Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel has secured a spot on the first team, beating out Miami’s Cam Ward. The College Football Playoff teams are well-represented in the 2024 USA TODAY Sports All-America teams. Gabriel, now playing for his third school after transferring from Oklahoma, has had an impressive season with 3,558 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and 192 rushing yards with seven touchdowns. He played a crucial role in helping the Ducks achieve an undefeated regular season in the Bowl Subdivision.
The selections for the first and second teams were made by a panel of voters from USA TODAY Sports and the USA TODAY Network who cover college football. Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty was the only unanimous pick, being a Heisman Trophy finalist and the leading rusher in the nation with 2,497 yards and 29 touchdowns. He is also the only player in the FBS with over 200 carries to average more than 6.8 yards per rush.
Heisman favorite Travis Hunter from Colorado showcased his versatility by earning accolades in three positions, highlighting his significant impact as an all-around player. Hunter was selected for the first team as a cornerback and an all-purpose player, and for the second team as a wide receiver.
The first team selections include standout players like Dillon Gabriel, Ashton Jeanty, Tetairoa McMillan, and Harold Fannin. Players like Kelvin Banks, Tyler Booker, and Cooper Mays were also honored for their exceptional performances on the offensive line.
Travis Hunter’s exceptional contributions as an all-around player were recognized with an all-purpose player selection. The defensive lineup includes players like Abdul Carter, Mason Graham, Walter Nolen, and Kyle Kennard.
Overall, the 2024 USA TODAY Sports All-America teams feature top talents from college football who have made a significant impact on the field throughout the season.
Ashton Jeanty, a standout defensive lineman with a knack for getting to the quarterback, showcased his skills with ten sacks during the season, featuring four impressive multiple-sack performances. Jeanty’s exceptional performance on the field earned him recognition as a two-time All-Big Ten selection. Notably, he was a finalist for the prestigious Nagurski Trophy, awarded to the nation’s top defender, and the Outland Trophy, which recognizes the top interior offensive or defensive lineman in college football.
Joining Jeanty in wreaking havoc in opposing backfields was Nolen, a force to be reckoned with in the SEC. Nolen’s disruptive play resulted in 14 tackles for loss, establishing him as one of the most impactful tackles in the country. Kennard, a standout in the SEC, led the conference in both tackles for loss with 15½ and sacks with 11½. His stellar performance culminated in winning the coveted Nagurski Trophy after transferring from Georgia Tech.
The linebacker corps was anchored by talented players such as Chris Paul from Mississippi, Jay Higgins from Iowa, and Jalon Walker from Georgia. Paul’s standout season included 88 tackles and 11 tackles for loss, propelling the Rebels close to a playoff berth. Higgins, a stalwart in Iowa’s defense, tallied an impressive 118 tackles, finishing as the second-leading tackler in the Big Ten. Walker emerged as a key contributor for Georgia, delivering impactful performances in crucial games, including a notable showing with four sacks in wins against Texas.
The secondary featured standout defensive backs including Travis Hunter from Colorado, Jahdae Barron from Texas, Caleb Downs from Ohio State, and Xavier Watts from Notre Dame. Hunter’s versatility was on full display as he excelled at both receiver and cornerback, leading the Buffaloes with four interceptions. Barron, a key component of Texas’ stout pass defense, recorded five interceptions, contributing significantly to the Longhorns’ success. Downs made a seamless transition to Ohio State, showcasing his skills with 61 tackles, an interception, and a special teams touchdown. Watts concluded his stellar career at Notre Dame with 49 tackles and five interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown.
The special teams unit was highlighted by Kenneth Almendares from Louisiana-Lafayette as the kicker, Alex Mastromanno from Florida State as the punter, and Keelan Marion from Brigham Young as the return specialist. Almendares’ accuracy was exemplary, making 27 of 29 attempts, including long-range kicks from beyond 40 yards. Mastromanno stood out with an impressive 49.3 yards per punt, earning recognition as one of the top punters in the nation. Marion displayed his explosiveness on kick returns, averaging 26.2 yards per return and scoring multiple return touchdowns.
On the second team, notable players included Cam Ward from Miami at quarterback, Cam Skattebo from Arizona State and Dylan Sampson from Tennessee at running
