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Three athletes receive All-America honors from NCBWA
Samford's Ross, UNCG's Cozart earn first-team, Samford's Anderson earns third-team
DALLAS, Texas – Samford senior pitcher Michael Ross and UNCG designated hitter, Caleb Cozart, were named first team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA), while Samford second baseman John Anderson earned third team honors when the association announced its postseason honors Wednesday.
Ross turned in an impressive season in 2024 that saw him set a school record with a 13-0 record. His 13 wins are the most in the Southern Conference and are tied for the most in the nation. He also led the SoCon with a 3.27 earned run average. Ross recorded 88 strikeouts this season, while allowing just 21 walks.
Following the season, Ross was named the Southern Conference Pitcher of the Year and first team All-SoCon. Earlier this week, Ross was named first team All-Southeast Region by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA). This is the first time a Samford players has been named first team All-American since Brooks Carlson in 2020.
Cozart paced the Spartans offensively this season in batting average (.332), slugging percentage (.742) and on-base percentage (.474). Cozart was recently named The Southern Conference (SoCon) Coaches’ Player of the Year. He broke UNCG’s single-season record for home runs (22) when he hit his 18th of the season on April 24 against High Point. Cozart also tied Kennedy Jones (2022-23) for the program’s single-season high for RBI (73) during the SoCon Tournament at Fluor Field in Greenville, South Carolina.In just two seasons as a Spartan, Cozart stands at fifth on UNCG’s top-10 list for home runs with 29. He earned spots on four all-conference teams this season, including being voted to the coaches and media first teams as a designated hitter as well as both second teams as a first baseman. Cozart was named SoCon Player of the Week twice this season (Feb. 19 & April 29) and was also crowned Perfect Game Co-Player of the Week on Feb. 20.
Anderson led Samford with a .382 batting average this season, ranking second in the SoCon in the category. He led the SoCon with 24 doubles, to go along with his 13 home runs and team-high 69 RBI.
Anderson was named first team All-SoCon at the conclusion of the season. Earlier this week, Anderson earned second team All-Southeast Region honors from the ABCA.
Previous NCBWA All-America teams from 1996-2023 have featured the likes of P Stephen Strasburg of San Diego State, OF J.D. Drew of Florida State, P-DH Jason Jennings of Baylor, 1B Mark Teixeira of Georgia Tech, RHP Mark Prior of Southern California, SS Khalil Greene of Clemson, SS-2B Rickie Weeks of Southern, 3B Alex Gordon of Nebraska, P David Price of Vanderbilt, P-DH Brad Lincoln of Houston, C Buster Posey of Florida State, catcher Mike Zunino of Florida, 3B Kris Bryant of San Diego, P-1B A.J. Reed from Kentucky; OF Andrew Benintendi from Arkansas, OF Seth Beer of Clemson, UTIL Brendan McKay from Louisville, Florida P Brady Singer, Oregon State C Adley Rutschman, Arkansas RP Kevin Kopps and Texas 1B Ivan Melendez, among others.
Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters, and publicists of the sport. For more information about the NCBWA, visit the association's official Web site, www.ncbwa.com.
Ross turned in an impressive season in 2024 that saw him set a school record with a 13-0 record. His 13 wins are the most in the Southern Conference and are tied for the most in the nation. He also led the SoCon with a 3.27 earned run average. Ross recorded 88 strikeouts this season, while allowing just 21 walks.
Following the season, Ross was named the Southern Conference Pitcher of the Year and first team All-SoCon. Earlier this week, Ross was named first team All-Southeast Region by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA). This is the first time a Samford players has been named first team All-American since Brooks Carlson in 2020.
Cozart paced the Spartans offensively this season in batting average (.332), slugging percentage (.742) and on-base percentage (.474). Cozart was recently named The Southern Conference (SoCon) Coaches’ Player of the Year. He broke UNCG’s single-season record for home runs (22) when he hit his 18th of the season on April 24 against High Point. Cozart also tied Kennedy Jones (2022-23) for the program’s single-season high for RBI (73) during the SoCon Tournament at Fluor Field in Greenville, South Carolina.In just two seasons as a Spartan, Cozart stands at fifth on UNCG’s top-10 list for home runs with 29. He earned spots on four all-conference teams this season, including being voted to the coaches and media first teams as a designated hitter as well as both second teams as a first baseman. Cozart was named SoCon Player of the Week twice this season (Feb. 19 & April 29) and was also crowned Perfect Game Co-Player of the Week on Feb. 20.
Anderson led Samford with a .382 batting average this season, ranking second in the SoCon in the category. He led the SoCon with 24 doubles, to go along with his 13 home runs and team-high 69 RBI.
Anderson was named first team All-SoCon at the conclusion of the season. Earlier this week, Anderson earned second team All-Southeast Region honors from the ABCA.
Previous NCBWA All-America teams from 1996-2023 have featured the likes of P Stephen Strasburg of San Diego State, OF J.D. Drew of Florida State, P-DH Jason Jennings of Baylor, 1B Mark Teixeira of Georgia Tech, RHP Mark Prior of Southern California, SS Khalil Greene of Clemson, SS-2B Rickie Weeks of Southern, 3B Alex Gordon of Nebraska, P David Price of Vanderbilt, P-DH Brad Lincoln of Houston, C Buster Posey of Florida State, catcher Mike Zunino of Florida, 3B Kris Bryant of San Diego, P-1B A.J. Reed from Kentucky; OF Andrew Benintendi from Arkansas, OF Seth Beer of Clemson, UTIL Brendan McKay from Louisville, Florida P Brady Singer, Oregon State C Adley Rutschman, Arkansas RP Kevin Kopps and Texas 1B Ivan Melendez, among others.
Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters, and publicists of the sport. For more information about the NCBWA, visit the association's official Web site, www.ncbwa.com.