STATESBORO - Georgia Southern freshman kick returner
DeAndre Buchannon has been named to the prestigious 2023 FWAA Freshman All-America Team presented by Chris Doering Mortgage, as announced Tuesday by the Football Writers Association of America. Just 32 first-year players from the FBS make the squad.
Buchannon, from Atlanta, had 23 kickoff returns for 604 yards and a touchdown, an average of 26.3 yards per return. That average was the 10th best in the FBS in 2023. He had 142 yards on returns, including an 80 yarder, on kickoff returns at Texas State and scored on a 100-yard kickoff return at App State, tying the school record for the longest kickoff in program history.
Buchannon is just the second Georgia Southern player to earn this award from the FWAA, joining Derrick Canteen who was honored in 2020.
In addition to the FWAA award, he was also named a Freshman All-American First Teamer by College Football Network. Buchannon is one of three young players to earn Freshman All-American honors along with offensive lineman
Chandler Strong and defensive lineman
Elhadj Fall.
Buchannon's honor is just the latest in a long line of other awards, accolades and honors picked up by team members this past season. Here's the entire list for the 2023 season.
Shemar Bartholomew, CB
• All-Sun Belt Second Team
• All-Sun Belt Third Team (Phil Steele)
Davis Brin, QB
• All-Sun Belt Conference Honorable Mention
• College Sports Communicators Academic All-District
Derwin Burgess Jr., WR
• All-Sun Belt Conference Honorable Mention
DeAndre Buchannon, KR
• Freshman All-American First Team (FWAA)
• Freshman All-American First Team (College Football Network)
• All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention (College Football Network)
Khalil Crowder, OG
• All-Sun Belt First Team
• All-Sun Belt First Team (Phil Steele)
• All-Sun Belt Third Team (College Football Network)
Josh Dallas, WR
• College Sports Communicators Academic All-District
Bryan Ellis, OC
• Broyles Award Semifinalist
Elhadj Fall, DL
• Freshman All-American Honorable Mention (College Football News)
Khaleb Hood, WR
• All-Sun Belt Second Team
• All-Sun Belt Second Team (Phil Steele)
• All-Sun Belt Second Team (College Football Network)
• All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention (College Football Network)
Khadry Jackson, LB
• Tropical Bowl Participant
Michael Lantz, PK
• All-Sun Belt First Team (Pro Football Focus)
• All-Sun Belt Fourth Team (Phil Steele)
• All-Sun Belt Second Team (College Football Network)
Jjay Mcafee, TE
• All-Sun Belt Fourth Team (Phil Steele)
• All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention
• All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention (College Football Network)
Rasheed Miller, OT
• All-Sun Belt Second Team
• All-Sun Belt Third Team (College Football Network)
• All-Sun Belt Third Team (Phil Steele)
Justin Rhodes, DT
• All-Sun Belt Fourth Team (Phil Steele)
TJ Smith, DB
• All-Sun Belt Conference Honorable Mention
Chandler Strong, OL
• Freshman All-American Third Team (College Football News)
Isaac Walker, DE
• All-Sun Belt Third Team
• All-Sun Belt Fourth Team (Phil Steele)
Marques Watson-Trent, LB
• All-America Honorable Mention (Phil Steele)
• All-Sun Belt First Team
• All-Sun Belt First Team (Phil Steele)
• All-Sun Belt Second Team (College Football Network)
• Group of 5 All-America Third Team (HERO Sports)
Jalen White, RB
• All-Sun Belt Third Team
• All-Sun Belt Third Team (College Football Network)
• All-Sun Belt Fourth Team (Phil Steele)
Pichon Wimbley, OL
• College Sports Communicators Academic All-District
The 2024 Georgia Southern football season will begin on Aug. 31 with a home game against defending Mountain West champion Boise State. Season renewals and tickets sales will begin soon.
