Four football players achieve All-American status

MEGAN NEELEY
COPY EDITOR

2/12/2024

After yet another record-breaking season, the Alma College Football team saw four players named to the D3football.com All-American Team. Accolades have gone to Odin Soffredine (‘24), Devon Frenchko (‘24), Abram Evans (‘27) and Carter St. John (‘26).

Soffredine is a fifth-year linebacker who received First-Team Honors and is regarded as “one of the team’s leaders on a defense that led all of Division [III] in takeaways this year,” said Tim Rath, Director of College Communications in a college press release.

“I’m thrilled to be part of the All-American team alongside my talented teammates, and I believe this recognition is a reflection of our collective efforts and the support we’ve received from our coaches, teammates and the entire campus community,” said Soffredine.

Frenchko, a fifth-year wide receiver, received Third-Team Honors with Evans, a first-year long snapper. In particular, Frenchko “led the Scots with 1,259 yards receiving over 13 games, averaging close to 100 yards per game through the air. He also led the team with 14 touchdowns,” said Rath.

“My biggest motivator was Alma itself. I wanted people to know Alma can really play football and our success from the previous year wasn’t a fluke… Football is such a team sport, and I know I couldn’t have done it without every single person on the team,” said Frenchko referencing the previous year’s 11-1 record-breaking season.

Notably, even as a first-year, Evans was a frontrunner in his position, often the first to the punt returner with consistent performances throughout the entirety of the season.

“I wouldn’t be in this position if it weren’t for my coaches and teammates… I never thought I [would] be in this position as a freshman… I knew I had to set the bar [high] for myself this season as my freshman year, so now I know it’s only up from here,” said Evans. 

Finally, St. John is the second-year quarterback who received Fourth-Team All-American Honors. “St. John… was named the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Offensive Player of the Year, finish[ing] the year with 3,323 yards passing and 38 touchdowns,” said Rath.

“It is an amazing honor that I was selected… My teammates and coaches were my biggest motivator[s] this year. Knowing they were all counting on me allowed me to play my best and have their back. Nothing is more rewarding than helping the team win,” said St. John.

Jason Couch, head football coach, illustrated his pride in his players when defining the qualities that truly set them apart. “They each have a relentless pursuit to improve. They work hard in the classroom, in the weight room and on the field. They also see the value in studying an incredible amount of film, preparing them for our opponent,” said Couch.

“I am extremely proud of these young men. Not only are they exceptional athletes, but they are also very humble,” said Couch.

“None of us four would be able to do it without each other, and none of us would be able to do it without everyone else on the team,” said St. John.

With that sentiment being carried forward, the Scots’ football team as a collective is aiming to smash even more barriers next year. “These men accomplished an amazing 23-2 record over the last two [seasons] and those that are coming back are not satisfied. They are continuing to work hard to raise the bar for next season,” said Couch.