 Broncos WR Jamarko Simmons/ Courtesy GS Photo
1) Dan LeFevour, QB, Central Michigan
Anybody familiar with the MAC knows the skinny on LeFevour and his eye-popping statistics. In fact we have written about it so much that we can rattle off the numbers nearly from memory. But that doesn't make them any less impressive.
For those still not hip to LeFevour's curriculum vitae, just know that last season LeFevour became only the second player in the history of the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) to pass for over 3,000 yards and rush for over 1,000 yards, joining former Texas standout Vince Young in the exclusive 3,000/1,000 club. LeFevour also racked up an incredible 46 touchdowns (27 passing/19 rushing) in leading the Chips' potent offensive attack, guiding Central Michigan to its second straight MAC title.
In just two seasons LeFevour has already become the school's all-time leader in passing yards, completions, attempts, touchdown passes and total offense and with all of his top weapons returning for 2008, there should be more offensive fireworks in store for LeFevour and the Chippewas this season.
LeFevour is one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the country who has shown an ability to rip the heart out of opposing defenses not just with his passing, but his heady rushing skills as well. If he can lead the Chips to another title and put up similar numbers to last season, there should no excuse for not mentioning LeFevour's name in Heisman talks.
National Spotlight:Central Michigan travels to Georgia September 6 and while the Chips will be prohibitive underdogs, a solid game from LeFevour could put him squarely on the national radar, but an upset could catapult him into the headlines.
2) Nate Davis, QB, BallState
If there is anybody in the MAC that is generating nearly as much conversation as LeFevour it is fellow junior quarterback Nate Davis of Ball State.
Davis has emerged as potentially the MAC's next future NFL star quarterback. Possessing a strong arm and solid decision making abilities, Davis is coming into his junior season hoping to guide the Cardinals to their second straight bowl bid with several preseason prognosticators predicting the first MAC title for the Cardinals since 1996 on the strength of Davis' arm.
In 2007 Davis led the MAC with thirty touchdown passes (a school single season record) but possibly even more impressive was the fact that he tossed only six picks, topping the MAC in passing efficiency and passing yards per game while finishing fifteenth nationally in total offense. Over his career Davis has already passed for better than 5600 yards and 48 touchdowns.
Helping Davis' cause will be the presence again this season of two of the MAC's top pass catchers in wide receiver Dante Love and tight end Darius Hill which means that Davis and company are likely to light up the gridiron again this season with one of the nation's top aerial attacks. A few key wins, a couple of appearances on ESPN, and another steady season should mean some serious attention if Davis can guide the Cards into contention.
National Spotlight: Last season the Cards came within an eyelash of pulling an upset of Nebraska, losing 41-40. This season Davis and the Cards do not have any non-conference marquee matchups but a strong performance at home against Navy in a nationally televised contest from Muncie on September 5 could give some early-season notice to the rest of the nation.
3) Eugene Jarvis, RB, Kent State
Last season the Golden Flashes' passing attack was seriously damaged with three quarterbacks going down due to injury but it also presented an opportunity for another performer to come up big and Eugene Jarvis did not shy away from the challenge.
Taking over early on in 2007 as the Golden Flashes' featured offensive performer, Jarvis slashed his way to a league-leading 1,669 yards rushing, averaging 139.1 yards per game which was also good for fifth in the nation in 2007. In fact, Jarvis is the nation's leading returning rusher, finishing far ahead of players such as Pitt's LeSean McCoy, Wisconsin's PJ Hill and Ohio State's Chris Wells, all of whom are already garnering national attention.
Jarvis' workload however may actually decrease a bit this season if KentState quarterback Julian Edelman can remain healthy and present a passing threat. But that should not decrease Jarvis' ability to be a game changer. Using his diminutive size (5-5, 170) to run behind his line and find the open seam, Jarvis is a difficult player to bring down and once in the open field is equally tough to chase down.
Coming off a campaign that saw Jarvis set school single-season records in rushing yards and rushing yards per attempt (6.0), the junior standout was also 16th in the nation in total offense. Did we also mention that he set a school record last season with nine games of over 100 yards rushing? Those kind of numbers for most other running backs would have the likes of ESPN's Lee Corso going apoplectic.
National Spotlight: Jarvis and company will have a chance right out of the gate to make a statement with their season opener against Boston College on August 30 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. A strong game from Jarvis against the highly-regarded Eagles could set the stage for a special season.
4) Jamarko Simmons, WR, Western Michigan
Broncos' senior wide receiver Jamarko Simmons showed last season that he has the ability to be one of the conference's top receiving threats and his 2007 breakout season may just have served as an introduction to bigger things ahead in 2008.
Simmons earned first-team All-MAC honors as a junior last season by snaring a team-leading 84 receptions and his average of 81.7 yards per game was good enough for fourth in the conference but what makes Simmons especially dangerous are his deep threat and "yards after catch" abilities. Simmons recorded four 100-yard games last season and was a consistent threat.
The coaching staff was especially pleased with Simmons' ability to recognize and handle downfield adjustments, frequently bailing out quarterback Tim Hiller when Hiller was under pressure. Unfortunately most will remember Simmons for being ejected in the Broncos' 34-31 loss to Central Michigan when he was tossed out of the game early in the contest for kicking an opposing player. That, however, should not be the lasting impression most are left with this season and we foresee Simmons becoming potentially the MAC's top receiving threat this season especially if the quarterback play steadies.
National Spotlight: The Broncos have shown an ability to step up and score impressive non-conference wins such as last season's 28-19 win at Iowa and have a chance to really grab some attention with a season-opener at Nebraska on August 30 as the Cornhuskers usher in the Bo Pelini era. Last season Ball State nearly stunned the homestanding Huskers and the Broncos could be catching the Cornhuskers at just the right time -- at the start of the season under a new regime. A perfect opportunity for Simmons to announce his presence.
5) James Starks, RB, Buffalo
Just a few years ago who would have reasonably thought that an offensive performer from Buffalo would be mentioned for potential national attention? Well, believe it folks, because Starks is the real deal and Buffalo, with head coach Turner Gill at the helm, is getting plenty of attention from the national press.
Like Simmons, Starks is coming off of a breakout season in 2007, rushing for 1,103 yards thus becoming the first Bulls player to top the 1,000 yard rushing mark since Buffalo transitioned into Division 1A. Starks' twelve rushing touchdowns were also the most in the 1A era at Buffalo and placed him among the MAC leaders. What makes us think Starks will continue his progression? Starks only seemed to get stronger and better as the 2007 season progressed, averaging nearly 130 yards rushing per game over the last seven games of the season.
Starks is also a pass receiving threat out of the backfield, hauling in 41 receptions and two scores. Big play ability is also not foreign to Starks as the senior had four scores that covered 70 yards or more last season. With senior leadership under center in quarterback Drew Willy, Starks and the Bulls' offense could be a handful this season and if the Bulls under Gill continue to turn things around there will be plenty of national attention thanks to Gill's status as an up and coming star in the coaching ranks and Starks could well find himself in the middle of such coverage.
National Spotlight: Buffalo travels to Pittsburgh on September 6 and an early season knockout of a Big East opponent on their turf may be the Bulls', and Starks', best shot at scoring some early season attention.
Next up: The Defense.
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