DALLAS – Howard Payne junior quarterback
Landon McKinney and teammate graduate student
Korey (KJ) Kelley were named Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year, respectively, to headline the 2023 American Southwest Conference football awards, the ASC office announced Thursday after a vote of the league's head coaches.
McKinney, a three-time All-Conference selection that was also named First Team All-Conference as a quarterback, delivered league-leading numbers in passing with 248 completions on 405 attempts for a 61.2 percentage. He logged 3,214 yards total with 77 his longest throw of the season. He averaged 321.4 yards per game on passing and was 144.0 efficiency rating. He threw 7 interceptions and led the Yellow Jackets to the number one passing offense in the league with 377.9 yards on average and a league-most 33 touchdowns. McKinney was a two-time ASC Player of the Week this fall.
Kelley, who played one season with the Yellow Jackets as a graduate student after earning all-conference accolades with East Texas Baptist in his undergraduate, would guide an improved defense that finished with 232 points allowed and 23.2 on average. The safety highlighted a defense that led the ASC in interceptions with 14 and was the top individual with six himself. Kelley was second in the ASC for tackles with 93 and 42 solo tackles. He had one ASC Player of the Week.
Hardin-Simmons senior offensive guard
Miguel Valdez earned Offensive Lineman of the Year and was on the All-ASC First Team. Valdez was a key part of the top offense in the league, helping the Cowboys rush for 2136 yards and total 31 touchdowns. HSU had the third best offensive efficiency with a 150.0 result. Valdez helped HSU win its first ASC Football Championship since 2015 when there was a three-way tie and first outright in 2004.
East Texas Baptist junior defensive lineman
Jahkamian Carr claimed Defensive Lineman of the Year and is a three-time All-ASC honoree that was part of the First Team Defense this year. Carr bolstered the Tigers' top-three ranked defense in total sacks (30) by leading the league with seven. He had six solo to match the league-high and accumulated 41 yards that averaged .70 yards a contest. He earned one ASC Player of the Week.
Hardin-Simmons senior punter
Cody Harral was named Special Teams Player of the Year. Harrall is a three-time All-ASC honoree and did well this season helping the Cowboys control field positioning. He logged 1,766 yards on 43 punt attempts. He had 14 pinned inside the 20 to match a league-most and punted his furthest at 64 yards and averaged 41.1 yards. He was Special Teams Player of the Week for the conference once this fall.
A three-way vote earned a trio Tri-Freshmen of the Year honors on the balloting. East Texas Baptist wide receiver
Trajan Llanas-Wilcox, Austin quarterback
Jaylon Talton and Texas Lutheran defensive back
Troy Tomaselli shared the selection. He ranked fifth in the league for total receiving yards average of 67.7 and totaled 609 yards with six touchdowns. Talton was the 'Roos starting quarterback in seven games and ended his freshman campaign with 24 completions and surpassed 200 yards in his final two outings. Tomaselli totaled 42 tackles with 34 solo and had 2.5 tackles for loss and added an interception and two pass breakups.
Hardin-Simmons Head Coach
Jesse Burleson was tabbed Coach of the Year and earns his first award after leading the Cowboys to a 9-1 overall record and perfect 6-0 conference record. The Cowboys captured the ASC automatic qualifier bid for the first time since 2004 and return to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament consecutive years after being an at-large team in 2022.
Twenty-nine student-athletes made a return appearance to the all-conference team, including five-time selection from Hardin-Simmons
Matt Mitchell; and a sextet that were four-time selections with Mary Hardin-Baylor
Ethan Ruckman,
Titus Dunk, and
Kenneth Cormier Jr, HPU's
Kelley and
Peyton Lowe, and Texas Lutheran
DaKory Willis.
Each ASC team is represented on the Outstanding Sportsmanship Team of the Year, with a head coach nominating a student-athlete from his team that embodied that characteristic on the field.
