Nine MAC Students Invited To The 2018 NFL Combine
NINE MAC STUDENTS INVITED TO 2018 NFL COMBINE
Nine former MAC football students will represent the Conference at the upcoming NFL Combine from Feb. 27-March 5 in Indianapolis. The NFL Combine annual event at Lucas Oil Stadium will feature over 330 of the top NFL prospects in a showcase of their talent and to meet coaching and personnel staff from all 32 NFL teams.
MAC students invited to the 2018 NFL Combine:
Ball State - DE Anthony Winbush
Bowling Green - P Joseph Davidson
Central Michigan - TE Tyler Conklin
Toledo - DE Ola Adeniyi
Toledo - QB Logan Woodside
Western Michigan - TE Donnie Ernsberger
Western Michigan - RB Jarvion Franklin
Western Michigan - OT Chukwuma Okorafor
Western Michigan - DB Darius Phillips
DE Anthony Winbush, Ball State:
Anthony Winbush, a defensive end out of Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, was a four-year contributor for the Cardinals and had a standout senior season this past fall. He ranked among the national leaders in sacks (11.5 – 4th), forced fumbles (5 – 1st) and tackles for loss (16.5 – 19th). In the season opener at Illinois, Winbush racked up a personal-high three sacks. On Nov. 16 against Buffalo, he equaled the Ball State career record for sacks (25). Winbush was named All-MAC First Team in 2017 and also earned Ball State's John Magnabosco Award (most outstanding player).
Winbush will be the eighth Cardinal to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine in the last 10 years. Running back Jahwan Edwards was the most recent Ball State player to earn an invite in 2015. Quarterback Keith Wenning (2014), wide receiver Willie Snead (2014), defensive lineman Jonathan Newsome (2014), punter Scott Kovanda (2013), quarterback Nate Davis (2009) and offensive lineman Robert Brewster (2009) have also displayed their skills at the NFL Scouting Combine.
P Joseph Davidson, Bowling Green:
Joseph Davidson broke Bowling Green's career records in nearly every punting category. He is fourth in NCAA history in punting average among those with at least 250 career punts. In 2017, Davidson led the MAC at 44.0 yards per punt and his net punting average of 42.3 yards was best in the MAC and among the top five in the nation. Of his 60 punts in 2017, 28 were downed inside the 20 and only two went for touchbacks. He had 10 punts of at least 50 yards on the season. Davidson has also earned first team All-MAC accolades.
A two-time Ray Guy Award semifinalist given to the top punter in the country, Davidson is a three-time Academic All-American, earning first team honors in 2016. He maintains a 3.96 grade point average double major in mathematics and finance. Davidson is the first Bowling Green football player to attend the NFL Combine since wide receiver Roger Lewis in 2016. Lewis has played in 28 games over two seasons with the New York Giants. In 2017, he caught 36 passes for 416 yards with a pair of touchdowns.
TE Tyler Conklin, Central Michigan:
Tyler Conklin had 83 catches for 1,159 yards and 11 touchdowns in his career at Central Michigan. Conklin caught a touchdown pass in the Senior Bowl on Jan. 27. A co-captain for the Chippewas in 2017, Conklin broke a bone in his foot early in the preseason. He had surgery Aug. 9 and missed the first five games of the season. He returned Oct. 7 at Ohio and led Central Michigan's offense with 10 receptions, two touchdowns and 136 receiving yards in a 26-23 victory.
DE Ola Adeniyi, Toledo:
Ola Adeniyi, a 6-2, 248-pound defensive end, was a second-team All-MAC selection in 2017, finishing third in the MAC with 20.0 tackles for loss. In his three-year career at Toledo, Adeniyi racked up 115 tackles, 28.0 TFL and 12.5 sacks.
QB Logan Woodside, Toledo:
Logan Woodside finished his four-year Toledo career as the Rockets' all-time leading passer, throwing for 10,514 yards. He also set the school records for touchdown passes (93) and passing efficiency (162.9). A two-time, first-team All-MAC selection, Woodside was 29-9 as a starting QB. As a senior, he led the Rockets to a MAC Championship, throwing for 3,882 yards and 28 scores. He was named 2017 MAC Offensive Player of the Year and was honored with the Vern Smith Leadership Award, given annually to the league's top player.
TE Donnie Ernsberger, Western Michigan:
Donnie Ernsberger emerged the last two seasons as a hard-nosed blocking and receiving tight end. This season he started all 12 games and led Western Michigan with 931 total plays (800 offensive, 131 special teams). He was named Second Team All-MAC and was invited to and played in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
Over his senior season, Ernsberger caught four touchdowns and totaled 394 yards on 34 receptions. He showcased his ability to break tackles and run after a catch, most notably in an overtime win at Eastern Michigan in which he had six catches for 91 yards with a 30-yard reception. In Western Michigan's seven-overtime win at Buffalo he hauled in four passes for 54 yards and two TDs. Ernsberger has also played a huge part in Western Michigan's success in the running game as a key blocker the last three seasons.
RB Jarvion Franklin, Western Michigan:
Franklin is Western Michigan's all-time leading rusher with 4,867 career yards, which ranks fifth all-time in MAC history and 33rd in FBS history. He has totaled a school-record 56 career touchdowns (52 rushing, 4 receiving). His 52 rushing touchdowns (a school record) ties for fourth most all-time in the MAC, and 28th in FBS history. His 5,537 career all-purpose yards and 336 career points both rank second most in school history.
Franklin has a career average of 93.6 yards rushing per game over 52 games played and 942 attempts. In 2014 he became the first player in MAC history to win both MAC Rookie of the Year and MAC Offensive Player of the Year in the same season. Franklin is a three-time All-MAC recognition, twice landing on the first team and once on the second team.
OT Chukwuma Okorafor, Western Michigan:
Okorafor is a four-year letterwinner on Western Michigan's offensive line and has been a starter for the last three. As a senior this season he picked up six All-American honors, including a First Team nod from the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and Phil Steele. He was one of six national semifinalists for Outland Trophy and named a top tackle to watch headed into the season by Mel Kiper.
Okorafor helped Western Michigan maintain a top-30 rushing attack in each of the last three seasons. This year the Broncos ranked 21st in the nation, averaging 224.8 yards per game. Okorafor is expected to be one of the Broncos' top draft picks.
DB Darius Phillips, Western Michigan:
Darius Phillips has made a name for himself as an explosive returner and a ball hawk on defense. He is a two-time MAC Special Teams Player of the Year (2016 & 2017) and has earned All-MAC defensive team honors each of his three seasons after converting from a wide receiver to a defensive back prior to his sophomore year.
Phillips has scored 14 career touchdowns five different ways (5 KR, 1 PR, 5 INT, 1 FR, 2 receiving). Four of his five kickoff returns went for 100 yards, two of which were against top 5-ranked teams and two coming in back-to-back weeks to open his senior season (at USC, at Michigan State). He set an FBS career record with 12 career runbacks and tied the FBS record with five career pick sixes. His 3,145 career kickoff return yards ranks sixth in FBS history.
