.
Kitchen’s presence in the middle played a major role in Kent State ranking first in the MAC in total defense, redzone defense and pass efficiency defense for conference-only games in 2011.  This past season, he was selected to play in the Casino Del Sol All-Star Game.
Kirkland made 113 catches for the Golden Flashes, which ties him for sixth place among the program’s career leaders.  Also serving as a kick returner, he was named to the All-MAC Third Team in 2010 and was a team captain in 2011.  Kirkland impressed scouts at Kent State Pro Day with a 45-inch vertical jump, tying the NFL Combine record.
Kent State’s 2012 season kicks off Thursday, Aug. 30 against Towson at Dix Stadium.  For season tickets call 330-672-2244.
http://www.kentstatesports.com/sports/fball/2011-12/Releases/2012_free_agents

UMass
AMHERST, Mass. - Following the 2012 NFL Draft, five former UMass football standouts signed undrafted free agent deals marking one of the largest groups of Minutemen to make the jump to the pro ranks. Tyler Holmes signed with the Chicago Bears, Emil Igwenagu signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, Josh Samuda signed with the Miami Dolphins, Julian Talley joins fellow alum Victor Cruz with the New York Giants and Travis Tripucka signed with the St. Louis Rams.
The quintet will look to earn spots on the NFL rosters throughout the offseason and Summer Training Camp. This past season, UMass had seven former players with NFL teams: Jeremy Cain (Jacksonville Jaguars), Victor Cruz (New York Giants), Vladimir Ducasse (New York Jets), Jeremy Horne (Kansas City Chiefs), James Ihedigbo (New England Patriots), Matt Lawrence (Baltimore Ravens), and Jeromy Miles (Cincinnati Bengals). Chris Koepplin took part in training camp last summer with the New England Patriots and will do so again this upcoming preseason.
John Griffin has also signed a free agent deal with the New York Jets for the upcoming season giving the Minutemen a total of 14 players on NFL rosters this offseason.
http://www.umassathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/050112aaa.html

Miami OH
OXFORD, Ohio -- Though he played the final collegiate game of his career last November, the game of football isn't out of Chris Givens' life just yet. The wide receiver from Chillicothe has signed a free agent contract with the New Orleans Saints.
Givens, who graduated from Miami last December, was hoping to land with a team that could maximize his skill set.
"My agent and I thought that the Saints were my best fit," Givens said. "I'm really blessed to have this opportunity. There's a sense of relief, but I'm ecstatic about what's in front of me."
Givens will be competing for a spot on a team that features all-star quarterback Drew Brees and veteran wide receivers Marques Colston and Lance Moore.
The Saints coaching staff has a definite Miami feel and Givens is looking forward to meeting the fellow Miami men.
"I know Charles Byrd (New Orleans' assistant strength & conditioning coach) and I'm looking forward to working with Coach D (Dan Dalrymple, strength & conditioning)," said Givens. "It will feel nice, but I know there's going to be a lot of hard work."
During his Miami career, Givens had 157 catches (seventh on Miami's all-time list) for 2,121 yards (seventh) and 15 touchdowns.
Givens is awaiting directions from the Saints regarding when he'll report for workouts.
www.MURedHawks.com

