Award Winners

Award Winners Table
Year Award Player Pos School Summary
2025Defensive Player of the YearNadame TuckerDLWestern Michigan33 Solo, 22 Ast, 14.5 Sk, 0 Int
2025Offensive Player of the YearBroc LowryQBWestern Michigan166 Cmp, 262 Att, 1803 Yds, 9 TD, 3 Int
2025Vern Smith Leadership AwardNadame TuckerDLWestern Michigan33 Solo, 22 Ast, 14.5 Sk, 0 Int
2024Defensive Player of the YearShaun DolacLBBuffalo82 Solo, 86 Ast, 6.5 Sk, 5 Int
2024Offensive Player of the YearHarold Fannin Jr.TEBowling Green117 Rec, 1555 Yds, 13.3 Avg, 10 TD
2024Vern Smith Leadership AwardHarold Fannin Jr.TEBowling Green117 Rec, 1555 Yds, 13.3 Avg, 10 TD
2023Defensive Player of the YearMatthew SalopekLBMiami (OH)74 Solo, 69 Ast, 3.0 Sk, 1 Int
2023Offensive Player of the YearPeny BooneRBToledo194 Att, 1400 Yds, 7.2 Avg, 15 TD
2023Vern Smith Leadership AwardDeQuan FinnQBToledo201 Cmp, 317 Att, 2657 Yds, 22 TD, 9 Int
2022Defensive Player of the YearJose RamirezDLEastern Michigan40 Solo, 26 Ast, 12.0 Sk, 0 Int
2022Offensive Player of the YearKurtis RourkeQBOhio244 Cmp, 353 Att, 3257 Yds, 25 TD, 4 Int
2022Vern Smith Leadership AwardKurtis RourkeQBOhio244 Cmp, 353 Att, 3257 Yds, 25 TD, 4 Int
2021Defensive Player of the YearAli FayadDLWestern Michigan27 Solo, 13 Ast, 13.0 Sk, 0 Int
2021Offensive Player of the YearLew NicholsRBCentral Michigan341 Att, 1848 Yds, 5.4 Avg, 16 TD
2021Vern Smith Leadership AwardDustin CrumQBKent State244 Cmp, 381 Att, 3206 Yds, 20 TD, 6 Int
2020Defensive Player of the YearBrandon Martin (tie)LBBall State46 Solo, 44 Ast, 1.0 Sk, 0 Int
2020Defensive Player of the YearTroy Hairston (tie)LBCentral Michigan22 Solo, 19 Ast, 5.5 Sk, 0 Int
2020Offensive Player of the YearJaret PattersonRBBuffalo141 Att, 1072 Yds, 7.6 Avg, 19 TD
2020Vern Smith Leadership AwardJaret PattersonRBBuffalo141 Att, 1072 Yds, 7.6 Avg, 19 TD
2019Defensive Player of the YearTreshaun HaywardLBWestern Michigan72 Solo, 70 Ast, 5.0 Sk, 0 Int
2019Offensive Player of the YearLeVante BellamyRBWestern Michigan266 Att, 1472 Yds, 5.5 Avg, 23 TD
2019Vern Smith Leadership AwardLeVante BellamyRBWestern Michigan266 Att, 1472 Yds, 5.5 Avg, 23 TD
2018Defensive Player of the YearSutton SmithDENorthern Illinois43 Solo, 18 Ast, 15.0 Sk, 0 Int
2018Offensive Player of the YearTyree JacksonQBBuffalo225 Cmp, 407 Att, 3131 Yds, 28 TD, 12 Int
2018Vern Smith Leadership AwardSutton SmithDENorthern Illinois43 Solo, 18 Ast, 15.0 Sk, 0 Int
2017Defensive Player of the YearSutton SmithDENorthern Illinois43 Solo, 20 Ast, 14.0 Sk, 0 Int
2017Offensive Player of the YearLogan WoodsideQBToledo264 Cmp, 411 Att, 3882 Yds, 28 TD, 8 Int
2017Vern Smith Leadership AwardLogan WoodsideQBToledo264 Cmp, 411 Att, 3882 Yds, 28 TD, 8 Int
2016Defensive Player of the YearTarell BashamDLOhio30 Solo, 20 Ast, 11.5 Sk, 0 Int
2016Offensive Player of the YearCorey DavisWRWestern Michigan97 Rec, 1500 Yds, 15.5 Avg, 19 TD
