CLEVELAND, Ohio. – Senior defensive lineman Ali Fayad was named Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year on Wednesday, as nine different Western Michigan football players were recognized by the league with All-Conference Honors.
 
Senior offensive lineman Mike Caliendo, sophomore wide receiver Skyy Moore, and Fayad received First Team All-MAC honors. Sophomore quarterback Kaleb Eleby, sophomore running back Sean Tyler, senior defensive lineman Ralph Holley, junior linebacker Zaire Barnes and junior corner back Dorian Jackson were named to the second team, and junior linebacker Corvin Moment earned third team honors.
 
2021 MAC Specialty Award Winners
 
Coach of the Year:  Thomas Hammock, Northern Illinois
Offensive Player of the Year:  Lew Nichols III, RB, Central Michigan
Defensive Player of the Year: Ali Fayad, DL, Western Michigan
Special Teams Player of the Year: Kalil Pimpleton, PR, Central Michigan
Freshman of the Year:  Jay Ducker, RB, Northern Illinois
Vern Smith Leadership Award Winner:  Dustin Crum, QB, Kent State
 
2021 All-MAC First Team Offense
Quarterback – Dustin Crum, Kent State
Offensive Lineman – Sidy Sow, Eastern Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Bernhard Raimann, Central Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Luke Goedeke, Central Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Bryce Harris, Toledo
Offensive Lineman – Mike Caliendo, Western Michigan
Tight End – Christian Sims, Bowling Green
Wide Receiver – Kalil Pimpleton, Central Michigan
Wide Receiver – Dante Cephas, Kent State
Wide Receiver – Jack Sorenson, Miami
Wide Receiver – Skyy Moore, Western Michigan
Running Back – Lew Nichols III, Central Michigan
Running Back – Bryant Koback, Toledo
Placekicker – Nate Needham, Bowling Green
 
2021 All-MAC First Team Defense
Down Lineman – Troy Hairston, Central Michigan
Down Lineman – Kameron Butler, Miami
Down Lineman – Jamal Hines, Toledo
Down Lineman – Ali Fayad, Western Michigan
Linebacker – Darren Anders, Bowling Green
Linebacker – James Patterson, Buffalo
Linebacker – Troy Brown, Central Michigan
Linebacker – Ivan Pace Jr. Miami
Defensive Back – Bryce Cosby, Ball State
Defensive Back – Elvis Hines, Kent State
Defensive Back – C.J. Brown, Northern Illinois
Defensive Back – Sam Womack, Toledo
Defensive Back – Tycen Anderson, Toledo
Punter – Nathan Snyder, Ball State
 
2021 All-MAC First Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Justin Hall, Ball State
Kickoff Return Specialist – Kalil Pimpleton, Central Michigan
 
 
 
2021 All-MAC Second Team Offense
Quarterback – Kaleb Eleby, Western Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Curtis Blackwell, Ball State
Offensive Lineman – Jake Fuzak, Buffalo
Offensive Lineman – Bill Kuduk, Kent State
Offensive Lineman – Nolan Potter, Northern Illinois
Offensive Lineman – Brayden Patton, Northern Illinois
Tight End – Tristian Brank, Akron
Wide Receiver – Konata Mumpfield, Akron
Wide Receiver – Justin Hall, Ball State
Wide Receiver – Hassan Beydoun, Eastern Michigan
Wide Receiver – Trayvon Rudolph, Northern Illinois
Running Back – Marquez Cooper, Kent State
Running Back – Sean Tyler, Western Michigan
Placekicker – Chad Ryland, Eastern Michigan
 
2021 All-MAC Second Team Defense
Down Lineman – Daymond Williams, Buffalo
Down Lineman – Lonnie Phelps, Miami
Down Lineman – Desjuan Johnson, Toledo
Down Lineman – Ralph Holley, Western Michigan
Linebacker – Jaylin Thomas, Ball State
Linebacker – Matthew Salopek, Miami
Linebacker – Jonathan Jones, Toledo
Linebacker – Zaire Barnes, Western Michigan
Defensive Back – Jordan Anderson, Bowling Green
Defensive Back – Devonni Reed, Central Michigan
Defensive Back – Sterling Weatherford, Miami
Defensive Back – Dorian Jackson, Western Michigan
Punter – Jake Julien, Eastern Michigan
 
2021 All-MAC Second Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Trayvon Rudolph, Northern Illinois
Kickoff Return Specialist – Devin Maddox, Toledo
 
 
 
2021 All-MAC Third Team Offense
Quarterback – Brett Gabbert, Miami
Offensive Lineman – Jack Klenk, Buffalo
Offensive Lineman – Brian Dooley, Eastern Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Nathan Monnin, Kent State
Offensive Lineman – Logan Zschernitz, Northern Illinois
Offensive Lineman – Vitaliy Gurman, Toledo
Tight End – Thomas Odukoya, Eastern Michigan
Wide Receiver – Quian Williams, Buffalo
Wide Receiver – Dallas Dixon, Central Michigan
Wide Receiver – JaCorey Sullivan, Central Michigan
Wide Receiver – Mac Hippenhammer, Miami
Running Back – Dylan McDuffie, Buffalo
Running Back – Clint Ratkovich, Northern Illinois
Placekicker – Andrew Glass, Kent State
 
2021 All-MAC Third Team Defense
Down Lineman – Karl Brooks, Bowling Green
Down Lineman – Jose Ramirez, Eastern Michigan
Down Lineman – Dominique Robinson, Miami
Down Lineman – James Ester, Northern Illinois
Linebacker – Lance Deveaux, Northern Illinois
Linebacker – Bryce Houston, Ohio
Linebacker – Dyontae Johnson, Toledo
Linebacker – Corvin Moment, Western Michigan
Defensive Back – Devin Taylor, Bowling Green
Defensive Back – Jordan Gandy, Northern Illinois
Defensive Back – Tariq Drake, Ohio
Defensive Back – Maxen Hook, Toledo
Punter – Matt Naranjo, Bowling Green
 
2021 All-MAC Third Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Ron Cook, Buffalo
Kickoff Return Specialist – Marion Lukes, Central Michigan