DALLAS – Conference USA tabbed 11 student-athletes to its 2024 CUSA Football All-Academic Team Friday morning. Eight schools are represented on the list with FIU, Jax State and UTEP each earning a pair of spots, while Kennesaw State, MTSU, NM State, Sam Houston and WKU are represented as well.
 
A seven-time Dean’s List member, FIU wide receiver Ross Fournet has maintained a 3.90 GPA in biological sciences. The former walk-on has continued to expand his role as a special teams contributor, ranking toward the top of the FBS with 11 special teams tackles.
 
In his sixth year at FIU, running back Lexington Joseph has earned five Dean’s List nods and graduated Cum Laude with a 3.69 GPA in Public Policy and Service. He is pursuing a master’s in mass communications and has kept a 3.97 GPA in his postgraduate studies. Joseph missed the entire 2023 season with an injury but has rushed for 279 yards and two touchdowns in his return to the field.
 
Jax State tight end Sean Brown owns a flawless 4.00 GPA in his pursuit of a master’s in sport management. The two-time Mackey Award Watch List honoree has started every game at tight end and hauled in nine passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns.
 
An elite presence on and off the field, Jax State quarterback Tyler Huff joins Brown as a 4.00 student in the sport management program and has been the leader of a high-octane Gamecock offense. He leads CUSA and ranks 22^nd nationally in total offense (281.4), including 90.2 yards per game on the ground. Huff also leads CUSA and ranks ninth in the FBS in yards per completion (14.27).
 
Kennesaw State running back Michael Benefield features a perfect 4.00 GPA as a master’s candidate in exercise science. He has appeared in every game and led the Owls in rushing with 468 yards and five touchdowns, including one score in each of the last four games.
 
A three-time CUSA Commissioner’s Academic Medal honoree, MTSU quarterback Nicholas Vattiato has maintained a 3.96 GPA in exercise science. On pace to become just the second Blue Raider quarterback with back-to-back 3,000-yard seasons, he leads CUSA and ranks in the top 25 nationally in passing yards (2,559) and passing yards per game (255.9).
 
NM State offensive lineman Canaan Yarro boasts a perfect 4.00 GPA in communication studies and has been recognized on the CUSA Commissioner’s Honor Roll and as a NMSU Crimson Scholar. He serves as a leader of the offense, starting at center in all but one game this season.
 
A two-time Dean’s List honoree and member of the CUSA Commissioner’s Honor Roll in 2023-24, Sam Houston linebacker Kavian Gaither has posted a 3.30 GPA in entrepreneurship. The team captain is second on the team in tackles (63) and is tied for the team lead with six hurries. Gaither also has four tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, two pass breakups and an interception.
 
A member of the CUSA Commissioner’s Honor Roll in 2023-24, UTEP defensive lineman KD Johnson holds a 3.60 GPA in nursing. He has started all 10 games and ranks third on the Miners with 7.5 tackles for loss. Johnson also has 34 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
 
UTEP quarterback Skyler Locklear has excelled in the classroom with a 3.83 GPA in business and on the gridiron as the Miners’ starting quarterback. He ranks third in CUSA and 21^st nationally in completion percentage (67.0) and has thrown for 1,356 yards and nine touchdowns in eight games.
 
A two-time member of the CUSA Commissioner’s Honor Roll, WKU defensive lineman Hosea Wheeler owns a 3.41 GPA in business administration. He has started every game this season and leads the Hilltoppers with 55 tackles. Wheeler also has five tackles for loss and a pair of sacks and blocked kicks.
 
2024 CUSA Football All-Academic Team

Name	Year	GPA	Major(s)
Ross Fournet, FIU	R-Jr.	3.90	Biological Sciences
Lexington Joseph, FIU	R-Sr.	3.97	Mass Communication
Sean Brown, Jax State	R-Sr.	4.00	Sport Management
Tyler Huff, Jax State	Sr.	4.00	Sport Management
Michael Benefield, Kennesaw State	R-Sr.	4.00	Exercise Science
Nicholas Vattiato, MTSU	R-Jr.	3.96	Exercise Science
Canaan Yarro, NM State	Sr.	4.00	Communication Studies
Kavian Gaither, Sam Houston	Sr.	3.30	Entrepreneurship
KD Johnson, UTEP	Sr.	3.60	Nursing
Skyler Locklear, UTEP	R-So.	3.83	Business
Hosea Wheeler, WKU	R-Jr.	3.41	Business Administration