Well, the NFL Draft didn't reap many of our players, and neither did the UFL, but the total number of players going pro continues to escalate.
The CFL Draft did bring to their country one MAC athlete. Central Michigan running back Carl Volny was selected in the fifth round by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who finished 4-14 last year.
This is one of those times when I didn't even realize Volny was going to play anywhere. But that's because I didn't see his birth certificate. Even though his athletic page says he was born in Miramar, Florida, Volny (along with cousin/former teammate Kito Poblah) was born in Montreal, so this makes him a non-import.
Still, his production at CMU was modest at best. In four years, he had 933 rushing yards, 374 receiving yards, and 10 total touchdowns. Last year he even returned a couple kicks and was named the team's Offensive Player of the Year. His game high in rushing yards was 91 against Western Michigan and vs. Northwestern he had two scores.
MAC players on last year's Bombers team include Temple tackle Andre Douglas, WMU defensive lineman Fernand Kashama, OHIO running back Chris Garrett, and Eastern Michigan defensive back Johnny Sears. Unsure who among that collective will be retained (how often is there continuity on a 4-14 squad?) but the Quebec-born Volny will get a shot at professional football of the three-down variety.
(h/t @jakesav)