Fiske was a second round pick Friday night, while Walker landed in the fourth round Saturday.
Labeling players by one college on NFL Draft day becomes increasingly more complex in the modern age of the transfer portal. Five years ago, transfers were becoming more commonplace, but it’s nothing like the world of the transfer portal today where thousands of athletes enter each offseason in pursuit of a new destination or opportunity.
The 2024 NFL Draft had two selections from the Mid-American Conference — Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell in the first round to the Philadelphia Eagles and Western Michigan defensive end Marshawn Kneeland in the second round to the Dallas Cowboys. Mitchell was a lifelong Toledo Rocket and Kneeland was a lifelong Western Michigan Bronco. However, the impact of the MAC in the 2024 draft extends beyond these two highly-touted prospects.
Two other players who spent a combined seven years in the MAC may have been credited with different colleges on draft day, but their impact in the conference is undeniable:
Braden Fiske, DT
Western Michigan (2018-22), Florida State (2023)
Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images
Fiske was one of the earlier picks of the second round, landing 39th overall to the Los Angeles Rams. Although he concluded his college career at Florida State where he was a Second Team All-ACC selection for a top 10 Seminoles squad, Fiske made his initial mark in Kalamazoo. He evolved from a rotation player in 2019 to a full-time starter in 2020, clogging up the middle of Western Michigan’s defensive line. His most statistically dominant college football season transpired in 2022 when he was a Second Team All-MAC honoree, tallying 59 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, six sacks, three pass breakups, and three forced fumbles — all personal-bests in his six-year college tenure. Fiske played alongside fellow second round pick Marshawn Kneeland for several years at Western Michigan. Now, he turns to the professional ranks where he takes on the challenging task of filling the shoes of future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Aaron Donald.
Tez Walker, WR
Kent State (2021-22), North Carolina (2023)
Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Walker didn’t have to wait long Saturday before hearing his name selected. At pick No. 113, the talented wide receiver was the 13th pick of the fourth round by the Baltimore Ravens. It’s been exactly 10 years since Kent State last produced a draft pick, and while Walker will be filed under North Carolina, his impact with the Golden Flashes was quite noteworthy. He spent two seasons in the MAC after transferring from FCS program North Carolina Central and was a seldom utilized option his first year at Kent State with five receptions for 124 yards. But in 2022, Walker exploded onto the scene as one of the most electrifying players in the entire conference. He was recognized as a First Team All-MAC selection after posting 921 receiving yards (second in the MAC) and 11 touchdowns on 58 receptions. Walker transferred to North Carolina the ensuing offseason and was denied immediate eligibility due to being a two-time transfer in a highly-publicized situation. His eligibility was reinstated in October and he played eight games for North Carolina in 2023.