DALLAS, Texas – Hardin-Simmons had 23 players and head coach
Jesse Burleson honored in the 2023 American Southwest Conference yearly awards that were voted on by the league's head coaches.
Senior offensive lineman
Miguel Valdez was named the ASC offensive lineman of the year and was named first-team all-ASC. Valdez is the 11
th HSU player to be named ASC offensive lineman of the year.
Senior punter
Cody Harral was voted as the ASC special teams player of the year. He has helped the Cowboys lead the nation in net punting this season. He is the seventh ASC special teams player of the year from Hardin-Simmons.
Jesse Burleson was named the ASC Coach of the Year for the first time. The 13
th year head coach led the Cowboys to their first outright ASC title since 2004.
Khalil Spivey was also named to the Outstanding Sportsman Team of the Year.
The Cowboys had seven players named to the first-team offense. K.J. Peoples was named as the slot back, Valdez at guard,
Bryce Hernandez at left tackle,
Hayden Philpot at center,
Noah Garcia and
Colton Marshall at running back and
Dameon Gomes as return specialist.
Linebackers
Cade Michna and
Matt Mitchell were named first-team defense.
Defensive end
Braden Hargrove, defensive backs
Brock Bujnoch and
Justin Bingham and Harral were all named to the second team defense.
Tight end
Brock Gibson and quarterback
Gaylon Glynn were named to the third team offense. Defensive linemen
Nathaniel Finch,
Colton Grimes and
Jim Hitchcock were all named to the third-team defense along with defensive back
DeMarcus Coleman.
Tailon Garrett,
Khalil Spivey,
James Sandifer and
Cason Hanna all earned honorable mention honors.
The Cowboys went 9-1 and won the American Southwest Conference title. They will play Trinity at noon on Saturday in the NCAA Playoffs.
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 Botts, 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 |
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 2 |
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 |
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 |
Vince Luevano |
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 |
Jr. |
McMurry |
Prosper, Texas |
| LB |
Jade Rios |
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 |
Jr. |
McMurry |
Arlington, Texas |
| OT |
Justin Tesno |
Sr. |
Howard Payne |
Conroe, Texas |
| OT |
Donavan Valdez |
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 |
Sr. |
Howard Payne |
Splendora, Texas |
| LB |
Keewan Grismore |
So. |
East Texas Baptist |
League City, Texas |
| LB |
Tristen Smith |
So. |
Texas Lutheran |
New Braunfels, Texas |
| LB |
Omari Frazier |
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 |
Sr. |
East Texas Baptist |
DeSoto, Texas |
| DB |
Demarcus Coleman |
Sr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Beaumont, Texas |
| DB |
Katarian (KC) Cornellus |
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 |
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 |
So. |
Austin |
Highland Village, Texas |
| LB |
Cason Hanna |
Jr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Abilene, Texas |
| DB |
Jeremiah Contreras |
Jr. |
Austin |
Crandall, Texas |
| DB |
Dorian Williams |
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
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