2024 Sportskeeda All-America College Football team ft. Travis Hunter, Ashton Jeanty, Cam Ward and more
The 2024 college football season offered numerous memorable moments, as teams vied for one of the 12 spots in the College Football Playoff. And through it all, we saw brilliant performances by college players, many well-known and others unheard of.
And as is usually the case, the cream rose to the top. Here is the annual Sportskeeda All-America squad, including first- and second-team players and names that are honorably mentioned.
Sportskeeda's First team All-America
Quarterback - Cam Ward/Miami
No quarterback meant more to his team or had the impact that Ward had at Miami after transferring from Washington State.
The ACC Offensive Player of the Year in 2024, Ward threw for 4123 yards and 36 TDs this season, keeping Miami in CFP contention throughout the season. Besides being the best quarterback in college, Ward’s performance boosted his draft stock more than anyone thought possible.
Running Back - Ashton Jeanty/Boise State
Jeanty almost single-handedly carried the Broncos to the playoffs, amassing 2,497 yards rushing with 29 TDs. His 192 yards and two-TD performance against top-rated Oregon was a highlight this season.
Wide Receiver(s)
#1 Travis Hunter/Colorado
America’s favorite two-way player had his greatest impact on the scoring side of the ball. He posted 92 receptions and 1,152 yards with 14 TDs, leading all Power 5 receivers in scoring receptions. Hunter is poised to be the first pick of the NFL Draft next April.
#2 Nick Nash/San Jose State
Nash led the nation in all receiving categories with 104 receptions, 1,382 yards, and 16 TDs. Included in those numbers were 16 catches for 152 yards and two TDs against Washington State and six receptions for 161 yards against Oregon State.
Tight End
Harold Fannin Jr./Bowling Green
Fannin’s numbers were stunning for a tight end and included 100 receptions and 1,342 yards as well as nine TDs. Only one receiver, Nick Nash, recorded more catches and receiving yardage this season.
Offensive Line
#1 Aireontae Ersery/T/Minnesota
Ersery was named Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, the first blocker from Minnesota to be awarded such an honor. A 50-game starter over his four-year Gophers career, Ersery gave up just a single sack this season.
#2 Marcus Mbow/T/Purdue
After missing the final six games last season with an injury, Mbow made a heroic comeback this year, starting 12 games. He was a standout player for a terrible Purdue squad that won just a single game in 2024.
#3 Willie Lampkin/G/North Carolina
The transfer from Coastal Carolina had a big impact on the Tar Heels, despite the fact he’s listed as under six feet tall and just 290 pounds. Lampkin allowed just one sack this season and helped pave the way for running back Omarion Hampton, who rushed for 1,660 yards and 15 TDs.
#4 Seth McLaughlin/C/Ohio State
It was a poor crop of centers in college football, but McLaughlin played well until tearing an Achilles tendon in practice last month. The transfer from Alabama quickly blended into the Buckeyes offensive line and effectively led the unit until he was sidelined.
#5 Lucas Scott/T/Army
The Black Knights of Army rolled over the ACC, beating Tulane for the conference championship and finishing with a 10-1 record. Only nemesis Navy remains on the schedule. And they pounded opponents with the running game, average a nation-best 312 yards per game; Scott led the way on the offensive line.
Defensive Line
#1 Mason Graham/Michigan
Graham was a one-man wrecking crew for the Wolverines on the interior of the Michigan defensive line. Opponents were forced to gameplan around Graham, and his ability to disrupt the action is unprecedented.
#2 Michael Green/Marshall
Green was one of the most disruptive defenders in the nation this season with 16 sacks and 21 TFLs. Opponents were constantly forced to shift protection towards Green, yet he always found a way behind the line of scrimmage.
#3 Donovan Ezeiruaku/Boston College
The senior leads the nation with 16.5 sacks and sits right behind Michael Green with 20.5 TFLs. Ezeiruaku exceeded expectations and disrupted opponents’ game plans every week.
#4 Walter Nolen/Mississippi
Nolen watched his game take off this season after transferring from Texas A&M. The big man was a playmaker for the Rebels, finishing the year with 13 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, and breaking up three passes.
