Quarterback

Junior Tim Hiller is entering his second full season as the Broncos starting quarterback. Hiller started all 12 games for Western Michigan last season, completing 63.4 of his passes for 3,021 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Hiller started five games during his freshman season in 2005 before he was forced to be redshirted in 2006 due to a knee injury.

In 2007, Hiller became only the second quarterback in Western Michigan history to throw for 3,000 yards. The junior finished the season with the second-best completion-percentage in the history of the Bronco football program.

One thing Hiller will have to improve on is his 15 interceptions from 2007.

Last week against Nebraska, Hiller went 30-for-49 with 342 yards, the most for any MAC quarterback on the weekend.

When Western Michigan traveled to Huskie Stadium last season, Hiller went 20-for-29 for 226 yards in the 17-13 Bronco victory.

Grade-B

Running backs

Junior Brandon West is the main ball carrier in the Bronco backfield. The 5-10, 188 pound back ran for 848 yards a year ago, averaging 4.6 yards per carry and getting into the end zone four times.

West also showed his versatility in 2007, finishing the year with 45 catches for 365 yards. He also does double-duty as the team’s kickoff return man.

After the season, West was named to the second-team All-MAC. The Brunswick, GA native is entering his second full season as the Broncos starting tailback, and started five games his freshman season in 2006.

West had a tough time getting going last week against Nebraska, carrying the ball 12 times for only 29 yards in the 47-24 Bronco loss.

There isn’t much experience behind West on the depth chart, as back-ups Glenis Thompson and Kirk Elsworth had 37 carries combined only a year ago.

Grade-B+

Wide Receivers/tight ends

Senior wide receiver Jamarko Simmons is the star of the Western Michigan offense. At 6-2, 234 pounds, Simmons is a wide receiver in a tight ends body.

Simmons caught 84 passes in 2007, the second-most receptions in a season in Western Michigan history. The Flint, MI native also finished with the seventh-most receiving yards in a season in Bronco history with 980 yards.

As a reward for his breakout season, Simmons was named to the first team All-MAC. Simmons had a tough time against Nebraska last week, catching only three passes for 24 yards.

The Broncos will need more production opposite of Simmons. Senior Schneider Julien only caught 13 passes a year ago. Sophomore Juan Nunez started two games in 2007, catching 10 passes for 169 yards.

Tight end Brandon Ledbetter caught 38 passes for 550 yards in 2007 and was named third team All-MAC. The senior was named to the John Mackey Award watch list for best tight end during the preseason.

Grade-A

Offensive line

Western Michigan’s offensive line is going through a rebuilding period, losing three seniors from last year’s unit. The Bronco’s line is young and inexperienced, featuring three sophomores and one redshirt-freshman.

Senior right tackle Rob Johnson is the veteran of the group, but he only started three games last season. The other members of the group have only 12 combined starts, with all of them coming from left guard Phillip Swanson. Left tackle Anthony Parker, center Nick Mitchell, and right guard Nick Clemens are being thrown into the fire in their first starting season.

The young members of the group need to grow quickly to protect quarterback Tim Hiller and open up holes for running back Brandon West if the Broncos look to contend for the MAC West title in 2008.

Grade-C-

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