Four members of the Kent State football team were named to All-Mid-American Conference teams. 

Junior linebacker Jim Jones was the lone Flash named to the All-MAC first team, while senior defensive tackle Jon Cunningham and sophomore punter Derek Adams were named to the second team. Senior cornerback Demetrius Monday was also named to the third team.

It is the 12th straight season at least three Flashes were named to the top two all-conference teams.

Jones became one of the Flashes’ biggest leaders on the defensive side of the ball this season, as he finished the season ranked in the top five in the Mid-American Conference with 98 tackles (52 solo) and six sacks. 

Cunningham, who was named to the All-MAC third team last season, finished the season with with 51 tackles, 10 of which were for a loss. He recorded seven tackles in the Flashes matchup against Miami (OH), while also totaling three tackles for loss and a forced fumble against Ohio University. 

Cunningham was joined on the second team by punter Derek Adams, who is quickly staking his name as one of the best punters in the nation. Adams was named the MAC East Special Teams Player of the Week twice this season, and recorded a 74-yard punt in the Flashes matchup against Northern Illinois. Adams finished the year second in the Mid-American Conference with a punting average of 43.6 yards, and had 18 punts of 50+ yards to go along with 20 punts inside the 20-yard line. 

Monday was the Flashes’ lone representative on the third team and serves as the proverbial finish line to one of the most illustrious defensive careers in recent Kent State football memory. Monday finished the year with five interceptions, two of which came against Lamar Jackson, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. Monday totaled 12 interceptions in his Kent State career. 

Jones and Adams will look build on their accomplishments next season for the Flashes and will be key cornerstones for the team’s new coach, who will be hired this offseason after the team announced they would not be renewing the contract of former coach Paul Haynes. 

Toldeo quarterback Logan Woodside was named MAC Offensive Player of the year, while Northern Illinois defensive end Sutton Smith was named Defensive Player of the Year.

Henry Palattella is the sports editor. Contact him at [email protected].