Perez Named AFCA Division II Coaches’ Second Team All-America Specialist
ADA, Okla. – East Central University kicker Brandon Perez has added more postseason honors to his impressive resume after a stellar 2024 season. On Wednesday, the 2024 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Coaches' All-America Teams were unveiled, with Perez earning Second Team Specialist honors.
2024 AFCA Division II Coaches All-America Teams
The sophomore from Crandall, Texas is the latest Tiger to be recognized as an All-American by the AFCA, bringing ECU's total to 33 All-Americans in program history.
The AFCA has selected an All-America team since 1945 and currently selects teams in all five of its divisions. What makes these teams so special is that they are the only ones chosen exclusively by the men who know the players the best — the coaches themselves.
In addition to his AFCA recognition, Perez also earned 2024 D2CCA All-Super Region Three First Team and All-GAC First Team honors.
Perez had a standout 2024 campaign, helping the Tigers finish the season with a 5-6 record, including a strong finish of five wins in their last seven games, marking the best finish by any Oklahoma school in the GAC standings. Perez was flawless in his kicking duties, going 10-for-10 on field goals and converting all 19 of his PAT attempts, totaling 49 points. He also made two successful kicks from beyond 50 yards, including a career-long 54-yard field goal against Southern Nazarene University, just a week after hitting a 51-yard strike against Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Perez was also a force on kickoffs, averaging 59.6 yards on 46 attempts with 16 touchbacks.
Team Background: The five teams now chosen for each AFCA division evolved from a single 11-player squad in 1945. From 1945 until 1967, only one team was chosen. From 1967 through 1971, two teams – University Division and College Division – were selected. In 1972, the College Division was split into College I and College II. In 1979, the University Division was split into two teams — FBS and FCS. In 1996, the College I and College II teams were renamed Division II and Division III, respectively. In 2006, the AFCA started selecting an NAIA-only team. In 2016, the AFCA added a second team All-America.
From 1965-81, a 22-player (11 offensive, 11 defensive) team was chosen. In 1982, a punter and placekicker were added to the team. In 1997, a return specialist was added. The return specialist position was replaced by an all-purpose player in 2006. A third wide receiver was added in 2024.
The Award: Members of the AFCA Coaches' All-America First Team will receive a plaque commemorating their selection to the team, while members of the Second Team will receive a certificate.
