RUSSELLVILLE, Arkansas – Ouachita Baptist University senior safety Josiah Johnson has been selected as the 2024 Great American Conference Defensive Player of the Year to highlight a total of 23 all-conference honorees for the Tigers announced Thursday by the league office.

Johnson, an All-America honoree in 2023 as a junior, is Ouachita's first ever conference defensive player of the year in the NCAA era. The Little Rock native has been instrumental in making Ouachita's defense on of the best in the nation this year. The Tigers rank fourth in the nation in scoring defense, giving up just 9.6 points per game, and 15th in the nation in total defense, giving up just over 252 yards per game. Heading into the postseason, Johnson has recorded 62 tackles, three tackles for loss, two interceptions, six pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one blocked punt.

In addition to Johnson's superlative award, offensive lineman Isaiah Simpson has been selected as the league's freshman of the year, giving Ouachita a second straight top freshman honor. Todd Knight was also voted as the conference coach of the year, his seventh GAC honor after leading the Tigers to their seventh GAC championship and sixth NCAA Division II playoffs berth with a 10-1 record heading into the postseason.

The Tigers earned 25 total all-conference selections, 23 individuals counting a pair of honorees in senior Connor Flannigan and sophomore Carter McElhany that both earned spots as a receiver and return specialist.

Joining Johnson and Flannigan on the 2024 All-GAC First Team are junior offensive lineman Dylan Horton, senior defensive tackle Rovell Carter, senior linebacker Jax Miller, and freshman punter Tom Weston.

Ouachita's All-GAC Second Team picks include graduate running back Kendel Givens, sophomore receiver Bo Baker, senior defensive end Mikey Gonzalez, graduate linebacker Dawson Miller, and junior kicker Dax Jaggers.

Joining Isaiah Simpson and Carter McElhany on the All-GAC Third Team from Ouachita include senior quarterback Eli Livingston, junior receiver AJ Jones, junior tight end Garrison Jackson, senior defensive end Chance Taylor, senior defensive tackle Braylen Butler, junior cornerback Mario Ganter, Jr., junior cornerback Steven Weston, graduate safety Kenta Jones, sophomore special teamer Brock Baker, and junior special teamer Malique Reliford.

The GAC also released its academic honors for the 2024 season with graduate quarterback Riley Harms, senior quarterback Eli Livingston, and senior defensive lineman Melvin Kumwenda, as well as 12 others in the league, earning the distinction of GAC Elite Scholar Athlete, carrying the highest cumulative GPA in the conference among those with at least 70 hours earned.

22 other Tigers were selected to the GAC Academic Honor Roll, carrying at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA in at least their sophomore year. Those honorees include: Joel Allen, Conner Combs, Connor Flannigan, Nathan Frater, Caden Gibson, Kendel Givens, Brayden Hendricks, Brock Holton, Dylan Horton, Roy Hudson, Garrison Jackson, Dax Jaggers, Keemontrae McKnight, Aaron McMillian Dawson Miller, Joey Ortego, Ben Ridings, Connor Schorp, Whitt Sparks, Lyric Tredwell, Lucas Wilbur, and Drake Womack.