CHILLICOTHE -- This is a busy time for Chris Givens. He's about a month removed from his graduation from Miami University, where he spent four seasons with the Redhawks football team and earned his bachelor's degree in health and sports studies.
He's also about a week short of his 23rd birthday, a time always full of activity when you're young and live a life full of friends.
Then there's his Pro Day coming up in a couple months -- a high-intensity job interview, basically, where college football players looking to take their game to the next level work out for NFL scouts. That will unfold in March, and Givens is spending most of his time these days training for the event with a company in Cincinnati called Ignition.
There's a lot going on for the 2007 Chillicothe graduate. But when you talk to Givens, none of it is the first thing on his mind.
"The one thing I want to do is take the GMAT, the test you need to get in business school," he said. "To be honest with you, my short-term goal is to get my MBA in management or finance. I've always wanted to start my own foundation, and an MBA will help me understand the elements to do that successfully."
Givens' time at Miami helped him connect the dots between what he saw in his college life and his roots.
"This has been on my mind since my sophomore year (at Miami)," he said. "Since leaving Chillicothe, I've been very blessed with getting an athletic scholarship and with some of the other opportunities I've had. So, when I look at something like starting a foundation, what I'd hope for out of that is to show some kids the importance of going on and taking that next step after high school.
"The truth is, a lot of the time it isn't what you know, it's who you know. Chillicothe is an area with a lot of talent, but a lot of those kids might not have the same kind of opportunity where somebody can kind of connect with them, and lead them through the steps you have to take.
"To be honest, I wake up every day wanting to inspire somebody to go on to college, and do it the right way. That might sound like political talk or whatever, but I know how important the right resources can be to somebody trying to take that next step. In my life, my family -- my parents and my siblings have been huge for me -- and some of the people I've met here at Miami through mentorships and things like that have made a big difference. I want to think I can have that kind of impact on somebody else."
Going after an MBA would mean another two years or so of school for Givens, which he's prepared for. There's still that other matter to consider first -- a life in the NFL.
"I don't know if it's a future for me, but do I want it to be? Absolutely, yes," he said. "Do I want it to be a long career? Absolutely. But that stuff isn't up to me. That's between the Man above and the people who will be writing your checks."
It's about more than the checks for Givens.
"I love football with a capital L," he said. "Football, for me, has been my military. It's been my academy. That's where I learned my discipline, and it's helped me become a better gentleman. It's helped me understand what it means to be fortunate and blessed.
"That's nothing I've taken out of a book or something somebody has told me. That's the stuff I sit down and think about. I know what I've been able to get out of the game, on and off the field."
Givens wasn't invited to March's NFL rookie combine, which makes a spot in the draft a long shot. But considering the way the league has started to pay special attention to Pro Days and to undrafted free agents hungry for a spot on an NFL roster, that's where this focus comes from with Givens, including his dedication to Ignition's eight-week prep program for Pro Days.
"This process is obviously about making yourself physically as great as you can in a short amount of time," he said. "You push yourself to the limits on that side, but it's also an education. You have to understand what it takes to make an NFL team. Are you the right fit on the field? But it's also a (public relations) thing. You name carries a certain amount of weight, and these scouts are going to know all about that going in."
With his college career behind him -- his career numbers at Miami were 157 catches for 2,121 yards and 15 touchdowns -- Givens has plenty of memories between the lines and off the field.
"As an athlete, the MAC championship was the greatest feeling I've experienced," he said of the school's 2010 conference title. "It wasn't just the way that game ended or winning a trophy or a ring. It was the frustrations we went through along the way. All that, all the effort that 105 guys put in for a long time, came together in a 60-minute football game and on that final drive. That's what people don't see. And that's what made it so overwhelming.
"On the other side, you get to know so many good people. Faculty members, alumni, supporters and things like that. Genuine people who are willing to support you. This is a place where people are always behind you and willing to do what they can to help. That's been impressive, and it's a good feeling to kind of be part of that fraternity."
http://www.muredhawks.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/043012aab.html

