The Gulf South Conference announced its 2024 All-Conference football teams on Thursday, with three Chowan Hawks earning recognition for their standout seasons.
Wide receiver Jakobe Lane was named to first-team All-GSC, while tight end Gabrial Jackson and linebacker Kennypride Toh earned spots on the second team.
Jakobe Lane capped an outstanding season with 64 receptions for 755 yards and four touchdowns, finishing second in the Gulf South for receiving yards. The dynamic wideout averaged 11.8 yards per catch and 75.5 yards per game, with a long reception of 44 yards. His consistency put him 46th in NCAA Division II for receiving yards.
Gabrial Jackson, the Hawks’ top tight end, showcased his versatility with 29 receptions for 359 yards and two touchdowns. Averaging 12.4 yards per catch, Jackson’s longest reception of 37 yards highlighted his ability to stretch the field. His efforts earned him Second Team All-GSC honors and a spot among the top 15 receivers in the GSC.
Kennypride Toh anchored Chowan’s defense with a league-leading 88 total tackles, including 41 solo stops and 47 assists. The linebacker averaged 8.8 tackles per game, adding one sack to his stat line. His performance placed him 29th nationally in tackles.
Under the leadership of head coach Paul Johnson, Chowan finished the season with a 3-7 record overall and a 2-5 mark in GSC play—a marked improvement from their winless 2023 campaign. The Hawks are poised to build on this momentum as they prepare for their upcoming transition to Conference Carolinas in 2025.
Major Awards and All-Conference Highlights
Valdosta State quarterback Sammy Edwards was named GSC Offensive Player of the Year, while defensive honors were shared between Larry Elder (Valdosta State) and Traevon Mitchell (West Florida). Blazers head coach Tremaine Jackson and West Alabama’s Brett Gilliland were co-recipients of Coach of the Year. Mississippi College’s Brady Weatherly earned Defensive Freshman of the Year, and Co-Offensive Freshman of the Year honors went to Mississippi College running back Preston Back and West Florida wide receiver Corey Scott.
A total of 66 student-athletes were named to the All-GSC teams, with Valdosta State leading the way with 17 selections, including nine First Team honorees. West Alabama followed with 14 selections, also placing nine on the First Team. North Greenville and West Florida each earned 10 nods, while Delta State tallied eight. Mississippi College claimed four spots, and Chowan rounded out the list with three honorees.
Chowan’s individual achievements amidst strong competition highlight the program’s upward trajectory and set the stage for further success in the seasons to come.
Gulf South All-Conference Team
2024 GSC Individual Awards
Offensive Player of the Year: Sammy Edwards, Sr., QB, Valdosta State!
Co-Defensive Player of the Year: Larry Elder, Gr., DB, Valdosta State
Co-Defensive Player of the Year: Traevon Mitchell, Gr., DL, West Florida
Co-Offensive Freshman of the Year: Preston Godfrey, Fr., RB, Mississippi College
Co-Offensive Freshman of the Year: Corey Scott, Fr., WR, West Florida
Defensive Freshman of the Year: Brady Weatherly, Fr., LB, Mississippi College
Co-Coach of the Year: Tremaine Jackson, Valdosta State
Co-Coach of the Year: Brett Gilliland, West Alabama
First Team All-GSC#
QB Sammy Edwards, Valdosta State!^
RB Kelvin Smith, Delta State^
RB Blake Hester, Valdosta State
AP Alfonso Franklin, Valdosta State*
TE Caeleb Bass, West Alabama
WR Dre’ Williams, North Greenville^
WR Rodney Bullard, Valdosta State
WR Corey Scott, West Florida
WR Jakobe Lane, Chowan
C Will Flowers, Valdosta State
OG Jaelon Brown, Delta State*
OG Kenley-Mary Asse, Valdosta State
OT Jeremiah Mawali, Valdosta State
OT Allen Jones Jr., West Alabama
DL Traevon Mitchell, West Florida*
DL Davonta Jackson, West Alabama*
DL Collin Shaw, West Florida
DL Trevon Lambert, West Alabama
DL Cody Sigler, West Alabama
LB Trevon Stanford, West Alabama*
LB De’Iveon Donald, North Greenville^
LB Ralph Ortiz, West Florida
LB Sterling Roberts, Valdosta State
DB Larry Elder, Valdosta State
DB Virgil Lemons, West Florida
DB Lamar Gray, West Alabama
DB David Brown IV, Mississippi College
K Elijah Guyton, West Alabama
P Logan Gregory, West Florida
RS Virgil Lemons, West Florida
UTL Jerrick Foster, North Greenville^
UTL Parker Burleson, Delta State
UTL Jaden Taylor, West Alabama
Second Team All-GSC#
QB Dylan Ramirez, North Greenville
RB Jacob Walker, North Greenville
RB Marcus Williams, Mississippi College^
AP Kelvin Smith, Delta State
TE Noah Gillan, Valdosta State^
TE Gabrial Jackson, Chowan
WR Jaylen Green, Delta State
WR Kristopher Binion, West Alabama
WR Tyler Ajiero, Valdosta State
WR Graeson Malashevich, Valdosta State
C Ben Newton, West Alabama
OG James Robinson, Valdosta State
OG Nash Nelson, West Florida
OT Stanley Boatright, North Greenville
OT Fred Norman, Valdosta State
DL J’Quan Hicks, Valdosta State
DL Dakoda Willard, North Greenville
DL Brennan Blake, Mississippi College
DL Mario Martin, Delta State
LB Ishmael Naylor, West Alabama
LB William Carter, Delta State
LB Kennypride Toh, Chowan
LB Termaine Epps, North Greenville
LB Jason Betz, Mississippi College^
DB Issac Williams, West Alabama
DB Warren Coneway, North Greenville
DB Rance Conner, Valdosta State
DB Foster Jerrick, North Greenville
K Nick Herber, Delta State*
P Trey Sullivan, West Alabama
RS Jay Sharp, West Florida
UTL Reid Brass, Valdosta State
UTL Anthony Ballard, West Florida
# – roster expanded due to vote totals
! – unanimous
* – 2023 First Team All-GC
^ – 2024 Second Team All-GSC
SOURCES: Chowan athletics and Gulf South Conference
