DALLAS (FWAA) – The 2024 Football Writers Association of America All-America Team , presented in partnership with the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, has five repeat All-Americans and 16 players on teams competing in the College Football Playoff at the front of players from 40 different schools. Players from the expanded Big Ten and Southeastern Conferences make up 27, or half, of the 54-member team with nine of the Football Bowl Subdivision conferences represented plus an Independent.
The top four CFP seeds have five combined members on the team, including the FWAA All-America first-team backfield of Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel and the nation’s rushing leader, running back Ashton Jeanty of Boise State. The other first-team running back, Kaleb Johnson, is one of three Iowa players on the first team, as the Hawkeyes are the only program to post a first-team trio with returning All-American linebacker Jay Higgins and punt returner Kaden Wetjen. Alabama and South Carolina also lead with three members on the overall team. Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo, a second-team selection, is also among the top-seeded teams and is the Sun Devils' first honoree since 2019.
Nineteen of the 54 players, just over one-third, were transfers to their current schools. Four of them transferred from FCS programs.
Seven of the eight teams playing in this weekend’s first round have All-Americans on their rosters. Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., who won the FWAA’s Outland Trophy as the nation's top interior lineman last week, anchors the first-team offensive line along with Ohio State center Seth McLaughlin. The Longhorns and Buckeyes also have first-team defenders in Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron and Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs. Penn State has a player on each side of the ball with tight end Tyler Warren and defensive end Abdul Carter. Georgia is represented by a now two-time honoree, defensive back Malaki Starks.
Upstart Indiana adds to its banner season by earning a pair of FWAA All-Americans for the first time since 1945. First-team linebacker Aiden Fisher is Indiana’s first All-American at linebacker since 1944, and the Hoosiers add second-team defensive back D’Angelo Ponds. The Hoosiers travel to Notre Dame for a CFP first-round game Friday. The Irish have two repeat All-Americans on the second team, defensive tackle Howard Cross III and defensive back Xavier Watts, last season’s Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the FWAA’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player. SMU kicker Collin Rogers, whose long-range field goals helped send the Mustangs to the Atlantic Coast Conference title game, is on the first team along with Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson, who rewrote parts of the Vols’ record books this season.
Travis Hunter, last week’s Heisman Trophy winner from Colorado, is featured on the first team and repeats as the All-Purpose player from 2023. Hunter gives the Buffaloes their first honorees in consecutive seasons since 1991-92. Hunter played wide receiver and cornerback and even ran the ball a couple of times this past season.
The Mid-American Conference made an historic splash on this year’s team with three first teamers in the same season for the first time. Bowling Green’s Harold Fannin, a see-saw tight end/receiver, was among the FBS leaders in all receiving categories from start to finish and became the Falcons’ fourth All-American and first on the first-team since 2012. Western Michigan offensive lineman Addison West and Buffalo linebacker Shaun Dolac are their schools’ first All-Americans since 2020.
Following is the complete 2024 FWAA All-America Team:
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
QB Dillon Gabriel, Oregon (6-0, 200, Sr., Mililani, Hawaii)
RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State (5-9, 215, Jr., Jacksonville, Fla.)
RB Kaleb Johnson, Iowa (6-0, 225, Jr., Hamilton, Ohio)
WR Harold Fannin, Bowling Green (6-4, 230, Jr., Canton, Ohio)
WR Nick Nash, San Jose State (6-3, 195, Sr., Irvine, Calif.)
TE Tyler Warren, Penn State (6-6, 261, Sr., Mechanicsville, Va.)
OL Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas (6-4, 320, Jr., Humble, Texas)
OL Will Campbell, LSU (6-6, 323, Jr., Monroe, La.)
OL Wyatt Milum, West Virginia (6-6, 317, Sr., Kenova, W. Va.)
OL Addison West, Western Michigan (6-3, 305, R-Sr., Cary, Ill.)
C Seth McLaughlin, Ohio State (6-4, 305, Gr., Buford, Ga.)
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
DE Abdul Carter, Penn State (6-3, 252, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa.)
DE Kyle Kennard, South Carolina (6-5, 254, Sr., Atlanta, Ga.)
DT Mason Graham, Michigan (6-3, 320, Jr., Mission Viejo, Calif.)
DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss (6-3, 305, Jr., Powell, Tenn.)
LB Shaun Dolac, Buffalo (6-1, 225, Gr., West Seneca, N.Y.)
LB Aiden Fisher, Indiana (6-1, 233, Jr., Fredericksburg, Va.)
