Mid-American Conference - 12 Players to Watch in 2013

Northern Illinois quarterback, Jordan
Lynch is looking to have another great
season as a senior.
Picture Courtesy: ESPN.com

1. Jordan Lynch, QB, Northern Illinois: Who can easily forget the memorable junior season from Jordan Lynch last season? Not only did he total for nearly 5,000 yards of total offense, but he led the Huskies to the Discover Orange Bowl, the first BCS bowl game in Mid-American Conference history. Lynch alone rushed for 1,815 yards, setting a new FBS single season record by a quarterback. However, that was only Lynch's junior season. This year, Lynch is a senior with raised expectations. After finishing seventh in Heisman voting last season (which I felt should have been higher), he'll be looking for more success this season in DeKalb with his teammates growing older around him. As if Lynch isn't a big enough weapon alone, the Huskies also return the two top wide receivers from their stellar season last year in Martel Moore and Tommylee Lewis. Look for even more success this season for last year's MAC MVP. 
2. David Fluellen, RB, Toledo: A 1,500 yard rushing season as a junior along with thirteen rushing touchdowns made Toledo running back, David Fluellen an All-MAC First-Team selection last season. This year, the Rockets may lean on Fluellen once again. Obviously, the Toledo up-tempo offense is difficult for defenses to defend, especially when you spread four wide receivers wide and hand the ball to Fluellen, who has the ability to hit the hole with speed. Fluellen was also a threat in the passing game, catching 32 passes for 246 yards. Despite the receiving success, Fluellen averaged 5.8 yards a carry last season which made short third downs an easy decision for the Rocket coaching staff. Recently, Fluellen was named to the Doak Walker preseason watch list, and he won't disappoint that selection, look for a tremendous season for the Toledo runnig back.
3. Dri Archer, RB, Kent State: A true all-around star is the first thing you think about when it comes to Golden Flashes running back, Dri Archer. He'll make impacts in the rushing game unlike many can as shown by his 1,429 yard rushing season as a junior last year. Other than the run game, Archer is a tremendous threat out of the backfield, he recorded 561 yards on 39 receptions and four touchdowns a season ago. This year, the sky is the limit for this Kent State running back, he's elusive and a speed threat and he's also had another year to grow and get stronger. Watch for big things from Archer in the Golden Flashes uniform for the final season.
4. Bernard Reedy, WR, Toledo: The reason I have Reedy on this list is due to the fact that he is on

   

   Toledo wide receiver, Bernard Reedy should find the
   endzone several times this season as a senior.
   Picture Courtesy: Baynews9.com

