CLEVELAND - Western Michigan football garnered seven nods to Phil Steele's Mid-Season All-Conference Team and Jamarko Simmons, a first team all-conference honoree, was named Fourth Team Phil Steele's All-American. Brandon West (KR) and Londen Fryar (CB) also earned first team all-conference nods, while Branden Ledbetter (TE), Nick Varcadipane (DT) and Anthony Gebhart (FS) were named second team all-conference. Mark Bonds rounded out the list, earning third team all-conference.
Simmons is having a breakout junior campaign with 55 receptions for 639 yards and six touchdowns half way through the season. His 2006 output was 61 receptions for 668 yards and three scores, marks he either has or will surpass in 2007. The Flint, Mich., native has four games with double-digit receptions and has gone over the century mark in receiving four times as well with a career-matching 172 yards against Akron. Simmons currently ranks fourth in the country in receptions per game (9.17) and ninth in receiving yards per game (106.50).
West burst onto the scene as a true freshman, returning kicks and sharing the backfield with a 1,000-yard rusher. The Brunswick, Ga., solidified his claim as one of the Mid-American Conference's kick returners with a 98-yard return for a score against Indiana. West had five kick off returns for 212 yards, a WMU and MAC single-game record, against the Hoosiers and 346 all-purpose yards, also a school record. This comes one season after West ranked fifth in the conference all-time for all-purpose yards in a season by a freshman (1,344 yards).
Fryar, in his second year on the defensive side of the ball, is leading the MAC in pass deflections with 12, including 11 pass break ups and one interception. The pick, which came on the goal line as Toledo was driving for a score, was the sixth of Fryar's career. The Jobbstown, N.J., native set a Western Michigan record against Akron, breaking up six passes. Three of the break ups came on consecutive plays as the Zips attempted to tie the score late in the game.
Ledbetter is rising up the elite list of great Western Michigan tight ends during his junior campaign. The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native is currently tied with Mobolaji Afariogun for third on the all-time list for TD receptions by a tight end with 11. He ranks second on the team in both receptions (22) and receiving yards (275) and has snagged a touchdown receptions in three games so far in 2007.
Gebhart, who has started five of six games at safety, is the Bronco team leader in tackles with 50 (28 solo) at the half way mark of the season. Gebhart also boasts an interception, three pass break ups and 2.0 tackles for loss.
Varcadipane is anchoring a seasoned defensive line during his junior season. The 2005 fresman all-America honoree has 15 stops this year with 1.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks and an impressive two pass break ups from his defensive tackle position.
Bonds, after rushing for 1,082 yards as a junior, is climbing up the ranks of Western Michigan running backs. His 2006 effort was seventh-best for a season at WMU and he is now just the 11th Bronco running back to eclipse the 2,000-yard mark running the ball. He is now eighth on the all-time list with 2,151 career rushing yards and is 233 yards from taking over the seventh spot on the list. Bonds captured a new career high for a game with 143 yards against Toledo on a night when Western Michigan saw two running backs go over 100 yards rushing in a game for the first time since Nov. 18, 1995.
Phil Steele's College Football Preview is one of the nation's most informative preseason football magazines and has always provided a preseason All-American team as well as preseason All-Conference teams. This 2007 football season is the inaugural year for these mid-season honors.
