Three student-athletes from the University of the Incarnate Word football team were named to the 2024 Southland Football All-Academic Team on Tuesday afternoon.
Wide receiver Brandon Porter was named to the first team, while Linebacker Ricky Rich and Defensive Back Tre Richardson earned second-team recognition.
Porter had a standout final season with the Cardinals, accumulating 1,072 yards (No. 2 in the nation) and seven touchdowns. He finished No. 2 in the nation for receiving yards per game with 107.2 while sitting at No. 9 for receptions per contest. Porter is second in the Southland Conference for all-purpose yards, while sitting in first place for receptions per game and receiving yards per game.
He was named to the 2023 Southland Preseason All-Conference Team, the Phil Steele Preseason All-Southland Team, the Bluebloods Preseason All-Southland Team, Southland Offensive Player of the Week (2x), FCS Honorable Mention Player of the Week, and First Team Offense Phil Steele Midseason All American Team. Porter was announced as a finalist for the Walter Payton Award. He was crowned the Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Year while earning First Team All-Conference status. Dave Campbell named him Wide Receiver of the Year for the 2023 All-Texas Non-FBS Team. Porter was selected as a 2023 Associated Press All-American as well as a 2023 FCS Football Central All American. Phil Steele Named Porter to the FCS 2023 All-American Second Team and the Southland 2023 All-Conference First Team and the 2023 Southland Offensive Player of the Year.
Rich ended the season as the third-leading tackler for the Cardinals with 48 total tackles, two tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, one quarterback hurry, and one forced fumble. He notched a season-high 12 tackles at Lamar and was named to the Phil Steele Preseason All-Southland Team and the Bluebloods Preseason All-Southland team. Phil Steele named Rich to the Southland 2023 All-Conference Fourth Team.
Richardson had interceptions in back-to-back games for the Cardinals at Northern Colorado and Abilene Christian. He totaled 48 tackles, two interceptions, seven pass breakups, and one forced fumble on the season. Against Southeastern Louisiana, he notched a season-high 11 tackles. Phil Steele named Richardson to the Southland 2023 All-Conference Third Team.
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