Sioux Falls’ Gabriel Watson & Angelo State’s Markus Jones Headline 2018 Division II Coaches’ All-America Teams
December 5, 2018
Sioux Falls (S.D.) running back Gabriel Watson and Angelo State defensive lineman Markus Jones headline the 2018 AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America Teams announced today by the American Football Coaches Association.
The AFCA has selected an All-America team since 1945 and currently selects teams in all five of its divisions. What makes these teams so special is that they are the only ones chosen exclusively by the men who know the players the best — the coaches themselves.
Watson, a finalist for the 2018 Harlon Hill Award, finished the season with 1,957 rushing yards and 26 rushing touchdowns. He led Division II in rushing yards per game (177.9) and rushing touchdowns and was named Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Offensive Player of the Year while setting a school-record 11 straight games of 100 yards or more rushing. Jones, a two-time AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America Teams selection, is the Division II leader in tackles for loss with 34, and sits No. 2 in sacks with 15. Also a finalist for the Harlon Hill Award, Jones set a new school record with 34.5 career sacks while totaling 77 tackles, 13 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles and two blocked kicks in 2018.
2018 AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America Teams – First Team
Offense
Pos Name Ht. Wt. Cl. School Coach Hometown (High School)
QB Jayru Campbell 6-5 215 Jr. Ferris St. (Mich.) Tony Annese Detroit, Mich. (Cass Tech)
RB Jaleel McLaughlin 5-9 173 Fr. Notre Dame (Ohio) Mike Jacobs Marshville, N.C. (Forest Hills)
RB Gabriel Watson 6-1 221 Jr. Sioux Falls (S.D.) Jon Anderson Piedmont, Calif. (Piedmont)
WR Craig Rucker 5-7 165 Jr. Mars Hill (N.C.) Tim Clifton Orlando, Fla. (Edgewater)
WR Trey Brock 6-3 218 Sr. Hillsdale (Mich.) Keith Otterbein Missouri City, Texas (Ridge Point)
TE Erik Henneman 6-3 228 Jr. Lindenwood (Mo.) Jed Stugart Gretna, La. (West Jefferson)
OL Derrick Puni 6-6 320 R-Sr. Central Missouri Jim Svoboda St. Charles, Mo. (Francis Howell Central)
OL Bryce Bray 6-0 260 Sr. Harding (Ark.) Paul Simmons Rogers, Ark. (Rogers)
OL James Moore 6-5 300 Sr. Central Washington Ian Shoemaker Tacoma, Wash. (Bethel)
OL Travis Romsa 6-4 300 R-Sr. Chadron St. (Neb.) Jay Long Burns, Wyo. (Burns)
OL Donald Boone 6-5 310 Jr. Chowan (N.C.) Tim Place Hertford, N.C. (Duluth)
Defense
Pos Name Ht. Wt. Cl. School Coach Hometown (High School)
DL *Markus Jones 6-3 260 Sr. Angelo St. (Texas) Will Wagner Fort Worth, Texas (Crowley)
DL Austen Eskew 6-4 248 Sr. Northwest Missouri St. Rich Wright Lawson, Mo. (Lawson)
DL Michael Wristen 6-4 245 Sr. Colorado St.-Pueblo John Wristen Broomfield, Colo. (Broomfield)
DL Chris Garrett 6-4 230 So. Concordia-St. Paul (Minn.) Shannon Currier Milwaukee, Wis. (Wisconsin Lutheran)
LB J.T. Hassell 6-0 199 Sr. Florida Tech Steve Englehart Titusville, Fla. (Astronaut)
LB Austin Stephens 5-11 210 Jr. Miles (Ala.) Reginald Ruffin Munford, Ala. (Munford)
LB Tyler Morrissey 6-3 256 R-Sr. West Chester (Pa.) Bill Zwaan Springfield, Pa. (Delco)
DB Lamont McPhatter II 5-11 190 Jr. California (Pa.) Gary Dunn New Castle, Pa. (New Castle)
DB Joshua Simmons 6-3 205 Gr. Limestone (S.C.) Brian Turk Moncks Corner, S.C. (Berkeley)
DB Gunner Olszewski 5-10 180 Sr. Bemidji St. (Minn.) Brent Bolte Alvin, Texas (Alvin)
DB Brian Williams 6-1 190 R-Sr. Davenport (Mich.) Sparky McEwen Detroit, Mich. (Oak Park)
Specialist
Pos Name Ht. Wt. Cl. School Coach Hometown (High School)
PK Kristov Martinez 5-6 135 Sr. Texas A&M-Commerce Colby Carthel Edinburg, Texas (Edinburg)
