SPARTANBURG, S.C. (Nov. 26, 2024) – The Southern Conference released its annual football award winners and All-SoCon teams on Tuesday afternoon. Overall, six ETSU football players earned recognition for their play this fall. Luke Smith earned the league's Jacobs Blocking Award and landed a spot on the First Team. Joining Smith on the First Team were wide receiver AJ Johnson and defensive lineman Jaylen George. Running back Bryson Irby, right tackle Derrell Bailey Jr. and linebacker Zach West all landed spots on the Second Team.
 
Luke Smith – Graduate Student – Center

• Becomes third ETSU player to earn the SoCon's Jacobs Blocking Award joining Matt Pyke (2018) and Tre'mond Shorts (2021).
• Has started every game over the last two seasons at center for ETSU.
• Helped ETSU rush for 100 yards in 11 of 12 games this season, including a season-high 308 yards in a win at The Citadel in late September to go along with five outings that topped 200 yards. Smith also led ETSU's offensive line to lead the SoCon in rushing yards (2,330) and rushing yards per game (194.2) marking the first time the Bucs have led the league in rushing in a season.
• Smith also anchored an offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks in the conference (17).

 
AJ Johnson – Redshirt Sophomore – Wide Receiver

• Was ETSU's leading receiver in 2024 with 40 receptions with 662 yards and six touchdowns.
• Topped 100 yards receiving on three occasions, including a season-high 162 yards at Mercer.
• Johnson's 662 receiving yards were the second-most by an ETSU receiver since football returned in 2015 with only Will Huzzie's 2021 season (798 yards) ranking higher.
• Johnson's six receiving touchdowns were tied for the most by a Buccaneer pass catcher over the last decade and the most since Cecil Moore reached the end zone seven times in 2002.

 
Jaylen George – Redshirt Sophomore – Defensive Lineman

• George has started every game for ETSU over the past two seasons.
• Totaled 33 tackles (six for loss) to go with 0.5 sacks, a forced fumble and recovered another to go with seven quarterback hurries. His quarterback hurry total led the Bucs.
• Helped ETSU's defense hold opposing teams to 3.0 yards per carry in 2024, which was the team's lowest mark in a full season since 1984 (2.7).

 
Bryson Irby – Senior – Running Back

• Irby was ETSU's leading rusher this season totaling 763 yards on 145 carries (5.3 avg.) and six touchdowns. Irby's rushing total ranked fourth among SoCon running backs. Also caught nine passes for 45 yards.
• Irby's top game of the season came against No. 2 North Dakota State where he rushed for 147 yards and three touchdowns on 15 attempts. Irby also topped the century mark rushing in a win at The Citadel in late September (126 yards).
• Passed 1,500 career rushing yards in his final season as a Buc.

 
Derrell Bailey Jr. – Redshirt Senior – Right Tackle

• Started all 12 games for ETSU this season at right tackle.
• Helped ETSU rush for 100 yards in 11 of 12 games this season, including a season-high 308 yards in a win at The Citadel in late September to go along with five outings that topped 200 yards. Bailey aided in ETSU's offensive line on their way to leading the SoCon in rushing yards (2,330) and rushing yards per game (194.2). It is the first time in school history that ETSU has led the SoCon in rushing for a season.
• Bailey was also a member of an offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks in the conference (17).

 
Zach West – Redshirt Senior – Linebacker

• Started all 12 games for ETSU this season and wraps up his time in Johnson City with 52 games played for the Blue and Gold.
• In 2024, West totaled 56 tackles (10 for loss), 8.5 sacks, forced two fumbles and recovered another.
• His 8.5 sacks were the second-most in school history and had 3.5 sacks in the win over Western Carolina. Named the SoCon Defensive Player of the Week on November 11.
• As a Buc, West racked up 196 tackles (25.5 for loss), 11.5 sacks, seven fumble recoveries, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and three pass breakups.

 
Mercer, which earned the SoCon automatic bid into the FCS playoffs, took home the other four major awards. Dwayne McGee was the League's Offensive Player of the Year, Brayden Manley was the Defensive Player of the Year, Andrew Zock was the Freshman of the Year and Mike Jacobs was tabbed Coach of the Year.
 
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