CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Western Michigan running back and 2023 Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year Jalen Buckley and Miami defensive back Raion Strader received Freshman All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of America, as announced by the organization on Tuesday. 

Buckley was second in the nation in rushing among freshmen, trailing only fellow Freshman All-American Mahki Hughes from Tulane. The Aurora, Ill., native rushed for 1,003 yards on 189 carries, averaging 5.3 yards per run. He rushed for 10 touchdowns, tying for third in the conference.
 
Buckley was named the MAC Freshman of the Year along with earning Third Team All-MAC honors. He was later named to The Athletic's Freshman All-American Team and received the same honors by CollegeFootballNetwork.com.
 
Strader, a true freshman from Pittsburgh, Pa., played in 13 games, making 12 starts at cornerback. He finished the season with 57 tackles, one interception and 13 pass break-ups for the No. 8 scoring defense in the nation (15.9) and one of the best defenses in the history of the Mid-American Conference.
 
He had a career-best nine tackles in a win at Ohio and recorded six stops and his first career interception in a win at Ball State. He added three pass break-ups in wins over Cincinnati and Bowling Green.

Strader is the first freshman All-American from Miami since Ben Roethlisberger earned the same award in 2001 by the FWAA.