CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois senior safety PJ Jules was named First-Team All-American by the Associated Press on Tuesday.

The Orlando, Fla. native started all 13 games for SIU, which finished 8-5 and advanced to the Round of 16 with a playoff win over Nicholls State.

Jules led the team and ranked among the nation’s leaders in tackles (109), tackles for loss (13.0) and pass breakups (11). He had double-digit tackles in five games, including 15 at SEMO, for which he was named MVFC Defensive Player of the Week.

He also had 12 tackles twice (Northern Illinois, Indiana State) and 10 tackles twice (South Dakota State, South Dakota) and was named the MVFC Player of the Week in Southern’s win against the FBS Huskies.

Jules was the leader of a unit that ranked in the Top 5 nationally in most defensive metrics, and finished his career as the school record holder in career pass breakups.

Also on Tuesday, Jules accepted an invitation to play in the Hula Bowl all-star game, which will take place on January 13, 2024 at Central Florida at 11 a.m. CT.