Two North Carolina FCS football standouts have been named to the 2024 FCS Football Central Freshman All-America team. Western Carolina quarterback Taron Dickens and Elon defensive lineman Kahmari Brown delivered breakout seasons, showcasing their talent and earning a place among the best freshman athletes in the subdivision.
Taron Dickens | Western Carolina | QB
Taking over as the Catamounts’ starting quarterback in November, Dickens propelled the team to three wins in four starts, helping secure their first second-place finish in the Southern Conference since 1986. His standout performances included a historic road victory at Samford—the program’s first since 1969—and a career-high 431-yard, five-touchdown game in a win over nationally ranked Chattanooga.
Dickens finished the season with a 74 percent completion rate, throwing for 1,428 yards and 12 touchdowns while also rushing for two scores. He was recognized as the Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Week twice and a Jerry Rice Award finalist. With accolades that include three national Freshman of the Week honors, he continues Western Carolina’s legacy of producing top freshman talent, joining the likes of Richard McCollum and Raphael Williams in recent years.
Kahmari Brown | Elon | DL
The defensive lineman was a disruptive force for the Phoenix, tallying 33 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Brown’s standout performances included a six-tackle effort at Hampton and a dominant game against Western Carolina, where he recorded 2.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and a forced fumble.
Elon closed the 2024 season on a four-game win streak, finishing 6-6 overall and 5-3 in CAA play. Brown’s contributions were instrumental in maintaining the program’s consistency, as the Phoenix extended their streak of finishing with at least five conference wins to four consecutive years.
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