Our 2025 All-CUSA Football Team uses PFSN’s suite of college football metrics to highlight the highest graded players from the conference following the end of a remarkable college football season.
Did your favorite player make the cut? Let’s find out!
PFSN All-CUSA First Team Offense
- QB: Nick Minicucci, Delaware Fightin Blue Hens
- RB: Cam Cook, Jacksonville State Gamecocks
- RB: Evan Dickens, Liberty Flames
- WR: K.D. Hutchinson, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
- WR: Donte Lee Jr., Liberty Flames
- TE: Eli Finley, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
- OL: Anwar O’Neal, Delaware Fightin Blue Hens
- OL: Florian Staehler, New Mexico State Aggies
- OL: Steven Demboski, Delaware Fightin Blue Hens
- OL: BJ Tolo, New Mexico State Aggies
- OL: Kolt Dieterich, Sam Houston State Bearkats
The First Team offense of Conference USA was anchored by the prolific passing of quarterback Nick Minicucci and a powerful running back duo. Minicucci was the primary catalyst for the Fightin’ Blue Hens’ offense, throwing for 3,507 yards and 22 touchdowns while completing 62.9% of his attempts. His ability to generate yardage through the air was critical for a Delaware team that averaged 29.8 points per game.
The backfield features two of the conference’s leading rushers: Jacksonville State’s Cam Cook and Liberty’s Evan Dickens. Cook led the league in rushing yards per game with 127.6, contributing to the Gamecocks’ CUSA Championship appearance. Dickens finished the year with 1,339 rushing yards and a league-leading 16 rushing touchdowns, providing consistent production despite Liberty’s 4-8 overall record.
The receiving corps is highlighted by Western Kentucky’s K.D. Hutchinson and Liberty’s Donte Lee Jr. Hutchinson recorded 61 receptions for 619 yards, displaying reliable volume for the Hilltoppers, while Lee Jr. was the big-play threat for the Flames, averaging 18.5 yards on his 31 receptions, totaling 572 yards and five touchdowns.
Delaware’s offensive line was a focal point, placing two players, Anwar O’Neal and Steven Demboski, on the First Team, contributing to the team’s strong passing efficiency. New Mexico State also contributed two linemen, Florian Staehler and BJ Tolo, with Sam Houston’s Kolt Dieterich completing the unit, underscoring the dominance of individual strength up front across the conference.
PFSN All-CUSA First Team Defense
MORE: PFSN College Football Offense Impact Metric
- EDGE: Anthony Bynum, Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
- EDGE: Harper Holloman, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
- DT: Ezra Christensen, New Mexico State Aggies
- DT: Damonte Smith, Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
- LB: Baron Hopson, Kennesaw State Owls
- LB: Micah Davey, UTEP Miners
- CB: Jordan Dunbar, Missouri State Bears
- CB: Mister Clark, Florida International Golden Panthers
- CB: Nate Evans, Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens
- SAF: Jakari Foster, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
- SAF: Naeten Mitchell, New Mexico State Aggies
While the edge rushing positions were occupied by Anthony Bynum of Middle Tennessee and Harper Holloman of Western Kentucky, the interior defensive line was solidified by Ezra Christensen of New Mexico State and Damonte Smith of Middle Tennessee, forming a robust barrier against the run game. Linebackers Baron Hopson of Kennesaw State and Micah Davey of UTEP were recognized for their high volume of tackles and field presence, with Davey leading the UTEP defense in stops.
Cornerbacks Jordan Dunbar of Missouri State, Mister Clark of Florida International, and Nate Evans of Delaware were significant factors in pass coverage. Safeties Jakari Foster of Louisiana Tech and Naeten Mitchell of New Mexico State earned selections by showcasing versatility in both coverage and run support. Foster played a key role on a Louisiana Tech defense that led the conference in scoring defense, allowing only 21.3 points per game, while Mitchell was a turnover generator for the Aggies.
PFSN All-CUSA First Team Special Teams
- K: Garrison Rippa, Jacksonville State Gamecocks
- P: Cole Maynard, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
- KR: Devin Gandy, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
- PR: Gabriel Benyard, Kennesaw State Owls
Jacksonville State kicker Garrison Rippa proved to be one of the most reliable kickers in the conference, contributing to the Gamecocks’ success. Western Kentucky punter Cole Maynard was the top punter, consistently flipping field position with his long-distance punts for a Hilltoppers squad that finished 8-4.
Devin Gandy was a constant threat on kickoff returns, showcasing the speed and vision to convert defensive stops into offensive advantages. Benyard’s secure handling and aggressive style on punt returns were instrumental in Kennesaw State’s 10-3 overall record and CUSA Championship.
PFSN All-CUSA Second Team Offense
- QB: Amari Odom, Kennesaw State Owls
- RB: Kejon Owens, Florida International Golden Panthers
- RB: Shomari Lawrence, Missouri State Bears
- WR: Gabriel Benyard, Kennesaw State Owls
- WR: Cam’ron Lacy, Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
- TE: Gavin Harris, New Mexico State Aggies
- OL: Ebubedike Nnabugwu, Missouri State Bears
- OL: Joep Engbers, Liberty Flames
- OL: Aaron Fenimore, Liberty Flames
- OL: Anthony Caccese, Delaware Fightin Blue Hens
- OL: Noah Rosahac, Delaware Fightin Blue Hens
Kennesaw State quarterback Amari Odom, who led the CUSA Champions to a 10-3 record, earned the second-team nod, but was in with a shot of taking first-team honors. Meanwhile, teammate Gabriel Benyard and Middle Tennessee’s Cam’ron Lacy were recognized as productive pass-catchers. Gavin Harris of New Mexico State earned the tight end selection after providing a reliable option for the Aggies.
