KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Western Michigan's Darius Phillips was named the Mid-American Conference Special Teams Player of the Year for the second straight season and in total, the Broncos had 12 all-conference selections.

Phillips accounted for three of the 12 All-MAC recognitions, being named to the First Team as a kickoff return specialist and defensive back, while earning Second Team honors as a punt returner. Repeating as Special Teams Player of the Year, he became just the second MAC player to win the award in back-to-back seasons and the first since Antonio Brown in 2008 & 2009.

The Broncos had three others join Phillips on the First Team, running back Jarvion Franklin, offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor and center John Keenoy. The other Second Team honorees included right guard Luke Juriga, tight end Donnie Ernsberger, defensive back Sam Beal and linebacker Robert Spillane. Linebacker Asantay Brown and punter Derrick Mitchell were each named Third Team All-MAC.

MAC West champion Toledo had seven First-Team selections, followed by Western Michigan with five First-Team selections and Northern Illinois with four First-Team honorees. Overall, Ohio and Western Michigan set the pace with 12 All-MAC honorees each, followed by Northern Illinois with 10 All-MAC selections and Toledo and Central Michigan with nine All-MAC honorees.

FIRST TEAM ALL-MAC
Running Back – Jarvion Franklin, Senior
Rushed for a league-best 1,228 yards, averaging 102.3 yards per game, and scored 11 touchdowns. WMU's all-time leading rusher with 4,867 career yards, which ranks fifth all-time in MAC history and 33rd in FBS history. Has school-record 56 career touchdowns (52 rushing, 4 receiving), 52 rushing TDs ties for fourth most in history of the MAC, 28th all-time in FBS. Two-time MAC West Offensive Player of the Week this season.

Offensive Lineman – Chukwuma Okorafor, Senior
Earns First-Team All-MAC for second straight season. Was 1 of 6 national semifinalists for the Outland Trophy. Projected as a first round NFL draft pick. Invited to the Reese's Senior Bowl. Broncos rank 23rd in the nation in rushing offense with 224.8 yards rushing per game.

Offensive Lineman – John Keenoy, Junior
Started all 11 games played at center. Was on the preseason watch lists for the Rimington Trophy and the Outland Trophy. Second Team All-MAC selection last season. Broncos rank 23rd in the nation in rushing offense with 224.8 yards rushing per game.

Defensive Back – Darius Phillips, Senior
Third straight season earning All-MAC recognition at cornerback, was also a First Team selection last season and named Second Team in 2015. Had three interceptions, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one sack and 10 pass breakups. Accounted for two of WMU's five defensive touchdowns. Ran back a 67-yard fumble recovery for a TD at Michigan State. Returned a 43-yard interception for his fifth career pick-six, tying an FBS record. Phillips has 12 career runbacks, an FBS record.

Kickoff Return Specialist – Darius Phillips, Senior
Third straight season earning All-MAC honoring as a kickoff specialist, was a Second Team honoree last season and Third Team selection in 2015. Invited to the Reese's Senior Bowl. Totaled 683 yards on 26 returns. Had 100-yard returns for touchdowns in back-to-back weeks to open the season, scoring at USC and Michigan State. Is the MAC's all-time leader for career kickoff return yards with 3,145, ranking fifth all-time in FBS history. Has five career kickoff return touchdowns, also most in MAC history, ranks 10th in FBS. Has 12 career runbacks, an FBS record. Two-time MAC Specialist of the Week this season.

SECOND TEAM ALL-MAC
Offensive Lineman – Luke Juriga, Redshirt Sophomore
Played and started all 12 games. Started 11 games at right guard and one game at center. Broncos rank 23rd in the nation in rushing offense with 224.8 yards rushing per game.

Tight End – Donnie Ernsberger, Senior
Second straight season earning an All-MAC honor, was a Third Team selection last year. Has been invited to play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. Scored four touchdowns and totaled 394 yards on 34 receptions. Also a key blocker for rushing game which ranks 23rd in the nation with 224.8 yards per game.

