MAC FOOTBALL STUDENTS AIM FOR NFL CAREERS
Already 36 MAC Students Sign Free Agent Contracts With NFL Clubs
With the 2019 NFL Draft ending last weekend, 36 former MAC football students have either signed or agreed to NFL rookie free agent contracts or have received invites to rookie mini-camps with various NFL clubs. Over the next several days this list may continue to grow as NFL teams announce their free agent signings and begin hosting rookie mini-camps this coming weekend.
Former MAC Students Signed To NFL Contracts/Rookie Invites (36)
Akron; DB Kyron Brown, New York Jets
Akron; DE Jamal Davis, Houston Texans
Akron; WR Kwadarrius Smith, Tennessee Titans
Akron; LB Brian Bell, Cleveland Browns -- Invite to Rookie Mini-Camp
Akron; DE Walter Brady, Cleveland Browns -- Invite to Rookie Mini-Camp
Akron; WR Mykel Traylor-Bennett, Oakland Raiders -- Invite to Rookie Mini-Camp
Ball State; DB Josh Miller, Detroit Lions
Bowling Green; DB Montre Gregory, Kansas City Chiefs
Buffalo; QB Tyree Jackson, Buffalo Bills
Buffalo; WR Anthony Johnson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Buffalo; C James O'Hagan, New York Giants
Buffalo; DE Chuck Harris, Chicago Bears
Buffalo; DB Cameron Lewis, Buffalo Bills
Buffalo; DB Tatum Slack, Detroit Lions -- Invite to Rookie Mini-Camp
Central Michigan; OL Shakir Carr, Indianapolis Colts -- Invite to Rookie Mini-Camp
Central Michigan; LS Luke Idoni, Detroit Lions -- Invite to Rookie Mini-Camp
Eastern Michigan; DL Jeremiah Harris, New York Giants
Eastern Michigan; RB Blake Banham, Minnesota Vikings -- Invite to Rookie Mini-Camp
Kent State; DT Kalil Morris, Baltimore Ravens
Miami; TE Nate Becker, Detroit Lions
Miami; RB Kenny Young, Baltimore Ravens -- Invite to Rookie Mini-Camp
Northern Illinois; DE Josh Corcoran, Los Angeles Chargers
Northern Illinois; DB Jalen Embry, Houston Texans -- Invite to Rookie Mini-Camp
Northern Illinois; DB Albert Smalls, Oakland Raiders -- Invite to Rookie Mini-Camp
Ohio, WR Papi White, Jacksonville Jaguars
Ohio; OL Joe Lowery, Chicago Bears
Ohio; S Kylan Nelson, Arizona Cardinals -- Invite To Rookie Mini-Camp
Ohio; LB Evan Croutch, Jacksonville Jaguars -- Invite To Rookie Mini-Camp
Ohio; RB A.J. Ouellette, New Orleans Saints -- Invite To Rookie Mini-Camp
Toledo; WR Cody Thompson, Kansas City Chiefs
Toledo; WR Jon'Vea Johnson, Dallas Cowboys
Toledo; DT Reggie Howard, Los Angeles Chargers
Toledo; RT Brock Ruble, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Western Michigan; C John Keenoy, Minnesota Vikings
Western Michigan; DL Eric Assoua, Oakland Raiders -- Invite To Rookie Mini-Camp
Western Michigan; TE Odell Miller, Cleveland Browns -- Invite to Rookie Mini-Camp
During the 2019 NFL Draft the MAC had nine former students selected. The MAC modern era record for number of selections in an NFL Draft is 11 draft selections, which happened two years ago (2017 NFL Draft) and in the 2005 NFL Draft.
