MAC Recruiting Power Rankings: September 2014

Overall, the last month was a lot slower than the month before when it came to recruiting. This can be credited to the start of football season for both college coaches and recruits, however, that doesn't mean it wasn't an interesting month in the recruiting world. There has been a lot of movement in this month's rankings so find out below where your favorite school ranks!

1. Western Michigan | LM: 1 | Commits: 22

Western Michigan had a quiet month on the recruiting trail as they only collected one verbal commitment. Their one verbal this month was corner back Kadeem Goulbourne who looks like he could be a good one if everything works out.

Goulbourne was originally going to greyshirt at SMU until June Jones resigned as head coach. Goulbourne will enroll at WMU in January and will count towards their 2015 recruiting class. If Fleck proves he can coach up all this talent, the Broncos will be a MAC contender in a few years.

Marquee Verbals: (LB) Junior McMullen, (S) Jamal Brown, (OL) John Keenoy, (QB) Jon Wassink, (RB) Davon Tucker, (DB) Davontae Ginwright, and (DB) Kadeem Gilbourne.

2. Toledo | LM: 4 | Commits: 21

What a difference a month makes. The Rockets were ranked fourth last month and seemed to be slipping in our rankings until they received possibly the biggest verbal commitment of any MAC school. Highly touted linebacker Chris Green gave his verbal commitment to the Rockets two weeks ago and is a game-changer for Toledo's class.

Although he is sitting out his senior year due to a controversial ruling by the Ohio High School Athletic Association, look for him to play as a true freshman. Green is treating this year as a red shirt year so he should be ready to go for the Rockets on Saturdays. Toledo actually came up just one first place vote shy of overtaking P.J. Fleck and his Broncos.

Marquee Verbals: (LB) Chris Green, (RB) Nevone McCrimmon, (RB) Arthur Thompkins, (LB) Tyler Taafe, (OL) Chandler Cotterman, (OT) Cameron Bell, and (QB) Mitchell Guadagni.

3. Miami | LM: 2 | Commits: 15

Miami did not make any noise this month on the recruiting trail. As a matter of fact, the RedHawks lost a commitment from offensive lineman Peyton Truitt. Truitt recently flipped his commitment from Miami to Purdue.

This is not the first time the RedHawks have lost a verbal to a B1G school as tight end Nate Vevjoda flipped to Iowa. The fact that Miami's recruits are being "poached" by bigger schools shows the quality of recruits that coach Martin and his staff are pursuing.

Marquee Verbals: (QB) Billy Bahl, (LB) Carter Masek, (OL Ian Leever, (OT) Ryan Mullen, (TE) Cole Chewins, and (RB) Joshua Allen.

4. NIU | LM: 3 | Commits: 19

Like Miami, NIU had a quiet month receiving zero commitments. The Huskies find themselves falling to number four due to Toledo's big month on the recruiting trail. Look for NIU to be very selective from here on out as the amount of available scholarships is low.

Marquee Verbals: (OG) Nathan Veloz, (OT) Vince Hughes, (RB) D.J. Brown, (WR) Steven Lee, (ATH) Sutton Smith, and (LB) Josh Corcoran.

5. CMU | LM: 5 | Commits: 18

Central Michigan and Bowling Green were virtually tied last month, with very similar classes to date. Well this month, CMU won the battle. Linebacker Carlos Clark looks to have some talent, although CMU was his only FBS offer.

This seems to be the case for quite a few of CMU's commits so it will be interesting to see if Enos knows something no one else does, or if he is simply throwing out scholarships at local players.

Marquee Verbals: (DT) Shahid Bellamy, (QB) Jake Johnson, (WR/DB) Jamil Sabbagh, and (RB) Romello Ross.