2023 All-ASC Football Teams and Awards
Individual Awards
Offensive Player of the Year: Landon McKinney, Howard Payne
Defensive Player of the Year: Korey (KJ) Kelley, Howard Payne
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Miguel Valdez, Hardin-Simmons
Defensive Lineman of the Year: Jahkamian Carr, East Texas Baptist
Special Teams Player of the Year: Cody Harral, Hardin-Simmons
Tri-Freshman of the Year: Trajan Llanas-Wilcox, East Texas Baptist
Tri-Freshman of the Year: Jaylon Talton, Austin
Tri-Freshman of the Year: Troy Tomaselli, Texas Lutheran
Coach of the Year: Jesse Burleson, Hardin-Simmons
Outstanding Sportsman Team of the Year
| Pos. |
Name |
Cl. |
University |
Hometown |
| QB |
Cornelius Banks |
So. |
East Texas Baptist |
Houston, Texas |
| LB |
Colton Gerken |
Sr. |
Austin |
Grand Prairie, Texas |
| WR |
Kage Gilbreath |
Sr. |
Howard Payne |
Midland, Texas |
| RB |
Drew Hagler |
Jr. |
McMurry |
Anson, Texas |
| DB |
Mason Hardy |
Jr. |
Texas Lutheran |
Flynn, Texas |
| LB |
Javeon Moses |
Sr. |
Sul Ross State |
Fort Worth, Texas |
| OL |
Khalil Spivey |
Sr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Abilene, Texas |
| QB |
Jackson Tingler |
Sr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Round Rock, Texas |
First Team Offense
| Pos. |
Name |
Cl. |
University |
Hometown |
| WR |
Jordan Carroll 2 |
Gr. |
Howard Payne |
Forney, Texas |
| WR |
Gus Charles |
Jr. |
Howard Payne |
Houston, Texas |
| SB |
Deon Collins |
Sr. |
Howard Payne |
Austin, Texas |
| SB |
KJ Peoples |
Jr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Waco, Texas |
| TE |
Casey Dufner |
Gr. |
Howard Payne |
Austin, Texas |
| OG |
Miguel Valdez 2 |
Sr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Clyde, Texas |
| OG |
Jesse Hoke 3 |
Sr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Huntsville, Texas |
| OT |
Xavier Garcia |
Jr. |
Sul Ross State |
El Paso, Texas |
| OT |
Bryce Hernandez |
Sr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Graham, Texas |
| OT |
Ethan Ruckman 4 |
Sr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
San Antonio, Texas |
| C |
Hayden Philpot |
So. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Decatur, Texas |
| QB |
Landon McKinney 3 |
Jr. |
Howard Payne |
Liberty City, Texas |
| RB |
Noah Garcia |
So. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Abilene, Texas |
| RB |
Colton Marshall 2 |
Jr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Abilene, Texas |
| RB |
DaKory Willis 4 |
Sr. |
Texas Lutheran |
Flatonia, Texas |
| RB |
Kenneth Cormier Jr. 4 |
Sr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Watauga, Texas |
| RS |
Dameon Gomes |
So. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Mansfield, Texas |
| K |
Carlos Arreola |
Fr. |
Sul Ross State |
El Paso, Texas |
|
|
|
|
|
First Team Defense
| Pos. |
Name |
Cl. |
University |
Hometown |
| DL |
Jahkamian Carr 3 |
Jr. |
East Texas Baptist |
Longview, Texas |
| DL |
Christian Booker 2 |
So. |
East Texas Baptist |
Humble, Texas |
| DL |
Dayln Dunbar 2 |
Sr. |
Sul Ross State |
Dallas, Texas |
| DL |
Dominick Williams |
So. |
East Texas Baptist |
Houston, Texas |
| LB |
Durand Hill 2 |
Jr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Buda, Texas |
| LB |
Matt Mitchell 5 |
Sr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Wimberley, Texas |
| LB |
Cade Michna |
Sr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Lorena, Texas |
| LB |
Joey Verret 2 |
Jr. |
East Texas Baptist |
Houston, Texas |
| DB |
Korey (KJ) Kelley 4 |
Gr. |
Howard Payne |
Abilene, Texas |
| DB |
Titus Dunk 4 |
