2017 Best Football Players in the MAC: #23 Brogan Roback, QB, Eastern Michigan Eagles

Prior to being the photographer here, I was a photographer for a blog covering Eastern Michigan called the Eagle Totem. I started photographing for that one in 2011. In that time, I’ve seen some highs and lows. It seems like many of those highs had quarterback Brogan Roback in them.

Roback started playing for the Eastern Michigan Eagles in 2013. I don’t remember when his first game was but the first one he made an impact in was against the Toledo Rockets at the Glass Bowl. With the game pretty much settled, he was able to throw the first two touchdowns in his college career. His most memorable game that season was the following game against Western Michigan. He ran in the two point conversion that would set up the tie to let them win in the overtime of that game. That was the game that set up the Creighton era.

He would only play in three games in the 2014 season before receiving a medical redshirt. He played in all 12 games of the 2015 season but it seemed like he was haunted by poor decision making at times. The play that sticks out in my mind was an ill advised pass during the game against Western Michigan that helped ensure the rout.

The 2016 season would start with Roback in the doghouse. He was suspended for team reasons and Todd Porter would get the nod. Todd Porter would start the third game against Wyoming but Brogan Roback was called into finish it. And finish it he did, he was able to lead the Eagles to a pretty nice victory. Todd Porter would start the next game against Bowling Green but after going down, it was Roback’s job to finish it. He was able to lead the Eagles to a victory in that game as well.

He would finish the 2016 season by leading the Eagles to their first winning season since 1995 and their first bowl game since 1987. He had a 58.9% completion percentage with 2694 yards. He was the third leading rusher on the Eagles with 300 yards. He would throw for 18 touchdowns and added two more with his running ability. His favorite target was Sergio Bailey (who I think should be on this list somewhere but that wasn’t my call).

He is one of the reasons why the Eagles can start this season with some degree of optimism. While he is looking at a new line, many of his skill players return. If the Eagles make a run for the MAC Championship, it will be with Roback’s arm.

Kenneth Bailey