ATLANTA, Ga. - The Southern Athletic Association announced the all-conference selections on Monday after the conclusion of the 2023 regular season. Birmingham-Southern had eleven players selected including two to the first team and two to the second team.
Ricky Spence Jr. was selected to the All-SAA First Team for the first time in his career. The sophomore defensive lineman broke the single-season school sacks record with 11 and tackles for loss record with 18.5. He also finished third on the team in total tackles with 54 and had 4 QB hurries with a pass broken up. In the conference, Ricky finished second in sacks and tackles for loss.
Conner Thornburg earned All-SAA First Team for the second consecutive season. The shut-down corner recorded 43 total tackles with a tackle for loss. He had four passes broken up in coverage. Conner also had a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries on the season.
Ty Armstrong was voted All-SAA Second Team for the second straight year. The senior linebacker finished second on the team and 14th in the SAA in total tackles with 56 including four tackles for loss. Ty also recorded a sack, a pass breakup, and two quarterback hurries on the year.
Tavian Moore was selected to the All-SAA Second Team for the first time in his career. The sophomore defensive back lead the Panthers in tackles with 63 for sixth in the SAA. He had 1.5 tackles for loss and four passes broken up. Tavian also had two fumble recoveries and a kick blocked on the season.
Javien Beene earned All-SAA Honorable Mention for the first time in his career. The junior safety led the team in interceptions with two and recorded 35 total tackles. He also had a QB hurry. Javien finished eighth in the conference in interceptions.
Michael Gray was voted to an All-SAA team for the third time in his career with his Honorable Mention selection. The senior offensive lineman started every game for the Panthers and was a huge part of the team's 120.9 rushing yards per game and eight touchdowns.
Jaden Hood was selected as an All-SAA Honorable Mention in his freshman campaign. The defensive lineman finished second on the team and seventh in the conference in sacks with five including breaking the BSC single-game record with four sacks against Hendrix. He finished inside the top 10 in tackles for loss with 9.5. Jaden also recorded 41 total tackles and two QB hurries on the season.
Kobe Hughes earned All-SAA Honorable Mention for the first time in his career. The junior running back put up career-high numbers with 691 yards on 146 carries with three touchdowns. He also had 11 catches for 118 yards out of the backfield. Kobe finished third in the conference in rushing yards in his first season as a starter.
Nick Paradise was voted as an All-SAA Honorable Mention selection for the first time in his career. The junior offensive lineman started every game for the Panthers and helped the rushing attack to 120.9 yards per game with eight touchdowns.
Owen Phillips earned All-SAA Honorable Mention for the first time in his career. The senior tight end was a big part of the rushing attack for the Panthers and recorded seven catches for 43 yards and a TD receiving. Owen's touchdown was the game-winner on the road against Sewanee late in the fourth quarter.
Cole Porch was selected as an All-SAA Honorable Mention for the first time in his career. The senior punter was huge in the field position game for the Panthers and recorded 49 punts for 2129 yards. Cole's average of 43.45 yards per punt earned him fourth-best in the nation for DIII and second in the SAA. He had 16 punts inside the 20 for second in the SAA and 10 punts of over 50 yards for third in the conference.