Inside Linebacker – Robert Spillane, Senior
Second year in a row being named Second Team All-MAC. Recorded 88 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks. Had four games with 10 or more tackles. Returned a 35-yard interception for a pick six against Kent State. Recovered a fumble at Northern Illinois.

Defensive Back – Sam Beal, Junior
Had two interceptions, one forced fumble, 26 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and 10 pass breakups.

Punt Return Specialist – Darius Phillips, Senior
Second year in a row being named Second Team All-MAC as a punt return specialist. Totaled 104 yards on 13 returns, averaging 8.0 yards per return. Had a season-long 49 yard return vs. Idaho.

THIRD TEAM ALL-MAC
Outside Linebacker – Asantay Brown, Senior
Third season earning an All-MAC honor, was a Second Team selection last year and Third Team selection in 2015. Led Western Michigan with 98 tackles, ranking fifth most in the MAC. Averaged 8.2 tackles per game. Had 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one interception. Also had two quarterback hurries and three pass breakups.

Punter – Derrick Mitchell, Junior
Made 65 punts, totaling 2,756 yards, averaging 42.4 yards per punt. Leads FBS with 33 punts inside the 20. Had 15 punts of 50 or more yards with a career high of 65.



OVERALL CONFERENCE SELECTIONS
2017 MAC Specialty Award Winners
Coach of the Year:  Jason Candle, Toledo
Offensive Player of the Year:  QB Logan Woodside, Toledo
Defensive Player of the Year:  DE Sutton Smith, Northern Illinois
Special Teams Player of the Year: KR Darius Phillips, Western Michigan
Freshman of the Year:  QB Marcus Childers, Northern Illinois
Vern Smith Leadership Award Winner:  QB Logan Woodside, Toledo

2017 FIRST TEAM ALL-MAC
2017 All-MAC First Team Offense
Position – Name - School
Quarterback – Logan Woodside, Toledo @
Offensive Linemen – Max Scharping, Northern Illinois @
Offensive Linemen – Chukwuma Okorafor, Western Michigan @
Offensive Lineman – Elijah Nkansah, Toledo
Offensive Linemen – Brant Weiss, Toledo
Offensive Linemen – John Keenoy, Western Michigan #
Tight End – Shane Wimann, Northern Illinois
Wide Receiver – Diontae Johnson, Toledo
Wide Receiver – Anthony Johnson, Buffalo
Wide Receiver – James Gardner, Miami ^
Wide Receiver – Sergio Bailey II, Eastern Michigan ^
Running Back – Jarvion Franklin, Western Michigan #&
Running Back – Terry Swanson, Toledo *
Placekicker – Jameson Vest, Toledo

2017 All-MAC First Team Defense
Position – Name - School
Outside Linebacker – Ulysees Gilbert, Akron @
Outside Linebacker – Jim Jones, Kent State
Inside Linebacker – Khalil Hodge, Buffalo #
Inside Linebacker – Quentin Poling, Ohio @!
Down Lineman – Sutton Smith, Northern Illinois
Down Lineman – Maxx Crosby, Eastern Michigan
Down Lineman – Joe Ostman, Central Michigan #%
Down Lineman – Anthony Winbush, Ball State ^
Defensive Back – Amari Coleman, Central Michigan @
Defensive Back – Darius Phillips, Western Michigan @*
Defensive Back – Brody Hoying, Eastern Michigan
Defensive Back – Shawun Lurry, Northern Illinois #=
Punter – Joe Davidson, Bowling Green @=

2017 All-MAC First Team Specialists
Position – Name - School
Kickoff Return Specialist – Darius Phillips, Western Michigan #%
Punt Return Specialist – Diontae Johnson, Toledo