6. Bowling Green | LM: 6 | Commits: 12

Bowling Green has been very selective so far this recruiting cycle, gathering only 12 commitments. It will be interesting to see how Dino Babers's first recruiting class fills up because if he keeps stockpiling talent, the Falcons could have a top four recruiting class by signing day. One interesting thing to note, BGSU commit Ferrod Gardner should be considered a soft verbal at this point as he is reportedly strongly considering flipping to Georgia State. However, Gardner was in attendance for BG's 45-42  victory over Indiana so it will definitely be interesting to see if he sticks with the Falcons.

Marquee Verbals: (QB) James Morgan, (DT) Jack Kramer, (DE/OLB) Rahn Bailey, and (DT) Eddy Wilson.

7. Ball State | LM: 7 | Commits: 14

Ball State was quiet this month, along with a lot of MAC schools, however they still are assembling a solid class. Armani McNulty has the makings to be a star in the MAC and James Gilbert reminds me a little of Jarvion Franklin.

Marquee Verbals: (QB) Riley Neal, (RB) James Gilbert, (LB) Abdallah Jaffal, (DB) Armani McNulty, and (TE) Kyle Schrank.

8. EMU | LM: 8 | Commits: 15

Eastern Michigan picked up two defensive backs this month in Obbie Jackson and Devon Cook. Jackson may be a little short, but he has some serious talent. In a few years, every school in the MAC could be wishing they were able to pick up Jackson. First year coach, Chris Creighton has been putting together a solid recruiting class that is headlined by 3-star defensive tackle Nick Dillon. With just two commits at the skill positions on offense, expect EMU to target offensive weapons to round out this class.

Marquee Verbals: (QB/P) Brian Alsobrooks, (OT) Rob Pavletich, (LB) Demetrius Colbert, (DT) Nick Dillon, and (DB) Obbie Jackson.

9. Ohio | LM: 9 | Commits: 12

Ohio stayed put at number nine this month despite receiving a commitment from safety Javon Hagan. Hagan had an impressive list of offers before deciding on the Bobcats. Ole Miss, Cincinnati, Wake Forest, Utah, and FIU all offered the talented safety. With a limited amount of scholarship available, look for Ohio to be selective and if they can keep landing guys like Hagan they will be shooting up our rankings in no time.

Marquee Verbals: (RB) Trae Williams, (LB) London Cloud, (DT) Brian Arp, (S) Javon Hagan, and (WR) Kyle Belack.

10. Buffalo | LM: 10 | Commits: 7

Not much new to report here on Buffalo. They picked up a commitment from defensive back Dev Lamour, however very little is known about him. Tyree Jackson is by far the crowned jewel of this class so far so hopefully the Bulls can get him some help at the wide receiver and running back positions.

Marquee Verbals: (QB) Tyree Jackson, (WR) Brandon Smiley, (DB) Cameron Lewis, (DT) Duke Hwang, and (TE) Matt Seybert.

11. UMass | LM: 11 | Commits: 6

Maybe their heartbreaking loss to Vanderbilt will impress recruits, but up until this point UMass has yet to make any kind of serious splash on the recruiting trail. There is still time but my expectations are not high for this class.

Marquee Verbals: (OT) Derek Dumais, (OG) Jack Driscoll, (OL) Michael Yerardi, (OT) Joe Parsons, and (ATH) Lee Moses.

12. Kent State | LM: 12 | Commits: 5

Kent State has been mute not only on the recruiting trail but also on the field. After taking a beating from Ohio State, the Golden Flashes have absolutely no momentum on the football field along with the recruiting trail.

Marquee Verbals: (LB) Nick Faulkner, (OL) Conor Brumfield, (QB) Jakobi Meyers, (LB) Troy Dipre, and (OT) Alex Hoag.

13. Akron | LM: 13 | Commits: 3

Trey Dunkelberger looks to be a solid get for the Zips, however it wasn't enough to get them out of the basement in this edition of our MAC Recruiting Power Rankings. We know Terry Bowden is big on grey shirts, but we're tracking scholarship commitments.

Marquee Verbals: (LB) Tyler Shipman, (TE) Trey Dunkelberger, and ATH Jaquavis Dixon.