MAC Students Selected In 2019 NFL Draft (9):
2nd round, 39th overall DB Sean Bunting (Central Michigan) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2nd round, 55th overall OT Max Scharping (Northern Illinois) by the Houston Texans
3rd round, 66th overall WR Diontae Johnson (Toledo) by the Pittsburgh Steelers
4th round, 106th overall DE Maxx Crosby (Eastern Michigan) by the Oakland Raiders
6th round, 175th overall DE Sutton Smith (Northern Illinois) by the Pittsburgh Steelers
6th round, 185th overall DB Ka'dar Hollman (Toledo) by the Green Bay Packers
6th round, 195th overall DB Xavier Crawford (Central Michigan) by the Houston Texans
6th round, 207th overall LB Ulysees Gilbert (Akron) by the Pittsburgh Steelers
6th round, 208th overall WR Scott Miller (Bowling Green) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Akron:
Three Zips Sign NFL Rookie Free Agent Contracts; Three More Invited To Rookie Camps
AKRON, Ohio – Three Akron Zips– DB Kyron Brown (New York Jets), DE Jamal Davis II (Houston Texans), and WR Kwadarrius Smith (Tennessee Titans) – have signed as rookie free agents with NFL teams. They join linebacker Ulysees Gilbert III (Ocala, Fla.) who was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 34th pick in the sixth round (207th pick overall) on Saturday. Additionally, three Zips have received invitations to mini-camp workouts: LB Brian Bell (Cleveland Browns), DE Walter Brady (Cleveland Browns), WR Mykel Traylor-Bennett (Oakland Raiders).
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Zips Gilbert Drafted By Pittsburgh In The Sixth Round
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Akron senior linebacker Ulysees Gilbert III (Ocala, Fla.) was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 34th pick in the sixth round (207th pick overall) of the 2019 National Football League Draft on Saturday. Gilbert became the 17th Zip in school history to be drafted into the NFL and the first draftee since 2016 [LB Jatavis Brown, 35th pick of the fifth round (175th pick overall) by the San Diego Chargers]. A three-time All-Mid-American Conference selection, Gilbert played in every game of his collegiate career. A three-year starter at linebacker, he tied the school record for most games played in his collegiate career (51). Gilbert was named the team's Defensive MVP twice. A sport management major, he earned Academic All-MAC and MAC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete honors. A member of UA's all-time most productive class in program history, Gilbert was a part of the re-building process, helping the Zips to 24 wins. The Zips became bowl eligible twice in three seasons, a program first. They claimed the 2017 MAC East title and four consecutive Wagon Wheel trophies. Gilbert was invited to the 2019 East-West Shrine Game.
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Ball State:
Miller Signs Free Agent Contract With Detroit
MUNCIE, Ind. – Former Ball State football player Josh Miller will get a chance to test his skills against the best players in professional football. He recently signed a free agent deal with the NFL's Detroit Lions. Miller, a defensive back from Indianapolis, Indiana, began his collegiate career at Marian University for a season in 2014 before transferring to Ball State as a walk-on. He would go on to earn a scholarship and become a starter at cornerback in 2017 and 2018. Miller tied for the team lead in interceptions and ranked second in passes defended as a senior. One of his interceptions this past fall was a one-handed grab at No. 8 Notre Dame in September that set up a Ball State touchdown.
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Bowling Green:
Falcons Miller Selected By Tampa Bay In The Sixth Round
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Bowling Green wide receiver Scott Miller has been selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. A three-time All-MAC player, Miller will go down as one of the greatest wide receivers in program history. As a true freshman, Miller was a member of the 2015 MAC Championship team, playing in the final 10 games of the season on special teams and at wide receiver. He had seven catches for 29 yards in that initial season and returned 24 kickoffs for 457 yards. He added one reception in the GoDaddy Bowl against Georgia Southern. Miller broke out as a sophomore in 2016, leading Bowling Green with 74 catches for 968 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was 25th in the country in touchdown receptions and 24th in receptions per game. He twice had three touchdowns in a game and recorded four 100-yard contests, posting 1,323 all-purpose yards as the team's primary kick returner as well.
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Buffalo:
Five Bulls Sign With NFL Teams
BUFFALO, NY – Five former University at Buffalo football players signed free agent contracts with NFL teams on Saturday. Quarterback Tyree Jackson, wide receiver Anthony Johnson, center James O'Hagan, defensive end Chuck Harris and cornerback Cameron Lewis will all get an opportunity to continue their careers in the NFL. Jackson signed with the Buffalo Bills. The UB signal caller and 2018 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year threw for 3,131 yards and 28 touchdowns on the year. His 28 touchdowns were second in school history for a single season and his 35 combined passing and rushing touchdowns were the most in program history for a single season.