Linebacker
#1 Anthony Hill Jr./Texas
The true sophomore was a dominant force for the Longhorns, who spent most of the season as the No. 1-ranked team in the nation. He finished the year with 90 tackles, 16 TFLs, and 7.5 sacks and forced four fumbles.
#2 Jay Higgins/Iowa
Higgins finished the year with 118 tackles, fewer than the 171 tackles registered a year ago, yet he broke up nine passes and intercepted four. Those numbers outpaced Higgins’ combined totals at Iowa the prior three years.
Defensive Backs
#1 Mello Dotson/Kansas
Dotson intercepted five passes, bringing two of them back for touchdowns. He was also credited with 15 pass defenses.
#2 Malaki Starks/Georgia
Starks was the leader of the Bulldogs secondary, finishing the year with 73 tackles. He was a force as both a run and pass defender.
#3 Nick Emmanwori/South Carolina
Emmanwori was imposing in the Gamecocks secondary and used his 220-pound frame as a wrecking ball. Finishing the year with 83 tackles and four interceptions, he also has two touchdowns on his ledger this season.
#4 Caleb Downs/Ohio State
Downs made waves earlier this year, transferring to Ohio State from Alabama. He then proved to be worth every cent Ohio State paid for his services, as Downs was possibly the most complete defensive back in the nation. His statistics were nothing out of the ordinary with 63 tackles and just one interception, yet Downs’ ability to stop the run and defend the pass struck fear in opponents.
Specialists
#1 Dominic Zvada/K/Michigan
Zvada connected on 17 or 18 field goals this season (94.4%) and missed perfection only because of one kick that was blocked. His field goal with just seconds remaining beat Ohio State in a game Michigan entered as 21-point underdogs.
#2 Alex Mastromanno/P/Florida State
In what was a terrible season at Florida State marred by an even worse offense, Mastromanno was one of the few highlights. The 230-pound punter from Australia averaged 49.9 yards on 55 punts, 30 of which were 50 yards or longer.
#3 Winston Wright Jr./KR/East Carolina
A receiver by trade, Wright averaged 26.8 yards on 22 kick returns, bringing one back for a score. He also caught 54 passes and eight TDs.
Second Team
QB
Garrett Nussmeier/LSU
RB
Kaleb Johnson/Iowa
WR
Luther Burden III/Missouri
Tetairoa McMillan/Arizona
TE
Tyler Warren/Penn State
OL
Jake Majors/C/Texas
Will Campbell/T/LSU
Wyatt Milum/T/West Virginia
Tyler Booker/G/Alabama
Josh Conerly Jr./T/Oregon
DL
Landon Jackson/Arkansas
Kyle Kennard/South Carolina
Nic Scourton/Texas A&M
Derrick Harmon/Oregon
LB
Matt Salopek/Miami-Oh
Shaun Dolac/Buffalo
DB
Nohl Williams/CB/California
Mansoor Delane/CB/Virginia Tech
Xavier Watts/S/Notre Dame
Andrew Mukuba/S/Texas
Specialists
Andres Borregales/K/Miami
Jesse Mirco/P/Vanderbilt
Malcolm Gillie/KR/Ball State
Honorable Mention
QB
Kyle McCord/Syracuse
RB
Omarion Hampton/North Carolina
WR
Tai Felton/WR/Maryland
Jamaal Pritchett/WR/South Alabama
TE
Mason Taylor/LSU
OL
Jonah Monheim/C/USC
Jonah Savaiinaea/T/Arizona
Donovan Jackson/G/Ohio State
Joshua Gray/G/Oregon State
Max Iheanachor/T/Arizona State
DL
Josaiah Stewart/Michigan
Tyleik Williams/Ohio State
Antwaun Powell-Ryland/Virginia Tech
Ty Robinson/Nebraska
LB
Carson Bruener/Washington
Carson Schwesinger/UCLA
DB
Maxwell Hairston/CB/Kentucky
Jahdae Barron/CB/Texas
Jalen Catalon/S/UNLV
Dillon Thieneman/S/Purdue
Also Read: Insider notes on Texas and Michigan players entering the NFL Draft'25