Midseason All-Texas Non-FBS football team

A pleasant surprise at the halfway point of the 2024 season is the number of quality FCS teams in Texas. If the season ended today, four teams, UIW, Tarleton, Abilene Christian and Lamar, would be in discussion for a playoff bid. Stephen F. Austin would be in the conversation if it weren’t for a slip-up from McNeese earlier this season. Still, the Lumberjacks control their destiny for the Southland Conference title and could sneak into the playoff discussion if they win their remaining games.

The strength of the FCS this year is also evident in the midseason All-Texas Non-FBS team, with UIW, Tarleton and ACU representing the most players on the team with three players each, along with Wayland Baptist. A total of 16 teams are represented, with UTPB and Angelo State each fielding two players. Lamar, SFA, Texas Southern, Texas A&M-Kingsville, Midwestern State, Mary Hardin-Baylor, Hardin-Simmons, Texas Wesleyan, Trinity Valley and Tyler each have one player on the roster.

Midseason All-Texas non-FBS offense

QB, Zach Calzada, UIW

One of the most difficult positions to limit is quarterback. The Texas A&M transfer earns the award by completing 70 percent of his pass attempts for 1,663 yards, 18 TDs, 3 INTs and a 158.8 efficiency rating.

RB, Kayvon Britten, Tarleton

The United Athletic Conference is full of running back talent. However, Britten trails only Heisman Trophy favorite Ashton Jeanty in rushing yards (1,160), who scored 12 TDs and averaged 7.3 yards per rush attempt and 165.7 yards per game.

RB, Khalan Griffin, Lamar

The Tyler Chapel Hill product and Rice transfer has 614 rushing yards with 6 touchdowns and is averaging 102.3 rushing yards per contest.

WR, Nehemiah Martinez, ACU

The Lubbock Cooper product is another in a long line of players to shine for the Wildcats after transferring from Texas Tech. Martinez has 44 receptions for 704 yards and 8 touchdowns.

WR, Jalen Walthall, UIW

Walthall (Manvel, Hawaii) has made several highlight plays for the Cardinals this year, gaining 649 yards on 39 receptions with 9 touchdowns.

WR, AJ Bobb, TxWes

Bobb shined for the Rams despite limited playing time due to significant opportunities to win. The Atascocita product has 27 receptions for 566 yards and three touchdowns this season.

OL, Jacob Thielen, ACU

It’s difficult to find stats for offensive linemen, so I referred to PFF.com for this pick. Thielen posted grades of 73.3 in run blocking and 72.2 in pass blocking with an efficiency of 98.2.

OL, Hunter Smith, Tarleton

Smith (Rockwall-Heath) has not allowed a QB sack, hit, rush or pressure in 449 snaps this season while posting grades of 77.2 run blocking, 85 pass blocking and a 100 efficiency rating.

OL, Tuli Teuhema, Tarleton

Tuehema (Arlington Lamar) posted remarkable grades of 73.1 run blocking and 80.4 pass blocking, as well as a 99.4 efficiency rating while playing center for the Texans.

OL, Tay Yanta, ACU

Yanta (Falls City/Texas Tech/UMHB) has found a home in Abilene with grades of 66.2 run blocking, 78.3 pass blocking and a 98.4 efficiency rating.

OL, Jaymon Lamb, SFA

The Rowlett product has been solid for the Lumberjacks, with a 69.7 run-blocking grade, a 78.7 pass-blocking grade and a 98.3 efficiency rating.

Midseason All-Texas non-FBS defense

DL, Demarcus Hendricks, TAMU-Kingsville

The San Antonio Wagner product filled the Javelinas’ stat sheet with 19 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, five sacks, two pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

DL, Kaleb Brooks, WBU

Brooks was a force along the Pioneers’ defensive line with 27 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, while forcing two fumbles and recovering one.

DL, Tavion Atkinson, TVCC

Very few have dominated opposing offenses like Atkinson (Aldine MacArthur), who recorded 43 tackles (30 solo), 12 tackles for a loss and eight sacks for the Cardinals.

LB, Tristan Exline, UTPB

Exline (China Spring) was one of the most consistent defenses in Texas with 53 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one interception and two pass breakups for the Falcons.

LB, Durand Hill, UMHB

Hill (Buda Hays) has been a consistent presence on the All-Texas Non-FBS teams the last few years and has 38 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception return for one touchdown.

LB, Isaiah Brooks, WBU

The Pioneers’ defense was outstanding this season, led by Brooks (Little Elm), who recorded 44 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks, one interception, one pass breakup and one blocked kick.

LB, Darion White, Tyler

The Waco La Vega product has helped lead a resurgent Apache defense with 76 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble, a pass breakup and an interception.

DB, MJ Hinson Jr., TSU

Hinson (College Station) was outstanding for the Tigers after transferring from Blinn, recording 11 tackles, seven pass breakups and two interceptions.

DB, Andrew Pitts, ASU

Death, taxes and Andrew Pitts (McKinney) intercepting a pass. Pitts has 20 tackles, one tackle for loss, four pass breakups and has recorded an interception in every game this season (five), while also setting the Rams program record for most interceptions in a career (19).

DB, Jalani Jefferson, UTPB

Jefferson was a bugbear at defensive back for the Falcons with 21 tackles, four tackles for a loss, seven pass breakups and two interceptions.

DB, Tyrone Morgan, WBU

Not many true freshmen make these teams. However, Morgan (Wichita Falls Rider) is no ordinary rookie as he recorded 28 tackles, seven pass breakups and two interceptions for the Pioneers.

K, Joseph Carlson, MSU

The main competition for Carlson (Frisco Wakeland/Air Force) for this spot was former MSU kicker Ritse Vaes (Wichita Falls Hirschi/MSU), now at ACU. Carlson earned the nod by making 11 of 13 field goal attempts for 49 yards.

P, Cade Fuller, ASU

Fuller, one of the best players at any level, placed 13 of 42 shots inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, averaging 46.2 yards per attempt, with 14 shots traveling 50 yards or longer.

KR, Dameon Gomes, HSU

Gomes (Mansfield/Murray State) is one of the most dynamic and explosive kick returners in the country. He has 11 kick returns for 409 yards, two touchdowns and an incredible 37.2 yards per return average. He added seven punt returns for 159 yards (22.7-yard average) while nearly taking one or two of them to the end zone.

PR, Dekalon Taylor, UIW

Taylor put up solid numbers as a wide receiver, but the Longview product shines on special teams. He returned nine punts for 174 yards (19.3 yards average) and a touchdown for the Cardinals.