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Four Chippewas Earn All-MAC Football Honors
12/5/2024 11:00:00 AM | Football
Offensive lineman Brayden Swartout, linebacker Jordan Kwiatkowski, and defensive back/return specialist Donte Kent earn Second Team honors; running back Marion Lukes is a Third Team honoree.
CLEVELAND, Ohio—Four Central Michigan football players earned 2024-25 All-Mid-American Conference honors, the conference announced on Thursday morning.
For the Chipppewas, earning Second Team honors were senior offensive lineman Brayden Swartout, junior linebacker Jordan Kwiatkowski and senior defensive back Donte Kent, who was a Second Team selection as both a defensive back and return specialist. Senior running back Marion Lukes garnered Third Team honors.
Both Kent and Lukes earned All-MAC honors for the third consecutive year, while Swartout is a second-year honorees.
The All-MAC team and yearly football awards are picked and voted upon by the conference's 12 head football coaches. The entire team is posted below.
Donte Kent earns All-MAC honors for the third consecutive year (First Team in 2022 and Second Team in 2023 and 2024). He expanded his leadership responsibilities as he served as the team's captain in all 12 games. From his cornerback position, Kent finished the 2024 season with 53 tackles (33 solo), eight pass breakups and 0.5 sack. He also emerged as the Chippewas' punt returner and ended up with 16 punt returns for 217 yards (13.56 average) and a 68-yard touchdown in the season's first game against Central Connecticut State. He concluded the year ranked No. 2 nationally in punt return touchdowns (1) and No. 5 in punt returns (13.56 yards per return).
In his five-year, 53-game, 48-start career at Central Michigan, Kent made 235 tackles (171 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sack, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick. He set the school's career record with 47 career pass breakups and ranked No. 2 all-time in passes defended (49). With his 13.56 yards per punt return, he ended his career ranked No. 10 on the school's season list. The Harrisburg, Pa. native entered the year as a Jim Thorpe Award Watch list player and consensus All-MAC preseason honoree. Kent is a Sport Management major. He has accepted an invitation to the Hula Bowl.
An Essexville, Mich. native, Swartout takes home All-MAC honors for the second time in his career. In 2024, Swartout started and played in 11 of 12 games at right tackle and was part of CMU's offensive line that allowed just 26 sacks on the year. Over his four-year career, Swartout has seen action in 39 games, started 36 career games, and started 29 consecutive contests at one point. A preseason All-MAC player for the last two years, Swartout also served as a team captain in two games and is a Professional Sales major.
Kwiatkowski, a Sterling Heights, Mich. native, earned All-MAC honors for the first time in his career. In 2024, he led Central Michigan in tackles (96), solo tackles (48), tackles for loss (14.0-30 yards), intercepted one pass, broke up another pass, and had a quarterback hurry. In MAC statistics, he ranked No. 8 in tackles (8.0 per game) and No. 3 in tackles for loss (1.17). Kwiatkowki led CMU in tackles in five games including nine in the opener vs. CCSU, a career-high 15 vs. Ball State, 12 at Eastern Michigan, 11 vs. Bowling Green, and eight at Toledo. Over his three-year, 11-start, 34-game career, Kwiatkowski has amassed 138 tackles (69 solo), 14.5 tackles for loss for 31 yards, intercepted one pass and broke up five passes. He has totaled 10 or more tackles in six career games.
A Charlestown, Ind. native, Lukes is a three-time All-MAC honoree (First Team as a kickoff returner in 2023, Third Team in 2021, Third Team in 2024). He also played a leadership role as he served as team captain for all 12 games. As a preseason nominee for the Doak Walker and Paul Hornung Award and consensus preseason All-MAC recipient, Lukes led the Chippewas in all-purpose yardage (1,290), rushing yards (788), rushing touchdowns (five), kickoff returns (22-342), and total touchdowns scored (six). He averaged 4.9 yards per carry (161-788), caught 16 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown, and averaged 15.55 yards per kickoff return (22-342) with a long of 39 yards. He concluded the year ranked No. 27 in the nation in all-purpose yardage (117.27), ranked No. 8 in the MAC in rushing yards (71.6 yards per game), and No. 2 in all-purpose yards (117.3 yards per game).
