Conference USA was well represented on the 2025 Associated Press All-American teams, generating three selections from three of the 12 member schools.
Louisiana Tech strong safety Jakari Foster and Western Kentucky punter Cole Maynard earned AP First Team All-American honors, while Jacksonville State running back Cam Cook warranted a nod as an AP Third Team All-American.
Jakari Foster, SS, Louisiana Tech (R-Sr.): Foster is the standalone FBS leader with seven interceptions during the 2025 season, which
is tied for the most single-season picks by any player in the 2020s decade and also ties a Louisiana Tech record. Foster had his fingerprints on the pigskin the entire season, picking off a pass in his first game and last regular season contest. He secured a 67-yard pick-six in a dominant win over UTEP and snatched two interceptions during Louisiana Tech’s 21-point overtime comeback victory over Liberty — including a critical pick on the second play of overtime. In addition to his ballhawking skills, Foster manufactured 54 tackles, four pass breakups, and a forced fumble to become a First Team All-American. He is the first Bulldog to receive AP All-American honors since cornerback Amik Robertson in 2019 and the first First Team selection since punter Ryan Allen in 2012.
Cole Maynard, P, WKU (R-Sr.): Maynard topped all punters in the country this year in punting average at 48.7, earning him a spot as the only punter on the AP’s First Team. The fifth-year senior logged a 50+ yard punt in all 12 regular season contests, booting a handful of 60-yarders and a 71-yard bomb in Week 0 to open the season. Maynard, the son of former NFL All-Pro punter Brad Maynard, became the second AP First Team All-American from the family in a standout season for the Hilltoppers, which featured 25 punts of 50+ yards and 12 downed inside the 20-yard line. He is the first WKU player to be named an AP First Team All-American since the Hilltoppers acquired FBS status in 2008 and the second AP All-American in program history, joining 2021 Second Team wide receiver Jerreth Sterns.
Cam Cook, RB, Jacksonville State (Jr.): Cook is the FBS leading rusher at 1,659 rushing yards, and there are 99 yards of separation from second place. The star Jax State running back is also tied for fourth in the FBS with 16 rushing touchdowns, continuing the Gamecocks’ tradition of excellence on the ground. Under first-year head coach Charles Kelly, the TCU transfer running back was a perfect fit for a read option-based system. Cook produced 75+ yards in all 13 games to date and eclipsed 100 in 10 of them. He peaked with 218 yards in a weeknight win over Sam Houston and reached the end zone in 11 of 13 contests. The CUSA Player of the Year averaged 5.6 yards per carry, guided the Gamecocks to a spot in the CUSA Championship Game, and became the first Jacksonville State player to be named an AP All-American since the program’s transition to the FBS in 2023.
