Brevard’s Robert Dorsey headlines North Carolina’s D3 all-conference picks

Brevard College junior defensive lineman Robert Dorsey earned USA South Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors for the 2024 season, highlighting a strong year for North Carolina’s five Division III football programs. 

Dorsey was one of nine Tornados honored on the USA South All-Conference teams. Players from North Carolina Wesleyan, Greensboro and Methodist also collected all-USA South commendations. Guilford College placed three players on the Old Dominion Athletic Conference honors list.

Here’s a breakdown of each D3 program’s standout players and achievements.

Brevard College (USA South)

Brevard had the best record among North Carolina’s D3 contingent, posting a 6-3 mark, 5-2 against USA South foes. The Tornados remained in the hunt for the league championship until the final weeks. It was the school’s best season in football since 2021.

• Robert Dorsey had a commanding presence on the defensive line, notching 11.5 sacks, tying a school single-season record, and forcing three fumbles. Dorsey also tallied 14 tackles for loss, seven quarterback hurries, and earned USA South Defensive Player of the Week honors once.
• Chancellor Lee-Parker (RB, First Team): Rushed for 945 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 105 yards per game and 6.5 yards per carry, concluding his career as Brevard’s second-leading rusher in the D3 era.
• Zackary Orr (WR/Return Specialist, First Team): Recorded 837 receiving yards with 10 touchdowns and added 208 punt return yards, including an 88-yard touchdown. He also returned a kickoff 90 yards for a score.
• LaRoddrick Rucker (OL, First Team): Anchored the line for the USA South’s best rushing attack (which averaged 174 yards per game).
• James Woods (CB, First Team): Led the conference with four interceptions, returning two for touchdowns, while adding 31 tackles.
• Ethan Beamish (QB, Second Team): Threw for 2,093 yards and 25 touchdowns, setting school records in career completions, yards, and touchdowns.
• Brody Lindsey (OL, Second Team): Helped power Brevard’s high-scoring offense.
• Baylee Ramey (LB, Honorable Mention): Led the Tornados with 63 tackles, including eight for loss.
• Ernest Smith II represented Brevard on the conference’s All-Sportsmanship team. Smith played in 42 games for the Tornados during his career, earning 103 tackles, 25 tackles-for-loss, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, a blocked kick and an interception.

North Carolina Wesleyan University (USA South)

The Battling Bishops had five First-Team All-Conference selections, led by record-setting performances from running back Anthony Byrd and wide receiver Christian Drumgoole.

• Anthony Byrd (RB, First Team): Rushed for 1,340 yards, the second-highest single-season total in school history, and surpassed 3,000 career rushing yards.
• Christian Drumgoole (WR, First Team): Tallied 1,130 receiving yards and broke single-game school records with 18 receptions and 277 yards against Ferrum.
• Desmond Barnes (OL, First Team): Did not allow a sack all season and earned an invitation to the CFBALL Alumni Bowl.
• Braxtyn Green (P, First Team; PK, Second Team): Averaged 42.6 yards per punt, with nine punts over 50 yards and ten inside the 20, while converting 11 of 14 field goals.
• Aiden Seagroves (DL, First Team): Recorded 43 tackles, including four pass deflections, anchoring the defensive line.
• Jeremiah Young (S, Second Team): Intercepted three passes, broke up six others, and totaled 37 tackles while making crucial plays in the secondary throughout the season.
• Andrew Brown (LB, Honorable Mention): Finished with 85 tackles, forced two fumbles, and recovered two more, showcasing his reliability and defensive awareness.

The Bishops also celebrated Terrell Morris as their Sportsmanship Award recipient, embodying leadership and integrity on and off the field.

Greensboro College (USA South)

Seven Pride players earned postseason honors, led by senior linebacker Max Steele, who concluded his college career as one of the best to ever suit up in Greensboro colors.

• Max Steele (LB, First Team): Became Greensboro’s all-time leading tackler with 381 career stops, adding 80 tackles and a fumble recovery this season.
• Frank Walker (DL, Second Team): Recorded 3.5 sacks and 35 tackles, including a career-best 11 stops in the final game.
• Deshawn Holman (DL, Second Team): Also posted 3.5 sacks and 35 tackles, showing consistency across the season.
• JaJuan Givens (DB, Second Team): Tallied 79 tackles, forced two fumbles, and intercepted one pass in his senior season.
• Ja’Shawn Harris (Return Specialist, Second Team): Averaged 24.9 yards per kick return, including a 92-yard touchdown.
• Wes Kidd (TE, Honorable Mention): Caught 20 passes for 198 yards and four touchdowns.

The Pride finished with strong individual performances, marking their second consecutive year with seven or more postseason honorees.

Methodist University (USA South)

• Omar Goodwin (LB, Honorable Mention): Led the Monarchs with 83 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks, including a career-high 13 tackles and two sacks in a single game.
• Preston Tyler (All-Sportsmanship Team): Represented Methodist with integrity and sportsmanship.

The Monarchs concluded a rebuilding year with significant contributions from their younger players.

Guilford College (ODAC)

The Quakers placed three players on the All-ODAC teams, marking their best showing since 2022.

• Tristan Bailey (CB, Second Team): Led the ODAC in passes defended (16) and recorded five interceptions, ranking among the national leaders in pass coverage.
• JuJu Rice (WR, Second Team): Caught 33 passes for 361 yards, both career highs, and added two touchdowns.
• Malik Hargrove (LB, Third Team): Recorded 52 tackles, 9.0 for loss, and forced a fumble while thriving in a hybrid linebacker/defensive back role.

The Quakers finished with their highest win total (three) since 2018.

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