P Josh Carlson 6-0 165 Fr. Dixie St. (Utah) Shay McClure Gilbert, Ariz. (Gilbert)
AP Lyrics Klugh 5-10 170 Sr. Fairmont St. (W.Va.) Jason Woodman Lyman, S.C. (Byrnes)
*-2017 AFCA All-American
2018 AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America Teams – Second Team
Offense
Pos Name Ht. Wt. Cl. School Coach Hometown (High School)
QB Layton Rabb 6-5 225 Sr. Midwestern St. (Texas) Bill Maskill Llano, Texas (Llano)
RB *Marcus Jones 5-11 225 Sr. Gannon (Pa.) Brad Rzyczycki Painesville, Ohio (Riverside)
RB Devontae Jackson 5-7 176 Sr. West Georgia David Dean Marietta, Ga. (Wheeler)
WR Chad Hovasse 6-1 215 R-Sr. Adams St. (Colo.) Josh Blankenship Colorado Springs, Colo. (Mesa Ridge)
WR Shane Zylstra 6-5 220 Jr. Minnesota St. Todd Hoffner Spicer, Minn. (New London-Spicer)
TE Jalen Jackson 6-0 215 So. Lock Haven (Pa.) Dave Taynor Williamsport, Pa. (Williamsport)
OL Craig McCorkle 6-5 290 Jr. California (Pa.) Gary Dunn Cincinnati, Ohio (Winton Woods)
OL Devon Johnson 6-7 310 Sr. Ferris St. (Mich.) Tony Annese Aurora, Ill. (Waubonsie Valley)
OL Steve Gaviglia 6-3 285 R-Sr. Slippery Rock (Pa.) Shawn Lutz Cranberry Township, Pa. (Seneca Valley)
OL Matt Juneau 6-5 290 Sr. Minnesota-Duluth Curt Wiese Brooklyn Park, Minn. (Champlin Park)
OL Justin Gooseberry 6-4 250 Sr. Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) Todd Knight Little Rock, Ark. (LR Episcopal)
Defense
Pos Name Ht. Wt. Cl. School Coach Hometown (High School)
DL *Davondrick Lison 6-2 235 R-Sr. Southern Arkansas Bill Keopple Arkansas City, Ark. (McGehee)
DL T.J. Winslow 6-4 250 Sr. Harding (Ark.) Paul Simmons Houston, Texas (Kingwood)
DL Cardell Rawlings 6-2 240 R-Sr. Wingate (N.C.) Joe Reich Smithfield, N.C. (Cleveland)
DL James Prater Jr. 6-0 244 Sr. Ashland (Ohio) Lee Owens Columbus, Ohio (St. Francis DeSales)
LB Dominic Cizauskas 6-2 260 Jr. Glenville St. (W.Va.) Eric Smith Mukwonago, Wis. (Mukwonago)
LB Aaron Berry 6-2 225 Sr. Azusa Pacific (Calif.) Victor Santa Cruz Perris, Calif. (Perris)
LB Cody Leonard 6-1 225 Sr. Quincy (Ill.) Gary Bass Carrollton, Ill. (Carrollton)
DB Traviontae Brown 6-0 170 Jr. Benedict (S.C.) Mike White Albany, Ga. (Westover Comprehensive)
DB Corey Ballentine 6-0 204 Sr. Washburn (Kan.) Craig Schurig Topeka, Kan. (Shawnee Heights)
DB O’Shay Harris 6-1 190 Jr. Central Oklahoma Nick Bobeck Ardmore, Okla. (Lone Grove)
DB Jarey Elder 5-11 170 Jr. West Chester (Pa.) Bill Zwaan Allentown, Pa. (Parkland)
Specialist
Pos Name Ht. Wt. Cl. School Coach Hometown (High School)
PK #Cole Antley 6-0 190 Sr. Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) Todd Knight Atlanta, Ga. (East Cowetta)
P Isaac Parks 6-0 210 R-So. North Carolina-Pembroke Shane Richardson Greensboro, N.C. (Southern Guilford)
AP *Deonte Harris 5-6 170 Sr. Assumption (Mass.) Andy McKenzie Middle River, Md. (Archbishop Curley)
*-2017 AFCA All-American #-2016 AFCA All-American
Team Background
The five teams now chosen for each AFCA division evolved from a single 11-player squad in 1945. From 1945 until 1967, only one team was chosen. From 1967 through 1971, two teams – University Division and College Division – were selected. In 1972, the College Division was split into College I and College II. In 1979, the University Division was split into two teams — FBS and FCS. In 1996, the College I and College II teams were renamed Division II and Division III, respectively. In 2006, the AFCA started selecting an NAIA-only team.
From 1965-81, a 22-player (11 offensive, 11 defensive) team was chosen. In 1982, a punter and placekicker were added to the team. In 1997, a return specialist was added, giving us the current 25-player team. The return specialist position was replaced by an all-purpose player in 2006. In 2016, the AFCA added a second team All-America.
