Athlon Sports is one of the premier college football publications and it recently released its 2024 preview. In the coming weeks, we will highlight a number of pre-season honors and expectations.
When it comes to pre-season All-Americans, the Group of 5 is often overlooked. Last year, between the three All-American teams, 13 Group of 5 players made the AP All-American teams. Of course, there are numerous teams, so that is just one example.
Heading into the 2024 season, just over half of a dozen G5 players earned the honors. The Mountain West led the way with five selections while Conference USA and the Sun Belt have one each.
Athlon Names 5 Mountain West Pre-Season All-Americans
Ashton Jeanty, Boise State, All-Purpose (2nd Team)
The darling of many NFL Draft analysts, Ashton Jeanty is a superstar for the Broncos. In his freshman season in 2022, Jeanty burst onto the scene with 821 yards and seven touchdowns off 156 carries. Last year, he vastly improved, rushing for 1,347 yards and 14 touchdowns off 220 carries. He’s a dual threat out of the backfield as well. In his two seasons, he’s hauled in 57 passes for 724 yards and five scores (all in 2023).
While the likes of Ollie Gordon or Quinshon Judkins are hyped as RB1 in the 2025 NFL Draft, many have Jeanty right up there. NFLTradeRumors’ Ethan Woodie has him as the most NFL-ready running back in the nation and is the only G5 back in his top 10. He doesn’t have the pedigree of playing for a bona fide blueblood. However, he could if he wanted to.
He was the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year and First-Team Mountain West honoree.
Jacob De Jesus, UNLV, Punt Returner (2nd Team)
In terms of G5 teams with the most Athlon Pre-Season All-Americans, UNLV and Boise State are the only two with more than one. Sometimes, special teams play is the best way to get on the field and UNLV’s do-it-all receiver Jacob De Jesus does just that.
Last year, De Jesus broke out for the Rebels in his first season on campus. In 14 games, he hauled in 60 passes for 606 yards and a pair of touchdowns. As a returner, he has not scored as a member of the UNLV team but he averaged 25.7 a pop on kick return and 16.1 yards on punt return.
He was highly-decorated in his time at the JUCO level, however. In two years, he accounted for 2,550 all-purpose yards at Modesto JC. He was the Valley Conference All-Purpose Player of the Year as a true freshman in 2021. Then, he was awarded Most Valuable Offensive Player in addition to First Team JC Athletic Bureau CCCFCA All-American, and First-Team All-Region honors.
He’s set to be one of the best in the Mountain West yet again.
Ricky White III, UNLV, Wide Receiver (3rd Team)
The second Rebel with All-American hype is also a transfer, Ricky White III. And he was among the elites in terms of production last year and you probably don’t even know who he is.
Well, learn. White was the third-leading receiver in all of college football last year with 1,483 yards and eight touchdowns off 88 receptions. He went over 100 yards in half of his team’s games and scored multiple touchdowns in three games.
In the season prior, White amassed 619 yards and four scores in his first season with the Rebels. Before transferring to UNLV, White spent two years with Michigan State where he only accounted for 233 yards and 10 catches, all in his freshman season.
Tory Horton, Colorado State, Wide Receiver (3rd Team)
Tory Horton is well-known among Mountain West circles as he spent his first two seasons with Nevada before moving to Colorado State.
As a member of the Nevada squad, Horton made an impact early. As a freshman, he caught 20 passes for 336 yards and five touchdowns. As a sophomore in 2021, Horton added 659 yards and five touchdowns off 52 receptions.
Then, he made the jump to Colorado State and took over the receiver room. In his first season with the Rams, Horton amassed 1,131 yards and eight scores off 71 receptions. He’s coming off another great season in 2023 where he accounted for 1,136 yards and eight touchdowns off 96 receptions.
Jonah Dalmas, Boise State, Kicker (3rd Team)
Finally, kickers are people, too!
For the last four years, Jonah Dalmas has been the go-to extra point kicker for the Broncos and has been the full-time field goal kicker for three. In his career, he’s converted 164 extra points and only missed three. When it comes to field goals, Dalmas is 80 for 90.
On field goals of 40+, Dalmas has converted 90.9%, nailed four 50+ field goals, and has a career-long of 56 yards. The two-time Lou Groza Award Semifinalist is sure to be on the shortlist once again this year.