2017 Best Players In The MAC: #21 Thomas Woodson, QB, Akron Zips

2016 was a year of what might have been for Thomas Woodson. He was plagued by injuries but when he was on the field, he showed great improvement from his sophomore year. He upped his completion percentage from 52% to 60%. In 2015, the threw 16 touchdowns and 11 picks. In 2017, he only threw 6 picks compared to 18 touchdowns. All of this was without much of a running game.

Warren Ball, who was also plagued by injuries, was awarded another year of eligibility, and that could go a long way in helping Woodson. The Ohio State transfer should take a lot of pressure off of Woodson and allow him to continue his growth as a quarterback.

While he lost his 2 best receivers, there is a ton of talent and experience that return. Austin Wolf is a big receiver that averaged 15+ per reception. Kwadarrius Smith is a burner that makes big plays. While Tra'Von Chapman is new to the receiver position, he was a QB last season. That’s usually a smooth transition. The talent surrounding Woodson is probably better than what he had last season.

Not to beat a dead horse, but the real question with Woodson isn’t the talent around him or his ability, but his ability to stay healthy. If that happens, I fully expect him to be one of the better quarterbacks in the MAC this season. That’s saying a lot, because the conference boasts a lot of quality quarterbacks this season.