Rome, GA - The N.C. Wesleyan football team is well represented in the 2024 USA South All-Conference selections, with a total of five players earning First-Team honors, two named to the Second Team, one Honorable Mention, and one Sportsmanship Award. The impressive list of accolades highlights the standout performances of several players throughout the season, including running back Anthony Byrd, wide receiver Christian Drumgoole, offensive lineman Desmond Barnes, punter/place kicker Braxtyn Green, and defensive lineman Aiden Seagroves.
Byrd's Historic Season Earns First-Team Accolades
A pivotal force in the Wesleyan offense, running back Anthony Byrd was one of the standout names on the First-Team All-Conference list. The Rose Hill, North Carolina, native had an extraordinary season, rushing for 1,340 yards in 2024, ranking second in school history for a single-season rushing performance. Byrd also topped the 3,000-yard mark for his career, finishing with 3,158 career rushing yards, also placing him second all-time in school history.
Additionally, Byrd's 203 rushing attempts in 2024 make him second in the program's record books for single-season carries, underscoring his consistent production as the focal point of the offense. His exceptional season makes him one of the most decorated players in the history of Battling Bishop football.
Drumgoole Breaks Records, Earns First-Team Honors
Sophomore wide receiver Christian Drumgoole also made his mark on the First-Team All-Conference list after an outstanding 2024 campaign. Drumgoole, hailing from Dinwiddie, Virginia, had a record-breaking performance against Ferrum on September 15, 2024, when he caught eighteen passes for a jaw-dropping 277 receiving yards, setting new Wesleyan single-game records for both receptions and receiving yards. Drumgoole's 1,130 receiving yards in 2024 rank third all-time in a single season for the Bishops.
Drumgoole, alongside Byrd, became the first NCWU duo since 2014 to each surpass 1,000 yards in a season, cementing their status as one of the most dynamic offensive tandems in the program's history.
Barnes and Green Earn Special Recognition
Local standout Desmond Barnes, an offensive lineman from Rocky Mount High School also earned First-Team honors following an exceptional season. Barnes, who was instrumental in protecting the quarterback and creating running lanes for Byrd, stood out for his performance in the trenches, finishing the season without allowing a sack. His stellar play earned him an invitation to the prestigious CFBall Alumni Bowl in Philadelphia at the end of November, a testament to his skill and recognition on a national level.
Kicker/punter Braxtyn Green, a sophomore from Live Oak, Florida, was once again named First-Team All-Conference in punting and Second-Team All-Conference as a placekicker. Green's remarkable consistency on special teams earned him USA South Special Teams Player of the Year honors for the second consecutive season. He made 11 of 14 field goals during the regular season, including a long of 43 yards, while also averaging a league-best 42.6 yards per punt. Green placed nine of his punts over 50 yards and pinned ten kicks inside the 20-yard line.
Seagroves Shines on Defense
Defensive lineman Aiden Seagroves, a product of Eastern Alamance, was another Bishop to earn First-Team honors. Seagroves had a standout season, recording 22 solo tackles and 21 assisted tackles, along with four pass deflections. His biggest game came against Greensboro on November 2, 2024, where he posted a season-high six tackles in a game. Seagroves' dominant play on the defensive line helped anchor the Bishops' defense throughout the season.
Safety Jeremiah Young from Hardeeville, South Carolina, was named to the Second Team after an impressive 2024 campaign. Young recorded 37 total tackles, including 15 solo and 22 assisted, while also breaking up six passes and picking off three interceptions. His ability to make key plays in the secondary was crucial to the Bishops' defensive success this year.
Linebacker Andrew Brown, another standout from Live Oak, Florida, earned Honorable Mention All-Conference honors. Brown totaled 85 tackles in 2024, including 40 solo and 45 assisted. He also forced two fumbles and recovered two, making him one of the most reliable defenders on the field.
The final award recognition for Wesleyan goes to Terrell Morris, who was named the USA South Sportsmanship Award recipient. Morris, an offensive linemen from Tampa, Florida embodies the core values of a Battling Bishop.
