2017 MAC Top Returning Offensive Players

MACtion is finally headed back this fall and we could not be any more excited for the possibilities. 2016 was all about WMU and its attempt at perfect, but this season is much more balanced with Toledo looking like the early favorite. 

Lots of talented offensive players are now on NFL rosters, so it is time for the youth of the MAC to step up and sit at the adult table. Let's take a look at the top returning offensive skill position players in the MAC heading into the 2017 season. 

Rushing:

1. Jarvion Franklin, Western Michigan: 248/1,353/12TD
2. James Gilbert, Ball State: 251/1,332/12TD
3. Jamauri Bogan, Western Michigan: 179/923/8TD
4. Dorian Brown, Ohio: 158/825/4TD
5. Ian Eriksen, Eastern Michigan: 184/771/9TD

Others to watch: Devon Spalding CMU (138/758/6TD), Alonzo Smith MIAMI (1638/709/3TD), Josh Cleveland BGSU (101/649/2TD), Terry Swanson TOLEDO (116/583/4TD), Kenny Young MIAMI (88/557/2TD), Justin Rankin KENT STATE (108/511/3TD), Donovan Wilson BGSU (110/503/5TD).  

As was the case in 2016, the Broncos of Western Michigan are stacked once again with two of the top three returning rushers from last fall. Franklin and Bogan combined for just over 2,200 yards and 20 touchdowns, leading WMU to the Cotton Bowl.

James Gilbert was a treat to watch in 2016 and should be even better for a Ball State team ready to go bowling. The player I have an eye on is Toledo running back Terry Swanson. The senior has played three years in the shadow of Kareem Hunt and will be the man for the prolific Rockets offense. Also, watch Dorian Brown as we attempt to figure out if he is the back that rushed for 212 versus Toledo or the one that was held under 50 yards on 5 occasions (in addition to missing three games).

Passing:

1. Logan Woodside, Toledo: 289-418/4,129/45TD/183.3 Efficiency
2. Brogan Roback, Eastern Michigan: 219-372/2,694/18/TD/131.9 Efficiency
3. Riley Neal, Ball State: 242-394/2,541/13TD/120.4 Efficiency
4. James Morgan, Bowling Green: 183-326/2,082/16TD/116.8 Efficiency
5. Thomas Woodson, Akron: 146-242/2,079/18TD/152.1 Efficiency

Others to watch: Tyree Jackson BUFFALO (1,772/9TD), Gus Ragland MIAMI (1,537/17TD), Quinton Maxwell OHIO (1,252/8TD), Billy Bahl MIAMI (1,154/8TD), Nick Holley KENT STATE (868/4TD).

For the most part, this group of MAC quarterbacks is Logan Woodside and a bunch of other guys. When you start to take a deeper look, multiple quarterbacks look poised to put up video game numbers this fall. Two signal callers to watch are Riley Neal of Ball State and Gus Ragland of Miami.

Ragland, in particular, looked like one of the better quarterbacks in the G5 in the second half of the season. He turned a 0-6 team into a 6-6 team that nearly became the first team to earn a winning record after losing their first six games of the season.

Receiving:

• Cody Thompson, Toledo: 64/1,269/11TD
• Corey Willis, CMU: 71/1,087/9TD
• Scott Miller, BGSU: 74/968/10TD
• Sergio Bailey II, Ohio: 60/868/7TD
• Jon’Vea Johnson, Toledo: 40/773/10TD

Others to watch: James Gardner MIAMI (45/750/6TD), Mark Chapman CMU (44/592/4TD), Tyler Conklin CMU (42/560/6TD), Jared Murphy MIAMI (43/552/5TD), Austin Wolf AKRON (36/550/5TD).  

Talk about losing a bit of talent to the NFL. The MAC lost Corey Davis, Kenny Golladay, Jerome Lane, KaVonn Mabon, and JoJo Natson from the top five receiving list of 2016. While those losses will definitely hurt the overall product, there are plenty of players ready to accept the challenge. Remember, Scott Miller, Sergio Bailey, and Jon’Vea Johnson had a combined 16 catches in their careers before last season.

A player to watch is CMU tight end Tyler Conklin. The 6-4 receiver looked quite impressive at times in route to a 42 catch season last fall. With other losses on offense, expect the Chippewas to add a renewed focus on tight end this year.  

Next week, we will take a look at defense and special teams for the Mid-American Conference before rolling out conference previews.