In his 44-game career, Lukes has totaled 3,988 combined all-purpose yards and scored 17 total touchdowns. He has rushed for 1,942 yards and 13 touchdowns on 378 attempts, No 59 passes for 605 yards and two touchdowns, and totaled 1,441 kickoff return yards on 70 attempts (20.8 yards per return). Of his 17 touchdowns scored, he has 13 rushing, two receiving, and two on kickoff returns. In his career, he has five 100-yard rushing games, three 200-yard all-purpose games, 15 100-yard all-purpose games, two 3-touchdown games, and 15 100-yard all-purpose games. He concluded his career ranked No. 11 in all-purpose yards (3,988), No. 3 in kickoff return yards (1,441), ranked tied for No. 1 in kick return touchdowns (2), and No. 10 in average yards per kick return. Lukes is an Entrepreneurship major.
Central Michigan finished 4-8 overall and 2-6 in the MAC.
Below are the All-MAC selections and award-winners:
2024 ALL-MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE FOOTBALL SELECTIONS
2024 MAC Football Postseason Specialty Awards & All-Conference Teams
Coach of the Year: Tim Albin, Ohio
Vern Smith Leadership Award Winner: Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green
Offensive Player of the Year: Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green
Defensive Player of the Year: Shaun Dolac, LB, Buffalo
Special Teams Player of the Year: Malcolm Gillie, KR, Ball State
Freshman of the Year: Kadin Semonza, QB, Ball State
2024 All-MAC First Team Offense
Quarterback – Brett Gabbert, Miami
Offensive Lineman – Alex Wollschlaeger, Bowling Green
Offensive Lineman – Reid Holskey, Miami
Offensive Lineman – J.J. Lippe, Northern Illinois
Offensive Lineman – Addison West, Western Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Jacob Gideon, Western Michigan
Tight End – Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green
Wide Receiver – Javon Tracy, Miami
Wide Receiver – Coleman Owen, Ohio
Wide Receiver – Jerjuan Newton, Toledo
Wide Receiver – Junior Vandeross III, Toledo
Running Back – Terion Stewart, Bowling Gren
Running Back – Jaden Nixon, Western Michigan
Placekicker – Dom Dzioban, Miami
2024 All-MAC First Team Defense
Down Lineman – CJ Nunnally, Akron
Down Lineman – Brian Ugwu, Miami
Down Lineman – Devonte O'Malley, Northern Illinois
Down Lineman – Bradley Weaver, Ohio
Linebacker – Joseph Sipp Jr., Bowling Green
Linebacker – Shaun Dolac, Buffalo
Linebacker – Red Murdock, Buffalo
Linebacker – Matt Salopek, Miami
Defensive Back – Jordan Oladokun, Bowling Green
Defensive Back – Raion Strader, Miami
Defensive Back – Nate Valcarcel, Northern Illinois
Defensive Back – Maxen Hook, Toledo
Punter – Avery Book, Akron
2024 All-MAC First Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Malcolm Gillie, Ball State
Kickoff Return Specialist – Jacquez Stuart, Toledo
2024 All-MAC Second Team Offense
Quarterback – Parker Navarro, Ohio
Offensive Lineman – Jon Mucciolo, Ball State
Offensive Lineman – Brayden Swartout, Central Michigan
Offensive Lineman – John Champe, Northern Illinois
Offensive Lineman – Logan Zschernitz, Northern Illinois
Offensive Lineman – Parker Titsworth, Ohio
Offensive Lineman – Carson Heidecker, Ohio
Tight End – Tanner Koziol, Ball State
Wide Receiver – Adrian Norton, Akron
Wide Receiver – Oran Singleton, Eastern Michigan
Wide Receiver – Chrishon McCray, Kent State
Wide Receiver – Reggie Virgil, Miami
Running Back – Keyon Mozee, Miami
Running Back – Anthony Tyus III, Ohio
Placekicker – Jesus Gomez, Eastern Michigan
2024 All-MAC Second Team Defense
Down Lineman – Kobe Stewart, Buffalo
Down Lineman – Corey Suttle, Miami
Down Lineman – Roy Williams, Northern Illinois
Down Lineman – Darius Alexander, Toledo
Linebacker – Bryan McCoy, Akron
Linebacker – Jordan Kwiatkowski, Central Michigan
Linebacker – James Djonkam, Eastern Michigan
Linebacker – Ty Wise, Miami
Defensive Back – Donte Kent, Central Michigan
Defensive Back – DJ Walker, Ohio
Defensive Back – Avery Smith, Toledo