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Central Michigan:
Bunting Selected In The Second Round
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Central Michigan cornerback Sean Bunting was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Friday night in the NFL draft. The Bucs took Bunting, who hails from suburban Detroit's Macomb Township and prepped at Chippewa Valley High School, with the seventh pick (39th overall) in the second round. Bunting was the fourth cornerback taken in the draft. Bunting is the third-highest selection in CMU football history behind Eric Fisher and Joe Staley, both of whom are offensive tackles who went in the first round. He is the first player from a Mid-American Conference school taken in the 2019 draft.
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Eastern Michigan:
Harris Signs With N.Y. Giants
NEW YORK, N.Y. – Former Eastern Michigan University defensive lineman Jeremiah Harris has signed a free agent contract with the New York Giants. A two-time captain and leader of Eastern's defensive efforts, Harris started 12 of the team's 13 games last season. He racked up 64 tackles, including 7.5 for loss and five sacks en route to Third Team All-MAC honors. His five sacks were tied for 11th-most in the league. The Lambertville, Mich. native has also blocked a kick, intercepted a pass, forced a fumble, and recovered a fumble this season. Harris recorded a career-high 3.0 sacks in Eastern Michigan's regular season finale at Kent State, Nov. 23, tying the program record for single-game sacks.
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Crosby Selected By Oakland In The Fourth Round
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Eastern Michigan University defensive lineman Maxx Crosby was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft Saturday, April 27, in downtown Nashville. The Colleyville, Texas native is the sixth-highest draft pick in Eastern Michigan history and earliest selection since Jason Jones went in the second round in 2008. Crosby, the 106th overall pick of the draft, is the third Eagle to be drafted in the last four years joining Darius Jackson (2016) and Pat O'Connor (2017). Overall, he is the 29th Eastern Michigan player to be picked in the draft since 1955. Furthermore, Crosby is the fifth Eastern Michigan defensive lineman to be drafted, joining Ron Fernandez (1973), Dave Boone (1974), Jason Jones (2008), and O'Connor.
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Kent State:
Morris Signs With Baltimore Ravens
KENT, Ohio -- Former Kent State defensive tackle Kalil Morris signed a free agent contract with the Baltimore Ravens.
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Miami:
Becker Signs With Detroit Lions
OXFORD, Ohio -- Nate Becker, a former walk-on with the Miami University football team, signed a free agent deal with the Detroit Lions on Saturday. The fifth-year tight end played in 35 games for the Red and White, making 26 career starts. This past year Becker established career bests in catches (13), yards (154) and touchdowns (1).
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Northern Illinois:
Scharping Selected By Houston
DEKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois University left tackle Max Scharping was selected in the second round of the 2019 National Football League Draft by the Houston Texans Friday. The 55th overall selection, Scharping became the 38th NIU player all-time chosen in the NFL Draft, and the first since Kenny Golladay, who was selected by the Detroit Lions with the 96th pick in 2017. The Green Bay, Wis. native is the ninth Huskie taken in the NFL Draft since 2007 and the highest since Jimmie Ward was selected 30th in the first round by the San Francisco 49ers.
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Smith Picked By Pittsburgh
DEKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois University two-time All-American Sutton Smith became the second Huskie selected in the 2019 National Football League Draft when the Pittsburgh Steelers chose him with the 175th pick in the 6th round Saturday. Smith's selection marks the first time since 2014 that two Huskies have been drafted in the same year. Left tackle Max Scharping was taken by the Houston Texans with the 55th overall selection in the 2nd round Friday. The 39th NIU player all-time chosen in the NFL Draft, Smith was the first Huskie to earn first team All-America honors in back-to-back years and was a consensus choice in 2017. Smith, a native of St. Charles, Mo., ranked fourth in the nation in sacks and tackles for loss per game. He set the school record for sacks in a season with 15 in 2018 and the NIU mark for tackles for loss in 2017 with 29.5.
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Ohio:
Five Bobcats Get NFL Opportunities
ATHENS, Ohio -- Following the conclusion of the 2019 National Football League Draft on Saturday, April 27, five former Ohio football standouts earned the opportunity to keep their dreams of playing professional football alive. Wide receiver Papi White signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent while offensive lineman Joe Lowery did the same with the Chicago Bears. Safety Kylan Nelson received an invitation to rookie minicamp from the Arizona Cardinals while linebacker Evan Croutch received an invite from the Jaguars. Also, former running back A.J. Ouellette received an invite to the New Orleans Saints rookie mini-camp. The former Bobcats all completed their redshirt senior seasons in Athens in 2018, helping Ohio compile 40 wins over the past five seasons, including back-to-back bowl victories in the 2017 Bahamas Bowl and the 2018 DXL Frisco Bowl. White and Lowery were 2018 All-MAC selections while Croutch was an All-MAC Second Team pick.
