Through 2024, 246 Canadians competed south of the border at all levels of American college soccer, many of whom played prominent roles. For the sixth consecutive season, I’ve tracked each player throughout the season to assemble my annual list of All-Canadian selections, highlighting our country’s best and brightest players before bowl season begins.
As always, team selection has been based on the quality of a player’s performance throughout the year and should not be construed as an assessment of their professional prospects or objective talent. While the strength of the competition is taken into account, excellent production at the lower levels will be valued more than average play at the major events.
For readability, the 2024 All-Canadian team is presented in two parts. Tomorrow, I unveiled my offensive choicesToday, we wrap things up with defense.
edge protector
First Team: Akheem Messidor, redshirt junior, Miami University (Ottawa, Ontario)
Although he’ll go down as an edge rusher for our purposes, Messidor’s impressive versatility meant he saw almost an equal amount of snaps from the interior as well as lining up against the tackles. The results speak for themselves, as he sits in a three-way tie for the Hurricanes’ sack lead with 5.5 after missing most of last season due to injury. Through 12 games, he has totaled 31 tackles, including eight tackles for loss, while generating a total of 25 pressures to earn a 72.9 overall grade from ProFootballFocus and the second All-ACC honorable mention of his career. . Although Miami fell just short of the College Football Playoff, the six-foot-three, 280-pound defender will get a shot at the Pop-Tarts Bowl before deciding whether to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft or return for his final season of eligibility.
Ali Saad, redshirt senior, Bowling Green State University (Windsor, Ontario)
In his final collegiate season, Saad had a breakout campaign that saw him more than double several key statistical metrics from his previous career highs. In 12 games for the Falcons, he accumulated 37 defensive tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles, while totaling 19 pressures. The six-foot-three-inch tall, 285-pounder produces strong edge rushers and generates 22 defensive stops – tackles that lead to a failure for the offense – and earns an exceptional 79.2 run defense grade, according to PFF. He will bring it to the table again when Bowling Green kicks off the Ventures Bowl on Boxing Day.
Second Team: Isaiah Bagnah, super senior, Brigham Young University (Lethbridge, Alta.) Carter Morris, senior, University of Minnesota Morris (D3) (Boissevain, Man.)
Third Team: Nuer Gatkoth, redshirt sophomore, Colorado State University (Edmonton, Alta.) Wesley Bailey, redshirt senior, Rutgers University (Ottawa, Ontario)
defensive interior
First team: Rene Konga, redshirt senior, University of Louisville (Ottawa, Ontario)
Many casual fans would be surprised to see LSU’s Paris Shand leave the first team, but unlike the rest of college football, there is no SEC bias here. Despite playing fewer snaps, Konga made more appearances in his first season with the Cardinals, finishing with 18 total tackles, two tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. The advanced stats are more flattering, with the Rutgers transfer collecting a total of 22 pressures and earning a PFF grade of 75.0. With two of his most productive games coming against playoff qualifiers in Notre Dame and Clemson, Date should have more success with blue-blood Washington in the Sun Bowl.
Eliza St. John, Sophomore, Long Island University (FCS) (Ottawa, Ontario)
Some may consider this a depth pick but St. John’s is one of the most criminally underrated players in college football. For example, with an excellent mark of 85.9 from PFF, the Sharks’ nose tackle trails only Indiana quarterback Curtis Rourke as the highest-graded Canadian in the game. In 12 games this season, he has managed 40 total tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, two forced fumbles and one blocked kick, while totaling 18 pressures and making 22 defensive stops. This is as complete a resume as you’ll find for an interior defensive lineman – especially in his second year of eligibility.
Second team: Paris Shand, redshirt senior, Louisiana State University (Toronto, Ontario) Nate Marte, Senior, Arkansas State University (Orleans, Ontario)
Third Team: Mufta Egeli, Sr., Northwestern Oklahoma State University (D2) (Windsor, Ontario) | Ebenezer Dibula, redshirt senior, Bethune-Cookman University (FCS) (Ottawa, Ontario)
linebacker
First Team: Darryl Jabom, junior, Rutgers University (Longueuil, Que.)
In some years, finding linebackers to fill out this team is going to be a tough task. That’s not the case in 2024, as Djabome headlines a group that’s as deep as I’ve ever seen. After playing just 85 defensive snaps a year ago, the true junior saw 703 action this year and resulted in 102 total tackles – the first Canadian to cross the century mark since Amen Ogbongbemiga in 2019. He added seven tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles and 16 QB pressures while generating 44 defensive stops to earn a PFF grade of 72.2 and a third-team All-Big Ten selection. The six-foot-two, 240-pound dynamo will cap his year at the Rhett Bowl on Boxing Day.
Jaylen Smith, Senior, University of North Texas (Hamilton, Ontario)
The Mean Green’s janitorial staff got a workout cleaning up all the drool from CFL scouts passing by to watch Smith this season. Once just an elite special teamer, he has evolved into a hyper-versatile linebacker who plays almost as many snaps as a slot corner as he loads up in the box and only through the air on 313 coverage snaps. Allows 133 yards. He is no slouch physically either, earning third team All-AAC recognition after collecting 97 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 35 defensive stops, 17 QB pressures and an interception against Tulane. He would conclude his college career at the First Responder Bowl early in the new year.