Defensive Back – Tate Hallock, Western Michigan
Punter – John Henderson, Bowling Green
2024 All-MAC Second Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Donte Kent, Central Michigan
Kickoff Return Specialist – Bryson Hammer, Toledo
2024 All-MAC Third Team Offense
Quarterback – Connor Bazelak, Bowling Green
Offensive Lineman – Ethan Crowe, Ball State
Offensive Lineman – Taran Tyo, Ball State
Offensive Lineman – Trevor Brock, Buffalo
Offensive Lineman – Tyler Doty, Buffalo
Offensive Lineman – Ethan Spoth, Toledo
Tight End – Blake Bosma, Western Michigan
Wide Receiver – Cam Pickett, Ball State
Wide Receiver – Victor Snow, Buffalo
Wide Receiver – Terry Lockett, Eastern Michigan
Wide Receiver – Luke Floriea, Kent State
Running Back – Al-Jay Henderson, Buffalo
Running Back – Marion Lukes, Central Michigan
Placekicker – Upton Bellenfant, Buffalo
2024 All-MAC Third Team Defense
Down Lineman – Brandon Berger, Ball State
Down Lineman – Anthony Hawkins, Bowling Green
Down Lineman – Dion Crawford, Buffalo
Down Lineman – Skyler Gill-Howard, Northern Illinois
Linebacker – Shay Taylor, Ohio
Linebacker – Blake Leake, Ohio
Linebacker – Daniel Bolden, Toledo
Linebacker – Donald Willis, Western Michigan
Defensive Back – Paul Lewis III, Akron
Defensive Back – Jacorey Benjamin, Bowling Green
Defensive Back – Eli Blakey, Miami
Defensive Back – JaVaughn Byrd, Northern Illinois
Punter – Ethan Duane, Buffalo
2024 All-MAC Third Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – DeShawn Martin, Kent State
Kickoff Return Specialist – Coleman Owen, Ohio
For the Chipppewas, earning Second Team honors were senior offensive lineman Brayden Swartout, junior linebacker Jordan Kwiatkowski and senior defensive back Donte Kent, who was a Second Team selection as both a defensive back and return specialist. Senior running back Marion Lukes garnered Third Team honors.
Both Kent and Lukes earned All-MAC honors for the third consecutive year, while Swartout is a second-year honorees.
The All-MAC team and yearly football awards are picked and voted upon by the conference's 12 head football coaches. The entire team is posted below.
Donte Kent earns All-MAC honors for the third consecutive year (First Team in 2022 and Second Team in 2023 and 2024). He expanded his leadership responsibilities as he served as the team's captain in all 12 games. From his cornerback position, Kent finished the 2024 season with 53 tackles (33 solo), eight pass breakups and 0.5 sack. He also emerged as the Chippewas' punt returner and ended up with 16 punt returns for 217 yards (13.56 average) and a 68-yard touchdown in the season's first game against Central Connecticut State. He concluded the year ranked No. 2 nationally in punt return touchdowns (1) and No. 5 in punt returns (13.56 yards per return).
In his five-year, 53-game, 48-start career at Central Michigan, Kent made 235 tackles (171 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sack, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick. He set the school's career record with 47 career pass breakups and ranked No. 2 all-time in passes defended (49). With his 13.56 yards per punt return, he ended his career ranked No. 10 on the school's season list. The Harrisburg, Pa. native entered the year as a Jim Thorpe Award Watch list player and consensus All-MAC preseason honoree. Kent is a Sport Management major. He has accepted an invitation to the Hula Bowl.
An Essexville, Mich. native, Swartout takes home All-MAC honors for the second time in his career. In 2024, Swartout started and played in 11 of 12 games at right tackle and was part of CMU's offensive line that allowed just 26 sacks on the year. Over his four-year career, Swartout has seen action in 39 games, started 36 career games, and started 29 consecutive contests at one point. A preseason All-MAC player for the last two years, Swartout also served as a team captain in two games and is a Professional Sales major.
