When you think of the NFL talent pool, you think of the SEC, The BIG10, blue blood schools with a rich history and track record of current success. While you’d be mostly right, it seems like there is a handful of high level NCAA talent coming out of group-of-five, and Independent football programs yearly.
Josh Allen, arguably the best young quarterback in football came from Wyoming.
Cooper Kupp, who just won the wide receiver triple crown and a Super Bowl MVP, came from FCS Eastern Washington.
Guys like Antonio Brown, Jason Taylor, Ben Roethlisberger, and Khalil Mack have all emerged from group-of-five programs and put together elite careers.
On this edition of our eleven part series we will be covering the Mid-American Conference, better known as the MAC. While you don’t expect teams from the MAC to be in the running for a playoff birth, to overlook the amount of legendary talent they have produced would be foolish. Generation defining players such as Antonio Gates, Randy Moss and Jack Lambert all cut their teeth in the MAC.
“MIP Scoutings Watchlist” will be dropping twice weekly covering every conference in the NCAA. To check out what you might’ve missed as well as all of our other NCAA football content click here.
Akron
Jeslord Boateng LB
6’1 230 lbs
The inside linebacker really stepped up for an injury riddled Akron defense last season. He did a bit of everything, leading the team with 80 total tackles and 7.5 TFLs. The production didn’t necessarily translate to wins though. The Michigan State transfer still couldn’t help Akron get out of their half decade long rut, winning only two games and bringing their record to 7-35 since they won the MAC East in 2017.
He’s got pretty good size for the linebacker position, especially in today’s brand of football where linebackers are getting more and more compact. He is a willing hitter and plays with aggression but he could really stand to practice wrapping up a bit more. He is prone to dropping his head and going for the big hit as opposed to dropping his shoulders and driving through the ball carrier. He is a solid athlete but unspectacular, he gets to the ball in a hurry but gets into trouble when forced to get into his backpedal. I wouldn’t trust him to slide out into some coverage or pick up a tight end. Those things are almost prerequisites in a game that is passing more with each passing year.
Ball State
Amechi Uzodinma CB
6’0 193 lbs
Great size, length and production had Uzodinma on quite a few draft boards before last year, but a down year in 2021 had him return to Ball State. He’s got the natural gifts NFL teams are looking for in a boundary corner. He’s got really fluid hips and nice straight line speed, easily turning and staying in a receivers hip pocket in man coverage. He’s also no slouch in zone and has solid ball skills.
He does take a few unnecessary risks he could really stand to clean up. It’s great being able to jump a route and break up a pass or take it the other way; but you need to know when to gamble. I would rather a boundary corner play it safe and lock his man down than potentially get burnt multiple times for every one big play he does make.
It’s a cliche at this point, but there’s a few things you can’t teach. His length and speed are two of those things. If he can get back flashing as a ball hawk and clean up his technique he could easily hear his name called next April.
Bowling Green
Darren Anders LB
6’0 230 lbs
Anders was a role player until last year, filling in admirably when needed as a rotation piece only appearing in 11 total games. Than 2021 came around and he lit up the MAC. 124 total tackles, 10 TFLs and 3 sacks later he was first team All-Conference. He was on a few draft radars but opted to return for his final season at Bowling Green.
He’s got the build of a modern day weak side linebacker. Stoutly built, but not overly bulky; he uses agility and tenacity to get to where the play is. He uses good hands and lateral agility to beat would be blockers and clean up tackles left and right. You don’t accrue over 120 tackles in a season without being able to disengage from blocks.
He’s got a great mind for the game, reading what the offense is showing him and flowing to the ball. His quick first step and heady style of play are what got him those 10 stops in the backfield last season. If he builds on his 2021 campaign he should have no issues playing at the next level.
Buffalo
James Patterson LB
6’0 230 lbs
Patterson has been a bright spot on a pretty mediocre team. He’s a natural leader who produces at a high level. 2021 really saw him make a name for himself on the field. He has quite the productive year with 114 total tackles, 4 sacks, a forced fumble and an interception.
While he lacks ideal athleticism, he has the strength to stack and shed would be blockers. He is all hustle and heart in pursuit, you can’t teach the high motor and mean streak that Patterson naturally possesses. He is a smart ball player, overcoming his lack of foot speed with great use of angles. When he gets to the ball carrier, he shows no mercy when laying the boom.
