NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Eight BYU football players have been named to the Athlon Sports 2024 All-Big 12 Team for the upcoming football season.
Among BYU players honored was defensive lineman Tyler Batty who was selected to the 2024 first team. Other defensive players selected include defensive back Jakob Robinson who earned a spot on the third team, while linebacker Jack Kelly and lineman John Nelson were named to the fourth team.
On offense, lineman Brayden Keim was named third team while running back LJ Martin, center Connor Pay and wide receiver Chase Roberts were selected to the fourth team.
The annual Athlon Sports All-Big 12 Team selections are based on how players are projected to perform in 2024. Career statistics and awards are considered in the evaluation, but the all-conference team is largely based on projecting the best for the upcoming year.
Batty was among BYU’s most consistent performers in 2023 earning All-Big 12 Second Team accolades, while being named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Honorable Mention. He led the Cougars for the third year in sacks, picking up 5.5 with nine total tackles for loss. Batty finished with 57 total tackles to lead the defensive line and had eight quarterback hurries as the most effective pass-rusher on the squad, while also forcing two fumbles and recovering another.
Off the field, Batty also earned a spot on the prestigious AFCA Allstate Good Works Team, which is awarded to players that not only excel on the field but also are exemplary in their service to the community. He was recognized at halftime of the College Football Playoff at the Sugar Bowl. (read more).
A semifinalist for the 2023 Jim Thorpe Award given to the nation’s top defensive back, Robinson was twice named the Jim Thorpe Award National Defensive Back of the Week in 2023 while receiving All-Big 12 honorable mention. He totaled four interceptions to rank in the top 20 nationally and give him eight picks for his career. Robinson returned one of his interceptions for a touchdown while adding a season-high 10 tackles in a win over Texas Tech. He made 59 tackles on the year with 11 total passes defended.
Nelson played in seven games in 2023 before missing the rest of this junior season with an injury. During his first two years at BYU, Nelson played in all 26 games, collecting 46 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss.
Kelly, a junior linebacker, enters his first season at BYU after transferring from Weber State. He is expected to make an immediate impact as a four-star transfer. Kelly had 85 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, seven pass breakups and an interception in 28 games at Weber State.
Martin, a freshman in 2023, was named to the College Football News Midseason All-Big 12 Team Third Team. He was also a FWAA Freshman Focus Honoree for the week of Sept. 18 after scoring two touchdowns and helping BYU to a 38-31 win at Arkansas. Martin’s four rushing touchdowns over the first five games of the 2023 season are the most for a BYU true freshman running back since future Doak Walker Award winner Luke Staley had eight through five games in 1999. Martin led BYU in rushing with 546 yards on 109 carries and touchdowns with five.
Pay, who was selected to the Athlon Sports All-Big 12 Preseason Fourth Team in 2023, was also on the watch lists for the Reese’s Senior Bowl and Rimington Trophy. Pay has started 32 of 42 games played the last four seasons and was named CSC Academic All-District in 2023 and 2024.
Roberts, a team captain in 2023, was named to the CFN Midseason All-Big 12 Team Second Team last year. He led BYU in receiving with 573 yards on 42 catches. He also tied Martin for the team lead with five touchdowns.
Keim played in 21 of 25 games on the offensive line for BYU over the past two seasons. As a junior in 2023, he played both tackle positions, starting the final eight games of the season.
BYU kicks off its second season as a member of the Big 12 Conference against Southern Illinois on Aug. 31 at LaVell Edwards Stadium.