On the same day Phil Steele released its all-conference teams, two Cardinals were named to the 2024 Phil Steele Freshman All-America Teams. Punter Chase Leon and offensive lineman Kortez Winslow have been named two of the nation's top rookies announced publication officials Friday.
 
A punter, Leon received second-team honors while Winlsow is a third-team selection on the offensive line.
 
Playing and starting all 12 games at left tackle, Winslow is one of the young shining stars in the Southland Conference. He was key during his rookie season in helping produce the school's fourth 1,000-yard rusher (Khalan Griffin, who was named first-team All-Southland according to Phil Steele). Griffin was one of only two 1,000-yard rushers in the Southland this past season.
 
A former SLC Special Teams Player of the Week, Leon garnered third-team All-America honor after ranking third in the league in punting (45.4 ypp). A native of Brisbane, Australia, Leon recorded 15 punts of at least 50 yards – with a long of 63 yards – and landed 12 punts inside the opponents' 20-yard line.
 
A second-team selection, Leon was only beat out for the first-team nod by the 2024 Phil Steele Special Teams Freshman of the Year, Finn Lappin.