In 2023, seven MAC prospects were selected in the NFL Draft. Eastern Michigan offensive lineman Sidy Sow was the first MAC player selected, going in the fourth round to the Patriots.
Now looking forward to next year, here are the top Mid-American Conference prospects who could be chosen in the 2024 NFL Draft.
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NFL Draft MAC Big Board
Rk | Player | Pos. | Team |
1 | Quinyon Mitchell | DB | Toledo |
2 | Nolan Potter | OL | NIU |
3 | Brian Dooley | OL | Eastern Michigan |
4 | Marquez Cooper | RB | Ball State |
5 | Kurtis Rourke | QB | Ohio |
6 | Clayton Coll | LB | Ball State |
7 | Nate Bauer | DB | Toledo |
8 | Samson Evans | RB | Eastern Michigan |
9 | Sam Wiglusz | WR | Ohio |
10 | Brett Gabbert | QB | Miami (Ohio) |
NFL Draft: MAC Top Prospects
1. Quinyon Mitchell, DB, Toledo
Mitchell is widely regarded as the best Group of Five prospect this year. The Rockets cornerback was first in Pro Football Focus’ grades of FBS cornerbacks last season. The NFL passer rating on throws his way was 34.8, which was the eighth-best among those who played at least 200 snaps in 2022. The 6-foot, 196-pound junior also led the country with 25 passes defended last year.
2. Nolan Potter, OL, Northern Illinois
Potter, a 6-6, 301-pound redshirt senior, made All-MAC teams the past two years. In 2022, he allowed just two sacks and two quarterback hits while playing primarily at right tackle. He was a first-team HERO Sports G5 Preseason All-American and has followed that up by ranking seventh in PFF’s pass-blocking grades among all FBS tackles through three games in 2023.
3. Brian Dooley, OL, Eastern Michigan
Dooley allowed just two sacks and five quarterback hits last year and might be getting even better. Through three games, the 6-5, 313-pounder was 24th in PFF’s overall grades of G5 tackles and has allowed just two pressures.
4. Kurtis Rourke, QB, Ohio
Rourke missed some of last season and the 2023 season due to injury, but the potential is clearly there. The reigning MAC Offensive Player of the Year threw for 3,256 yards, 25 touchdowns, and four interceptions while completing 69% of his passes last year.
5. Marquez Cooper, RB, Ball State
Cooper hasn’t had the best start to the season, but he was thought of as the best MAC running back after 2022. The 5-8, 184-pound redshirt junior was on the All-MAC first team while playing for Kent State before this season and rushed for 1,331 yards and 13 touchdowns a season ago. He was sixth in that program’s record books with 2,813 career rushing yards and fifth with 29 touchdowns on the ground.