KALAMAZOO, Mich.- The Western Michigan football program celebrated the 2017 senior class and presented end of the year awards at its annual banquet, Sunday, Dec. 3 at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Kalamazoo.

The 2017 seniors are the all-time winningest class in WMU history with a 35-17 record. The 15 seniors are: Caleb Bailey, Lucas Bezerra, Asantay Brown, Martin Diaz, Donnie Ernsberger, Jason Evans, Jarvion Franklin, Chukwuma Okorafor, Elliot Oldham, Wyatt Pfeifer, Darius Phillips, Austin Regan, Malik Rucker, Robert Spillane and Andre Turner.

Those players earning All-MAC status were also recognized. Darius Phillips earned three All-MAC awards, being named First Team as a defensive back and as a kick returner, while being named to the Second Team as a punt returner. Phillips also repeated as MAC Special Teams Player of the Year, becoming just the second player in MAC history to earn the award in back-to-back years and the first since Antonio Brown in 2008 & 2009.

The Broncos had three others join Phillips on the All-MAC 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.

Western Michigan team awards were as follows:

John Gill Scholar Athlete - redshirt sophomore quarterback Jon Wassink
Wassink maintains a 4.0 GPA, is an Academic All-District selection & was twice named MAC Scholar Athlete of the Week

Mike Gary Sportsmanship Award - senior defensive lineman Andre Turner
Turner was known for being one of the ultimate team players and battling through injury

Bill Johnston Community Service Award - redshirt junior Jamauri Bogan
A Wuerffel Trophy nominee, Bogan mentors through the Tree of Life Elementary School and Loy Norrix High School and is heavily involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), as well as participates in other community service projects

Outstanding Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year - freshman running back Prince Walker
Walker was a standout for the offensive scout team and is expected to have a bright future at WMU

Outstanding Defensive Scout Team Player - junior linebacker Najee Clayton
Clayton expected to be a force next year after sitting this season following a transfer from Rutgers

Iron Bronco Award - senior left tackle Chukwuma Okorafor
Presented to the player who recorded the most plays this season. Okorafor was also 1 of 6 national semifinalists for the Outland Trophy and is projected as a top NFL draft pick

John Potter Special Teams Co-Player of the Year - junior punter Derrick Mitchell
Mitchell led the nation with 33 punts inside the 20 this season, had 15 punts over 50 yards, also handled kickoff and holder duties

John Potter Special Teams Co-Player of the Year - senior KR/PR Darius Phillips
Phillips is the FBS all-time leader for runback touchdowns with 12, has five career kickoff returns for TDs - including 100-yd returns vs. USC and MSU this season, two-time MAC Special Teams Player of the Year

Greg Jennings Outstanding Offensive Player - senior tight end Donnie Ernsberger
Ernsberger scored four touchdowns and totaled 394 yards on 34 receptions. Also a key blocker for rushing game which ranked 23rd in the nation

John Offerdahl Outstanding Defensive Player - senior linebacker Asantay Brown
Brown led WMU with 98 tackles, had 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one interception

Bill Brown Most Valuable Player - senior running back Jarvion Franklin
Franklin totaled 1,228 yards, averaging 102.3 yards per game, and scored 11 TDs this year. WMU's all-time leading rusher with 4,867 yards & school-record 56 career TDs (52 rushing, 4 receiving)

Captains Award - junior OL John Keenoy, senior RB Jarvion Franklin, senior TE Donnie Ernsberger and senior LB Robert Spillane
Captains Award was voted by their teammates, these four players demonstrated the greatest leadership throughout the season