In a season that redefined the essence of college football, the stage is set: bowl games line up alongside the much-anticipated College Football Playoff. Yet, as the dust settles on an unparalleled regular season, we unveil the elite of the elite—the All-American teams for 2024, curated by none other than Sports Illustrated.
Quarterback: Dillon Gabriel, Redshirt Senior, Oregon Ducks
Having traversed three institutions, Gabriel seamlessly filled the void left by Bo Nix, elevating the Ducks’ aerial assault to new heights. Under his command, Oregon strode through the season undefeated at 13–0, clinching the Big Ten and bagging the coveted top seed in the College Football Playoff. With a staggering 73.2% completion rate, he hallowed the end zone 28 times against merely six turnovers, solidifying his status as a Heisman Finalist along the way.
Running Back: Ashton Jeanty, Junior, Boise State Broncos
Words scarcely suffice to capture the explosive prowess of Ashton Jeanty in 2024. His magic propelled the Broncos to a glorious 12–1, capping off a parade through the Mountain West conference, and securing a prime playoff berth. As a two-time Offensive Player of the Year, Jeanty rushed for an astounding 2,497 yards and carved his name into history with 29 touchdowns—only 131 yards shy of eclipsing Barry Sanders’s single-season rushing record.
Running Back: Cam Skattebo, Senior, Arizona State Sun Devils
In the shadow of Jeanty’s limelight, Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo emerged as a pivotal force, steering the Sun Devils towards a triumphant Big 12 title and a firm spot in the playoff picture. Skattebo dazzled onlookers with 1,568 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns, supplemented by 506 receiving yards and three additional touchdowns—a performance worthy of reverence.
Wide Receiver: Travis Hunter, Junior, Colorado Buffaloes
What’s left to say about Travis Hunter, a marvel who wears many hats? His dual-threat ability has earned him slots on the All-American team at both wide receiver and cornerback. He gleamed as one of the season’s brightest luminaries, securing 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns, while simultaneously paving his path to the Heisman Trophy contention.
Wide Receiver: Xavier Restrepo, Redshirt Senior, Miami Hurricanes
In his farewell collegiate chapter, Restrepo catapulted from good to great with the arrival of quarterback Cam Ward. He made a colossal impact, reeling in 69 passes for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns, firmly establishing himself as a cornerstone of Miami’s revitalized offense.
Tight End: Harold Fannin Jr., Junior, Bowling Green Falcons
Harold Fannin Jr. asserted himself as the hallmark of tight end excellence, elevating Bowling Green’s offense to dizzying heights with statistics resembling video game exploits—100 receptions for 1,342 yards and nine touchdowns. His contributions were quintessential as the Falcons navigated through a fiercely competitive conference championship race.
Offensive Tackles:
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Kelvin Banks Jr., Junior, Texas Longhorns
In the critical battleground that is the SEC championship, Banks’s absence due to injury echoed loudly, highlighting his paramount role on the Texas offensive line. His return is eagerly anticipated as the Longhorns vie for national glory. - Wyatt Milum, Senior, West Virginia Mountaineers
Milum was the backbone of a rushing attack that catapulted the Mountaineers to the 27th slot nationally in rushing yards with a hearty 192.7 per game.
Offensive Guards:
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Bill Katsigiannis, Senior, Army Black Knights
Steering Army’s top-tier rushing offense at an astonishing 314.4 yards per game, Katsigiannis was the linchpin, garnering first-team All-AAC recognition. - Donovan Jackson, Senior, Ohio State Buckeyes
Jackson’s solidification as a premier guard shone brightly as Ohio State’s prolific offense thrived, earning him first-team All-Big Ten accolades.
Center: Cooper Mays, Senior, Tennessee Volunteers
Anchoring Tennessee’s notable rushing assault alongside standout Dylan Sampson, Mays emerged as a crucial player, securing his status as a first-team All-SEC choice.
Defensive Highlights:
The defensive line was no less formidable, led by Abdul Carter of Penn State, reaffirming his dominance as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year with 10 sacks, and Walter Nolen, who delivered a robust performance for Ole Miss with 6.5 sacks and a first-team All-SEC nod.
Linebackers:
Each linebacker carved out their legacy, from Anthony Hill Jr. of Texas and Jay Higgins of Iowa to Jalon Walker of Georgia, who seized the Butkus Award, showcasing defensive prowess that elevated their teams’ reputations across the national stage.
Cornerback and Safety Domain:
Travis Hunter reigned in the defensive realm as well, collecting four interceptions, while Nohl Williams embodied excellence in the ACC, leading the FBS with seven interceptions.
As we stand on the precipice of postseason excitement, these student-athletes embody the spirit of competition and excellence in college football, ready to etch their names in the annals of this sport’s rich history as future stars.