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Toledo:
Four More Rockets Sign With NFL Clubs
Toledo, Ohio – Four former University of Toledo players signed free agent contracts with NFL teams tonight following the conclusion of the 2019 NFL Draft. Cody Thompson (Huron, Ohio) signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, Jon'Vea Johnson (Gary, Ind.) inked a deal with the Dallas Cowboys, Reggie Howard signed with the LA Chargers amd Brock Ruble signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The four join former teammates Diontae Johnson (Pittsburgh – third round) and Ka'dar Hollman (Green Bay - sixth round) who were earlier selected in the 2019 NFL Draft. They were the fifth and sixth Rockets to be drafted in the past three years, joining Kareem Hunt (third round), Michael Roberts (fourth) and Treyvon Hester (seventh) from the 2017 draft, and Logan Woodside, who was chosen in the seventh round of last year's draft.
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Hollman Selected By Green Bay In The Sixth Round
Toledo, Ohio – University of Toledo cornerback Ka'dar Hollman (Burlington, N.J.) was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft on Saturday. Hollman, the 185th overall pick of the draft, is the second Rocket to be taken in this year's draft and the sixth to be drafted in the past three years. Teammate Diontae Johnson was chosen in the third round by Pittsburgh yesterday. Kareem Hunt (third round), Michael Roberts (fourth) and Treyvon Hester (seventh) were selected in the 2017 draft, while Logan Woodside was chosen in the seventh round of last year's draft. For his career, Hollman compiled 114 tackles, two interceptions and 27 pass breakups. As a senior, he had a career-best 43 tackles and tied for the MAC lead with 12 pass breakups.
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Johnson Picked By Pittsburgh In The Third Round
TOLEDO, Ohio – University of Toledo wide receiver Diontae Johnson (Ruskin, Fla.) was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft on Friday. Johnson, the 66th overall pick of the draft, is the fifth Rocket to be drafted in the past three years. Kareem Hunt (third round), Michael Roberts (fourth) and Treyvon Hester (seventh) were selected in the 2017 draft, while Logan Woodside was chosen in the seventh round of last year's draft. Johnson is the fourth-highest draft pick ever for a Rocket, and the highest since John Greco who was the No. 65 pick of the St. Louis Rams in 2008. Defensive lineman Dan Williams was the highest pick in Rocket history, the No. 11 overall pick in 1993.
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Western Michigan:
Three Broncos Get NFL Opportunities
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan football senior center John Keenoy has signed a free agent contract with the Minnesota Vikings. Keenoy was a three-time All-MAC selection with the Broncos, earning Second Team honors in 2016 and 2018 and landing a spot on the First Team in 2017. The Kentwood, Mich., native played in 51 career games, helping Western Michigan to a MAC Championship in 2017 and a berth in the Cotton Bowl.
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Assoua Gets Mini-Camp Invite From Oakland
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan's Erica Assoua has accepted a mini camp invitation by the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent. The defensive lineman is coming off a senior season that saw him record a career-best 4.5 sacks. He played in 46 career games, finishing with 10 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss and 97 total tackles. The Silver Spring, Md., native had his best season came in 2016, helping Western Michigan to a MAC Championship and a berth in the 2017 Cotton Bowl. That season he had 47 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss. He combined record all 10 of his career sacks in the past three seasons.
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Miller Accepts Mini-Camp Invite From Cleveland
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan football's Odell Miller has accepted an invitation to attend a mini camp with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent. Miller joined the Broncos as a walk-on defensive linemen in 2014. After redshirting and playing one game as a redshirt freshman in 2015, he earned a scholarship the next season and played special teams before converting to a tight end. The Kalamazoo, Mich., native played in all 14 that season, helping the Broncos to a Mid-American Conference Championship and a berth in the 2017 Cotton Bowl. Miller played in 11 games his junior season and in all 13 last season.
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