One pleasant surprise at the midpoint of the 2024 season is the number of quality FCS teams in Texas. If the season ended today, four teams, UIW, Tarleton, Abilene Christian, and Lamar, would be in the conversation for a playoff bid. Stephen F. Austin would be in the conversation if not for a slipup at McNeese earlier this season. Still, the Lumberjacks control their destiny for the Southland Conference title and could sneak into the playoff conversation if they win their remaining games.

The strength of FCS this year is evident in the midseason All-Texas Non-FBS Team as well, with UIW, Tarleton, and ACU tied with Wayland Baptist for the most players represented on the team with three apiece. A total of 16 teams are represented, with UTPB and Angelo State each placing two players on the team. Lamar, SFA, Texas Southern, Texas A&M-Kingsville, Midwestern State, Mary Hardin-Baylor, Hardin-Simmons, Texas Wesleyan, Trinity Valley, and Tyler each have one player on the squad.

Midseason All-Texas Non-FBS Offense

QB, Zach Calzada, UIW 

One of the most challenging positions to narrow is at quarterback. The Texas A&M transfer earns the nod by completing 70 percent of his pass attempts for 1,663 yards, 18 TDs, 3 INTs, and a 158.8 efficiency rating.

RB, Kayvon Britten, Tarleton 

The United Athletic Conference is loaded with running back talent. However, Britten trails only Heisman Trophy favorite Ashton Jeanty in rushing yards (1,160), scoring 12 TDs and averaging 7.3 yards per rush attempt and 165.7 yards per game.

RB, Khalan Griffin, Lamar 

The Tyler Chapel Hill product and Rice transfer has 614 yards rushing with 6 TDs and averages 102.3 rushing yards per contest.

WR, Nehemiah Martinez, ACU 

The Lubbock Cooper product is another in a long line of players to shine for the Wildcats after transferring from Texas Tech. Martinez has 44 receptions for 704 yards and 8 TDs.

WR, Jalen Walthall, UIW 

Walthall (Manvel/Hawaii) has made multiple highlight plays for the Cardinals while gaining 649 yards on 39 receptions with 9 TDs this year.

WR, AJ Bobb, TxWes 

Bobb has shined for the Rams despite limited playing time due to significant margins of victory. The Atascocita product has 27 receptions for 566 yards and three TDs this season.

OL, Jacob Thielen, ACU 

It’s difficult to find stats for offensive linemen, so I referred to PFF.com for these selections. Thielen has posted grades of 73.3 in run blocking and 72.2 in pass blocking with a 98.2 efficiency.

OL, Hunter Smith, Tarleton 

Smith (Rockwall-Heath) has not allowed a QB sack, hit, hurry, or pressure in 449 snaps this season while posting grades of 77.2 run blocking, 85 pass blocking, and a 100 efficiency rating.

OL, Tuli Teuhema, Tarleton 

Tuehema (Arlington Lamar) has posted remarkable grades of 73.1 run blocking and 80.4 pass blocking, along with a 99.4 efficiency rating, while playing center for the Texans.

OL, Tay Yanta, ACU 

Yanta (Falls City/Texas Tech/UMHB) found a home in Abilene with grades of 66.2 run blocking, 78.3 pass blocking, and a 98.4 efficiency rating.

OL, Jaymon Lamb, SFA 

The Rowlett product has been solid for the Lumberjacks, with a 69.7 grade in run blocking, a 78.7 pass-blocking grade, and a 98.3 efficiency rating.

Midseason All-Texas Non-FBS Defense

DL, Demarcus Hendricks, TAMU-Kingsville 

The San Antonio Wagner product has filled the stat sheet for the Javelinas, registering 19 tackles, 8.5 tackles for-loss, five sacks, two pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a recovered fumble.

DL, Kaleb Brooks, WBU 

Brooks has been a force along the defensive line for the Pioneers, posting 27 tackles, 7.5 tackles for-loss, and 4.5 sacks while forcing two fumbles and recovering one.

DL, Tavion Atkinson, TVCC 

Very few have dominated opposing offenses like Atkinson (Aldine MacArthur), who’s recorded 43 tackles (30 solo), 12 tackles for-loss, and eight sacks for the Cardinals.

LB, Tristan Exline, UTPB 

Exline (China Spring) has been one of the most consistent defensive forces in Texas, with 53 tackles, 10 tackles for-loss, 3.5 sacks, one interception, and two pass breakups for the Falcons.

LB, Durand Hill, UMHB  

A consistent presence on the All-Texas Non-FBS teams in recent years, Hill (Buda Hays) has 38 tackles, five tackles for-loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and an interception return for a touchdown.

LB, Isaiah Brooks, WBU 

The Pioneers defense has been outstanding this season, led by Brooks (Little Elm), who has recorded 44 tackles, 8.5 tackles for-loss, three sacks, one interception, one pass breakup, and one blocked kick.

LB, Darion White, Tyler 

The Waco La Vega product has helped lead a resurgent Apache defense with 76 tackles, nine tackles for-loss, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one pass breakup, and one interception.

DB, MJ Hinson Jr., TSU 

Hinson (College Station) has been outstanding for the Tigers after transferring from Blinn and has registered 11 tackles, seven pass breakups, and two interceptions.

DB, Andrew Pitts, ASU 

Death, taxes, and Andrew Pitts (McKinney) intercepting a pass. Pitts has 20 tackles, one tackle for-loss, four pass breakups, and has recorded an interception in every game this season (five) while setting the Rams program record for most career interceptions (19).

DB, Jalani Jefferson, UTPB 

Jefferson has been a terror at defensive back for the Falcons with 21 tackles, four tackles for-loss, seven pass breakups, and two interceptions.

DB, Tyrone Morgan, WBU 

Not many true freshmen make these teams. However, Morgan (Wichita Falls Rider) is no ordinary freshman, registering 28 tackles, seven pass breakups, and two interceptions for the Pioneers.

K, Joseph Carlson, MSU 

The most significant competition to Carlson (Frisco Wakeland/Air Force) for this spot was MSU’s former kicker Ritse Vaes (Wichita Falls Hirschi/MSU), now at ACU. Carlson earns the nod by making 11 of 13 field goal attempts with a long of 49 yards.

P, Cade Fuller, ASU 

One of the top punters at any level, Fuller has placed 13 of 42 punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, averaging 46.2 yards per attempt with 14 punts traveling 50 yards or longer.

KR, Dameon Gomes, HSU 

Gomes (Mansfield/Murray State) is one of the country's most dynamic and explosive kick returners. He has 11 kick returns for 409 yards, two touchdowns, and an incredible 37.2-yard average per return. He’s added seven punt returns for 159 yards (22.7-yard average) while nearly taking one or two to the endzone.

PR, Dekalon Taylor, UIW 

Taylor has posted solid numbers as a wide receiver, but the Longview product shines on special teams. He has returned nine punts for 174 yards (19.3-yard average) and one touchdown for the Cardinals.