If Patterson were to make it to the next level, he would more than likely have to get on the field as a special teams standout. When you have the heart, work ethic and mind for the the game that Patterson has; it’s not far fetched to believe he could make it happen.
Central Michigan
Lew Nichols III RB
5’10 220 lbs
Ask 100 college football fans who lead the nation in rushing last year. You’ll probably get Kenneth Walker III, maybe a few Tyler Allgeier and Breece Hall votes. The odds are you’re not going to hear the name Lew Nichols. After only touching the ball just over 100 times in his first two years, Lew Nichols blew up! The red shirt sophomore from Detroit accumulated 1,850 rushing yards on 340 carries and reached the end zone 16 times. To add to that he caught 40 balls for 338 yards and another two scores.
It’s not a stretch to say that his insane production helped Luke Goedeke and Bernhard Raimann become day two draft picks this past April. They did a great job clearing the way for him, but that level of production from a running back always gets his offensive line some extra looks from the scouting department.
What he lacks in straight line speed, he makes up for with surprising shiftiness and a running style best described as reckless abandon. He stays low and runs behind his pads, inviting and powering through contact. As evidenced by his 40 catch season, he’s also got soft hands and is a solid route runner out of the backfield. His vision is on par with any running back in the nation, seeing where the hole will open and attacking the spot.
For his strength as a pass catcher, he leaves a lot to be desired as a pass blocker. It’s one of the things that truly goes overlooked when evaluating running backs. It’s hard to be a three-down back if you’re liable to get your signal caller killed in the pocket. He’s also not going to hit many home runs, he is a workhorse volume back that will get you 3-5 yards every time he touches the ball with an occasional 15-20 yard scamper. While it’ll be hard to match his production with the return of RB Kobe Lewis, he should be one of the highest valued running backs when mock draft season starts.
Eastern Michigan
Sidy Sow OG
6’5 337 lbs
Sidy Sow is a monster of a man. Coming in at a hefty 337 lbs, he throws that weight around like nobodies business. He pairs that size with a mean streak and a love of run blocking. He just wants to maul the guy across from him and has the strength, length and weight to go head on with any defensive lineman he may come across.
Sow is going into his 4th year as a starter for Eastern Michigan so he doesn’t lack for experience. He has progressed from a big strong young man into a legitimate football player. He is coming off of a first team All-MAC season, and will look to accomplish that once more.
For his dominance run blocking, the other half of his responsibilities he really needs to clean up. He lacks the balance and hand placement needed to be an effective pass blocker at this stage of his career. He is often sloppy getting into his sets and can be easily beat by a quicker man. Nobody is going to bullrush him, but throw a stunt or delayed blitz his way and he is liable to give up some pressure. If he can show growth as a pass blocker in his fourth season at Eastern Michigan, he could be a formidable force.
Kent State
Dante Cephas WR
6’1 180 lbs
It was a coin toss between Cephas and Golden Flashes running back Marquez Cooper; but the nod went to Cephas here. Cooper is a very good ball player, but Cephas is a game changer.
After a tremendous 2021 season where he caught 82 balls for 1,240 yards and 9 scores, Cephas was added to the Biletnikoff Award watchlist. He doesn’t have blazing speed but he is a polished route runner with solid hands and a good head for the game. There isn’t too much flash to his play style but he is a consistent threat to move the chains every time he goes out on a route. If the hall hits him in the hands you can all but guarantee he is coming down with it.
He could stand to add some weight to his frame, he often gets bullied at the line by more physical corners. He’s got the footwork to get free, but without high end speed it’s sometimes hard for him to release. Maybe watching some film of Devonta Smith could help, he is a scrawny guy without track star speed but always finds a way to get open.
Another question will be if he can keep up that production after the departure of QB Dustin Crum.
Miami (Ohio)
Matthew Salopek S/LB
6’1 215 lbs
Matthew Salopek is a box safety masquerading as an off ball linebacker. The kid is a tackling machine, tallying 112 of them last year to go along with 8 TFLs. While he’s a player without a true set position, he finds a way to impact the game wherever he is lined up.
He’s got the athleticism to drop into zone coverage or stick with a linebacker in man and he’s physical enough to meet a ball carrier in the open field. These hybrid safety/linebackers are becoming more and more common in todays football; so this could be just the right time for him to start shining. He will be looking to add another All-Conference award to his trophy case this year.
