O'Neal, Valcarcel Named All-American; Three Others Tabbed All-Region

Visalia, Calif. - Sophomore Elijah O'Neal and freshman Zach Valcarcel were both named All-Americans, while three other Butte football players earned All-California First Team, announced Wednesday.

Sophomores wide receiver Jailen Hammer, running back Caleb Ramseur, and punter Dante Jackson were all tabbed All-Region.

O'Neal, tabbed as a utility player on the All-America team, finished 2022 second in the state for sacks (14.5) and sack yards (104), while tallying a total of 66 tackles, 43 solo. He counted 104 yards on his 14.5 sacks, while earning 26 total tackles for loss for 135 yards and forced a pair of fumbles.

Valcarcel earned All-America honors as a punt returner. He tallied five kick returns for 144 yards (28.8 ypkr) with a long of 72 yards, while he posted 15 punt returns for 182 yards (12.1 yppr) with a long of 48 and one touchdown. Defensively, he earned 32 total tackles, 25 solo, with 2.5 tackles for loss for 11 yards and one pick.

Hammer was second in the state for receiving touchdowns (14), fifth for yards per catch (19.0), sixth for total yards (800), and ninth for yards per game (80.0). He finished his sophomore campaign with 42 total receptions.

Ramseur was in the top 10 in the state for four categories, including seventh for total yards (685), yards per game (76.1), total rushes (146), and rushing touchdowns (8). Overall on the season, he rushed 744 yard (74.4 ypg) with an average of 5.1 yards per carry. His longest run was 61 yards.

And Jackson ranked second in the state in average punt yards (41.8), posting 38 total punts for 1,590 yards with his longest punt being 73 yards. Half of his punts landed inside the 20 with only one touchback. He also handled the kicking duties for the season, tallying eight field goals and 43 extra points.