2017 SECOND TEAM ALL-MAC
2017 All-MAC Second Team Offense
Position – Name - School
Quarterback – Nathan Rourke, Ohio
Offensive Lineman – Jake Pruehs, Ohio ^
Offensive Lineman – Jimmy Leatiota, Eastern Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Joe Lowery, Ohio
Offensive Lineman – Luke Juriga, Western Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Joe Anderson, Ohio
Tight End – Donnie Ernsberger, Western Michigan ^
Wide Receiver – Corey Willis, Central Michigan #
Wide Receiver – Justin Hall, Ball State
Wide Receiver – Papi White, Ohio
Wide Receiver – Teo Redding, Bowling Green
Running Back – A.J. Ouellette, Ohio
Running Back – Jonathan Ward, Central Michigan
Placekicker – Jake Suder, Bowling Green
 
2017 All-MAC Second Team Defense
Position – Name - School
Outside Linebacker – Bobby Jones IV, Northern Illinois
Outside Linebacker – Chad Moore, Ohio
Inside Linebacker – Robert Spillane, Western Michigan #
Inside Linebacker – Malik Fountain, Central Michigan @
Down Lineman – Jeremiah Harris, Eastern Michigan ^
Down Lineman – Olasunkanmi Adeniyi, Toledo
Down Lineman – Demone Harris, Buffalo
Down Lineman – Jon Cunningham, Kent State ^
Defensive Back – Alvin Davis, Akron
Defensive Back – Josh Cox, Central Michigan ^
Defensive Back – Sam Beal, Western Michigan
Defensive Back – Javon Hagan, Ohio #
Punter – Derek Adams, Kent State

2017 All-MAC Second Team Specialists
Position – Name - School
Kickoff Return Specialist – Diontae Johnson, Toledo
Punt Return Specialist – Darius Phillips, Western Michigan #


2017 THIRD TEAM ALL-MAC
2017 All-MAC Third Team Offense
Position – Name - School
Quarterback – Brogan Roback, Eastern Michigan
Offensive Lineman – JP Quinn, Central Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Jordan Steckler, Northern Illinois
Offensive Lineman – James O'Hagan, Buffalo ^
Offensive Lineman – Vinnie Palazeti, Ball State
Offensive Lineman – Jordan Rigg, Miami
Tight End – Tyler Conklin, Central Michigan
Wide Receiver – Mark Chapman, Central Michigan
Wide Receiver – Scott Miller, Bowling Green @
Wide Receiver – Tra'Von Chapman, Akron
Wide Receiver – Spencer Tears, Northern Illinois
Running Back – Jordan Huff, Northern Illinois
Running Back – Andrew Clair, Bowling Green
Placekicker – Louie Zervos, Ohio @

2017 All-MAC Third Team Defense
Position – Name - School
Outside Linebacker – Jawuan Johnson, Northern Illinois
Outside Linebacker – Asantay Brown, Western Michigan #!
Inside Linebacker – Jason Beck, Eastern Michigan
Inside Linebacker – Nate Locke, Bowling Green
Down Lineman – Chuck Harris, Buffalo
Down Lineman – Josh Corcoran, Northern Illinois
Down Lineman – Jamal Davis, Akron
Down Lineman – Ikeem Allen, Miami
Defensive Back – Heath Harding, Miami @
Defensive Back – Demetrius Monday, Kent State =
Defensive Back – Bradd Ellis, Ohio
Defensive Back – Vince Calhoun, Eastern Michigan
Punter – Derrick Mitchell, Western Michigan
 
2017 All-MAC Third Team Specialists
Position – Name - School
Kickoff Return Specialist – Malik Dunner, Ball State
Punt Return Specialist – Papi White, Ohio

 
@ 2016 First-Team All-MAC
# 2016 Second-Team All-MAC
^ 2016 Third-Team All-MAC

= 2015 First-Team All-MAC
* 2015 Second-Team All-MAC
! 2015 Third-Team All-MAC

& 2014 First-Team All-MAC
+ 2014 Second-Team All-MAC
% 2014 Third-Team All-MAC