Overview on 2020 Quarterback Commits to Mid-American Conference
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The action on the gridiron during the 2019 Mid-American Conference season is mirroring life along the recruiting trail. During a season when most of the 12 teams were separated by one or two wins, many of the squads are bunched together in groups fighting for the top recruiting ranking as we near the early signing period for the 2020 recruiting class. Furthermore, all teams appear to have their quarterback with a foundation to build upon before National Signing Day on Feb. 7, 2020.
Seeing Western Michigan and Miami-Ohio one-and-two in the MAC recruiting rankings is no surprise after the teams finished atop their respective divisions this year. While the Broncos are not leading the MAC charge in total verbal commitments (20), they do have the most three-star prospects expected to sign with 18. Miami (22), Bowling Green (24), and Northern Illinois (22) appear close to finishing out their recruiting hauls. The next six (Toledo, Ball State, Eastern Michigan, Akron, Kent State, and Central Michigan) all have 12 or 13 verbal pledges. Buffalo and Ohio have more ground to make up with nine commits each.
Per the 247 rankings, Toledo and Western Michigan has the top two rated pro-style QB coming in with Gavin Hall and Jack Salopek followed by Akron’s Joey Marousek. In the dual-threat category, Bufallo’s Casey Case is top-rated ranked No. 39 in the nation. Ball State and Miami have quarterback commits rated as an “athlete” not as a quarterback.
Mid-American Conference QB Commits
Akron – Joey Marousek – North Royalton (OH) – No. 48 dual-threat
Ball State – Ryan Lezon – Southport (IN) – not ranked as a QB, as an ATH
Bowling Green – Tucker Melton – Central (AL) – pro-style No. 49
Bowling Green – Riley Keller – Whitmer (OH) – pro-style No. 59
Buffalo – Casey Case – Winter Park (FL) – No. 39 dual-threat
Central Michigan – Tyler Pape – Western (MI) – pro-style No. 78
Eastern Michigan – Baron May – New Philadelphia (OH) – No. 46 dual-threat
Kent State – Ryan Stubblefield – Foster (TX) – pro-style No. 108
Miami – Aveon Smith – White Knoll (SC) – not ranked as a QB, as an ATH
Miami – Freddy Edwards – Granite City (IL) – not ranked as a QB, as an ATH
Northern Illinois – Dustin Fletcher – Carman-Ainsworth (MI) – No. 29 dual-threat
Ohio – CJ Harris – West Bloomfield (MI) – dual-threat No. 58
Toledo – Gavin Hall – Harrison (GA) – pro-style No. 36
Western Michigan – Jack Salopek – Norwin (PA) – pro-style No. 44
Recruit Spotlight – Ryan Lezon 
Although consider by some as a next level athlete, Ryan Lezon was the do-everything QB for his Southport squad during the 2019 season. Completing 65 percent of his passes, he threw for 2,170 yards with 27 touchdowns against just six picks in 256 attempts. He also led his team in rushing yards (663) and scores (7) with the third fewest totes on the roster (87).
Photo credit: twitter.com; Ryan Lezon at Ball State (June 2019)