Seven Eastern Michigan University football players were named to All-Mid American Conference Teams on Wednesday, Dec. 1.
This is the sixth consecutive year that Eastern Michigan football has had at least seven athletes receive this award. This year's awards are tied for eighth most in program history, along with the EMU teams from 1995, 2019, and 2020, according to EMU athletics.
Offensive lineman Sidy Sow received First Team Offense honors, as wide receiver Hassan Beydoun and placekicker Chad Ryland received Second Team Offense honors. Punter Jake Julien was awarded Second Team Defense. Offensive lineman Brian Dooley and Tight End Thomas Odukoya were honored a place in the Third Team Offense. Lastly, Down Lineman Jose Ramirez stands in the Third Team Defense.
Sow was also selected first-team Preseason All-MAC by Phil Steele’s College Football Preview and grabbed second-team accolades from Athlon Sports. This is the second time Sow has received All-Mac accolades in his career. Sow was a huge contribution to the Eastern Michigan Offensive line, helping the Eagles score a total of 372 points with 46 touchdowns, 15 field goals, and 45 extra points.
Beydoun has also been a great help to the Eagles, recording three games with 10+ catches this season. After this season, he now has seven games with 100+ receiving yards at EMU. He is one of three players to accomplish this in program history, along with Eric Deslauriers (14 total) and Kevin Walter (12 total). He received third team offense in 2020, awarded one of the nation’s best former walk-ons, and is one of this year’s nominees for the Burlsworth Trophy.
Ryland had an amazing year, working his way to the No. 1 overall spot on the EMU all-time scoring list in 2021. He collected a total of 301 points this season and passed former Eagle Andrew Wellock (2003-07) for the most points scored in program history. He already holds the program’s all time records in PAT attempts (142), PAT makes (138), and longest field goal (55 yards). Ryland also completed five field goals against Western Michigan, which is also the most completed in a single game in program history.
Julien averaged 44.0 yards per kick, which is the best in EMU history. He collected 9,494 yards on just 216 tries. In 53 career games, he completed 50 kicks that were 50-or-more yards, with 69 placed within the 20-yard line.
Dooley is one of the offensive line’s most versatile athletes, who was a big contribution to the success in rushing attacks. Rushing averaged better than 115 yards per game, allowing 25 of the 44 offensive touchdowns from the rushing bunch. The offensive line has also converted 42 percent of third down tries and 52 percent of fourth down tries.
Team Captain Odukoya and his leadership led him to an impressive senior year and his first All-MAC honors. He is a multiple-time watchlist honoree for the Campbell Trophy, Wuerffel Trophy, and Mackey Award. Odukoya had 12 receptions and 115 yards this season.
This will be Ramirez’ third team honors, who was a key factor in Eastern Michigan’s defensive line this season. He is third on the team with 59 tackles this season and leads with 10.5 tackles for loss. Ramirez has also forced three fumbles this season, leading the team.
