UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO ATHLETICS
BUFFALO — Five members of the University at Buffalo football team have been named to the Athlon Sports 2017 Preseason All-MAC team, the publication announced on Monday. James O’Hagan and Khalil Hodge were named to the second team, while Brandon Manosalvas, Chris Ford and Jarrett Franklin were named to the fourth team.
O’Hagan, who was also named to the Rimington Award Watch List on Monday, is coming off the best season of his career. He started all 12 games at center in 2016 and was named All-MAC Third Team. O’Hagan has been the anchor of the Bulls’ offensive over the past two season, starting all 24 games.
Hodge, a middle linebacker, is coming off a fine debut season with the Bulls – earning All-MAC second-team honors. In 2016, he led Buffalo with 123 tackles, the eighth most in school history for a single season and second most by a player in UB’s FBS era. He posted double-digit tackles in seven games and his 10.3 tackles per game average ranked eighth nationally.
Manosalvas started all 12 games at guard last season. He has helped solidify the left side of the offensive line.
Ford has developed into one of the top nose tackles in the Mid-American Conference. The UB senior had 30 tackles, included three tackles for loss in 2016.
Franklin is coming off the best season of his career. The senior linebacker ranked third on the team in tackles with a career-best 75 in 2016. He had five or more tackles in eight games last year.
Click here to see the entire 2017 All-MAC team.
The 2017 UB Football season kicks off on August 31 at Minnesota. Click here for the full schedule.
