HARRISONBURG, Va. – The James Madison defensive trio of defensive lineman Eric O’Neill, cornerback Terrence Spence and defensive lineman Khairi Manns were named to the 2024 HERO Sports Group of Five All-America Team.
 
O’Neill headlined the list as a First Team G5 All-American, while Spence was selected to the Second Team and Manns made the Third Team.
 
This is the first such honor for each individual, who were all previously named First Team All-Sun Belt selections.
 
O’Neill was one of the nation’s top edge rushers this season. He’s fifth nationally with 12.0 sacks while also ranking seventh in the FBS with 17.5 tackles for loss. The Staten Island, N.Y., native also tallied 49 total tackles with one interception (pick-six), three pass breakups and a team-best 15 quarterback hurries.
 
Spence, who is JMU’s first-ever Paycom Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist, is third in the country with five interceptions and fourth with a pair of blocked kicks, leading the Sun Belt in both categories. Spence also ranked third in the league with 12 total passes defended (5 INT, 7 PBU). He additionally registered 34 tackles with a forced fumble during the regular season. He had one two-interception game, which included a pick-six at North Carolina.
 
Manns was also a force on the line during the regular season, finishing with 11.5 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks, ranking second on the team in both categories. Manns is 22nd nationally in sacks entering Bowl Season. He also accrued 63 total tackles, one fumble recovery, two breakups and eight hurries to aid the JMU defense.