Photos: Jeffrey Brown and Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire

It’s time once again to announce our SIS College Football All-American Team. 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 selections.

A brief explanation of Total Points:

Total Points takes nearly everything that SIS measures about a play and uses it to evaluate each player on a scale that allows you to compare them more easily. It’s always useful to be able to understand the different ways in which players can be valuable. Does he break a lot of tackles? Does he get a lot of yards after the catch? Does he make the best out of a poor offensive line? Does he get more pressures than expected? Does he break up a lot of passes? Total Points offers the opportunity to take all of those elements and get a quick picture of how well a player is performing overall.

You can learn more about Total Points and the statistics referenced within this piece here.

Here are this year’s selections:

1st Team Offense

QB – Dillon Gabriel – Oregon

Gabriel led all quarterbacks in Total Points and Points Above Average, passing for 3,558 yards and 28 touchdowns. Accuracy is his calling card. Gabriel finished Top 5 among quarterbacks in completion percentage, catchable pass percentage, and on-target percentage.

RB – Ashton Jeanty – Boise State 

Jeanty led all running backs in Total Points and Points Above Average, thanks to his 2,497 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns. His 1,665 yards after contact was more than the next best running back had in yards alone.

RB – Cam Skattebo – Arizona State

Skattebo led all running backs in Total Points Per Play, while gaining 2,074 yards from scrimmage and scoring 22 total touchdowns. A total of 1,024 of his 1,568 rushing yards came after contact, and he forced a broken and/or missed tackle on 30.7% of his attempts (7th-best, minimum 150 carries).

WR – Xavier Restrepo – Miami 

Restrepo had a dominant final season in college, leading all wide receivers in Total Points and Points Above Average. The sure-handed receiver was one of two Power-4 wide receivers to eclipse 1,000 Receiving Yards and 10 Receiving Touchdowns. 

WR – Tetairoa McMillan – Arizona

McMillan solidified himself as one of the most dominant receivers in the sport as a true junior. In addition to being Top 5 in Receiving Total Points, he posted the second-most air yards this season (881), while also being in the Top 5 in broken and missed forced tackles among receivers with 27.

WR – Travis Hunter – Colorado

Hunter was so good that we added an extra spot on both the 1st Team Offense AND 1st Team Defense so he could get his due. He finished the season Top 10 in Total Points among non-quarterbacks. The 2024 Biletnikoff Award winner finished 2nd in the FBS with 14 receiving touchdowns.

TE – Harold Fannin Jr. – Bowling Green 

Fannin Jr. led all Tight Ends in Total Points and Points Above Average, hauling in 1,332 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Perhaps his most impressive stat was that despite 133 targets this season, he dropped only one pass.

T – Isaiah World – Nevada

World’s all-around, stellar play earned him a spot on the 1st team. He finished 7th in the FBS in Run Block Total Points among tackles and tied for first in Total Points among all FBS offensive linemen this year. 

T – Josh Conerly Jr. – Oregon 

Conerly Jr. had a dominant season en route to Oregon’s undefeated regular season. He finished 3rd among all offensive linemen in Total Points and Points Above Average. He was very well balanced as he was the only tackle in the FBS to finish in the Top 10 of both Pass Block Total Points and Run Block Total Points.

G – Keylan Rutledge – Georgia Tech

Rutledge finished Top 10 in Total Points among offensive linemen, particularly shining in run blocking where he finished Top 5 in Run Blocking Total Points. His pass blocking accomplishments were also impressive, as with roughly 400 pass block attempts, he gave up only 2 blown blocks.

G – Baraka Beckett – New Mexico

Beckett was one of three Lobos to rank within the top-20 interior linemen in terms of Total Points, alongside teammates Richard Pearce and Lajuan Owens. The seventh-year senior played a key role in New Mexico’s offense, which had the highest yards per rush in the country (6.7).

C – Brady Small – Army 

Small was the middle man on the dominant, Joe Moore Award-winning, Army offensive line this season. He led all centers in Total Points, and made a statement in the run game by leading all offensive linemen in Run Blocking Total Points.

1st Team Defense

DT – Mason Graham – Michigan 

Graham capped off a highly-decorated career by leading all defensive tackles in Total Points and Points Above Average. He was a force against the run and the pass, leading all defensive tackles in Run Defense Total Points and finishing 7th in Pass Rush Total Points. 

DT – TJ Sanders – South Carolina  

Sanders was nearly unblockable for the Gamecocks this past season. He finished Top 10 among all defensive tackles in Pass Defense Total Points Per Play, Run Defense Total Points, Run Defense Total Points Per Play, and ended up with 41 Total Points, which ranked second among all players at his position.

ED – Donovan Ezeiruaku – Boston College

Ezeiruaku was a dominant force as a pass rusher where he led all Edges in Total Points and pressures generated. He also ended the season 3rd in sacks with 15.5. Not only was he one of the dominant forces as a pass rusher, but he was just as dominant in the run game where he led all Edges in Total Points against the run, tackles per game, and tackles for loss.