Second Team: Dylan Sjoborg, Jr., Morehead State University (FCS) (Toronto, Ontario) | Darius McKenzie, redshirt junior, University of South Alabama (Ottawa, Ontario)
Third Team: Nicholas Ciriello, Jr., Geneva College (D3) (Port Colborne, Ontario) | Jefferson Bretonese-Deska, Sophomore, Lincoln University (D2) (Ottawa, Ontario)
flex protector
First Team: Ty Benefield, Sophomore, Boise State University (Vancouver, BC)
Heisman Trophy finalist Ashton Jeanty got all the headlines because of his aggressiveness, but defensively, it was a versatile young Canadian who led the Mountain West champions in tackles last year. A versatile chess player who spent almost as much time covering the slot as he spent flowing over the top, Benefield totaled 73 tackles, five for loss and was credited with 24 defensive stops. He also added five pass breakups and two interceptions to earn a PFF grade of 73.0 and honorable mention all-conference recognition. The son of former CFL All-Star David Benefield will take center stage in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals on New Year’s Eve, earning a first-round bye and a ticket to the Fiesta Bowl as the third seed.
Second Team: Matthew-Michael Asivero, Sophomore, Bates College (D3) (Ottawa, Ontario)
Third Team: Callum Hyland, Sr., Southern Virginia University (D3) (Lethbridge, Alta.)
cornerback
First Team: Trey Tomlinson, Jr., University of Richmond (FCS) (Winnipeg, Man.)
Tomlinson has already put his name into the transfer portal and is going to have a lot of interest in Winnipeg after another excellent season that saw him earn a 78.1 PFF grade en route to the Coastal Athletic Association Champs. The five-foot-10-inch, 175-pound cover man allowed him to catch less than half the passes thrown his way, passing for 268 yards without throwing a single touchdown. In 13 games, Tomlinson also made 28 tackles and intercepted seven passes for the Spiders, while giving opposing quarterbacks a passer rating of 76.3.
Malcolm Bell, redshirt junior, University of Connecticut (Montreal, Que.)
UConn’s surprising 2024 resurgence was paired with some excellent play from their veteran corner Bell, who was limited to nine games due to injury. The six-foot-two, 185-pound DB still managed to produce 26 tackles, including one for loss, and three pass breakups. In the process, he threw for a career-low 207 yards and no touchdowns in coverage, earned a 75.4 PFF grade and held opponents to a passer rating of 83.6 when targeting him. The Huskies will finish their season at Fenway Bowl, although it appears Bell will not be with them after entering the transfer portal.
Second Team: King Embers, redshirt senior, East Texas A&M University (FCS) (Pickering, Ontario) | Nathan Casimir, Jr., Post University (D2) (Ottawa, Ontario)
Third Team: Ryland Kelly, redshirt sophomore, University of Minnesota (Winnipeg, Maine) | Ethan Yip, redshirt junior, College of William & Mary (FCS) (Surrey, BC)
Security
First Team: Jett Allad, super senior, University of Nevada-Las Vegas (Mississauga, Ontario)
After spending the majority of his career so far playing nickel, Elad played full safety in his final season with the Rebels and did not miss a game. The All-Mountain West honorable mention totaled 73 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, five pass breakups and one interception to earn a 73.1 PFF grade. The six-foot-one, 205-pound defender helped bring UNLV to the brink of playoff qualification with 25 defensive stops and will conclude his college career in the LA Bowl.
Josh Baca, redshirt sophomore, Kent State University (Ottawa, Ontario)
No team in college football was worse than the winless Golden Flashes, but Baca’s emergence with a strong defense was a rare bright spot. The six-foot-one, 205-pound defender led the team with 90 total tackles – 22 more than any other player – while adding 2.5 tackles for loss, five pass breakups and one fumble recovery. After making a respectable 21 defensive stops for a poor program, Baca has entered the transfer portal and will hopefully find a team capable of winning.
Second Team: Devin Cromwell, Sr., Texas Tech University (Toronto, Ontario) Trammell States-Jones, Redshirt Sophomore, University of Rhode Island (Surrey, BC)
Third Team: Cyrus McGarrell, redshirt junior, Northern Illinois University (Windsor, Ontario) | Benjamin Chombe, Super Senior, Oklahoma Baptist University (D2) (Ottawa, Ontario)
special teamer
First Team: Javier Gelardetz, redshirt sophomore, East Tennessee State University (FCS) (Trois-Rivières, Que.)
Anyone angry at Gelardetz being removed from the offensive list can put down their pitchforks and torches. While the Buccaneers’ receiver may have made the third team after catching 13 passes for 211 yards and three touchdowns, his contributions elsewhere deserve more attention. The six-foot, 204-pound Gunner made five solo tackles on special teams, and earned a 76.8 PFF grade for his work in punt coverage. He also contributed as a returner and fielded 14 punts for 133 yards.
Second Team: Keith Bourque, redshirt freshman, Long Island University (FCS) (Warrens, Ky.)
Third Team: Pierre Kemeny Jr., redshirt junior, University of New Mexico (Milton, Ontario)
Honorable mention: ED Dorian Royal, R-JR, State of Georgia (Quebec City, Que.) ED Carter Hooper, R-JR, South Dakota (FCS) (Toronto, Ontario) | ED Jacob Dugas, R-JR, Wooster (D3) (Toronto, Ontario) | DI Amari Notis, R-JR, Idaho (FCS) (Toronto, Ontario) | DI Natale Franzione, JR, Georgetown (FCS) (Ottawa, Ontario) | DI Chris Dixon, R-SO, South Dakota (FCS) (Toronto, Ontario) | ST Gideon Bedda, R-SO, Bryant (FCS) (Calgary, Alta.)
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