   pace for a breakout season. With fellow senior, Terrance Owens returning at quarterback, this duo will find the endzone several times this year. Last season, Reedy was named to the All-MAC offense first team after a season which he totaled 89 receptions, 1,105 yards, and six touchdowns. The reason why Reedy is so impactful is because the Rockets have yet to find wide receivers number three and four. Reedy and Alonzo Russell have been a great duo together in the receiving core, but other than those two, there is not much to report. Owens and Reedy will be hooking up several times this season, so watch for Reedy to find the endzone several times during his senior campaign. 
5. Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo: What a season last season for Mack. Not only did he rack up 90 total tackles, but he also recorded eight sacks and was a bright spot for the dim Buffalo Bulls program. This season, Mack is on the Lombardi, Butkus, Nagurski, and Bednarik award watch lists. Mack is a dominating presence who has been anchoring the Bulls linebacking core for the past three seasons. Mack made an impact during his freshman, sophomore, and junior seasons. However, this season the spotlight is on for Mack to really build a name for himself at the next level.
6. Keith Wenning, QB, Ball State: A player on the 2013 Maxwell watch list is Ball State quarterback, Keith Wenning. Wenning has proved that he can carry the work load for the Cardinals, after all he has started 33 straight games. After attempting 71 passes last season against Northern Illinois, you could tell the coaches trusted him completely. With returning weapons at wide receiver, I expect even bigger things from Wenning during his senior campaign. After throwing for 3,095 yards along with 24 touchdowns last season, he was named to the All-MAC second team. Despite the excellent season last year, Wenning had the spotlight stole from him by Jordan Lynch, who was well deserving. However, this season Wenning will need to outperform Lynch if he wants more national attention.
7. Willie Snead, WR, Ball State: A stellar sophomore season for Willie Snead gained him national attention a season ago. Last season, Snead made a name for himself after totaling 89 passes for 1,148 yards. Not only that, but Snead was tied for first in the nation with 58 players of 10 yards or more. Now, Snead is looking to build off of that for his junior season. Not only is Snead returning, but his quarterback is as well. Ball State returns quarterback Keith Wenning, who was one of the top quarterbacks in the conference last season, which can only help the outlook for Snead this season.
8. Zurlon Tipton, RB, Central Michigan: As I've said before, I don't base this list off of what these players did last season, this is for the upcoming 2013 season. With that being said, there is no limit for Zurlon Tipton of Central Michigan this season. Last season, with Ryan Radcliff as the starting quarterback, Tipton rushed for 1,492 yards. This season, there is a quarterback controversy in Mount Pleasant. With that, expect Zurlon to carry the load, that means big time numbers from him once again. Tipton is a senior this year, and one of the only offensive skilled position seniors, which means even more carries and more leadership upon his shoulder. Expect at least a 1,500 yard season and several All-MAC awards coming his way at season's end.
9. BooBoo Gates, DB, Bowling Green: Last season was a solid season for Gates, who anchored the 

   

   Bowling Green defensive back, BooBoo Gates will be
    a top defender in the Mid-American Conference this year.
   Picture Courtesy: ToledoBlade.com

   Bowling Green defense. However, this season I fully expect him to be in the running for MAC Defensive Player of the Year. During Gates' junior season he totaled 41 tackles and two interceptions, just two stats that should be greatly on the rise this season, that is if MAC offenses even want to throw his way.
10. Justin Cherocci, LB, Central Michigan: This confuses me. Explain to be how a guy who records 132 total tackles as a sophomore doesn't make an All-MAC defensive team and only gets named to the 2013 All-MAC defensive third team watch list? No. That's a joke! Justin Cherocci is a beast, he reads plays like very few can in the Mid-American Conference. Cherocci was fifth in the MAC with his 132 tackles and ranked 19th nationally, but can't even get mentioned as a top player in the conference? Well here it is, I'll be the one to give Cherocci some love. Not only did he record triple digits in tackles, but he had eight games this season in which he recorded double digits in the tackle column. This season, as only a junior, look for him to emerge as one of the top linebackers in the conference as a truly underestimated player.
11. Tyler Tettleton, QB, Ohio: The reason why Tettleton is on this list and not other great MAC 
    quarterbacks? The pass proficiency. 18 touchdowns versus four interceptions, that stat really stands out. Tettleton takes care of the ball, while being extremely productive for the Bobcats. Tettleton was hiden behind three MAC quarterbacks last season in Jordan Lynch, Keith Wenning, and Zac Dysert of Miami. However, this season, that will change. Tettleton threw for 2,844 yards last season with the 18 touchdowns that I mentioned, and now is a redshirt senior who is looking for some of the MAC spotlight. Ohio will be a dangerous team in the Mid-American Conference, and guess who the leader of the Bobcats is? That's right, none other than Tyler Tettleton.
12. Gabe Martin, LB, Bowling Green: Originally, I wanted the list down to ten, however, it's hard to leave a player like Gabe Martin off of the list. The reason you see Martin's name on this list isn't because of last year's production. It's because of the production he can have this season. Martin had a good redshirt sophomore season recording a team-high 70 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Along with BooBoo Gates, the Bowling Green defense had a great season last year, but looks to become even better this season. Martin has a talent to get into the backfield and blow plays up, which is why I fully expect him to improve off of his All-MAC defensive first team season a year ago.

Questions? Comments? Contact me on Twitter: @ZHarig23