Still weeks out from conference play, assistant editor Hayden Shapiro (HS) and football beat writer Dan Aulbach (DA) give their takes on the most impactful players entering the 2024 season.
Butler Bulldogs: Nick Bafia, Defensive Back (Senior)
Bafia’s sophomore campaign was no surprise, as he showed glimpses of stardom in 2022, and his performance last season built on that 2022 season.
As a defensive back who usually plays on the boundary, he notched 65 tackles last season. His ability to read the play and awareness allow him to make plays. At 6’1, 190 pounds, Bafia has perfected aggressive, efficient tackling.
Bafia forced three fumbles last season, but when watching his tape, it is evident that he tries to punch the ball out at any opportunity. Butler’s defense has a gem in Bafia; his ability to read plays before they even develop separates him from other defensive backs in the Pioneer Football League.
-HS
Drake Bulldogs: Luke Bailey, Quarterback (Graduate Student)
If it was not crystal clear from Drake’s dominance in the MAAC conference last year, the Bulldogs are once again after the PFL crown and retained all the tools to do so. While Drake’s best player is arguably redshirt junior defensive end and AP FCS All-American Finn Claypool (12.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, 57 total tackles in 2023), the Bulldogs also have a starting quarterback on a path for improvement in 2024.
Graduate student Luke Bailey finished his 2023 campaign first in the MAAC in passing yards (2,557), and second in passing touchdowns (16). He also finished first in interceptions (9), which gave Butler’s Bret Bushka the All-PFL First Team nod instead of Bailey. Still, Bailey showed his prowess and poise in the pocket last season, shining notably when he slung a 38-yard hail mary to the endzone for a walk-off winner against San Diego to go 4-0 on the season. He also demonstrated his athleticism and rollout abilities by spiraling a touchdown off his back foot in the Bulldog’sseason opener against Division II Quincy College, which was suspended in the third quarter due to weather.
Returning several starters this year, Drake has not lost a PFL game since Oct. 22, 2022. The stars are aligned for Bailey to be a player-of-the-year favorite in the conference.
-DA
Marist Red Foxes: Tristan Shannon, Runningback (Graduate Student)
Tristan Shannon is one of those players that can be used all over the field, a true Swiss army knife on offense. The Bowie, MD native tallied 1,109 all-purpose yards last season and was a dominant force in the return game. Shannon’s kick-return prowess earned him a spot on the Phil Steele Publications All-PFL Third team.
At 5’8, Shannon’s low center of gravity and strong balance shake off would-be tacklers and extend plays, whether that be on offense or special teams.
–HS
Davidson Wildcats: Julian Rawlins, Edge Rusher (Senior)
When watching a Davidson game, it is hard not to be mesmerized by edge rusher Julian Rawlins. The North Carolina product is unbelievably clever in his pass-rush approach, which often leads to success on the first attempt.
With that being said, one of the most crucial things as a pass rusher is possessing the ability to recover when the first move does not work. Rawlins specializes in this, as he always has another pass-rush move to counter within his deep arsenal.
At 225 pounds, he gives tackles fits with his power, yet also shines with finesse. His jump off the ball is special and devastating. After leading the Wildcats in tackles for loss, sacks, and quarterback hurries in 2023, expect big things to continue this year.
-HS
Stetson: Andrew Martin, Linebacker (Sophomore)
The PFL Defensive Freshman of the Year is back to wreak more havoc for the hatters. Martin specifically decimated the Red Foxes last year with a season-high 14 tackles, nearly a quarter of his tackles all season (62, 3.5 for loss).
In their showcase game against Sun Conference opponent Ave Maria University, Martin heavily involved himself at the line, with three tackles for loss, 2 sacks and a team-leading eight tackles. He already eclipsed his sack total from his stellar rookie season, sending a message that he will be an edge-rushing threat. The 6’1 217-pound sophomore is due for a dangerous sophomore campaign, as evidenced by him receiving preseason All-PFL honors.
