Eight UCU football players receive All-AAC honors
Barbourville, Ky. – On Thursday, the Appalachian Athletic Conference announced its 2024 Football All-AAC Teams and Awards. Union Commonwealth University had eight players earn All-AAC honors. Union's Jayden Ward earned two All-AAC honors.
In the past two seasons, the Bulldogs have had a total of four First-Team All-AAC selections and 12 Second-Team All-AAC selections.
Union Bulldogs named First-Team All-AAC:
Kam Bradshaw (LB) – Kam Bradshaw was a force on the Union defense throughout the season. He tallied 58 total tackles, which led UCU this season. The Thomasville, Ga., native has also tallied 2.5 sacks, 4.0 tackles for loss, and four pass breakups this season. He was also named to the AAC All-Academic Team.
Union Bulldogs named Second-Team All-AAC:
Cedric Irvin (OL) – In his freshman season, the Stockbridge, Ga., native established himself as one of the top offensive linemen in the AAC. Irvin was a strong presence in the interior of Union's offensive line as the starting center.
Isaiah Johnson (WR) - Isaiah Johnson tallied 19 catches for 308 yards and four receiving touchdowns this season. The Oak Ridge, Tenn., native had four catches for 97 yards and three touchdowns against UPike. His three touchdowns in that matchup tied UCU's school record as Johnson became the seventh player in school history to register three receiving TDs in one game.
Jayden Ward (All Purpose & RB) – The Harlan, Ky., native was the only Bulldog to receive two All-AAC honors. Ward was named to the All-AAC Second-Team as a running back in addition to the all-purpose selection. Ward had 49 carries for 116 rushing yards this season. He also had two catches for 28 receiving yards.
Taji Jackson (RB) – Taji Jackson tallied another impressive season for the Bulldogs. He recorded 97 carries for 439 yards and seven rushing touchdowns. He ranks fourth in the AAC in each of those categories. The Nicholasville, Ky., native also registered nine catches for 153 yards and one receiving touchdown. Jackson was named the AAC Offensive Player of the Week earlier this season when he recorded 19 carries for 134 rushing yards and one touchdown in Union's win over Kentucky Christian. Jackson was a First-Team All-AAC selection last season.
Byron Gee (DL) – Byron Gee registered 37 total tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss, one sack, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one pass breakup this season. He's one of three players to be tied for fifth in the AAC in tackles for loss. The Hopkinsville, Ky., native was also named an All-AAC Second-Team selection last season.
Kamren Reese (DL) – The freshman from Stockbridge, Ga., put together an impressive season for the Bulldogs. Kamren Reese recorded 21 total tackles, 5.0 sacks, 8.0 tackles for loss, and one pass breakup. He registered two sacks in UCU's win at St. Andrews, while securing three sacks in Union's road victory against KCU.
Marquell Lewis (DB) – Freshman defensive back Marquell Lewis tallied an impressive freshman campaign as a Bulldog. He recorded 21 total tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, and two pass breakups. Lewis is from Columbia, S.C.
Quarterback Bryson Grabowski was Union's representative on the AAC's Champions of Character Team. Grabowski, Bradshaw, Dustin Brown, Brayon Farley, Griffin Fleming, Lucas Gibson, Landon McKinley-Newby, Camron Mitchell, Brady Niemeyer, and Wade Walker were each named to the AAC's All-Academic Team.