Football
December 18, 2024

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Western Michigan senior center Jacob Gideon has been named a Second Team All-American by The Sporting News on Wednesday.  

The Union, Ky., native started 12 of WMU’s 13 games this season at center, helping the Broncos post the top scoring offense in the Mid-American Conference. With Gideon manning the offensive line, Western Michigan’s top four runners (Jaden Nixon, Jalen Buckley, Zahir Abdus-Salaam and Broc Lowry) combine for 2,335 yards rushing, each average over 5.0 yards per carry and a combined 28 touchdowns.  

Gideon has been rated the top center in the MAC by Pro Football Focus in each of the past three seasons and became Western Michigan’s first-ever Rimington Trophy Finalist this season. He has helped WMU produce two 1,000-yard rushers in the last three seasons he has started at center, with Buckley in 2023 and Sean Tyler in 2022.  

This marks the first time in program history that the Broncos have had two All-Americans from the five major publications (The Sporting News, AP, FWAA, AFCA and Walter Camp) since 2016 when wide receiver Corey Davis and offensive tackle Taylor Moton both earned honors. It is the first time in program history that it has been two offensive linemen.