-DA
St. Thomas Tommies: Alec Rasmussen, Offensive Lineman (Senior)
The 6’7 Senior from Minnesota is a nightmare to game plan for and match up against. Rasmussen’s size is notable, but even more impressive is his athleticism and flexibility despite his towering frame.
Rasmussen is quick enough to keep up with speedy edge rushers and strong enough to match up with more powerful players. This skill set earned him the PFL Offensive Lineman of the Year award and Phil Steele’s Offensive Lineman of the Year honor.
-HS
Morehead State Eagles: Jihad McCall, Defensive Back (Redshirt Junior)
It would be more fitting if Morehead State’s mascot were the Hawks because redshirt junior Jihad McCall played like one during his 2023 campaign.
Leading the entirety of the PFL in interceptions last season (6), McCall averaged an interception per game during the final four games of the PFL season, showcasing his improvement in one-on-one scenarios.
McCall got rewarded for his big moments, garnering a 2023 Second Team All-PFL award and preseason All-PFL nod entering his redshirt junior season. It will be interesting to see if the New Jersey native can build upon his ball-hawking abilities.
-DA
Presbyterian Blue Hose: Worth Warner, Tight End (Graduate Student)
In the PFL, tight ends are mostly used for blocking purposes. This isn’t a knock on how teams run their offense, but Presbyterian has perfected sending their TEs down the seam to make plays. Worth Warner’s game consists of bullying slot corners and completely out-running linebackers.
The Blue Hose were not a good red zone team in 2023, meaning they had to rely on players like star WR Dominic Kibby and Warner to make big-time plays. Warner responded by averaging an astronomical 13 yards per reception as a TE. He has perfected the chip block off the line, impacting the opponents’ pash rush before getting open for his quarterback.
Something that Warner could improve upon is becoming a bigger threat in the endzone, as he only had 3 touchdown receptions last season. With his playstyle and physicality, scoring opportunities should come.
-HS
San Diego Toreros: Malachi Cooper, Defensive Lineman (Senior)
While graduate student defensive back Eric Haney starred on the Torero’s defense, senior defensive lineman Malachi Cooper also stood out in a season overshadowed by the University’s hazing scandal.
The local San Diego kid entered his junior season only appearing in four games prior to his breakout year. At 6’4, 260 pounds, Cooper recorded 24 tackles, 5.5 sacks, a pass deflection and a forced fumble after only registering two tackles in his first two years with San Diego.
It is no secret Cooper will be a starter for the Toreros in his senior season and a physical presence on the line. Better yet, the Preseason All-PFL nod gets to represent his hometown.
–DA
Valparaiso Beacons: Sam Hafner, Defensive Lineman (Sophomore)
The Valparaiso Beacon’s sole preseason All-PFL nod was also a First Team representative last year. It is not a reach to say he has a shot as conference player of the year after an impressive redshirt sophomore season.
Hafner finished second in the entire nation in tackles for a defensive lineman (63), fifth in the conference in sacks (5) and was one of 10 players to have multiple forced fumbles on the year. He’s a lockdown pass rusher and quick for his frame, and a clear leader for a young Beacons team. Though the Beacons rank towards the bottom of the preseason coaches’ poll, Hafner aims to impress.
-DA
Dayton Flyers: Gavin Lochow, WR (Sophomore)
The young star looks like a video game character on the field. As a freshman in 2023, Lochow was deployed all over the field on offense, grabbing 34 balls, five for touchdowns and racking up just under 400 yards receiving.
Lochow is dangerous with the ball in his hands, averaging 5.6 yards a carry as a runner, which shows how dynamic he can be either in the slot or in the backfield. His style of play reminds me a lot of players like Marist’s Tristan Shannon; a strong lower half that leads to missed tackles and the vision of a running back while playing receiver.
Lochow is only a sophomore with tons of room to grow and produce big numbers for the Flyers.
-HS
Edited by Marley Pope and Luke Sassa
Graphics by Gene Barbieri
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