Sr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Round Rock, Texas |
| DB |
Chris Baker |
Sr. |
McMurry |
Arlington, Texas |
| DB |
Kenneth Bradley 2 |
Sr. |
East Texas Baptist |
Coushatta, La. |
| P |
Cameron Welch 2 |
Jr. |
Texas Lutheran |
New Braunfels, Texas |
Second Team Offense
| Pos. |
Name |
Cl. |
University |
Hometown |
| WR |
Kristopher Martin 3 |
Sr. |
McMurry |
El Paso, Texas |
| WR |
Jerry Day Jr. 2 |
Jr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
West Monroe, La. |
| WR |
Vicente Luevano 3 |
Jr. |
Sul Ross State |
San Diego, Texas |
| SB |
TJ Rone |
Fr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Houston, Texas |
| TE |
Cole Andrus |
Jr. |
Texas Lutheran |
Jourdanton, Texas |
| OG |
Chase Iverson |
Sr. |
Howard Payne |
Vail, Ariz. |
| OG |
Jaxson Eskridge |
So. |
Texas Lutheran |
Crandall, Texas |
| OT |
Garri Smith |
Sr. |
East Texas Baptist |
Houston, Texas |
| OT |
Andrew Gormly |
Sr. |
Texas Lutheran |
Alvin, Texas |
| C |
Kobe Moore |
So. |
McMurry |
San Angelo, Texas |
| QB |
Jess Hoel |
Fr. |
McMurry |
Abernathy, Texas |
| RB |
Jacob Forton 2 |
Sr. |
Texas Lutheran |
Spring Branch, Texas |
| RB |
Ozias Wright |
Gr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Killeen, Texas |
| RB |
Rodd Hudson |
Jr. |
Sul Ross State |
North Little Rock, Ark. |
| RS |
Bobby Williams |
Fr. |
Sul Ross State |
Killeen, Texas |
| K |
Joaquin Rodriguez 2 |
Sr. |
Texas Lutheran |
San Antonio, Texas |
Second Team Defense
| Pos. |
Name |
Cl. |
University |
Hometown |
| DL |
Myles Terry |
So. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Conroe, Texas |
| DL |
Braden Hargrove |
Sr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Georgetown, Texas |
| DL |
Kei'Untray Hawkins |
Jr. |
East Texas Baptist |
Naples, Texas |
| DL |
Trey Belyeu-Witcher 2 |
Jr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
San Antonio, Texas |
| LB |
Colton Gerken |
Sr. |
Austin |
Grand Prairie, Texas |
| LB |
Herman Lee 2 |
Jr. |
McMurry |
Prosper, Texas |
| LB |
Jade Rios 2 |
Sr. |
Sul Ross State |
San Antonio, Texas |
| LB |
Johnny Smith-Rider 2 |
Jr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Fort Worth, Texas |
| DB |
KaDarrion Bookman |
So. |
Howard Payne |
Point Blank, Texas |
| DB |
Brock Bujnoch 3 |
Jr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Hutto, Texas |
| DB |
Alec Garcia |
So. |
Sul Ross State |
Mission, Texas |
| DB |
Justin Bingham |
Jr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Houston, Texas |
| P |
Cody Harral 3 |
Sr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Ballinger, Texas |
Third Team Offense
| Pos. |
Name |
Cl. |
University |
Hometown |
| WR |
Karmelus Card |
So. |
McMurry |
El Paso, Texas |
| WR |
Trajan Llanas-Wilcox |
Fr. |
East Texas Baptist |
Cameron, Texas |
| SB |
Isaiah Pena |
So. |
Sul Ross State |
El Paso, Texas |
| SB |
Zay Thomas |
So. |
East Texas Baptist |
Karnack, Texas |
| TE |
Chris Gacayan |
Fr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Axtell, Texas |
| TE |
Brock Gibson |
Jr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Wink, Texas |
| OG |
Jordan Becerra |
Jr. |
McMurry |
Waco, Texas |
| OG |
Vern Angton 3 |
Jr. |
McMurry |
Arlington, Texas |
| OT |
Justin Tesno |
Sr. |
Howard Payne |
Conroe, Texas |
| OT |
Donavan Valdez 2 |
Sr. |
McMurry |
Lancaster, Texas |
| C |
Elijah Mankins |
Fr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Midlothian, Texas |
| C |
Rashard Martin |
So. |
East Texas Baptist |
Houston, Texas |
| C |
Dominik Reed |
So. |
Howard Payne |
Argyle, Texas |
| QB |
Gaylon Glynn 2 |
Sr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Waco, Texas |
