LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL News) - Kenneth Almendares, the Ragin’ Cajuns’ standout kicker, continues to solidify his legacy with another prestigious accolade. On Tuesday, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) named Almendares a second-team All-American as part of the 2024 FWAA All-America Team, presented in partnership with the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. This honor caps an incredible postseason run for Almendares, who also received the Lou Groza Award last week, recognizing him as the nation’s top collegiate placekicker.

This marks the second time in program history a Ragin’ Cajun has earned FWAA All-America honors, following Chris Smith’s second-team selection in 2020. Almendares’ achievement is a testament to his consistency and excellence throughout the season. In addition to the FWAA recognition, he has earned first-team All-America honors from the Associated Press, Walter Camp Award, CBS Sports, USA Today, and Hero Sports G5. He was also named a second-team All-American by The Athletic.

Read More: Louisiana Ragin Cajuns Offer Fans Something Other Stadiums Don't

Almendares led the nation in field goals made (27) and field goals per game (2.08), showcasing remarkable accuracy with a 93.1% success rate, converting 27 of 29 attempts. He was flawless on field goals under 50 yards, going 25-for-25, with his only misses coming from 53 and 60 yards. His performance positions him among the elite, as only the third kicker since 2008 to lead the nation in field goals while maintaining 90% accuracy.

Beyond his kicking prowess, Almendares set multiple records this season. He now holds the Louisiana and Sun Belt Conference (SBC) career records for field goals made (68), scoring (362 points), and PATs (158). His single-season records include most field goals made (27) and total points scored (127). Almendares’ consistent scoring contributed to nine games with double-digit points, including a stretch of eight consecutive contests.

Fans can celebrate Almendares’ achievements and stay connected with Ragin’ Cajuns football by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app or following the team on social media. As the accolades continue to pour in, Kenneth Almendares’ remarkable season cements his place in Louisiana football history.