For a conference that has to play a lot of midweek games in November to get exposure, the MAC sure has produced some incredible talent at the quarterback position over the past few decades.
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The list of standout QBs from the Mid-American since 2000 includes Byron Leftwich, Ben Roethlisberger, Julian Edelman, Chad Pennington and dozens more.
Which current MAC signal-callers have a chance to follow in these gentlemen's footsteps? Let's take a look.
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Logan Woodside – Toledo
Woodside led the entire FBS in touchdown passes last year with 45. Equally impressive were just 9 interceptions on 418 attempts.
The 6' 2", 210-pound senior has already thrown for 2,295 yards and 19 scores through 8 games and could have 6 more tries to add to his total if the Rockets make their conference championship game and receive a bowl invite, which it most certainly will having already won 7 games.
Woodside isn't much of a runner so he'd make sense for an NFL squad looking for a classic pocket passer in 2018.
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Nathan Rourke – Ohio
Just a sophomore, Rourke's ability to make plays with both his arm and legs are a big reason Ohio is in the thick of the conference race.
The same height as Woodside, Rourke has thrown for 13 touchdowns against 3 interceptions. Just as impressive is his running. Rourke has already ripped off 553 yards on the ground for an average of 6.2 per carry. He has a long of 75 yards, back-to-back-back 100-yard rushing performances, and an astounding 16 TDs on the ground.
With two more years to polish his game, Rourke could be a steal in the 2020 NFL Draft.
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Jon Wassink – Western Michigan
Another sophomore showing promise is Joe Wassink of Western Michigan. The Grand Rapids native has tossed 14 touchdowns to just 4 interceptions. His most impressive performances came against Wagner when he completed 91.7% of his passes and at Buffalo where he threw 5 touchdowns in a wild 71-68 7OT win back in week 6.
With two more years left with the Broncos, he's definitely a QB to keep an eye on.
Western Michigan QB Jon Wassink Earns Davey O’Brien "Great 8" Performance for Week 6: https://t.co/rCHYgdTYuE pic.twitter.com/LDiZtJ4cLm
— WMU Football (@WMU_Football) October 9, 2017
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Tyree Jackson and Drew Anderson – Buffalo
For a team that's currently 3-6, the Bulls certainly have a wealth of riches behind center.
The only problem is keeping both Tyree Jackson and Drew Anderson healthy.
The sophomore Jackson earned the starting gig over the summer, but when he went down to injury junior QB Drew Anderson caught fire, which included a 597-yard passing, 7-touchdown performance in that wild overtime thriller against WMU.
Anderson is battling injuries of his own now, and the Bulls must win out to finish bowl eligible at 6-6, but it should be one heck of a race next summer to see who lines up behind center week 1 against Delaware State.