Kwiatkowski, a Sterling Heights, Mich. native, earned All-MAC honors for the first time in his career. In 2024, he led Central Michigan in tackles (96), solo tackles (48), tackles for loss (14.0-30 yards), intercepted one pass, broke up another pass, and had a quarterback hurry. In MAC statistics, he ranked No. 8 in tackles (8.0 per game) and No. 3 in tackles for loss (1.17). Kwiatkowki led CMU in tackles in five games including nine in the opener vs. CCSU, a career-high 15 vs. Ball State, 12 at Eastern Michigan, 11 vs. Bowling Green, and eight at Toledo. Over his three-year, 11-start, 34-game career, Kwiatkowski has amassed 138 tackles (69 solo), 14.5 tackles for loss for 31 yards, intercepted one pass and broke up five passes. He has totaled 10 or more tackles in six career games.
A Charlestown, Ind. native, Lukes is a three-time All-MAC honoree (First Team as a kickoff returner in 2023, Third Team in 2021, Third Team in 2024). He also played a leadership role as he served as team captain for all 12 games. As a preseason nominee for the Doak Walker and Paul Hornung Award and consensus preseason All-MAC recipient, Lukes led the Chippewas in all-purpose yardage (1,290), rushing yards (788), rushing touchdowns (five), kickoff returns (22-342), and total touchdowns scored (six). He averaged 4.9 yards per carry (161-788), caught 16 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown, and averaged 15.55 yards per kickoff return (22-342) with a long of 39 yards. He concluded the year ranked No. 27 in the nation in all-purpose yardage (117.27), ranked No. 8 in the MAC in rushing yards (71.6 yards per game), and No. 2 in all-purpose yards (117.3 yards per game).
In his 44-game career, Lukes has totaled 3,988 combined all-purpose yards and scored 17 total touchdowns. He has rushed for 1,942 yards and 13 touchdowns on 378 attempts, No 59 passes for 605 yards and two touchdowns, and totaled 1,441 kickoff return yards on 70 attempts (20.8 yards per return). Of his 17 touchdowns scored, he has 13 rushing, two receiving, and two on kickoff returns. In his career, he has five 100-yard rushing games, three 200-yard all-purpose games, 15 100-yard all-purpose games, two 3-touchdown games, and 15 100-yard all-purpose games. He concluded his career ranked No. 11 in all-purpose yards (3,988), No. 3 in kickoff return yards (1,441), ranked tied for No. 1 in kick return touchdowns (2), and No. 10 in average yards per kick return. Lukes is an Entrepreneurship major.
Central Michigan finished 4-8 overall and 2-6 in the MAC.
Below are the All-MAC selections and award-winners:
2024 ALL-MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE FOOTBALL SELECTIONS
2024 MAC Football Postseason Specialty Awards & All-Conference Teams
Coach of the Year: Tim Albin, Ohio
Vern Smith Leadership Award Winner: Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green
Offensive Player of the Year: Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green
Defensive Player of the Year: Shaun Dolac, LB, Buffalo
Special Teams Player of the Year: Malcolm Gillie, KR, Ball State
Freshman of the Year: Kadin Semonza, QB, Ball State
2024 All-MAC First Team Offense
Quarterback – Brett Gabbert, Miami
Offensive Lineman – Alex Wollschlaeger, Bowling Green
Offensive Lineman – Reid Holskey, Miami
Offensive Lineman – J.J. Lippe, Northern Illinois
Offensive Lineman – Addison West, Western Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Jacob Gideon, Western Michigan
Tight End – Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green
Wide Receiver – Javon Tracy, Miami
Wide Receiver – Coleman Owen, Ohio