PFSN All-CUSA Second Team Defense
- EDGE: Jamall Thompson Jr., New Mexico State Aggies
- EDGE: Marcus Patterson, Kennesaw State Owls
- DT: KD Johnson, UTEP Miners
- DT: Tylon Dunlap, Kennesaw State Owls
- LB: Mekhi Mason, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
- LB: Parker Hughes, Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
- CB: Caleb Offord, Kennesaw State Owls
- CB: Jhamal Shelby Jr., Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
- CB: Tre’Quon Fegans, Jacksonville State Gamecocks
- SAF: Jessiah McGrew, Florida International Golden Panthers
- SAF: Jaylen Lewis, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
The Second Team defense was a solid mix of pass rushers and lockdown defensive backs. The edge rusher spots went to Jamall Thompson Jr. of New Mexico State and Marcus Patterson of Kennesaw State, both generating pressure that helped disrupt opposing quarterbacks.
KD Johnson of UTEP and Tylon Dunlap of Kennesaw State were the interior defensive tackles, providing interior containment for two teams with differing levels of overall success. Linebackers Mekhi Mason of Louisiana Tech and Parker Hughes of Middle Tennessee were acknowledged for their efforts in coverage and their ability to stop the run.
The secondary saw three cornerbacks selected: Caleb Offord of Kennesaw State, Jhamal Shelby Jr. of Louisiana Tech, and Tre’Quon Fegans of Jacksonville State, who all contributed to their respective team’s defensive strength. Safeties Jessiah McGrew of Florida International and Jaylen Lewis of Western Kentucky rounded out the Second Team.
PFSN All-CUSA Second Team Special Teams
- K: Jacob Hathaway, Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
- P: Ashton Logan, Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
- KR: Julian Gray, Liberty Flames
- PR: Dedrick Latulas, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
The Second Team special teams unit was led by Middle Tennessee kicker Jacob Hathaway, a consistent scoring threat who connected on 11 of 14 field goal attempts. Middle Tennessee punter Ashton Logan earned the punting nod for his ability to control field position with his leg.
Liberty’s Julian Gray was selected as the kickoff returner, showcasing the explosiveness to threaten long returns and frequently giving the Flames favorable starting field position. Dedrick Latulas of Louisiana Tech was the Second Team punt returner, recognized for his secure fielding and ability to maximize short returns into significant gains.
PFSN All-CUSA Third Team Offense
- QB: Jacob Clark, Missouri State Bears
- RB: Coleman Bennett, Kennesaw State Owls
- RB: La’Vell Wright, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
- WR: Tristian Gardner, Missouri State Bears
- WR: Alex Perry, Florida International Golden Panthers
- TE: Pearson Baldwin, Jacksonville State Gamecocks
- OL: Marshall Jackson, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
- OL: Fintan Brose, Delaware Fightin Blue Hens
- OL: Santos Valdez, New Mexico State Aggies
- OL: Zaire Flournoy, Florida International Golden Panthers
- OL: Christian Williams, Liberty Flames
Missouri State quarterback Jacob Clark earned the Third Team selection after guiding the Bears to a 5-3 mark in conference play and bowl eligibility in Year 1 as an FBS program. The running back selections were Coleman Bennett of Kennesaw State and La’Vell Wright of Western Kentucky, both providing reliable ground production.
The Third Team offensive line selections featured representatives from five different programs. Marshall Jackson of Western Kentucky, Fintan Brose of Delaware, Santos Valdez of New Mexico State, Zaire Flournoy of Florida International, and Christian Williams of Liberty were recognized for their individual consistency in run and pass blocking.
PFSN All-CUSA Third Team Defense
MORE: PFSN College Football Defensive Impact Metric
- EDGE: Kenton Simmons, Florida International Golden Panthers
- EDGE: Reggie Johnson, Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
- DT: Emmanuel Oyebadejo, Jacksonville State Gamecocks
- DT: Jack Hall, Delaware Fightin Blue Hens
- LB: Jayden Wilson, UTEP Miners
- LB: Sifa Leota, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
- CB: JeRico Washington Jr., Kennesaw State Owls
- CB: Cedric Woods, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
- CB: Brian Blades II, Florida International Golden Panthers
- SAF: KT Seay, Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens
- SAF: Bernock Iya, New Mexico State Aggies
Kenton Simmons of Florida International and Reggie Johnson of Middle Tennessee were key in generating pressure and controlling the edge of the line of scrimmage. The interior defensive line included Emmanuel Oyebadejo of Jacksonville State and Jack Hall of Delaware, while linebackers Jayden Wilson of UTEP and Sifa Leota of Louisiana Tech were recognized for their sideline-to-sideline pursuit and run defense.
The Third Team secondary featured cornerbacks JeRico Washington Jr. of Kennesaw State, Cedric Woods of Louisiana Tech, and Brian Blades II of Florida International, each playing a critical role in coverage for their defensive units. Safeties KT Seay of Delaware and Bernock Iya of New Mexico State were selected for their combination of deep coverage ability and support in the box.
PFSN All-CUSA Third Team Special Teams
- K: John Cannon, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
- P: Noah Botsford, UTEP Miners
- KR: Mysonne Pollard, Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens
- PR: Dash Luke, Missouri State Bears
The Third Team special teams unit was composed of steady performers. Western Kentucky kicker John Cannon was selected for his reliable kicking and scoring output for the Hilltoppers. UTEP punter Noah Botsford provided consistency in the punting game, helping the Miners manage field position.
The return specialists were Mysonne Pollard of Delaware on kickoff returns and Dash Luke of Missouri State on punt returns. Both specialists displayed an ability to generate yardage and contribute to their team’s overall field position advantage, rounding out the All-CUSA special teams selections.