2016Vern Smith Leadership AwardZach TerrellQBWestern Michigan263 Cmp, 377 Att, 3533 Yds, 33 TD, 4 Int
2015Defensive Player of the YearJatavis BrownLBAkron62 Solo, 54 Ast, 12.0 Sk, 1 Int
2015Offensive Player of the YearMatt JohnsonQBBowling Green383 Cmp, 569 Att, 4946 Yds, 46 TD, 8 Int
2015Vern Smith Leadership AwardMatt JohnsonQBBowling Green383 Cmp, 569 Att, 4946 Yds, 46 TD, 8 Int
2014Defensive Player of the YearQuinten RollinsDBMiami (OH)53 Solo, 19 Ast, 0.0 Sk, 7 Int
2014Offensive Player of the YearJarvion FranklinRBWestern Michigan306 Att, 1551 Yds, 5.1 Avg, 24 TD
2014Vern Smith Leadership AwardGreg ManczToledo
2013Defensive Player of the YearKhalil MackLBBuffalo55 Solo, 45 Ast, 10.5 Sk, 3 Int
2013Offensive Player of the YearJordan LynchQBNorthern Illinois253 Cmp, 404 Att, 2892 Yds, 24 TD, 8 Int
2013Vern Smith Leadership AwardJordan LynchQBNorthern Illinois253 Cmp, 404 Att, 2892 Yds, 24 TD, 8 Int
2012Defensive Player of the YearChris JonesDLBowling Green27 Solo, 15 Ast, 12.5 Sk
2012Offensive Player of the YearJordan LynchQBNorthern Illinois237 Cmp, 394 Att, 3138 Yds, 25 TD, 6 Int
2012Vern Smith Leadership AwardJordan LynchQBNorthern Illinois237 Cmp, 394 Att, 3138 Yds, 25 TD, 6 Int
2011Defensive Player of the YearDrew NowakDLWestern Michigan38 Solo, 53 Ast, 8.5 Sk, 0 Int
2011Offensive Player of the YearChandler HarnishQBNorthern Illinois237 Cmp, 384 Att, 3216 Yds, 28 TD, 6 Int
2011Vern Smith Leadership AwardChandler HarnishQBNorthern Illinois237 Cmp, 384 Att, 3216 Yds, 28 TD, 6 Int
2010Defensive Player of the YearRoosevelt NixDLKent State19 Solo, 24 Ast, 10.0 Sk, 0 Int
2010Offensive Player of the YearChad SpannRBNorthern Illinois258 Att, 1388 Yds, 5.4 Avg, 22 TD
2010Vern Smith Leadership AwardChad SpannRBNorthern Illinois258 Att, 1388 Yds, 5.4 Avg, 22 TD
2009Defensive Player of the YearAdrian RobinsonLBTemple31 Solo, 15 Ast, 12.0 Sk, 1 Int
2009Offensive Player of the YearDan LefevourQBCentral Michigan318 Cmp, 456 Att, 3438 Yds, 28 TD, 7 Int
2009Vern Smith Leadership AwardDan LefevourQBCentral Michigan318 Cmp, 456 Att, 3438 Yds, 28 TD, 7 Int
2008Defensive Player of the YearLarry EnglishDLNorthern Illinois26 Solo, 11 Ast, 8.0 Sk
2008Offensive Player of the YearNate DavisQBBall State258 Cmp, 401 Att, 3591 Yds, 26 TD, 8 Int
2008Vern Smith Leadership AwardLarry EnglishDLNorthern Illinois26 Solo, 11 Ast, 8.0 Sk
2007Defensive Player of the YearClayton MullinsLBMiami (OH)69 Solo, 74 Ast, 4.0 Sk
2007Offensive Player of the YearDan LefevourQBCentral Michigan355 Cmp, 543 Att, 3652 Yds, 27 TD, 13 Int
2007Vern Smith Leadership AwardLarry EnglishDLNorthern Illinois29 Solo, 38 Ast, 10.5 Sk
2006Defensive Player of the YearAmeer IsmailLBWestern Michigan55 Solo, 35 Ast, 17.0 Sk, 2 Int
2006Offensive Player of the YearGarrett WolfeRBNorthern Illinois309 Att, 1928 Yds, 6.2 Avg, 18 TD
2006Vern Smith Leadership AwardGarrett WolfeRBNorthern Illinois309 Att, 1928 Yds, 6.2 Avg, 18 TD