ED – Abdul Carter – Penn State

Carter finished 5th in Pass Defense Total Points and 7th in Run Defense Total Points, proving his dynamic ability that made him a top-3 edge defender in the nation with 61 Total Points. His Big 10-leading 19.5 tackles for loss, coupled with his double digit sack total, has put him into the national spotlight as a premier rusher in this upcoming draft. 

LB – Shaun Dolac – Buffalo

Dolac led all linebackers this season with 88 Total Points. He was impactful against the run and pass game, having the most Pass Defense Total Points among linebackers as well as the second-most Run Defense Total Points.

LB – Jackson Woodard – UNLV

Woodard was everywhere this season for the Rebels defense. He was Top 5 in Total Points, Total Points per Play, tackles, and tackles for loss among defenders on run defense. He also contributed 6 turnovers forced (4 INTs and 2 forced fumbles) and 3.5 sacks.

LB – Carson Schwesinger – UCLA 

Schwesinger led all linebackers in Run Defense Total Points after finishing the season as the leading tackler among all Power-4 linebackers with 134. His 2.9% broken and missed tackle percentage led the nation. He ranked 6th in Pass Defense Total Points as he also picked off 2 passes this year. 

CB – Nohl Williams – California

Williams led the NCAA with 7 interceptions, 2 of which he returned for touchdowns. He has also played the most coverage snaps (494) and allowed only a 41.6 QB Rating and 42.6% completion percentage when targeted. He led all FBS cornerbacks in Total Points.

CB – Jahdae Barron – Texas

Barron put together an excellent season out on the boundary for the Longhorns. He finished 3rd in Total Points among all cornerbacks while posting a 25.7 QB Rating Against, a 37.1% completion percentage against and only 10 yards allowed per game. He also had 5 interceptions.

CB – Travis Hunter – Colorado

Hunter was so good that we added an extra spot on both the 1st Team Offense AND 1st Team Defense so he could get his due. He finished the season Top 10 in Total Points among non-quarterbacks. The 2024 Bednarik Award winner led all FBS cornerbacks in Total Points.

S – Nick Emmanwori – South Carolina 

Emmanwori was a force in the secondary for the Gamecocks this season. He led all safeties in Total Points and Points Above Average. He finished 9th with a 27.8 QB Rating Against when targeted.

S – Xavier Watts – Notre Dame

Watts ranks 2nd in Total Points for safeties and followed up his 7-interception campaign in 2023 with 5 more picks in 2024. Notre Dame is the only team in the NCAA to allow a completion percentage under 50%, with Watts leading the charge.

1st Team Specialists

K – Kenneth Almendares – Louisiana

Almendares was Mr. Reliable for the Ragin’ Cajuns this season. He made 27 of his 29 field goal attempts with his only two misses coming from beyond 50 yards. He also made 46 of 47 PAT attempts. It should come as no surprise that these accomplishments contributed to Almendares finishing first among all FBS kickers in Total Points. 

P – Alex Mastromanno – Florida State

Mastromanno led the nation with 49.3 yards per punt, making him the top punter with 24 Total Points. His accuracy was key as he placed 17 punts inside the 20 with only 2 touchbacks all season.

RET – Kaden Wetjen – Iowa 

Wetjen was the dominant returner on both punts and kicks this season as he posted 937 total return yards on the season. He was also one of only two players to have multiple punt return touchdowns.

2nd Team Offense

QB – Cam Ward – Miami 

Ward excelled this season after transferring to Miami, finishing 3rd in Total Points among quarterbacks. He was the only quarterback to throw for at least 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns this season despite being outside of the Top 10 in the total number of dropbacks. 

RB – Corey Kiner – Cincinnati

Kiner finished 3rd this year in Rushing Total Points this year behind Heisman contenders Ashton Jeanty and Cam Skattebo. He was top-3 in broken tackles forced this season with 46, and he also placed Top 5 in broken and missed tackles forced per attempt (minimum 150 attempts).

RB – Ahmad Hardy – UL-Monroe

Hardy burst onto the scene as a true freshman to finish the season 4th among FBS running backs in Total Points. He didn’t need to rely on volume either as he was also 3rd in Total Points Per Play.

WR – Jack Bech – TCU

Bech finished 4th in Receiving Total Points and was 2nd in EPA generated when targeted. Relative to his peers in the Top 10 for Receiving Total Points, Bech had the lowest Bust Percentage at 4.3% (that stat is explained further here).

WR – Andrew Armstrong – Arkansas

Armstrong, who finished 3rd in Receiving Total Points, was everything to the Arkansas passing game. His 1,140 receiving yards were 35% of the Arkansas receiving yardage total this season, and his 78 receptions were 32% of the team’s receptions.  

TE – Tyler Warren – Penn State 

Warren was truly a swiss army knife for Penn State, taking snaps all over the field, including at center. His 88 receptions for 1,062 yards, 191 rushing yards and 11 total touchdowns were a major reason for his 35 Total Points, good for 4th among FBS tight ends.

T – Paul Rubelt – UCF  

Rubelt finished the season tied for the lead in Total Points among FBS tackles due to his dominance in the run game. He was the only tackle to finish inside the Top 5 in Run Block Total Points that did not play for a service academy. 

