Football

Three Earn AP All-America Honors, Six Others Named Honorable Mention


• Complete 2024 Associated Press FCS All-America Team (PDF)

Three Big South-OVC players have been named to the 2024 Associated Press FCS All-America Team, while six others were tabbed honorable mention.

Southeast Missouri senior kicker DC Pippin and senior linebacker Bryce Norman were first-team selections while UT Martin junior defensive back JaMichael McGoy was a second-team pick. The honorable mention selections included Lindenwood junior wide receiver Jeff Caldwell, Western Illinois senior wide receiver Matthew Henry, UT Martin graduate offensive lineman Vance Van Every, Southeast Missouri senior offensive lineman Kobe Sixkiller, Tennessee State junior defensive back Jalen McClendon and UT Martin senior defensive back Oshae Baker.

Pippin ranked first nationally in field goals made/game (2.17), 0.37 per game more than second place. Overall he made 26 total field goals, six more than second place nationally while he also ranked 4th nationally in scoring (9.5 points/game). The senior was perfect (8-for-8) in attempts under 30 yards and 8-for-12 in attempts 40 yards of longer with a long field goal of 53 yards. Three times during the savings he made four field goals in a game, and overall made 39-of-41 PATs for a team that shared the Big South-OVC title and advanced to the FCS Playoffs.

Norman, the Big South-OVC Defensive Player of the Year, led the SEMO team in tackles for four-straight seasons, a first in program history. He finished the regular season wtih 126 tackles (10.5/game, sixth nationally), including 13.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He added eight quarterback hurries, five breakups and two forced fumbles. Norman had a career-high 19 tackles against Lindenwood.

McGoy tallied 43 tackles (31 solo), 3.0 tackles for loss, three interceptions, 18 pass breakups, two quarterback hurries and a forced fumbles in 14 games. He helped key a defense that ranked fourth nationally in passes intercepted (18), fifth in rush defense (87.6 yards/game), fifth in defensive touchdowns (4), seventh in third down conversion percentage (30.4%), 15th in turnovers gained (23) and 22nd in team passing efficiency defense (118.08).

Caldwell had an outstanding junior campaign, hauling in 53 receptions for 1032 yards and 11 touchdowns, The 11 touchdowns ranked eighth-most in the country. The Louisville, Ky. native compiled seven games with 99 receiving yards or more during the 2024 season. The junior wideout was tabbed Big South-OVC Offensive Player of the Week one time this season after totaling four catches, all for touchdowns, and 115 yards in a win against Eastern Illinois on September 28.

In 12 games Henry caught 64 passes for 1,211 yards and six touchdowns. His receiving yards ranked fifth nationally as did his 100.9 yards/game average. He also ranked 39th nationally in catches/game (5.3). Henry had a season-best 15 catches for 226 yards against Lindenwood in October and in the season finale against Gardner-Webb tallied 242 yards and two touchdowns on seven receptions.

Van Every was the top lineman for a UTM team that shared Big South-OVC title and earned a bid to the FCS Playoffs. He helped the team win eight regular season games, including beating a FBS opponent, and a first round Playoff win over New Hampshire. The Skyhawks ranked first in the League and 25th nationally in scoring offense (31.8 points/game), second in league and 43rd nationally in rushing offense (164.9 yards/game).

Sixkiller started every game for Southeast Missouri, starting at right guard and switching to center after an injury to a teammate. His team earned a share of the Big South-OVC Championship, was ranked as high as No. 6 nationally, and made the FCS Playoffs. The Redhawks ranked fourth nationally in passing offense (322.1 yards/game) and led the Big South-OVC and ranked 30th in fewest sacks allowed (1.46/game).

McClendon was a finalist for both the Buck Buchanan Awards and the HBCU+ National Player of the Year. He helped Tennessee State to a share of the Association title (its first since 1999) and its first FCS Playoff appearance since 2013. In 13 games he had 60 tackles (50 solo), an interception and 15 pass breakups.

In 14 games this season Baker tallied 54 tackles, three interceptions and eight pass breakups for team that shared Big South-OVC crown and earned an at-large berth to Playoffs, topping New Hampshire in the first round. Baker helped key a defense that ranked fourth nationally in passes intercepted (18), fifth in rush defense (87.6 yards/game), fifth in defensive touchdowns (4), seventh in third down conversion percentage (30.4%), 15th in turnovers gained (23) and 22nd in team passing efficiency defense (118.08).  Baker also returned kicks and punts and lined up as a wide receiver.

Big South-OVC Players on 2024 Associated Press All-America Team
K - DC Pippin, Southeast Missouri (1st Team)
LB - Bryce Norman, Southeast Missouri (1st)
DB - JaMichael McGoy, UT Martin (2nd)
WR - Jeff Caldwell, Lindenwood (Honorable Mention)
WR - Matthew Henry, Western Illinois (HM)
OL - Vance Van Every, UT Martin (HM)
OL - Kobe Sixkiller, Southeast Missouri (HM)
DB - Jalen McClendon, Tennessee State (HM)
DB - Oshae Baker, UT Martin (HM)