Northern Illinois
DEKALB, Ill. - Northern Illinois offensive tackle Trevor Olson and fullback Cameron Bell have signed free agent contracts with Tampa Bay and San Francisco, respectively, to bring the number of Huskie football players to sign NFL free agent contracts this year to five.
Olson (Richfield, Minn./Richfield) and Bell (Round Rock, Texas/Stony Point) join wide receiver Nathan Palmer (Elkhart, Ind./Central), center Scott Wedige (Elkhorn, Wis./Elkhorn Area) and linebacker Pat Schiller (Geneva, Ill./Geneva) who agreed to terms with NFL teams on Saturday night following the conclusion of the draft. Palmer, like Bell, signed with the San Francisco 49ers. Wedige will be in camp with the Arizona Cardinals, while Schiller will join the Atlanta Falcons.
A third team All-Mid-American Conference selection by league coaches in 2011, Palmer led the Huskies in receptions with 47 for 695 yards and caught seven touchdown passes in 2011. He totaled 1,575 receiving yards on 93 catches in his Huskie career. Palmer began his career at NIU with a 170-yard performance in the 2008 season opener at Minnesota, a career high, and earned MVP honors in the 2011 MAC Championship after catching four passes for 115 yards, including two touchdowns. He made a career-high three touchdown receptions at Toledo, tallying a season-high 120 receiving yards, in NIU's 63-60 win.
"I got a great opportunity," Palmer said. "It was an opportunity I was prepared for because they invited me out to San Francisco. I'm glad we could make it happen. Their receiving corps is established. They have a lot of veteran guys.
"I'm going in trying to make the team. Being undrafted, I'm kind of hungry. I want to show a lot of teams that you passed on me and I should have been picked."
Palmer won't be going to San Francisco alone as he and Bell will both be looking to make the Niners' roster.
"It's always good to go out to a new place, but it's even better when you have somebody you're familiar with," Palmer said. Bell, who transferred to NIU in 2009, played in 20 games for the Huskies. He rushed for a career-high 228 yards on 39 carries in 2010. He moved to fullback in 2011 and played in 12 games, rushing for 18 yards on seven carries. Bell had a career-high 82 yards rushing against Central Michigan on Oct. 23, 2010.
A consensus first team All-MAC player and a second team All-American selection by CBSSports.com, Wedige started 28 straight games for the Huskies at center. He earned co-Offensive Lineman of the Year award from the NIU coaching staff and the Huskies posted a 22-6 record with Wedige as the center.
Another vital member of NIU's highly decorated offense, Olson was a four-year, 54-game starter at left tackle, and set the school record for most games played in a career. Also a consensus first team All-MAC selection, he was named fourth team All-American by Phil Steele. Olson joined Wedige as NIU's co-Offensive Lineman of the Year.
Wedige and Olson helped pave the way for an offensive unit that broke 12 single season school records and ranked in the five in the conference in eight different statistical categories in 2011. They were key members of an offensive line that allowed 12 sacks in 14 games to rank 10th in the country for fewest sacks allowed.
The only Huskie defender to sign a free agent contract, Schiller tallied a career-high 115 tackles his senior season as the Huskies' starting middle linebacker. He also set career highs in sacks with two and tackles for loss with 10. Schiller played 50 games for the Huskies in his four-year career and tallied 239 tackles, 19 for loss. A second team All-MAC honoree by Phil Steele, he was selected NIU Linebacker of the Year by the Huskie coaching staff. Schiller recorded a season-high 11 tackles three times in 2011 and made a career-high 12 stops versus Ball State in 2009.
"It's always nice to know people know about you," Schiller said. "Coming from a situation like mine, where I didn't have a strong junior year because of my injury, and not getting as much press as some people do, it's nice to know there are teams out there that recognize you for what you've been able to accomplish in just one year.
"As soon as I realized teams were interested, that definitely gave me some confidence that I could do this. It just felt good to be wanted. I knew the Falcons were interested. When my agent called and said they finalized the deal, I was just really excited."
One more former Huskie could be added to the list of free agent signees as wide receiver Willie Clark was invited to the Chicago Bears' mini-camp, which will be held next week at Halas Hall. If he impresses the Bears coaching staff, the Roselle, Ill. native could sign a contract after mini-camp.
Clark, who led the Huskies in receiving in 2010 with 42 catches for 602 yards, came on strong down the stretch for the Huskies in 2011. Of his 18 receptions for 292 yards in 2011, 13 catches and 238 yards came during conference play. Clark leaves NIU with 12 career touchdowns, including a career-high seven during the 2010 campaign.
Former NIU quarterback Chandler Harnish (Bluffton, Ind./Norwell), who was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with the 253rd and final pick to earn the title "Mr. Irrelevant," reports to Colts' mini-camp Thursday.
http://www.niuhuskies.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/050112aae.html