2005Defensive Player of the YearDan BazuinDLCentral Michigan52 Solo, 22 Ast, 16.0 Sk
2005Offensive Player of the YearGreg JenningsWRWestern Michigan98 Rec, 1259 Yds, 12.8 Avg, 14 TD
2005Vern Smith Leadership AwardBruce Gradkowski (tie)QBToledo207 Cmp, 332 Att, 2469 Yds, 29 TD, 12 Int
2005Vern Smith Leadership AwardGreg Jennings (tie)WRWestern Michigan98 Rec, 1259 Yds, 12.8 Avg, 14 TD
2004Defensive Player of the YearJonathan GoddardDLMarshall1 Int, 23 Yds, 1 TD
2004Offensive Player of the YearOmar JacobsQBBowling Green309 Cmp, 462 Att, 4002 Yds, 41 TD, 4 Int
2004Vern Smith Leadership AwardCharlie FryeQBAkron220 Cmp, 346 Att, 2623 Yds, 18 TD, 8 Int
2003Defensive Player of the YearJason BabinDLWestern Michigan
2003Offensive Player of the YearBen RoethlisbergerQBMiami (OH)342 Cmp, 495 Att, 4486 Yds, 37 TD, 10 Int
2003Vern Smith Leadership AwardBen RoethlisbergerQBMiami (OH)342 Cmp, 495 Att, 4486 Yds, 37 TD, 10 Int
2002Defensive Player of the YearJason BabinDLWestern Michigan
2002Offensive Player of the YearByron LeftwichQBMarshall331 Cmp, 491 Att, 4268 Yds, 30 TD, 10 Int
2002Vern Smith Leadership AwardByron LeftwichQBMarshall331 Cmp, 491 Att, 4268 Yds, 30 TD, 10 Int
2001Defensive Player of the YearMax YatesLBMarshall
2001Offensive Player of the YearByron LeftwichQBMarshall315 Cmp, 470 Att, 4132 Yds, 38 TD, 7 Int
2001Vern Smith Leadership AwardByron LeftwichQBMarshall315 Cmp, 470 Att, 4132 Yds, 38 TD, 7 Int
2000Defensive Player of the YearDwight SmithDBAkron10 Int, 208 Yds, 2 TD
2000Offensive Player of the YearRobert SanfordRBWestern Michigan293 Att, 1571 Yds, 5.4 Avg, 18 TD
2000Vern Smith Leadership AwardRobert SanfordRBWestern Michigan293 Att, 1571 Yds, 5.4 Avg, 18 TD
1999Defensive Player of the YearDustin CohenMiami (OH)
1999Offensive Player of the YearChad PenningtonQBMarshall275 Cmp, 405 Att, 3799 Yds, 37 TD, 11 Int
1999Vern Smith Leadership AwardChad PenningtonQBMarshall275 Cmp, 405 Att, 3799 Yds, 37 TD, 11 Int
1998Defensive Player of the YearJojuan ArmourMiami (OH)
1998Offensive Player of the YearTravis PrenticeRBMiami (OH)365 Att, 1787 Yds, 4.9 Avg, 19 TD
1998Vern Smith Leadership AwardTravis PrenticeRBMiami (OH)365 Att, 1787 Yds, 4.9 Avg, 19 TD
1997Defensive Player of the YearJojuan ArmourMiami (OH)
1997Offensive Player of the YearRandy MossWRMarshall90 Rec, 1647 Yds, 18.3 Avg, 25 TD
1997Vern Smith Leadership AwardRandy MossWRMarshall90 Rec, 1647 Yds, 18.3 Avg, 25 TD
1996Defensive Player of the YearBrad MaynardPBall State59 Punts, 2705 Yds, 45.8 Avg
1996Offensive Player of the YearKareem WilsonQBOhio38 Cmp, 90 Att, 567 Yds, 7 TD, 2 Int
1996Vern Smith Leadership AwardBrad MaynardPBall State59 Punts, 2705 Yds, 45.8 Avg
1995Defensive Player of the YearJohnnie WilliamsDBMiami (OH)4 Int, 88 Yds, 0 TD
1995Offensive Player of the YearWasean TaitRBToledo357 Att, 1905 Yds, 5.3 Avg, 20 TD
