DALLAS – Conference USA announced its 2022 All-Freshman football team Tuesday, as selected by the league’s head football coaches. North Texas produced a league-high five players on the team, while FIU and Louisiana Tech each had four players selected to the squad. In total, ten teams were represented on the All-Freshman team.
North Texas had a wide receiver, a tight end, offensive lineman and a pair of defensive linemen selected. WR Ja’Mori Maclin (16 catches for 380 yards and two touchdowns), TE Var’Keyes Gumms (33 catches for 451 yards and five scores) and OL Febechi Nwaiwu (12 starts and appeared in all 13 games) represent the Mean Green offense. DE Cam Robertson (15 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, five quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a pass break-up) and DT Fatafehi Vailea (41 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sack, one forced fumble and one quarterback hurry represent the North Texas defense.
FIU’s four selections are highlighted by a pair of defenders – DB Demetrius Hill (95 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, an interception, two pass break-ups and three forced fumbles) and DB Hezekiah Masses (25 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, four pass break-ups, a quarterback hurry, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick). Offensively, the Panthers are represented by OL John Bock II (11 starts and 12 appearances). LS Jackson Lee was also selected, having served as the team’s long snapper in all 12 games for FIU.
Louisiana Tech also boasted four all-freshman choices in RB Marquis Crosby (183 carries for 918 yards and nine touchdowns and nine catches for 65 yards), WR Cyrus Allen (22 catches for 500 yards and four touchdowns), OL Carson Bruno (started all 12 games) and K Buck Buchanan (5-7 on field goals, including a long of 52).
C-USA champions UTSA saw three freshmen make the squad, headlined by RB Kevorian Barnes (114 carries for 713 yards and six touchdowns), DE Trey Moore (52 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks, five quarterback hurries, five pass break-ups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery) and DT Tai Leonard (nine tackles, 0.5 tackle for loss and two quarterback hurries).
Florida Atlantic also boasts three all-freshman selections in WR Tony Johnson (22 catches for 251 yards and three touchdowns), LB Jaylen Wester (57 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, one interception, three quarterback hurries and one pass break-up) and KR Jayshon Platt (averaged 19.3 yards per kick return on seven attempts).
WKU had a pair of players selected to the All-Freshman team in LB Aaron Key (11 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry) and P Tom Ellard (averaged 42.6 yards per attempt on 41 punts, with a long of 64, six of 50+ yards and 17 inside the 20).
Charlotte also placed two players on the all-freshman squad in LB Reid Williford (20 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a quarterback hurry, a pass break-up and a blocked kick) and DB Maguire Neal (23 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry).
Middle Tennessee OL Keylan Rutledge (10 appearances and five starts), Rice OL Ethan Onianwa (11 starts in 12 appearances) and UTEP DB Ilijah Johnson (20 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, six pass break-ups and a forced fumble) round out the 2022 C-USA All-Freshman Team.
The league’s individual awards will be released Wednesday, Dec. 7. Conference USA will conclude the 2022 season by sending six teams to bowl games.
OFFENSE
RB: Kevorian Barnes, UTSA
RB: Marquis Crosby, LA Tech
WR: Cyrus Allen, LA Tech
WR: Ja’Mori Maclin, North Texas
WR: Tony Johnson, Florida Atlantic
TE: Var’Keyes Gumms, North Texas
OL: Febechi Nwaiwu, North Texas
OL: Ethan Onianwa, Rice
OL: Keylan Rutledge, Middle Tennessee
OL: Carson Bruno, LA Tech
OL: John Bock II, FIU
DEFENSE
DE: Trey Moore, UTSA
DT: Fatafehi Vailea, North Texas
DT: Tai Leonard, UTSA
DE: Cam Robertson, North Texas
LB: Jaylen Wester, Florida Atlantic
LB: Reid Williford, Charlotte
LB: Aaron Key, WKU
DB: Demetrius Hill, FIU
DB: Ilijah Johnson, UTEP
DB: Maguire Neal, Charlotte
DB: Hezekiah Masses, FIU
SPECIAL TEAMS
K: Buck Buchanan, LA Tech
P: Tom Ellard, WKU
KR: Jayshon Platt, Florida Atlantic
LS: Jackson Lee, FIU
-ConferenceUSA.com-
