MAC's Top 10 Players To Watch This Season (CFB)
CFB

MAC's Top 10 Players To Watch This Season

Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
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The Mid-American Conference (MAC) will expand to 13 programs in 2025 to include UMass. The 2024 campaign will represent their final season with 12 teams. The conference has also done away with divisions, meaning the MAC Championship Game will feature the teams with the best conference records.

The conference produced two elite draft picks in 2024. Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell was the 22nd selection, and Western Michigan defensive end Marshawn Kneeland was the 56th pick. The MAC is producing NFL talent at a high level.

The MAC will hold its annual media day on July 19 from the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. New talents are emerging and prepared for the spotlight. We’ve identified the 10 overall talents with the most upside to produce this campaign.

Brett Gabbert, QB, Miami (OH)

Brett Gabbert missed the final six contests of the 2023 season with a leg injury. When he was last fully healthy in 2021, the gunslinger threw for 2,648 yards and 26 touchdowns. Gabbert, the younger brother of veteran NFL quarterback Blaine Gabbert, should be awfully productive and flashy this season.

Antario Brown, RB, Northern Illinois

Antario Brown earned All-MAC First Team honors in 2023. The Savannah, Georgia native rushed for 1,296 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. Brown ranks 13th on Northern Illinois’ all-time rushing yards leaderboard and will continue climbing in 2024.

Maxen Hook, SAF, Toledo

Toledo's secondary is tasked with replacing a generational talent in Quinyon Mitchell. Senior safety Maxen Hook is the most talented defender in the room. Hook has totaled 245 tackles, 16 pass breakups, and five interceptions across his three latest seasons.

Chrishon McCray, WR, Kent State

Kent State wide receiver Chrishon McCray is an ascending sophomore talent in the conference. McCray led all Golden Flash playmakers in receiving yards (610) and tied for the program lead in touchdowns (4). Another big showing looms large in 2024.

CJ Nunnally IV, EDGE, Akron

Akron Zips EDGE CJ Nunnally IV rose to the occasion after transferring to the program from Independence Community College. Nunnally totaled a second-best-in-the-MAC 15.5 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks. The former JUCO product is an energetic pass rusher who wins with speed and athleticism.

Jacob Gideon, C, Western Michigan

Pro Football Focus' top-ranked center in the MAC, Western Michigan's Jacob Gideon helped the Broncos offense be very productive in 2023. He helped clear pathways for 1,000-yard rusher and MAC Freshman of the Year, Jalen Buckley. Western Michigan's passing attack finished second within the conference at 211.2 yards per game.

Matt Salopek, LB, Miami (OH)

One of the most experienced players in the conference, RedHawks linebacker Matt Salopek has appeared in 45 career games. This past season, Salopek became Miami's first defender to have 100-plus tackles in three consecutive years since 2002-04. In 2024, he'll attempt to become the first RedHawk with four straight 100-tackle seasons in program history.

Donte Kent, S, Central Michigan

Central Michigan's Donte Kent is a versatile chess piece who plays both safety and cornerback. He's totaled an astounding 37 pass breakups in three seasons. The Chippewas didn't have a player drafted in 2024, but Kent could change that in 2025.

Jerjuan Newton, WR, Toledo

Toledo wide receiver Jerjaun Newton is the older brother of Washington Commanders rookie second-round pick Johnny Newton. Jerjuan Newton is an excellent college football player in his own right. The pass-catching playmaker enters the 2024 campaign tied for ninth on Toledo's career TD reception list with 21.

Jordan Oladokun, CB, Bowling Green

Bowling Green cornerback Jordan Oladokun has spent the previous two seasons with the program after previously playing at Samford. He's been productive across that time frame, totaling 18 pass breakups and four interceptions. Oladokun should be in an NFL training camp next summer.



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