Five South Dakota football players named to AP All-America teams

Five South Dakota football players were selected to the AP 2024 NCAA FCS football All-America teams on Tuesday. 

Both JJ Galbreath and Mi’Quise Grace were named First Team All-Americans. 

Despite missing three games due to an injury late in the year, Galbreath was still a weapon for Bouman in the passing game. He started seven of the eight regular season games he played and was a constant threat for opposing defenses.  Galbreath ranked second in the conference in yards per catch with 17.8. His 20 receptions, 356 receiving yards and two touchdowns ranked second on the team. 

Grace was named the 2024 Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year after leading the conference in tackles for loss with 17 and sacks with 9.5. In the regular season, Grace notched a pair of games with two or. more sacks and he had one sack in at least six games. Grace has amassed 18 tackles for loss with his 9.5 sacks, and 59 tackles.

In addition to the two first team selections, Joey Lombard and Dennis Shorter were named to the second team, and Charles Pierre Jr. was named as an honorable mention. 

Lombard is a four-year starter and a captain on the South Dakota offensive line. He started all 13 games at center for USD this season and has been key on the line that helped USD finish second in total yards and rushing yards. Shorter proved to be one of the top safeties in the conference this season. He finished the regular season tied for the most pass break-ups with 12 and ranked third on the team with 58 tackles. He also forced a pair of fumbles and two interceptions. 

Pierre Jr. was the first 1,000-yard rusher in the South Dakota Division I FCS era. He led the conference in rushing yards, with 1,073, rushing yards per game, with 97.5 per game, and he ranked second in rushing touchdowns with 15.

South Dakota will travel to Bozeman, Montana Saturday to face Montana State. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.