College football watch list

The top area college football players to watch in 2017:

FBS

BRANDON FR IT TS( MENTOR ), NORTH CAROLINA, JR., TIGHT END» Injured for half of last season and finished with six catches. Will start for the Tar Heels in 2017. EDDIE DAUGHERTY (MENTOR), EASTERN MICHIGAN, JR., WIDE RECEIVER » Had 31 catches and 289 yards last season. JEROME BAKER (BENEDICTINE), OHIO STATE, JR., LINEBACKER » Second on the team last season with 83 tackles, including 9 1/2 for loss. LUKE FARRELL( PERRY ), OHIO STATE, FR., TIGHT END » Expected to see action in 2017. ANDY ISABELLA (MAYFIELD), UMASS, SO., WIDE RECEIVER » Had 62 catches for 801 yards and seven touchdowns in 2017. Had five catches for 40 yards and TD in a season-opening loss to Hawaii. CAMERON JEFFRIES (RIVERSIDE), BOWLING GREEN, SO., DEFENSIVE BACK » Started five games last season, and made 18 stops. KENT BERGER (MENTOR), OHIO, JR., DEFENSIVE LINEMAN » Will see action in 2017 at defensive tackle as the Bobcats’ backup. KYLE RITZ (WILLOUGHBY SOUTH), AKRON, JR., OFFENSIVE LINEMAN » Started all 12 games last season at right guard. NIK URBAN (WILLOUGHBY SOUTH), NORTHWESTERN, FR., CENTER » Will serve as the backup at center this fall.

FCS

ALEX MATHEWS (MENTOR), COL GATE, SO ., RUNNING BACK » Began the season with 78 yards on seven carries in a Aug. 26 win over Cal-Poly, including a 57-yard TD run. BRANDON SHORT (MENTOR), LEHIGH, SR., CENTER » Started all 12 games last season, and was a team captain.

Division II

D.J. GREENE (WILLOUGHBY SOUTH), NOTRE DAME COLLEGE, JR., RUNNING BACK » Has rushed for 2,135 yards and scored 19 touchdowns in first two seasons. MARVELLE ROSS (VASJ), NOTRE DAME COLLEGE, SO., RECEIVER/KICK RETURNER » Three kick return TDs in 2016, and should get plenty of chances at receiver in 2017. ANTON VREBAC (EASTLAKE NORTH), NOTRE DAME COLLEGE, SR., PUNTER » Averaged more than 40 yards a punt in 2016, with 11 of 50 or more yards. JASON BLIZZARD (MENTOR), LAKE ERIE, FR., WIDE RECEIVER » Will see action as a slot receiver for the Storm. NICK KIRSCHNER (MENTOR), LAKE ERIE, SR., LINEBACKER » Third on the team with 55 tackles last season. MICHAEL MUZIC (MENTOR), LAKE ERIE, SR., KICKER/ PUNTER» Led the GLIAC in punting in 2016 with 40.9yard average. DOMINIC GIUNTA (WILLOUGHBY SOUTH ), ASHLAND, SR., CENTER » Started all 11 games in 2016, earned 88 percent grade blocking and did not allow a sack. AID ANSI ME NC( WILLOUGHBY SOUTH), ASHLAND, SR., KICKER » Scored 74 points last season on 50 of 51 extra points, and 8 of 10 field goals. BRIAN HUNTER (MAYFIELD), OHIO DOMINICAN, JR., DEFENSIVEEND» Made nine starts in 2016, with 35 tackles and four sacks. ANDRE CLIFF (EUCLID), URBANA, SR., DEFENSIVE BACK » Fourth on team with 79 tackles in 2016.

Division III

MASON MCKENRICK (MENTOR), JOHN CARROLL, SR., LINEBACKER » First-team All-America pick last season after 96 tackles, 12 1/2 for loss, and six sacks. ANTHONY CHRISTOPHER (LAKE CATHOLIC), JOHN CARROLL, JR., LINEBACKER » Made 66 stops last season. TODD GREEN( MENTOR ), JOHN CARROLL, SR., LINEBACKER » Expected to start alongside McKenrick and Christopher. CONNER BOGARD (BENEDICTINE), JOHN CARROLL, SO., DEFENSIVE LINEMAN » Made 43 stops last season as a freshman. TREVOR MORRISON (MENTOR), JOHN CARROLL, SO. DEFENSIVE LINEMAN » Transfer from Mercyhurst will be part of D-line rotation. ROG O LP H IN( GIL MO UR ), JOHN CARROLL, SR ., RUNNING BACK » JCU’s leading rusher in 2016 with 1,111 yards and 11 TDs. SAM KUKURA (KIRTLAND), JOHN CARROLL, JR.,RUNNING BACK » Had 821 yards and 14 touchdowns last fall. ANTHONY LEONETTI (NDCL), JOHN CARROLL, SR., TIGHT END » Making switch from fullback to tight end. JOSH PETRUCELLI (PERRY), MOUNTUNION, FR.,RUNNING BACK » Will start the season as the Purple Raiders’ backup running back. MICHAEL M UN DAY( CHAGRIN FALLS), JOHNS HOPKINS, SR., DEFENSIVE BACK » Made 47 stops and had two interceptions last season. JUSTIN MCMAHON( MENTOR ), CASE WESTERN RESERVE, SR., LINEBACKER » Led the team in tackles (76) last season. SAM CONWAY (WICKLIFFE), HIRAM, SR., KICKER » Made 9 of 13 field goals in 2016. MATT I AM MARINO( CHAGRIN FALLS), DENISON, SR., RECEIVER » 22 receptions for 248 yards and three TDs last season.