1995Vern Smith Leadership AwardWasean TaitRBToledo357 Att, 1905 Yds, 5.3 Avg, 20 TD
1994Defensive Player of the YearVince PalkoBowling Green
1994Offensive Player of the YearBrian PruittRBCentral Michigan292 Att, 1890 Yds, 6.5 Avg, 20 TD
1994Vern Smith Leadership AwardBrian PruittRBCentral Michigan292 Att, 1890 Yds, 6.5 Avg, 20 TD
1993Defensive Player of the YearVince PalkoBowling Green
1993Offensive Player of the YearMike NeuQBBall State186 Cmp, 283 Att, 2148 Yds, 17 TD, 8 Int
1993Vern Smith Leadership AwardMike NeuQBBall State186 Cmp, 283 Att, 2148 Yds, 17 TD, 8 Int
1992Defensive Player of the YearCurt McmillanMiami (OH)
1992Offensive Player of the YearErik WhiteQBBowling Green195 Cmp, 344 Att, 2380 Yds, 17 TD, 17 Int
1992Vern Smith Leadership AwardErik WhiteQBBowling Green195 Cmp, 344 Att, 2380 Yds, 17 TD, 17 Int
1991Defensive Player of the YearCurt McmillanMiami (OH)
1991Offensive Player of the YearErik WhiteQBBowling Green185 Cmp, 323 Att, 2204 Yds, 17 TD, 10 Int
1991Vern Smith Leadership AwardErik WhiteQBBowling Green185 Cmp, 323 Att, 2204 Yds, 17 TD, 10 Int
1990Defensive Player of the YearSean MulhearnWestern Michigan
1990Offensive Player of the YearJeff BenderQBCentral Michigan145 Cmp, 262 Att, 1978 Yds, 15 TD, 8 Int
1990Vern Smith Leadership AwardJeff BenderQBCentral Michigan145 Cmp, 262 Att, 1978 Yds, 15 TD, 8 Int
1989Defensive Player of the YearGreg GarnicaBall State
1989Offensive Player of the YearDavid RileyQBBall State149 Cmp, 256 Att, 1929 Yds, 13 TD, 7 Int
1989Vern Smith Leadership AwardDavid RileyQBBall State149 Cmp, 256 Att, 1929 Yds, 13 TD, 7 Int
1988Defensive Player of the YearGreg GarnicaBall State
1988Offensive Player of the YearTony KimbroughQBWestern Michigan186 Cmp, 324 Att, 2465 Yds, 19 TD, 14 Int
1988Vern Smith Leadership AwardTony KimbroughQBWestern Michigan186 Cmp, 324 Att, 2465 Yds, 19 TD, 14 Int
1987Defensive Player of the YearGreg GarnicaBall State
1987Offensive Player of the YearEric WilkersonRBKent State244 Att, 1221 Yds, 5.0 Avg, 10 TD
1987Vern Smith Leadership AwardEric WilkersonRBKent State244 Att, 1221 Yds, 5.0 Avg, 10 TD
1986Defensive Player of the YearMark GaralczykWestern Michigan
1986Offensive Player of the YearTerry MorrisQBMiami (OH)193 Cmp, 308 Att, 2365 Yds, 19 TD, 10 Int
1986Vern Smith Leadership AwardTerry MorrisQBMiami (OH)193 Cmp, 308 Att, 2365 Yds, 19 TD, 10 Int
1985Defensive Player of the YearJohn OfferdahlLBWestern Michigan1 Int, 4 Yds, 0 TD
1985Offensive Player of the YearBrian McClureQBBowling Green226 Cmp, 371 Att, 2674 Yds, 18 TD, 16 Int
1985Vern Smith Leadership AwardBrian McClureQBBowling Green226 Cmp, 371 Att, 2674 Yds, 18 TD, 16 Int
1984Defensive Player of the YearMark BrandonToledo
1984Offensive Player of the YearBrian McClureQBBowling Green263 Cmp, 414 Att, 2951 Yds, 21 TD, 13 Int
1984Vern Smith Leadership AwardBrian McClureQBBowling Green263 Cmp, 414 Att, 2951 Yds, 21 TD, 13 Int
