Photos by Luke Zayas/True To The Cru/LukeZayasMedia (Mason Cavness on left, Durand Hill on right)
BELTON — Durand Hill and Mason Cavness’ senior seasons will end with one more prestigious honor: All-American.
D3football.com released its 2024 All-America Team on Thursday morning, which featured both Hill and Cavness, backbones of a Crusader defense that made its mark through UMHB’s improbable run to the national quarterfinals. Hill was named First Team Defense, and Cavness was selected to the Third Team.
Hill, also selected to the Associated Press All-America Team following the second 100-tackle season of his career, earned First Team All-America honors from D3football.com for the first time. It marked the second instance that he was named a D3football.com All-American, having tallied 71 solo tackles during a stellar sophomore season in 2022.
The Buda, Texas native tallied 103 tackles, with 56 solo tackles, and 13.0 for loss in 2024. His 5.5 sacks were the most in a single-season during his four-year career, as were his four interceptions, two forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries. Hill’s contributions were key in UMHB leading Division III (and ranking No. 2 amongst all NCAA programs) in turnovers gained (38). He had three performances with double-digit tackles during The Cru’s playoff run, including 12.0, with 4.0 for loss, in the 17-13 win at Hardin-Simmons.
Cavness, a stellar defensive tackle, gained recognition as an All-American for the first time in his four years in Belton. His production increased significantly between his junior year in 2023 and his senior campaign this past fall, including a 133% jump in tackles for loss (6 in ‘23 to 14 in ‘24), a 100% jump in total tackles (26 in ‘23, 52 in ‘24) and tied his career-high for forced fumbles, with two. The native of Marathon, Texas was one of six Crusaders with at least two sacks, tallying 2.5 for a total loss of 17 yards.
Hill and Cavness were two of nine players from programs in the state of Texas to be named All-Americans by D3football.com on Thursday. The program representation was as follows: Hardin-Simmons (4), Mary Hardin-Baylor (2), Trinity (2), Texas Lutheran (1).
Read the full release from D3football.com here.
