Who watches the watchlists? Well, we do for one! Here’s our summary of all the MAC names on the various trophy watchlists for the 2024 preseason.
Fall camps are right around the corner, and with that, so too are the slow, slow drip of superlative lists.
Every year, the tens of thousands of eligible players in the NCAA are scouted and eventually denoted as parties of interest for preseason watchlists. Earning a nomination for an award places a player on the track to win the trophy at the end of the season, when they are all presented en masse.
The MAC is no exception, often hauling in multiple nominations for each award. Below, we’ve kept track of the players named to each preseason watchlist and some stats about said player.
This page is constantly updating, so feel free to come back as of ten as you need to.
2024 Preseason Watch Lists
Maxwell Award (best overall player)
- Maxen Hook, SAF, Toledo
Hook is set to be the defensive leader of the Rockets in 2024 after a number of graduations on that side of the ball. Finished the 2023 campaign with 69 tackles, three interceptions and seven pass break-ups despite missing five games, earning first-team all-MAC honors at defensive back. Has 249 career tackles, 6.5 tackles-for-loss, two sacks, five interceptions and 16 PBUs over four seasons.
- Terion Stewart, HB, Bowling Green
Stewart returns to the BG backfield as the primary back in 2024 after a breakout 2023 campaign. Finished with 762 rushing yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 6.3 yards per carry— despite missing five games with injury. Has 1,469 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns over three seasons.
Outland Award (best offensive lineman)
- Jacob Gideon, OL, Western Michigan
Gideon has played in and started 35 contests at the guard and center positions for WMU, missing only two games over his career due to injury. Earned first-team all-MAC honors in 2023. Previously nominated for the Rimington Award watchlist twice.
- Reid Holskey, OL, Miami
Holskey has played in and started all 40 career appearances at right tackle for Miami over three seasons. Earned second-team all-MAC honors in 2023.
- Alex Wollschlaeger, OL, Bowling Green
A contributor since his true freshman year, Wollenschlaeger has appeared in 32 games, starting 27 games, mostly from right tackle. Earned third-team all-MAC honors in 2023.
Nagurski Award (best defensive player)
- Maxen Hook, SAF, Toledo
- CJ Nunnally IV, DL, Akron
Nunnally, a JUCO product via Independence [KS] CC, started all 12 games along the defensive line for Akron in 2023, finishing with 65 tackles, 15.5 tackles-for-loss, seven sacks and eight QB hurries. Earned first-team all-MAC honors.
- Matt Salopek, LB, Miami
A familiar presence in the middle of Miami’s defense, Salopek finished 2023 with 143 tackles, 8.5 tackles-for-loss, three sacks and an interception en route to MAC Defensive Player of the Year honors. Earned first-team all-MAC honors in 2023, second-team all-MAC in 2022 and third-team all-MAC in 2021. Has collected 392 tackles, 25.5 TFLs, 7.5 sacks, one interception and 11 pass break-ups.
Patrick Mannelly Award (best long snapper)
- Byron Floyd, LS, Buffalo
Former starting long snapper for two seasons at Pittsburgh before transferring to Buffalo in the offseason. Also logged three tackles and two fumble recoveries over two seasons at Pitt.
- Tucker Dunn, LS, Ball State
Started all 12 games for Ball State in 2023 after transferring from Colgate (FCS) last offseason, where he had 23 appearances. Logged one tackle.
Jim Thorpe Award (best defensive back)
- Donte Kent, CB/SAF, Central Michigan
Kent made a name for himself by cracking the FBS top five in pass deflections in consecutive seasons, responsible for 14 breakups in 2021 and 15 in 2022. Formerly a lockdown corner, he dabbled more into the safety position last season, racking up a career-high 58 tackles en route to his second consecutive All-MAC selection.
- Jordan Oladokun, CB, Bowling Green
Oladokun was one of the breakout stars in the MAC last season, always regularly finding his way to the ball in a Second Team All-MAC campaign. He captured four interceptions in 2023, including a fourth quarter red zone interception which all but sealed Bowling Green’s 38-27 road victory at Georgia Tech.
- Maxen Hook, SAF, Toledo
The winners of the aforementioned awards will be announced in November and December. Appearing on a preseason watchlist is not a prerequisite for winning an award.