Ohio
ATHENS, Ohio - Former Ohio University football players A.J. Strum and Donte' Harden have both been given the opportunity to continue their respective playing careers with the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints.
Strum received a tryout from the Lions following a senior campaign that saw him earn his second MAC All-Conference honor as he was named to the league's Third Team this past season.
In 2011, Strum helped pave the way for the Ohio running game as the Bobcats racked up over 2,700 yards. His 845 plays ranked third among all Ohio offensive lineman. Strum finished the year with 61 pancake blocks, 12 decleaters and 73 knockdowns.
Harden earned a shot with Saints after he was named to the All-MAC Third Team as both a kickoff return specialist and a running back. The senior running back totaled a school record 322 all-purpose yards in the Bobcats win over Temple. Harden finished the year with 986 yards rushing and accounted for four touchdowns.
http://www.ohiobobcats.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/050712aaa.html

Toledo
TOLEDO - Five former Rockets signed free agents contracts with NFL teams tonight following the conclusion of the NFL Draft.
Wide receiver Eric Page signed with Denver. Tight end Danny Noble and offensive lineman Mike VanDerMeulen signed with Tampa Bay. Defensive back Desmond Marrow signed with Houston. Offensive lineman Phillipkeith Manley signed with Atlanta.
A San Diego newspaper had reported that running back Adonis Thomas had signed with the Chargers, but that report turned out to be incorrect. Thomas is planning on working out with a couple of teams before signing.
http://www.utrockets.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=18000&ATCLID=205421380

Western Michigan
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Anthony Parker is second Bronco to be signed to a free agent contract in the National Football League this off-season, signing with the New York Jets.
Parker becomes the fourth former Western Michigan football player to sign an free agent contract out of college in program history, joining Ed Chlebeck (1963), former tight ends coach Jake Moreland (2000) and Dominic Moran (2007).  Only Moran never spent a full season with the organization.
The North Miami Beach, Fla., native was a four-year starter for WMU from 2008-11, making the most starts by an offensive lineman (49) in program history.  He saw action in over 900 snaps in three of four years with a career high of 984 in 2009.
Parker protected the blind side of WMU QB's Tim Hiller and Alex Carder, playing most of his career at left tackle, while also moonlighting at offensive guard.  He earned Second Team All-Mid-American Conference in 2009 and was a member of Rivals.com MAC All-Freshman Team in 2008.
Parker will be the sixth former Bronco to suit up for the Jets as Mark Garalczyk played with the organization in 1988, Greg Flaska was drafted by New York in the 17th round in 1971 and just this past Sunday, Jordan White was the Jets' final player selected in the 2012 NFL Draft.
He joins White, Drew Nowak and John Potter, becoming the fourth Bronco to either be drafted or signed as an undrafted free agent in 2012.
http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=205422140&DB_OEM_ID=4600

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The 2011 Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year signs as an undrafted free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Once the final selection of the 2012 National Football League Draft was made, the work continued as undrafted players were then available to be signed by franchises as free agents.
One phone that range belonged to WMU's Drew Nowak as the Green Bay, Wis., native signed with the Jaguars shortly after the draft concluded with multiple teams showing interest.
Nowak tied for the lead in the MAC with 8.5 sacks and ranked second with 20.0 tackles for loss, tied for the sixth most in a season in WMU history and ranking fifth in the nation in 2011.  In addition, Nowak totaled 83 tackles on the year, which ranked third on the team and also tied for 20th in the conference.
At the conclusion of the 2011 season, Nowak earned  First Team All-MAC Defense, and earned the first Defensive Player of the Year award for Western Michigan since Ameer Ismail in 2006.  Nowak joins Ismail, Jason Babin (2002, 2003), Sean Mulhearn (1990), Mark Garalczyk (1986) and John Offerdahl (1985) on the list of Broncos to earn the honor.
Shortly after, Nowak earned All-America status, garnering Third Team Phil Steele All-America.
http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=24299&SPID=1922&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=205421382&DB_OEM_ID=4600