FRESNO, Calif. – HERO Sports unveiled its 2024 preseason Group of Five All-Americans on Thursday that saw a trio of Bulldogs earn recognitions. Defensive lineman Devo Bridges, quarterback Mikey Keene and running back Malik Sherrod were selected to the preseason All-America teams.
Bridges was named to the second team as a defensive end. Entering his sixth season with the Bulldogs, he is one of the most experienced players on the Fresno State roster. He is fifth on the team with 41 career games played, and third on the team with 28 career starts. In 2023, he started all 13 games, seeing play time at tackle and end throughout the year. He led Fresno State's defensive line with a single-season career-high 51 tackles (30 solo), while adding 8.0 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, one interception, eight quarterback hurries and one pass breakup.
Keene was the third team quarterback. The junior quarterback made quick work of his time in the Valley, throwing for 2,976 yards and 24 touchdowns while completing 283-of-422 pass attempts as a transfer from UCF. Keene led the Mountain West with a 67.06 percent completion percentage, a mark that was sixth all-time in program history.
Sherrod was selected to the second team as an all-purpose player. Already recognized this preseason as a kickoff returner and running back, Sherrod proves his versatility each time he's on the field. In 2023, his first season as the feature back, the Oxnard, Calif. native ran for 966 yards on 172 carries. He scored nine touchdowns on the ground. He added 44 receptions for 260 yards and an additional touchdown in the pass game. As a kickoff returner, Sherrod had eight kickoff returns for 236 yards and one touchdown. He had Fresno State's first kickoff return for a touchdown since 2008 last season, running it back 95 yards for the score against Boise State.
HERO Sports also unveiled its preseason G5 Top 25 on Thursday that saw Fresno State ranked eighth in the poll behind Boise State, Memphis, Liberty, App State, Tulane, Texas State and UTSA.