27 Nov 2024 Utley, Turley headline Hendrix All-SAA Selections

CANTON, Ga. — On Nov. 22, the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) named the 2024 All-SAA football selections, with Hendrix landing eight players on the All-SAA teams. The voting was conducted by the league’s eight head coaches.

Parker Turley and Kanyn Utley were both named First Team All-SAA on offense to highlight the Warriors’ All-SAA selections.

Utley had a career year in 2024 as he led the SAA in receiving with 66 receptions for 959 yards, averaging 6.6 catches per game with 14.5 yards per reception. His 95.9 yards per game also led the conference, while his 7 touchdown receptions ranked fifth in the league.

Turley was voted the top tight end/H-back in the conference with 39 receptions for 438 yards and 4 touchdowns. The graduate student opened the season with a career day against Centenary in which he amassed 88 yards and 2 touchdowns on 5 receptions. He would then close his final season with another 2 touchdown performance at Sewanee, with those two scores coming on the ground.

Jacob Buniff was named Second Team All-SAA for the second year running. The Warriors’ gunslinger threw for 2,583 yards and 24 touchdowns. Both marks ranked second in the conference.

On defense, Tristian Johnson made his first appearance on the All-SAA teams with a Second Team selection as a defensive lineman. Johnson finished 2nd in the league with 1.33 tackles for loss per game with 12.0 TFL in 9 games. He finished 7th in the conference with 4.0 total sacks. He racked up 9 solo tackles versus Centenary in the season-opener to go along with 2.0 sacks.

Rounding out the Warriors’ All-SAA selections were RB Auvic White, WR Jax Johnson, OL Matthew Winger, and OL Jackson Stiles.

White finished fourth in the league in rushing with 537 yards and 7 touchdowns running behind the duo of Winger and Stiles. Johnson ranked 8th in the SAA in receiving with 527 yards on 55 receptions. His 6 touchdown receptions ranked tied for 6th.