Seven former MAC stars to play in the American Bowl

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The college football all-star game circuit rolls along this week, as the American Bowl’s inaugural game kicks off tonight. The American Bowl is the new kid on the block, playing their first-ever contest at Southeastern University’s on-campus stadium in front of a national audience, with the NFL Network airing the contest at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

On the rosters are seven familiar names to fans of the Mid-American Conference who are all looking to get another chance at exposure and impress pro scouts before the NFL Draft circuit truly starts.

DeQuan Finn, QB, Miami

Dequan Finn bounced back from receiving sparse playing time at Baylor in 2024, picking up starting duties at Miami University in his final year of eligibility. Through eight games, Finn threw for 1,451 yards and ran for 395 yards, while accounting for 13 total touchdowns. Although these numbers are nowhere near the figures that earned him 2023 MAC Offensive Player of the Year, Finn was impressive at times.

During his time at Toledo, Finn threw for 7,083 yards and 63 touchdowns, and ran for 1,841 yards and 25 touchdowns. In his 2023 MAC Player of the Year season, he threw for 2,657 yards, ran for 563, and accounted for 29 touchdowns.

Junior Vandeross III, WR, Toledo

Vandeross, one of the MAC’s most consistent receivers over the past few years, will take the field at the American Bowl as yet another potential pro Rocket.

Notably, Vandeross was also selected to the Hula Bowl earlier in the all-star circuit cycle. His call-up to the American Bowl suggests he is gaining attention with pro scouts— despite his relatively small build (five-foot-eight, 182 lbs.)

Vandeross’ breakout campaign was in 2024, when he caught the national eye with a dominant 12-catch, 194-yard performance in 2024’s six-overtime epic against Pitt in the GameAboveSports Bowl, where he earned MVP honors. The game capped off a season which featured 85 catches for 957 yards and five scores.

2025 saw Vandeross cross over 1,000 yards receiving, finishing with 1,008 yards and 11 touchdowns on 84 catches to lead the Rockets by a large margin. Vandeross was at his best when the lines were brightest; over his career, Vandeross caught 39 passes for 496 yards and three touchdowns against Power Four schools. Vandeross twice earned first team All-MAC honors and ends his career third in program history in receptions and eighth in yards.

Quinn Urwiler, LB, Northern Illinois

After spending most of his Northern Illinois career as a special teamer, Urwiler made the most of his opportunity this year.

Urwiler more than quadrupled his production with 141 tackles in 2025 as one of the MAC’s leading overall tacklers, with his production earning him a spot on the second-team all-MAC defense. He was also disruptive in the backfield with 7.5 tackles for loss. Although Urwiler is undersized at six-foot, 226 lbs., he figures to be a factor on special teams at the next level.

Mason Woods, LB, Kent State

Mason Woods was a crucial piece in Kent State’s resurgent 2025 season, totaling 94 tackles and 11 tackles-for-loss, earning third-team all-MAC for his performance. This followed a 68-tackle effort in 2024. Like Urwiler, Woods is undersized at five-foot-eleven, 215 pounds, but he has a nose for the football and at least proves to be a solid special teams prospect at the next level.

Nasir Bowers, CB, Toledo

Bowers hopes to follow in the footsteps of fellow former Rocket Quinyon Mitchell at the American Bowl.

Bowers accumulated 87 tackles, 14 pass breakups, and four interceptions in his career in the Glass City. Bowers had a strong final act, intercepting two passes and breaking up six in his final year at Toledo.

Eli Blakey, SAF, Miami

Eli Blakey helped solidify the Miami defense over their consistent, three-year run to consecutive MAC Championship Games. Blakey earned third-team all-MAC honors in 2024 with 89 tackles and an interception, but really came into his own this past season.

Blakey followed up his strong 2024 with a stellar 2025 campaign, totaling 118 tackles, 10 defensed passes, two interceptions and two forced fumbles, earning him first-team all-MAC honors. Blakey ended his career with 281 tackles and 21 pass breakups, and could be an intriguing late-round or undrafted free agent prospect in this year’s NFL Draft.

Silas Walters, SAF, Miami

Silas Walters ends one of the most fascinating underdog stories in recent memory in the American Bowl.

The former walk-on climbed the ladder at Miami to become one of the best defensive backs in the conference. Walters burst onto the scene in 2023, leading the nation in special teams tackles and earning a nomination as Special Teams Player of the Year. Walters earned a spot in the safety rotation in 2024, responding with a 95-tackle, 12-pass breakup season in 2024 to earn first-team all-MAC honors.

Walters finished his storied career with 71 tackles, three interceptions, and ten pass breakups in 2025, good enough for a second-team all-MAC nod. Walters could be a hot commodity in the later rounds due to his proven track record on special teams.

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