MAC Defensive Player of the Year Winners

Award Winners

  • * indicates bowl stats included
Award Winners Table
Year Player School Summary
2023Matthew Salopek*Miami (OH)74 Solo, 69 Ast, 3.0 Sk, 1 Int
2022Jose Ramirez*Eastern Michigan40 Solo, 26 Ast, 12.0 Sk, 0 Int
2021Ali Fayad*Western Michigan27 Solo, 13 Ast, 13.0 Sk, 0 Int
2020Troy Hairston (tie)Central Michigan22 Solo, 19 Ast, 5.5 Sk, 0 Int
2020Brandon Martin* (tie)Ball State46 Solo, 44 Ast, 1.0 Sk, 0 Int
2019Treshaun Hayward*Western Michigan72 Solo, 70 Ast, 5.0 Sk, 0 Int
2018Sutton Smith*Northern Illinois43 Solo, 18 Ast, 15.0 Sk, 0 Int
2017Sutton Smith*Northern Illinois43 Solo, 20 Ast, 14.0 Sk, 0 Int
2016Tarell Basham*Ohio30 Solo, 20 Ast, 11.5 Sk, 0 Int
2015Jatavis Brown*Akron62 Solo, 54 Ast, 12.0 Sk, 1 Int
2014Quinten RollinsMiami (OH)53 Solo, 19 Ast, 0.0 Sk, 7 Int
2013Khalil Mack*Buffalo55 Solo, 45 Ast, 10.5 Sk, 3 Int
2012Chris Jones*Bowling Green State27 Solo, 15 Ast, 12.5 Sk
2011Drew Nowak*Western Michigan38 Solo, 53 Ast, 8.5 Sk, 0 Int
2010Roosevelt NixKent State19 Solo, 24 Ast, 10.0 Sk, 0 Int
2009Adrian Robinson*Temple31 Solo, 15 Ast, 12.0 Sk, 1 Int
2008Larry English*Northern Illinois26 Solo, 11 Ast, 8.0 Sk
2007Clayton MullinsMiami (OH)69 Solo, 74 Ast, 4.0 Sk
2006Ameer Ismail*Western Michigan55 Solo, 35 Ast, 17.0 Sk, 2 Int
2005Dan BazuinCentral Michigan52 Solo, 22 Ast, 16.0 Sk
2004Jonathan Goddard*Marshall1 Int, 23 Yds, 1 TD
2003Jason BabinWestern Michigan
2002Jason BabinWestern Michigan
2001Max YatesMarshall
2000Dwight SmithAkron10 Int, 208 Yds, 2 TD
1999Dustin CohenMiami (OH)
1998Jojuan ArmourMiami (OH)
1997Jojuan ArmourMiami (OH)
1996Brad MaynardBall State59 Punts, 2705 Yds, 45.8 Avg
1995Johnnie WilliamsMiami (OH)4 Int, 88 Yds, 0 TD
1994Vince PalkoBowling Green State
1993Vince PalkoBowling Green State
1992Curt McmillanMiami (OH)
1991Curt McmillanMiami (OH)
1990Sean MulhearnWestern Michigan
1989Greg GarnicaBall State
1988Greg GarnicaBall State
1987Greg GarnicaBall State
1986Mark GaralczykWestern Michigan
1985John OfferdahlWestern Michigan1 Int, 4 Yds, 0 TD
1984Mark BrandonToledo
1983Brian PillmanMiami (OH)
1982Ray BentleyCentral Michigan
1981John ZupancicMiami (OH)
1980Kent Mccormick (tie)Miami (OH)
1980Mike Terra (tie)Northern Illinois
1979Frank LewandowskiNorthern Illinois
1978Ken KremerBall State
1977Jack GlowikMiami (OH)
1976Aaron BivinsToledo
1975Shafer SuggsBall State
1974Brad CousinoMiami (OH)
1973Brad CousinoMiami (OH)
1972Jack LambertKent State
1971Mel LongToledo
1970Dick AdamsMiami (OH)
1969Joe GreenBowling Green State
1968Bob BabichMiami (OH)
1967Tom BeutlerToledo
1966Bob RoweWestern Michigan
1965Bob RoweWestern Michigan