Metcalfe, Kramer Earn All-American Honors

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Baker football's Thad Metcalfe and Zac Kramer were both named to the 2024 NAIA Coaches' All-America Teams, announced today by the national office along with the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).

Metcalfe was selected as a second-team All-American, while Kramer landed on the third-team list. The AFCA recognizes the first and second teams, while the NAIA adds in the third-team honors.

A senior from Grantville, Kan., Metcalfe finished third on the team in tackles with 54 and forced three turnovers on the year with two interceptions and a fumble recovery. He was one of seven Wildcats to be named to the All-Heart South First Team, joining Kramer as a two-time first-team all-conference selection after the pair received the honor in 2023 as well.

Playing in over 40 games (42) throughout his four-year career at BU, Metcalfe totaled 178 tackles, recorded nine interceptions and added in a fumble recovery and a forced fumble to help lead a Wildcat defense that led the NAIA in defensive touchdowns (8) for the second straight season and was third nationally in interceptions with 21.

Kramer, a junior from Seneca, Kan., earns his first All-American nod after being tabbed the 2024 Heart South Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the fourth straight Wildcat to garner the award. He led the team and ranked second in the conference with 92 tackles this season, while his four interceptions were third-best among Heart South players.

Kramer recorded double-digit tackles in five games and had picks in back-to-back games on two separate occasions this fall with two of his interceptions being returned for touchdowns.

This marks the third straight year a Wildcats player has received All-American honors after Canon Karn (2023) and Mitchell Henry (2022) were named previously.

The Wildcats finished off a 2024 season that saw them win nine games (9-2), earn a share of the Heart South title and reach the NAIA FCS all for the second straight year. BU went 5-1 in conference play and forced a three-way tie for the league championship after defeating MidAmerica Nazarene, 20-14 on the road in the second-to-last game of the regular season.

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