Northern Illinois
CJ Brown S
5’11 190 lbs
Brown is going into his second year as a full time starter for Northern Illinois, but it’ll be hard to follow up his fantastic 2021 season. In 2021 he was responsible for 107 tackles, a sack, an interception, 2 PBUs, and a touchdown.
He is an exceptional open field tackler despite not being the biggest guy on the field. He uses great technique and works angles to make up for what he lacks in size. He is also no slouch in zone coverage, he won’t take many chances but he also won’t get burned. Sometimes a steady safety who didn’t get beat underneath or over the top is just the type of safety a team needs. Especially as more and more teams are running out of single high formations.
I wouldn’t ask Brown to line up in man coverage too often. While he’s got the athleticism to be serviceable, he’s got stiff hips and doesn’t have those natural instincts for the ball. He was turned around quite a few times when asked to step out and play man coverage on a tight end or receiver.
He was rewarded with a first team All-MAC selection last year and if his growth trajectory is any indication he should be on track for that honor again in 2022.
Ohio University
Bryce Houston LB
5’11 230 lbs
Bryce Houston is the unequivocal leader of the Bobcats defense. The redshirt senior battled through three years worth of injures and being buried on the depth chart before getting his chance to shine. After totaling 10 tackles in his career at Ohio, he finally got the opportunity. It may have taken a while for him to get on the field but he showed up to play like he had been doing it all along. Racking up 104 tackles, 8 TFLs and a pair of sacks, he became the heartbeat of the Ohio squad.
He plays with a certain level of toughness you can’t teach. Having to fight for everything you have shows a lot of character and his teammates are willing to follow him and play up to his energy level. He isn’t the most physically imposing player, and he won’t be the best athlete in the field very often. He wins with 100% hustle and heart.
Toledo
Dequan Finn QB
6’2 200 lbs
Finn put up impressive numbers despite not serving as the full time QB for Toledo in 2021. He threw for over 2,000 yards and 18 TDs while only turning the ball over twice. He also ran for over 500 yards and added 9 TDs on the ground.
He has the size and mobility to continue being a weapon for Toledo. His arm isn’t overly strong, but they don’t ask him to consistently push the ball down field. Where he wins is with his legs and by protecting the ball. He knows how to get rid of it and not take the sack or force a throw that will lead to a turnover; great qualities to have in a signal caller. Sometimes you have to live to play another down.
He does have accuracy concerns posting a 58.2% completion rate in 2021. Some of that was due to him being quick to get rid of the ball and not having too much time behind a mediocre Toledo offensive line. As mentioned earlier he’s not a guy that can make every throw on the field. I didn’t see him make many attempts deeper than 30-40 yards downfield.
Overall he is a fine QB for the type of offense Toledo runs. His ball security and mobility should see him establish himself as the only signal caller in 2022. If he can improve his accuracy and not be so quick to throw it away, he could see his statistics take a sizable jump in 2022.
Western Michigan
Sean Tyler RB
5’8 185 lbs
Sean Tyler was a key cog in the Western Michigan offense last season putting up nearly 1,300 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns. He is also a menace in the return game, taking two kickoffs back to the house, one of them for 100 yards in Western Michigans bowl game.
He has the build of a classic skat-back, low to the ground and incredibly shifty. He has the ability to make the first man miss almost everytime with his sharp change of direction. He can also flat out fly, the young man just doesn’t get brought down from behind when he has green grass in front of him. While he hasn’t flashed much in the pass game his role will likely expand in that department, with the departure of wide receiver Skyy Moore. Look for him to put up career best numbers this year as a pass catcher.
As with all smaller backs there’s going to be a concern of durability. He hasn’t had too much cause for concern in the injury department, but he never touched the ball more than 18 times in a single game last year. He doesn’t take big hits often with his low and shifty tuning style, but he has never been asked to be the bell cow. He isn’t going to give much in pass protection either, he makes a good effort but at 185 lbs it’s hard to ask him to take on a 230 pound linebacker. You’d like to see him get some better yards after contact as well.
Overall he should continue to be a dangerous weapon for Western Michigan. If he can continue this production into 2022, he could join former teammate Skyy Moore in the NFL on Sundays.