| RB |
Drew Hagler |
Jr. |
McMurry |
Anson, Texas |
| RB |
Paul Woodard |
Fr. |
East Texas Baptist |
Freeport, Texas |
| RS |
Eugene Robinson |
Sr. |
Texas Lutheran |
Lake Charles, La. |
| K |
Jared Mendoza 3 |
Sr. |
McMurry |
Fort Worth, Texas |
| K |
Nicholas Piazza |
Fr. |
East Texas Baptist |
Sugar Land, Texas |
|
|
|
|
|
Third Team Defense
| Pos. |
Name |
Cl. |
University |
Hometown |
| DL |
Nathaniel Finch |
Sr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Fairview, Texas |
| DL |
Dorian LeBlanc |
So. |
McMurry |
Beaumont, Texas |
| DL |
Colton Grimes |
Sr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Abilene, Texas |
| DL |
Jim Hitchcock |
Sr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Gatesville, Texas |
| LB |
Jessie Paris 2 |
Sr. |
Howard Payne |
Splendora, Texas |
| LB |
Keewan Grismore |
So. |
East Texas Baptist |
League City, Texas |
| LB |
Tristan Smith |
So. |
Texas Lutheran |
New Braunfels, Texas |
| LB |
Omari Frazier 2 |
Sr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Live Oak, Texas |
| LB |
Peyton Lowe 4 |
Sr. |
Howard Payne |
Gunter, Texas |
| DB |
Trashawn Adams |
Jr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Jasper, Texas |
| DB |
Mason Hardy 2 |
Jr. |
Texas Lutheran |
Flynn, Texas |
| DB |
Robert Williams 2 |
Sr. |
East Texas Baptist |
DeSoto, Texas |
| DB |
Demarcus Coleman |
Sr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Beaumont, Texas |
| DB |
Katarian (KC) Cornelious |
Jr. |
Howard Payne |
Forney, Texas |
| DB |
Chaka Watson |
Sr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Orange, Texas |
| DB |
Daevien Willis |
Jr. |
East Texas Baptist |
St. Martinsville, La. |
| DB |
Tim Leatherman 2 |
Jr. |
McMurry |
Ingram, Texas |
| DB |
Jarrett Pleasant |
Sr. |
Austin |
Magnolia, Texas |
| P |
Chris Ruiz |
So. |
Sul Ross State |
Midland, Texas |
Honorable Mention Offense
| Pos. |
Name |
Cl. |
University |
Hometown |
| WR |
Tailon Garrett |
So. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Dallas, Texas |
| SB |
Thomas Chandler |
Fr. |
McMurry |
Waco, Texas |
| OG |
Khalil Spivey |
Sr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Abilene, Texas |
| OG |
Nathan Morris |
So. |
East Texas Baptist |
Sugar Land, Texas |
| OT |
James Sandifer |
Sr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Lindale, Texas |
| QB |
Isaac Phe |
So. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Wylie, Texas |
| QB |
Andrew Martinez |
So. |
Sul Ross State |
El Paso, Texas |
| QB |
Jaylon Talton |
Fr. |
Austin |
Arlington, Texas |
| RS |
Corinthean Coleman |
Fr. |
McMurry |
Dallas, Texas |
|
|
|
|
|
Honorable Mention Defense
| Pos. |
Name |
Cl. |
University |
Hometown |
| DL |
Jackson Harris |
Fr. |
McMurry |
Kilgore, Texas |
| DL |
Markeis Williams |
Jr. |
McMurry |
Spring, Texas |
| DL |
Chris Monroe 3 |
Sr. |
Texas Lutheran |
College Station, Texas |
| DL |
Dorian Pittman |
So. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Spring, Texas |
| DL |
Kane Strohman |
Jr. |
McMurry |
Katy, Texas |
| DL |
Max Walstad 2 |
Sr. |
Austin |
Highland Village, Texas |
| LB |
Cason Hanna |
Jr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Abilene, Texas |
| DB |
Jeremiah Contreras |
Jr. |
Austin |
Crandall, Texas |
| DB |
Dorian Williams 2 |
Sr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Dallas, Texas |
| DB |
Kadarius Carr |
So. |
Howard Payne |
Louisville, Miss. |
| DB |
Jermario Thomas |
So. |
Texas Lutheran |
Jasper, Texas |
5 Five-time All-Conference
4 Four-time All-Conference
3 Three-time All-Conference
2 Two-time All-Conference