16 area standouts making an impact for FBS schools this season

Kent State wide receiver Dante Cephas (14) is tackled by Iowa linebacker Jestin Jacobs (5) after catching a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Credit: Charlie Neibergall

Credit: Charlie Neibergall

Kent State wide receiver Dante Cephas (14) is tackled by Iowa linebacker Jestin Jacobs (5) after catching a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Players from across the Miami Valley are playing at Division I FBS programs across the country this fall.

More than three dozen have seen action this season with regular contributors at schools in every Power 5 conference and more, including second-ranked Cincinnati.

Here are 16 who have had the biggest impact on their teams so far this season (in alphabetical order):

Erick All (Fairfield) has played in all six games with four starts at tight end for Michigan. He has caught 11 passes for 123 yards.

Connor Bazelak (Alter) has started all seven games at quarterback for Missouri. The junior has completed 184 of 274 passes for 1,920 yards and 12 touchdowns with seven interceptions for the Tigers. He is No. 26 in the nation and fourth in the SEC in total offense (273.4 yards per game) and 12th in the country and third in the SEC in passing yards.

Mike Brown-Stephens (Springfield) has played in six games and started two at receiver for Minnesota. He has seven catches for 197 yards and a touchdown.

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Isaiah Bowser (Sidney) has 65 carries for 305 yards and six touchdowns in four games for UCF after transferring from Northwestern in the offseason. The senior also has five catches for 33 yards.

Danny Davis III (Springfield) has played in six games and started five for Wisconsin. The super senior leads the Badgers in receiving yards with 241 and has 18 catches.

Jestin Jacobs (Northmont) haas played in all seven games for Iowa and has four starts as a cover linebacker. He has 34 tackles, an interception and a pass breakup for the Hawkeyes, and Pro Football Focus ranks him the No. 36 linebacker in the country so far this season with strong marks against the run, in coverage and as a pass rusher.

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Charlie Kuhbander (Springboro) is a super senior at Northwestern who has made 4 of 8 field goals for the Wildcats this season.

Sean Mahone (Lakota West) has played in six game and started five at defensive back for West Virginia. He has 44 tackles, including three for loss and two sacks, for the Mountaineers.

Nathan Monnin (Piqua) has played in seven games and started six on the offensive line for Kent State.

Ryan Montgomery (Franklin) has 125 yards rushing for Cincinnati and two catches for nine yards and a touchdown. He is also the team’s top punt returner with 108 yards on 11 returns.

Jeffery Pooler Jr. (Dunbar) has played in six games and started two on the defensive line for Northwestern. The West Virginia transfer has 13 tackles, including 2.5 sacks, for the Wildcats.

Justin Rigg (Springboro) has played in all seven games for Kentucky and has 10 catches for 109 yards and a touchdown as a tight end for the Wildcats. His score came Saturday at No. 1 Georgia.

Kentucky tight end Justin Rigg (83) carries the ball during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against LSU in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)

Credit: Michael Clubb

icon to expand image

Credit: Michael Clubb

Ja’Don Rucker-Furlow (Belmont) has played in all seven games and started six for Miami University. He has 22 tackles and four pass breakups for the RedHawks.

Leonard Taylor (Springfield) has 16 catches for 168 yards and two touchdowns for Cincinnati. He is the No. 31 tight end so far this season according to Pro Football Focus grading.

Tavion Thomas (Dunbar) has 57 carries for 335 yards and four touchdowns for Utah. The former Cincinnati Bearcat ran for over 100 yards against Weber State and USC. He added 84 yards and a touchdown last weekend as the Utes upset Arizona State.

Malik Vann (Fairfield) has 19 tackles including 4.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks for Cincinnati. Pro Football Focus ranks him the No. 64 edge defender in the country through seven weeks of the season.

About the Author