LB Jay Higgins, Iowa (6-2, 232, Sr., Indianapolis, Ind.)
DB Jahdae Barron, Texas (5-11, 200, Sr., Austin, Texas)
DB Caleb Downs, Ohio State (6-0, 205, Jr., Hoschton, Ga.)
DB Malaki Starks, Georgia (6-1, 205, Jr., Jefferson, Ga.)
DB Nohl Williams, California (6-1, 200, Sr., Oxnard, Calif.)
FIRST TEAM SPECIALISTS
K Collin Rogers, SMU (6-4, 219, Jr., Prattville, Ala.)
P Alex Mastromanno, Florida State (6-1, 241, Sr., Melbourne, Australia)
KR Keelan Marion, BYU (6-0, 195, Jr., Atlanta, Ga.)
PR Kaden Wetjen, Iowa (5-10, 196, Sr., Williamsburg, Iowa)
AP Travis Hunter, Colorado (6-1, 185, Jr., Suwanee, Ga.)
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE: QB Cam Ward, Miami; RB Dylan Sampson, Tennessee; RB Cam Skattebo, Arizona State; WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona; WR Xavier Restrepo, Miami; TE Colston Loveland, Michigan; OL Tyler Booker, Alabama; OL Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota; OL Lucas Scott, Army West Point; OL Clay Webb, Jax State; C Parker Brailsford, Alabama. SECOND TEAM DEFENSE: DE Mike Green, Marshall; DE Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Virginia Tech; DT Howard Cross III, Notre Dame; DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon; LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama; LB Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma; LB Jackson Woodard, UNLV; DB Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina; DB D'Angelo Ponds, Indiana; DB Terrence Spence, James Madison; DB Xavier Watts, Notre Dame. SECOND TEAM SPECIALISTS: K Kenneth Almendares, Louisiana; P Kai Kroeger, South Carolina; KR Winston Wright, East Carolina; PR Josh Cameron, Baylor; AP Desmond Reid, Pitt.
Other notables from the first team bring a little history with them as well.
- This year’s Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner, Kyle Kennard, leads South Carolina’s first-ever trio of All-Americans in the same season and its first in six seasons. The dominant pass-rushing edge is the Gamecocks’ first first-team All-American since 2012, joined by defensive back Nick Emanwori and punter Kai Kroeger on the second team.
- Offensive lineman Wyatt Milum gives West Virginia first-team selections in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2006-07, also the last time it had a first-teamer up front on offense.
- Defensive back Nohl Williams is Cal’s first at that position since 1999 and only the Golden Bears’ second All-American in the last 18 seasons.
- San Jose State wide receiver Nick Nash, the FBS leader in receiving yards, is only the third All-American in Spartans history and its first first-teamer since 2006.
- Mason Graham on the defensive line continues Michigan's streak of having at least one All-American on the defensive front for a fourth consecutive season. Michigan has at least a pair of All-Americans for a third consecutive season adding tight end Colston Loveland from the second team. Loveland is Michigan’s first FWAA All-American at tight end.
- Will Campbell is LSU’s third All-American of the last two seasons and its first on the offensive line since 2019.
- James Madison earned consecutive All-Americans with defensive Terrence Spence. Of note is that Indiana’s two All-Americans on this list were first-year transfers from JMU who moved when former JMU coach Curt Cignetti took the job.
- Virginia Tech’s Antwaun Powell-Ryland is the Hokies’ first All-American in four seasons.
- Florida State punter Alex Mastromanno is the Seminoles’ first on this list since 2017.
- Kick returner Keelan Marion of BYU is the Cougars’ first on the first team since 2001.
"The FWAA All-America Team annually is the work of a dedicated group of members who spend hours over the course of a year in developing the team through calls, voting and studying the players in their conferences," said Steve Richardson, FWAA Executive Director. "In addition, the entire membership has the opportunity to vote for the players they deem worthy to be on the first or second team as input to the committee. This process in some form has been ongoing now for 80 years."
A historic highlight keys the second teamers not already mentioned. Army offensive lineman Lucas Scott, a stalwart on the FBS’ top rushing offense that has bolstered an 11-2 season, is West Point’s first All-American since 1991 and only its second since 1959.
- Miami’s prolific passer Cam Ward and his favorite target Xavier Restrepo make up the third quarterback-receiver tandem to be All-Americans of the past two seasons. Ward joins a noted list of Hurricanes’ quarterbacks but is Miami’s first one on this list since Gino Torretta in 1992.