Wide Receiver – Jerjuan Newton, Toledo
Wide Receiver – Junior Vandeross III, Toledo
Running Back – Terion Stewart, Bowling Gren
Running Back – Jaden Nixon, Western Michigan
Placekicker – Dom Dzioban, Miami
2024 All-MAC First Team Defense
Down Lineman – CJ Nunnally, Akron
Down Lineman – Brian Ugwu, Miami
Down Lineman – Devonte O'Malley, Northern Illinois
Down Lineman – Bradley Weaver, Ohio
Linebacker – Joseph Sipp Jr., Bowling Green
Linebacker – Shaun Dolac, Buffalo
Linebacker – Red Murdock, Buffalo
Linebacker – Matt Salopek, Miami
Defensive Back – Jordan Oladokun, Bowling Green
Defensive Back – Raion Strader, Miami
Defensive Back – Nate Valcarcel, Northern Illinois
Defensive Back – Maxen Hook, Toledo
Punter – Avery Book, Akron
2024 All-MAC First Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Malcolm Gillie, Ball State
Kickoff Return Specialist – Jacquez Stuart, Toledo
2024 All-MAC Second Team Offense
Quarterback – Parker Navarro, Ohio
Offensive Lineman – Jon Mucciolo, Ball State
Offensive Lineman – Brayden Swartout, Central Michigan
Offensive Lineman – John Champe, Northern Illinois
Offensive Lineman – Logan Zschernitz, Northern Illinois
Offensive Lineman – Parker Titsworth, Ohio
Offensive Lineman – Carson Heidecker, Ohio
Tight End – Tanner Koziol, Ball State
Wide Receiver – Adrian Norton, Akron
Wide Receiver – Oran Singleton, Eastern Michigan
Wide Receiver – Chrishon McCray, Kent State
Wide Receiver – Reggie Virgil, Miami
Running Back – Keyon Mozee, Miami
Running Back – Anthony Tyus III, Ohio
Placekicker – Jesus Gomez, Eastern Michigan
2024 All-MAC Second Team Defense
Down Lineman – Kobe Stewart, Buffalo
Down Lineman – Corey Suttle, Miami
Down Lineman – Roy Williams, Northern Illinois
Down Lineman – Darius Alexander, Toledo
Linebacker – Bryan McCoy, Akron
Linebacker – Jordan Kwiatkowski, Central Michigan
Linebacker – James Djonkam, Eastern Michigan
Linebacker – Ty Wise, Miami
Defensive Back – Donte Kent, Central Michigan
Defensive Back – DJ Walker, Ohio
Defensive Back – Avery Smith, Toledo
Defensive Back – Tate Hallock, Western Michigan
Punter – John Henderson, Bowling Green
2024 All-MAC Second Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Donte Kent, Central Michigan
Kickoff Return Specialist – Bryson Hammer, Toledo
2024 All-MAC Third Team Offense
Quarterback – Connor Bazelak, Bowling Green
Offensive Lineman – Ethan Crowe, Ball State
Offensive Lineman – Taran Tyo, Ball State
Offensive Lineman – Trevor Brock, Buffalo
Offensive Lineman – Tyler Doty, Buffalo
Offensive Lineman – Ethan Spoth, Toledo
Tight End – Blake Bosma, Western Michigan
Wide Receiver – Cam Pickett, Ball State
Wide Receiver – Victor Snow, Buffalo
Wide Receiver – Terry Lockett, Eastern Michigan
Wide Receiver – Luke Floriea, Kent State
Running Back – Al-Jay Henderson, Buffalo
Running Back – Marion Lukes, Central Michigan
Placekicker – Upton Bellenfant, Buffalo
2024 All-MAC Third Team Defense
Down Lineman – Brandon Berger, Ball State
Down Lineman – Anthony Hawkins, Bowling Green
Down Lineman – Dion Crawford, Buffalo
Down Lineman – Skyler Gill-Howard, Northern Illinois
Linebacker – Shay Taylor, Ohio
Linebacker – Blake Leake, Ohio
Linebacker – Daniel Bolden, Toledo
Linebacker – Donald Willis, Western Michigan
Defensive Back – Paul Lewis III, Akron
Defensive Back – Jacorey Benjamin, Bowling Green
Defensive Back – Eli Blakey, Miami
Defensive Back – JaVaughn Byrd, Northern Illinois
Punter – Ethan Duane, Buffalo
2024 All-MAC Third Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – DeShawn Martin, Kent State
Kickoff Return Specialist – Coleman Owen, Ohio
—CMU—
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