T – Lucas Scott – Army

Scott led the AAC in Total Points for tackles, and was also the leading run blocker in the FBS. The senior helped Army average nearly 300 rushing yards per game. He had only 3 total blown blocks in 718 snaps.

G – Adrian Medley – UCF

Medley was a prominent piece on UCF’s offensive line this year. He led all FBS guards in Total Point and finished 2nd in Total Points Above Average. The powerhouse finished 4th among all FBS guards in Run Blocking Total Points.

G – Michael Ford Jr. – Kansas

Ford was a consistent presence for Kansas this year. He finished Top 10 among FBS guards in Total Points and Total Points Per Play. His 0.8% Blown Block Rate was also 2nd among Big 12 offensive linemen (minimum 400 snaps).

C – Mike Katic – Indiana

Katic was a stalwart on the interior of the Indiana offensive line that led the way to the team’s best season in school history. The sixth-year senior excelled specifically as a pass blocker and earned 35 Total Points, which tied for 2nd among all FBS centers this season. 

2nd Team Defense

DT – Walter Nolen – Ole Miss

Nolen had a fantastic season in the middle of the Rebels’ defensive line this year. He was especially stout against the run, where he finished 4th among all defensive tackles in Run Defense Total Points and third in the FBS in Total Points (39) at his position. 

DT – Ty Robinson – Nebraska

Robinson was outstanding for the Cornhuskers, landing him 4th in Pass Defense Total Points among defensive tackles. His 6 sacks and 11 tackles for loss makes him an all-around force along the defensive line, which allowed him to finish tied for 3rd in Total Points.

ED – T.J. Parker – Clemson 

Parker put together a great season out on the edge of Clemson’s defensive front. He finished 4th in Total Points among all edge rushers where he accumulated 12 sacks and tied for the most forced fumbles in all FBS with 5, while also recovering 2. 

ED – Mike Green – Marshall

Green burst onto the scene this year by leading the country in sacks this year with 17. He had the most Pass Rush Total Points of all qualifiers and was top-3 in Pass Rush Total Points Per Play. He also placed Top 5 in pressures with 54.

LB – Jay Higgins – Iowa

Higgins did his best work against the pass this season while leading the always stingy Hawkeye defense to another solid year. Among FBS linebackers, he finished 2nd in Pass Coverage Total Points, 3rd in overall Pass Defense Total Points, and 6th in Pass Rush Total Points Per Play en route to amassing the 4th-most Total Points at his position. 

LB – Whit Weeks – LSU 

Weeks put together an outstanding sophomore season in the Tigers defense where he finished 5th in Total Points and 4th in Pass Rush Total Points among all linebackers. He also finished in the Top 10 for all linebackers in tackles per game with 9.6.

CB – Ethan Robinson – Minnesota

Robinson flew under the radar for an impressive Minnesota defense. He finished 3rd among FBS cornerbacks in Total Points. His balance was also impressive as he was the only FBS cornerback to earn at least 30 Pass Defense Total Points and 20 Run Defense Total Points.

CB – D’Angelo Ponds – Indiana

Ponds was a big part of Indiana’s unexpected run this season. He was Top 5 in Total Points and was ranked 5th in Pass Defense Total Points out of all defenders in the country. Among players targeted at least 30 times, Ponds ranked in the Top 25 in yards allowed with 166.

S – Jaylen Reed – Penn State

Reed performed well against both the run and pass, finishing in the top-25 on both fronts (24th and 13th, respectively). He was all over the field for the Nittany Lions, as he accumulated 79 tackles, one forced fumble and three interceptions, even taking one back to the house. He finished the season in the Top 5 among all safeties in Total Points, with 54. 

S – Malaki Starks – Georgia

Starks has been a chess piece for Georgia’s defense, moving all over the field. He was Top 5 in Total Points among safeties and ranked 8th in Pass Defense Total Points. He was a sure tackler too, ranking 2nd among safeties in one of our key stats, Broken and Missed tackle percentage per run defense snap.

S – Kerry Brown – Minnesota

Brown was half of the dynamic freshman safety pairing for Minnesota. He led all FBS safeties in Total Points Per Play. Similar to his teammate, he was also remarkably balanced, finishing 5th in Pass Defense Total Points Per Play and 1st in Run Defense Total Points Per Play.

2nd Team Specialists

K – Peyton Woodring – Georgia

Woodring, on the heels of a Lou Groza award semifinalist freshman season, connected on 90.9% of his kicks in the 2024 season. His only two misses on the season came on attempts of at least 50 yards.

P – Eddie Czaplicki – USC

Czaplicki won the Ray Guy Award due to his excellent punting prowess this season. Not only was his 48.5-yard Punt Average impressive, but his accuracy was outstanding. He had 24 punts inside the 20 with only a single touchback all season.

RET – Jalen Moss – Fresno State 

Moss, despite an injury-shortened season, finished in the Top-15 for Punt Return Yards highlighted by an 85 yard TD. He was also one of only four players in the FBS with at least 15 kickoff returns and 15 punt returns.