After much debate about which Group of Five team earned the right to play in a New Year’s Six bowl, Liberty was ranked the highest in the College Football Playoff and will be competing in the Fiesta Bowl. The Flames were the lone undefeated G5 team after conference championships were played.
The Flames, and many other G5 squads, were loaded with talent this year. HERO Sports has put together G5 All-American first, second, and third teams. Here’s a look at some of the best players from the Group of Five in 2023.
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Postseason Awards
G5 Player of the Year: QB Kaidon Salter, Liberty
G5 Offensive Player of the Year: RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
G5 Defensive Player of the Year: DL Jalen Green, JMU
G5 Special Teams Player of the Year: K Graham Nicholson, Miami (Ohio)
G5 Co-Coaches of the Year: Curt Cignetti (JMU) and Jamey Chadwell (Liberty)
First Team Offense
QB Kaidon Salter, Liberty
RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
RB Kimani Vidal, Troy
WR Ricky White III, UNLV
WR Caullin Lacy, South Alabama
WR Tory Horton, Colorado State
TE Dallin Holker, Colorado State
TE Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green
OL Justin Osborne, SMU
OL Elijah Klein, UTEP
OL Jacob Bayer, Arkansas State
OL Logan Parr, SMU
OL Clay Webb, Jacksonville State
AP LaJohntay Wester, FAU
First Team Defense
DL Jalen Green, JMU
DL Mohamed Kamara, Colorado State
DL Javon Solomon, Troy
DL Ahmed Hassanein, Boise State
DL Jamree Kromah, JMU
LB Jason Henderson, Old Dominion
LB Trey Moore, UTSA
LB Bryce Houston, Ohio
LB Tyrice Knight, UTEP
LB Trevor Williams, Sam Houston
DB Trey Taylor, Air Force
DB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
DB Brylan Green, Liberty
DB Jaden Voisin, South Alabama
DB Jalen Huskey, Bowling Green
First Team Special Teams
K Graham Nicholson, Miami (Ohio)
P James Ferguson-Reynolds, Boise State
RS Jayden Harrison, Marshall
Second Team Offense
QB Jordan McCloud, JMU
RB Kairee Robinson, San Jose State
RB Peny Boone, Toledo
WR Joshua Cephus, UTSA
WR Jalen Royals, Utah State
WR Elijah Sarratt, JMU
TE Anthony Torres, Toledo
TE Mark Redman, San Diego State
OL Sincere Haynesworth, Tulane
OL Adam Karas, Air Force
OL X’Zauvea Gadlin, Liberty
OL Branson Hickman, SMU
OL Nolan Potter, Northern Illinois
AP Ismail Mahdi, Texas State
Second Team Defense
DL Elijah Roberts, SMU
DL Adin Huntington, ULM
DL Jordan Guerad, FIU
DL Richard Jibunor, Troy
DL Ben Kopenski, Tulsa
LB Dallas Gant, Toledo
LB Matt Salopek, Miami (Ohio)
LB Tyren Dupree, Liberty
LB Eli Neal, Marshall
LB Jordan Magee, Temple
DB Tyrek Funderburk, App State
DB Devin Grant, Buffalo
DB Ike Larsen, Utah State
DB Jack Howell, Colorado State
DB Jarius Monroe, Tulane
Second Team Special Teams
K Jose Pizano, UNLV
P Mitchell Tomasek, Eastern Michigan
RS Jacob De Jesus, UNLV
Third Team Offense
QB Michael Pratt, Tulane
RB Quinton Cooley, Liberty
RB Makhi Hughes, Tulane
WR Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky
WR Luke McCaffrey, Rice
WR Kelly Akharaiyi, UTEP
TE Treyton Welch, Wyoming
TE Zach Horton, JMU
OL Jacob Gideon, Western Michigan
OL Addison West, Western Michigan
OL Nick Rosi, Toledo
OL J.C. Davis, New Mexico
OL Bucky Williams, App State
AP Marcus Carroll, Georgia State
Third Team Defense
DL Mikail Kamara, JMU
DL James Carpenter, JMU
DL Ben Bell, Texas State
DL T.J. Jackson, Troy
DL Caiden Woullard, Miami (Ohio)
LB Wayne Matthews III, Old Dominion
LB Joe Sparacio, Eastern Michigan
LB MJ Tafisi Jr., Utah State
LB Marques Watson-Trent, Georgia Southern
LB Easton Gibbs, Wyoming
DB Kam Pedescleaux, Tulane
DB D’Angelo Ponds, JMU
DB Jordan Oladokun, Bowling Green
DB Emany Johnson, Nevada
DB Irshaad Davis, Troy
Third Team Special Teams
K Mason Shipley, Texas State
P Alec Bevelhimer, Miami (Ohio)
RS Smoke Harris, Louisiana Tech
