It’s finally time to release our SIS All-Conference teams. We used our all-encompassing player value stat, Total Points, along with other metrics and our scouting work as leading references in putting together our team of selections for 2023, plus some honorable mentions.
You can learn more about Total Points and the statistics referenced here.
These picks are meant to honor this season’s best-of-the-best in the C-USA.
Offense
Position | Name | School |
QB | Kaidon Salter | Liberty |
RB | Quinton Cooley | Liberty |
WR | CJ Daniels | Liberty |
WR | Malachi Corley | Western Kentucky |
TE | Bentley Hanshaw | Liberty |
FLEX | Kris Mitchell | FIU |
OT | Xavior Gray | Liberty |
OT | Will O’Steen | Jacksonville State |
OG | Jonathan Graham | Liberty |
OG | Quantavious Leslie | Western Kentucky |
OC | Canaan Yarro | New Mexico State |
Liberty’s offense is well represented after finishing 4th in the FBS in yards per game. Kaidon Salter led the conference in total yards, Quinton Cooley led the conference in rushing yards, and CJ Daniels was 2nd in receiving yards. All three, along with Bentley Hanshaw and Xavior Gray, led their respective positions in Total Points in the conference, with Jonathan Graham finishing 2nd.
Malachi Corley generated 17 broken/missed tackles after the catch and was a playmaker all season. Kris Mitchell led the conference in receiving yards and drew 4 pass interference calls as well. Will O’Steen and Canaan Yarro were both 2nd at their respective positions in Total Points with a Blown Block rate under 1.5%. Quantavious Leslie had a miniscule Blown Block rate of 0.5%.
Defense
Position | Name | School |
DT | Marley Cook | Middle Tennessee |
DT | Jeff Marks | Jacksonville State |
EDGE | Chris Hardie | Jacksonville State |
EDGE | Praise Amaewhule | UTEP |
LB | Trevor Williams | Sam Houston State |
LB | Kavian Gaither | Sam Houston State |
CB | Willie Roberts | Louisiana Tech |
CB | Kobe Singleton | Liberty |
S | Mehki Miller | New Mexico State |
S | Brylan Green | Liberty |
FLEX | Andre Seldon | New Mexico State |
Chris Hardie generated 42 Total Points which easily led EDGE players with 2nd place generating 24. Praise Amaewhule was 3rd in the conference in pressures (34) and also had 5 passes batted/deflected at the line. Marley Cook and Jeff Marks both made their presence felt as run stuffers with both finishing among the top 25 in FBS in Run Defense Total Points among DTs. Trevor Williams and Kavian Gaither were tough in coverage with a Passer Rating Against of 42.5 and 16.7 respectively.
Kobe Singleton may not have been perfect, but he did snag 4 interceptions with another 11 passes defensed. Brylan Green led the conference with 5 INTs and Andre Seldon generated at least 20 Total Points against both the run and the pass. Willie Roberts and Mekhi Miller led the conference in Total Points at their respective positions.
Specialists
Position | Name | School |
K | Ethan Albertson | New Mexico State |
P | Jack Dawson | Jacksonville State |
Returner | Smoke Harris | Louisiana Tech |
Ethan Albertson led the conference in most FGs made 1-29 yards (tied), 30-39 yards, and 40-49 yards, showing consistent reliability.
Jack Dawson had pinpoint accuracy with 23 punts inside the 20 with only a single touchback.
Smoke Harris was a dynamic playmaker whenever he had the ball, easily leading the conference in punt return yards (with a touchdown to boot).
Honorable Mentions
Name | School |
WR Trent Hudson | New Mexico State |
OL Xavier Bausley | Jacksonville State |
OL Clay Webb | Jacksonville State |
OL Elijah Klein | UTEP |
OL X’Zauvea Gadlin | Liberty |
OL AJ Vaipulu | New Mexico State |
OL Vincent Murphy | Western Kentucky |
OL Jordan White | Liberty |
LB Donovan Manuel | FIU |
CB Anthony Johnson Jr. | Western Kentucky |
S Fred Perry | Jacksonville State |
S Jeremiah Harris | Jacksonville State |
The selections for the offensive line and secondary were very difficult for C-USA. The combination of high-powered offenses and strong Blown Block numbers meant making some difficult decisions, such as leaving players like X’Zauvea Gadlin and Jordan White, who led their respective positions in Total Points, off the team. Jacksonville State’s safety tandem of Fred Perry and Jeremiah Harris made life difficult for opposing QBs with Perry having a Passer Rating Against of just 0.8.
Check out this year’s NFL Draft site to see how we feel some of these players project to the NFL.
Total Points, stats, and ranks as of 3/25/2023