James Madison, Virginia Tech Highlight 2024 VaSID University All-State Football Team

LEXINGTON, Va. - The Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) has announced its University Division Football All-State Team, with James Madison and Virginia Tech highlighting the major awards.

James Madison's Alonza Barnett III was named Offensive Player of the Year, while the Dukes' head coach, Bob Chesney, earned Coach of the Year honors. Virginia Tech's Antwuan Powell-Ryland was recognized as Defensive Player of the Year, and John Love received the Special Teams Player of the Year award. Liberty's Aaron Fenimore was named Offensive Rookie of the Year, and Richmond's Matthew Traynor rounded out the major awards as the Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Barnett III, a Redshirt Sophomore from Whitsett, N.C., completed 213 of his 355 passes this season for 2,598 yards and 26 touchdowns while rushing for 442 yards and seven scores. He set a JMU record with seven total touchdowns in their win at North Carolina this season, becoming the first Sun Belt QB to throw for five touchdowns and rush for two in the same game. Barnett III ranked tenth in FBS this season in points responsible for (16.5) and 18th in passing touchdowns. Barnett III was named the Touchdown Club of Richmond Division I State Quarterback of the Year and earned All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention honors while being named a finalist for the Bill Dudley Award.

Powell-Ryland, a Redshirt Senior from Portsmouth, Va., had an impressive senior campaign for the Hokies. He started all 12 games this season, registering 43 total tackles and 16 sacks, the third-most in FBS this season. He became the first VT player to eclipse double-digit sacks during a season since 2005. He was named a First Team All-ACC selection while earning All-America honors from five different publications. Powell-Ryland was named the 2024 Touchdown Club of Richmond's Bill Dudley Award winner, which is awarded to the best Division I player in the Commonwealth.

Love had an 88.8% success rate on field goals this season, knocking down 16 of his 18 attempts. The redshirt sophomore from Spartanburg, S.C. was 5-for-5 from 40-49 yards and 3-for-4 from 50-plus yards, nailing a career-long 60-yard field goal vs. Minnesota in the Duke's Mayo Bowl while being a perfect 42-of-42 this season on PAT's, helping him earn All-ACC Honorable Mention Honors.

Fenimore, a Redshirt Freshman from Senoia, Ga., was a standout offensive lineman for the Flames in his first season with the team. He was the No. 6 graded offensive lineman in the Conference USA by PFF.com with a 73.2 overall offensive grade, only allowing one sack all season. Fenimore played in 825 of the 859 (96%) total offensive snaps for Liberty this season, helping Liberty rank fourth nationally in rushing, averaging 250.7 yards per game.

Traynor made a name for himself in his first season with the Spiders, playing in 13 games while making eight starts. The redshirt freshman from Marietta, Ga. ranked third on the team with 69 tackles including 52 solo stops while intercepting a pair of passes and breaking up three passes. Traynor was named the CAA Defensive Rookie of the Year while earning Third Team honors from the conference. The safety was also named a Finalist for the Jerrt Rice Award while being selected to the Stats Perform and FCS Football Central Freshman All-American. 

Chesney was named the VaSID Coach of the Year after leading James Madison to a 9-4 overall record and to the program's first bowl victory, winning the Boca Raton Bowl over Western Kentucky in his inaugural season as head coach. He guided the team to a record-breaking victory against North Carolina this season, downing the Tar Heels, 70-50, in Chapel Hill. Chesney was the first coach in JMU history to start a season 4-0 in his first season at the helm.

VaSID All-State Football - University Division

Coach of the Year: Bob Chesney - James Madison
Offensive Player of the Year: Alonza Barnett III - James Madison
Defensive Player of the Year: Antwaun Powell-Ryland - Virginia Tech
Special Teams Player of the Year: John Love - Virginia Tech
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Aaron Fenimore - Liberty
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Matthew Traynor - Richmond

First Team Offense

QB: Alonza Barnett III - James Madison
RB: Bhayshul Tuten - Virginia Tech
RBL Quinton Cooley - Liberty
WR: Malachi Fields - Virginia
WR: Isiah Page - Old Dominion
TE: Pat Conroy - Old Dominion
OL: Pat McMurtie - James Madison
OL: Charles Grant - William & Mary
OL: Tom Elia - Richmond
OL: Jordan White - Liberty
OL: Cole Potts - James Madison

First Team Defense

DL: Antwaun Powell-Ryland - Virginia Tech
DL: Jeremiah Grant - Richmond
DL: Eric O'Neill - James Madison
DL: Khairi Manns - James Madison
LB: AJ Richardson - Norfolk State
LB: Joseph Carter - Liberty
LB: Jacob Dobbs - James Madison
CB: Jalen Jones - William & Mary
CB: Terrence Spence - James Madison
S: Jonas Sanker - Virginia
S: Jabril Hayes - Richmond

Second Team Offense

QB: Camden Coleman - Richmond
RB: Zach Palmer-Smith - Richmond
RB: Bronson Yoder - William & Mary
WR: Omarion Dollison - James Madison
WR: Nick DeGennaro - Richmond
TE: Taylor Thompson - James Madison
OL: Aaron Fenimore - Liberty
OL: Ryan McKenna - William & Mary
OL: Zach Barlev - Old Dominion
OL: Brian Stevens - Virginia
OL: Cade Salyers - Richmond

Second Team Defense

DL: TJ Bush - Liberty
DL: Camden Byrd - Richmond
DL: Kris Trinidad - Old Dominion
DL: Kam Butler - Virginia
LB: Kam Robinson - Virginia
LB: Koa Naotala - Old Dominion
LB: Eric Rankin - Virginia Military Institute
CB: Terron Mallory - Norfolk State
CB: Dayan Long - Norfolk State
S: Jacob Thomas - James Madison
S: Brylan Green - Liberty

First Team Special Teams

Place Kicker: John Love - Virginia Tech
Punter: Aaron Trusler - Richmond
Return Specialist: Carson Jenkins - Williams & Mary

Second Team Special Teams

Place Kicker: Will Bettirdge - Virginia
Punter: Daniel Sparks - Virginia
Return Specialist: Cam Ross - James Madison

VaSID names 44 all-state teams in 23 sports annually, an Academic All-State squad and an all-sports champion in both the University and College Divisions. Membership in VaSID is open to all media relations professionals working at a university or conference in the Commonwealth of Virginia.