All Time Best Player By Team; MAC Edition

Who is the best player...ever...for a team.

I've taken a look at the old school players ,and a few modern era surprises, of the Ivy's. And the new school offerings of the Sun Belt conference, where several programs have just recently stepped up to the top level of college ball.

Now let's look at the MAC. Most schools in the league have long and storied traditions, and some were national powers at different times in their past. So here are the selections; the all time top player for each team.

AKRON Jason Taylor LB/DE

Taylor played LB his Junior year and was moved over to DE his senior year, and proved to be a force at both positions. At three year starter, he was All-American as a junior and All-MAC as both a junior and senior, recording an amazing 279 tackles of which 21 were sacks.

In the NFL since '97, he has been a six time pro bowl selection and currently plays for the Dolphins.

BALL STATE Terry Schmidt DB

Schmidt was an All-American for Ball state in 1973. A fifth-round draft choice, he played an 11-year career as a cornerback for the New Orleans Saints and the Chicago Bears.

BOWLING GREEN Kory Lichtensteiger G/C

Lichtensteiger, who currently plays for the Redskins, was a four year starter at both G and, in his senior year, Center. He was All-MAC his junior and senior years. He started a eye popping total of 47 games in his college career.

BUFFALO Gerry Philbin DT

Philbin was a four year starter at the University of Buffalo Bulls from 1960 to 1963. A fearsome tackler and pass rusher, he was named Little All-American, Academic All-American and second team All-American.

Drafted in the third round by the New York Jets of the AFL, he help them win the Super Bowl in 1969. He is a member of the All-Time AFL Defensive Team named by the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

CENTRAL MICHIGAN, Gary Hogeboom QB

Hogeboom led Central Michigan to a MAC championship his senior year, finishing undefeated at 10-0-1. He was named All-MAC and MAC offensive player of the year, throwing for over 1,400 yards and setting a school record for total offensive yards at 1,943.

Drafted by the Cowboys, he spent a 10 year NFL career with a variety of teams.

EASTERN MICHIGAN L.J.Shelton OT

Shelton was a four-year letterman (1995-1998) who started his final three seasons at tackle. As a senior, he registered 102 knockdowns for an offense that accumulated 3,985 yards.

He was a second-team All-America pick by The Sports Network as a senior, and a first-team All-Mid-American Conference selection each of his final two seasons.

He has played in the NFL since 1999, and is currently employed by the San Diego Chargers.

KENT STATE Jack Lambert DE/LB

Undersized. Skinny. Rangy. Scrawny. And mean.

Lambert was moved from DE to LB his sophomore year. He went on to become the prototype for the position.

Lambert led a talented Kent State team to their only MAC championship and a Tangerine Bowl appearance in 1972. He led the MAC with 233 tackles and received MAC Defensive Player of the Year honors, finishing his Kent State career with 593 tackles.

With his famous gap smile from missing some front teeth, Lambert went on to epitomize the Pittsburgh Steelers dominant "Steel Cutain" defense of the 1970s, helping them to four Super Bowl victories with his fierce hits and savvy , ball hawking play. He entered the NFL Hall of Fame in 1990.

MIAMI Ben Roethlisberger QB

Another MAC player that is also associated strongly with the Black and Gold of the berg is, of course, Big Ben Roethlisberger.

Roethlisberger holds every major passing record at Miami and a number of passing records in the MAC despite playing just three years before joining the NFL.

Roethlisberger led the Red Hawks to an unbeaten record in the MAC, a No. 10 ranking in the Associated Press poll and a 49-28 victory over Louisville in the 2003 GMAC Bowl.

His number was retired by the Red Hawks, becoming only the third athlete in Miami football history to be honored in that manner..

He's continued his success with the Pittsburgh Steelers, winning two and appearing in three Super Bowls so far in a pro career with many years left to run.

NORTHERN ILLINOIS Michael Turner RB

As a junior, he finished second in the nation with 1,915 yards, including five 200+ yd games and two 5 TD games. He left NIU with the school records for rushing yards (1,941), touchdowns (13) and all-purpose yards (1,038).

Turner now plays for Atlanta, and made the Pro Bowl last year.

OHIO Vince Costello LB

Costello started for three years in 1950-82, leading the team to three consecutive winning seasons. The hard hitting linebacker was named All-American his senior year.

Costello went onto a successful NFL career, spending 13 years with the Beowns and Giants, and over 20 years subsequently as a coach at the NFL level.

WESTERN MICHIGAN John Offerdahl LB

While at WMU Offerdahl recorded 694 career tackles, still a school record. This far exceeds the NCAA's current tackle records, only recorded since 2000.

He was drafted int he second round in 1986, and was a pro bowl selection six out of his eight years in the NFL.

TEMPLE Joe Klecko DT

From 1973 to 1976, Klecko played at Temple under legendary college coach Wayne Hardin While at Temple, Klecko also played semi-pro football for the Aston (Pa.) Knights and kept his eligibility by playing under an assumed name (Jim Jones) and a fake university (Poland University).

Klecko went on to a 10 year career, and was selected to the pro bowl four times. He was the first player to be selected to the pro bowl at three different positions; DE, DT and NT.

TOLEDO Nick Kaczur OT

Kaczur was a four-year starter. As a freshman, he was named a third-team freshman All-American by The Sporting News. As a sophomore, he won All-MAC first-team honors.

He was selected in the third round of the 2005 draft by the New England Patriots, where he is currently the starting Right Tackle.