Marquise Cross Named to AFCA NAIA All-American First Team

WACO, Tex. - The University of Saint Francis (Ind.) defensive lineman Marquise Cross has been named a First Team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).

2024 AFCA NAIA Coaches' All-America Teams

The AFCA has selected an All-America team since 1945 and currently selects teams in all five of its divisions. The AFCA's NAIA All-America Selection Committee is made up of two head coaches from each of the AFCA's seven districts, one of whom serves as a district chairman, along with another head coach who serves as the chairman of the selection committee. The coaches in each district are responsible for ranking the top players in their respective districts before a conference call between the district chairmen and the committee chairman on which the team is chosen.

This is Cross's first AFCA All-American award. He was also named the 2024 Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) Midwest League Defensive Player of the Year. The Indianapolis native started all 12 games for the Cougars this season and was a key member of a defensive unit that finished the regular season ranked first in the NAIA with 41 sacks. As a senior, Cross recorded 44 tackles, including 27 solo tackles, and led the Cougars with 7.5 sacks, resulting in a total loss of 53 yards. 

USF football concluded the regular season with an overall record of 8-3 and a conference record of 4-1. In their first season as a member of the Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) Midwest league, the Cougars also claimed a share of the league title and made a return to the NAIA Football Championship Series for the first time since the 2019 season.

Cougar fans stay updated with all events and recaps with USF Athletics by visiting saintfranciscougars.com.