WKU Football receives 18 selections on Athlon Preseason All-CUSA Team

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU Football received a total of 18 selections on the Athlon Sports Preseason All-Conference USA Team, the publication announced Monday.

The 18 selections are tied for the most in the league with Liberty and are the most the program has placed on the team under Head Coach Tyson Helton, surpassing the 15 representatives on the 2023 Athlon All-CUSA Teams.

WKU’s selections were highlighted by three First-Team Offense members, three First-Team Defense members, and one First-Team Specialist selection. Receivers Michael Mathison and Dalvin Smith were named First-Team Offense, as well as offensive lineman Quantavious Leslie, while defensive lineman Hosea Wheeler and cornerbacks Upton Stout and Anthony Johnson, Jr. received First-Team Defense nods. Easton Messer received First-Team Specialists honors as a kick returner.

TJ Finley and Messer received Second-Team Offense honors at quarterback and receiver, respectively, and kicker Lucas Carneiro was a Second-Team Specialist selection.

WKU’s representatives on Athlon’s Third-Team Offense include running back Elijah Young, tight end River Helms, and offensive lineman Marshall Jackson. Defensive lineman Deante McCray and linebacker Kylan Guidry received Third-Team Defense recognition. Wide receiver Kisean Johnson, offensive lineman Wesley Horton, and safety Demarko Williams received Fourth-Team honors.

WKU is scheduled to kick off the 2024 season with a 6 p.m. CT game at Alabama on Saturday, Aug. 31. The Hilltoppers will host Eastern Kentucky for their home opener on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 6 p.m. CT, and will open CUSA play the following week with a 6 p.m. CT game at Middle Tennessee on Saturday, Sept. 14. The full WKU Football 2024 schedule can be found here.