- Alabama has had an All-American every season since 2008, and linebacker Jihaad Campbell gives the Crimson Tide at least one on defense in 15 of the last 16 seasons (since 2008). Tide offensive lineman Tyler Booker and center Parker Brailsford are also second-teamers.
- Clay Webb is Jax State’s first All-American for the second-year FBS program.
- UNLV linebacker Jackson Woodard is his school’s third All-American and its first on defense.
- Tetairoa McMillan is Arizona’s first All-American at wide receiver.
- Louisiana earned only its second All-American in kicker Kenneth Almendares.
- Marshall has only had six All-Americans in its history – and Mike Green makes three of them that have come off the defensive front.
- East Carolina has its third All-American since 1999 in kick returner Winston Wright.
- Minnesota (offensive lineman Aieontae Ersery) has had an All-American in three consecutive seasons.
- All-purpose player Desmond Reid gives Pitt a fourth All-American in the last three seasons.
- Baylor’s Josh Cameron at punt returner is Baylor’s first special teams All-American since 2006.
The Big Ten Conference edged the Southeastern Conference 14-13 in total honorees. The ACC was third with seven and the Big 12 had six, with the rest of the honorees coming from the MAC, Mountain West and Sun Belt with three each, the American Athletic and Notre Dame (Independent) with two each to Conference USA’s one.
There are 23 seniors and juniors on the team with only three sophomores. Five graduates finalize the field – there are no freshman on the 54-man team.
The FWAA All-America Team was first selected in 1944, three years after the organization was formed. The FWAA's inaugural team included Army's Heisman Trophy tandem of Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis and Georgia Tech's Frank Broyles, who later became Arkansas' head football coach and athletic director.
Since 1945, the FWAA All-America Team has been among the five teams used to formulate the NCAA's annual consensus All-America team, which will be announced later this week. Since the 2002 season, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), The Associated Press, The Sporting News and the Walter Camp Football Foundation have joined the FWAA as the five designated selectors by the NCAA.
Over the years, the FWAA team has highlighted all the game's great players in several media forums. From 1946-70, LOOK magazine published the FWAA team and brought players and selected writers to New York City for a celebration. During that 25-year period, the FWAA team was introduced on national television shows by such noted hosts as Bob Hope, Steve Allen and Perry Como.
After LOOK folded, the FWAA started a long association with NCAA Films (later known as NCAA Productions), which produced a 30-minute television program. The team was part of ABC-TV's 1981 College Football Series. From 1983-90, the team was introduced on either ABC or ESPN. In 2002 and ‘03, the All-America team was honored with a banquet at the Citrus Bowl.
The same bowl also was a sponsor when the team was featured on ABC and ESPN from different locations on Disney properties from 2004-07. From 2008-10, the team had been the subject of a one-hour ESPN special.
For seven decades the FWAA has selected an All-America team with the help of its members and an All-America Committee, which represents all the regions in the country. From that All-America team, the FWAA also selects the Outland Trophy winner (best interior lineman) and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner (best defensive player).
Some of the true greats of the writing profession have helped to select this team over the years: Grantland Rice, Bert McGrane, Blackie Sherrod, Furman Bisher, Pat Harmon, Fred Russell, Edwin Pope, Murray Olderman, Paul Zimmerman – and the list goes on and on. The FWAA All-America team is steeped in tradition and history and is selected by a writers' group with those same attributes.
Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of journalists, broadcasters, publicists, photographers and key executives in all areas of college football. The FWAA works to govern media access and gameday operations while presenting awards and honors, including an annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its programs and initiatives, contact Executive Director Steve Richardson at 214-870-6516 or tiger@fwaa.com.
The Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic will play host to a College Football Playoff Semifinal on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. ET. The 89th Goodyear Cotton Bowl is the 16th Classic to be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
2024 FWAA All-America Committee
Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle (Chair)
Frank Bonner, Daily Memphian
Travis Brown, KBTX.com
Ken Capps, Freelance
Angelique Chengelis, Detroit News
Brett Ciancia, Pick Six Previews
Scott Dochterman, The Athletic
Bryan Fischer, Sports Illustrated
Scott Hamilton, Charleston Post & Courier
John Hoover, All Sooners
Mike Huguenin, Freelance
Shehan Jeyarajah, CBS Sports
Ben Portnoy, Sports Business Journal
Sean Reider, Albuquerque Journal
Tony Siracusa, Last Word on College Football
Phil Steele, Phil Steele Magazine
Dusty Thibodeaux, Rivals: Warhawk Report
John Wagner, Country News Review (Minn.)
Jon Wilner, Bay Area News Group