Football
OTTAWA, Kan. – The 2024 KCAC Football Bissell Division Preseason Team, as voted on by the coaches within the Bissell Division, has been announced. Ottawa University had seven players named to the team: Jordan Clay, Donovan Henry, TJ Osa, Issac Gibson, Christian Coggs, AJ Hemphill, and De’Anthony Curtis.
Hemphill, a senior linebacker from Strasburg, Colo., was a First Team All-KCAC selection. He earned AFCA First Team All-American honors. Hemphill finished the season with 136 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, three pass breakups, and one recovered fumble. He was ranked 13th in the NAIA in solo tackles (56), third in assisted tackles (80), second in total tackles (136), and third in tackles per game (11.3).
Clay, a junior running back from St. Louis, Mo, redshirted last season at Emporia State University. He spent two years at William Jewell College where he was a 2022 Honorable Mention All-GLVC selection. Clay rushed for 463 yards and averaged 51.4 yards rushing per game in 2022 at WJC.
Henry, a senior offensive lineman from Jacksonville, Fla., earned Honorable Mention All-KCAC honors in 2023.
Osa, a junior offensive lineman from Junction City, Kan., was an Honorable Mention All-KCAC selection in 2023 in his first year as a starter.
Gibson a senior tight end from Bixby, Okla., finished 2023 with 12 receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown.
Coggs, a senior defensive lineman from Lenexa, Kan., earned Honorable Mention All-KCAC honors in 2023. He finished his junior season with 39 tackles and two tackles for loss.
Curtis, a sophomore kick returner from Los Angeles, Calif., was an Honorable Mention selection at receiver and kick returner in 2023. He had 18 kick returns for 414 yards and returned one 91 yards for a touchdown. Curtis averaged 23 yards per return and his 91 yard kicker return for a touchdown tied him for 10th in the OU record book for longest kick return for a touchdown in a game.
The Braves open the 2024 season at AdventHealth Field against Southwestern College on Saturday, Aug. 31. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m.