1983Defensive Player of the YearBrian PillmanMiami (OH)
1983Offensive Player of the YearBrian McClureQBBowling Green298 Cmp, 466 Att, 3264 Yds, 16 TD, 16 Int
1983Vern Smith Leadership AwardTim TyrrellQBNorthern Illinois91 Cmp, 189 Att, 1260 Yds, 8 TD, 5 Int
1982Defensive Player of the YearRay BentleyCentral Michigan
1982Offensive Player of the YearCurtis AdamsRBCentral Michigan204 Att, 1090 Yds, 5.3 Avg, 10 TD
1982Vern Smith Leadership AwardRay BentleyCentral Michigan
1981Defensive Player of the YearJohn ZupancicMiami (OH)
1981Offensive Player of the YearSam ShonOhio
1980Defensive Player of the YearKent Mccormick (tie)Miami (OH)
1980Defensive Player of the YearMike Terra (tie)Northern Illinois
1980Offensive Player of the YearMark O'ConnellQBBall State175 Cmp, 295 Att, 1921 Yds, 13 TD, 10 Int
1979Defensive Player of the YearFrank LewandowskiNorthern Illinois
1979Offensive Player of the YearGary HogeboomQBCentral Michigan92 Cmp, 150 Att, 1404 Yds, 9 TD, 5 Int
1978Defensive Player of the YearKen KremerBall State
1978Offensive Player of the YearDave Petzke (tie)WRNorthern Illinois91 Rec, 1215 Yds, 13.4 Avg, 11 TD
1978Offensive Player of the YearJerome Persell (tie)RBWestern Michigan309 Att, 1346 Yds, 4.4 Avg, 6 TD
1977Defensive Player of the YearJack GlowikMiami (OH)
1977Offensive Player of the YearJerome PersellRBWestern Michigan264 Att, 1339 Yds, 5.1 Avg, 14 TD
1976Defensive Player of the YearAaron BivinsToledo
1976Offensive Player of the YearJerome PersellWestern Michigan
1975Defensive Player of the YearShafer SuggsBall State
1975Offensive Player of the YearGene SwickToledo
1974Defensive Player of the YearBrad CousinoMiami (OH)
1974Offensive Player of the YearGene SwickToledo
1973Defensive Player of the YearBrad CousinoMiami (OH)
1973Offensive Player of the YearPaul MilesBowling Green
1972Defensive Player of the YearJack LambertKent State
1972Offensive Player of the YearBob HitchensMiami (OH)
1971Defensive Player of the YearMel LongToledo
1971Offensive Player of the YearChuck Ealey (tie)QBToledo112 Cmp, 214 Att, 1645 Yds, 15 TD, 13 Int
1971Offensive Player of the YearPhil Villapiano (tie)Bowling Green
1970Defensive Player of the YearDick AdamsMiami (OH)
1970Offensive Player of the YearChuck EaleyQBToledo149 Cmp, 263 Att, 1898 Yds, 16 TD, 9 Int
1969Defensive Player of the YearJoe GreenBowling Green
1969Offensive Player of the YearChuck EaleyToledo
1968Defensive Player of the YearBob BabichMiami (OH)
1968Offensive Player of the YearCleve BryantQBOhio98 Cmp, 200 Att, 1524 Yds, 14 TD, 5 Int
1967Defensive Player of the YearTom BeutlerToledo
1967Offensive Player of the YearJohn SchneiderToledo
1966Defensive Player of the YearBob RoweWestern Michigan
1966Offensive Player of the YearBruce MatteMiami (OH)
1965Defensive Player of the YearBob RoweWestern Michigan
1965Offensive Player of the YearWillie AsburyKent State