Selection Process
The AFCA Division II All-America Teams Selection Committee is made up of three head coaches from each of the AFCA’s seven districts, one of whom serves as a district chairman, along with another head coach who serves as the chairman of the selection committee. The coaches in each district are responsible for ranking the top players in their respective districts prior to a conference call between the district chairmen and the committee chairman on which the teams are chosen.
The Award
Members of the AFCA Coaches’ All-America Teams, First Team, will receive a plaque commemorating their selection to the team, while members of the Second Team will receive a certificate.
Consecutive Years
Texas A&M-Kingsville had at least one player named to the AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America Teams for 18 straight seasons, from 1986 to 2003, the longest streak by any team in Division II. Northwest Missouri State is second, having had 16 straight selections from 1996 to 2011. Pittsburg State has the third longest streak at nine straight selections from 1988 to 1996. Texas A&M-Commerce has the longest active streak with six straight selections from 2013 to today.
Top Teams
Texas A&M-Kingsville has been represented a total of 34 times by 30 players on the AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America Team, to lead all schools. Trailing Texas A&M-Kingsville is Texas A&M-Commerce (23/21), Northwest Missouri State (22/17), Ferris State (21/17), Pittsburg State (20/16), Indiana (Pa.) (19/17), Ashland (16/15), Carson-Newman (16/15), Grand Valley State (16/15), Mississippi College (15/14), New Haven (14/14), American International (14/13), Valdosta State (14/12), Angelo State (13/11), Colorado Mesa (13/11), Catawba (13/10), Indianapolis (12/12), Saginaw Valley State (12/12), Slippery Rock (12/10), West Chester (11/11), West Georgia (11/11), Central Missouri (11/10), Central Washington (11/10), Sioux Falls (11/10), California (Pa.) (11/9), Eastern New Mexico (11/9), Glenville State (11/9), LIU-Post (11/9), Mars Hill (11/9), Minnesota State (11/8), Chadron State (10/10), West Texas A&M (10/10), Winston-Salem State (10/10), St. Cloud State (10/9) and Central State (10/8).
Back-to-Back
Angelo State defensive lineman Markus Jones, Gannon running back Marcus Jones, Southern Arkansas defensive lineman Davondrick Lison and Assumption all-purpose player Deonte Harris are the four players who earned AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America honors for the second consecutive season in 2018. Ouachita Baptist kicker Cole Antley earned his second AFCA All-America honor after being named to the team in 2016.
Three-peat
Catawba linebacker Kyle Kitchens became the fourth player in Division II history to be named to three straight AFCA All-America Teams. Kitchens was a first-team selection in 2015 and 2017, and a second-team selection in 2016. He joins Brandon Williams, a defensive lineman from Missouri Southern State (2010-12), running back Jonas Randolph from Mars Hill (2009-11) and Tywan Mitchell, a wide receiver from Minnesota State (1996-98).
Yearly Leader
Texas A&M-Commerce (2017-OL Jared Machorro, QB Luis Perez and DB Yusef Sterling-Lowe) became the first school to have more than two players named to the AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America Team in one year.
Repeat After Me
Texas A&M-Kingsville’s Johnny Bailey is the only Division II player to earn AFCA All-America honors in four consecutive years. Bailey was a four-year pick at running back in 1986-87-88-89.
Two Players, Two Schools: Punter Mark Bounds and placekicker Greg Zuerlein are the only players to earn AFCA All-America honors at two different schools. Bounds was named to the AFCA College Division I team in 1990 while playing for West Texas A&M. He transferred to Texas Tech after West Texas dropped football and earned I-A All-America honors as a Red Raider in 1991. Zuerlein was named to the Division II Coaches’ All-America Team in 2009 while playing for Nebraska-Omaha. He transferred to Missouri Western State after Nebraska-Omaha dropped its football program and earned Division II honors in 2011 as a Griffon.
Class Distinction
This year’s Division II Coaches’ All-America Team is made up of 31 seniors, 13 juniors, three sophomores, two freshman and one graduate student.
It’s Been A While
All-purpose player Lyrics Klugh from Fairmont State has earned AFCA Coaches’ All-America Team honors for his school for the first time since 1988.
First Time’s A Charm
Notre Dame running back Jaleel McLaughlin, Chowan offensive lineman Donald Boone, Miles linebacker Austin Stephens, Limestone defensive back Joshua Simmons, Davenport defensive back Brian Williams, Lock Haven tight end Jalen Jackson, Benedict defensive back Traviontae Brown and North Carolina-Pembroke punter Isaac Parks earned honors for their schools for the first time in AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America Team history.
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out insider.afca.com and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
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Sioux Falls (S.D.) running back Gabriel Watson and Angelo State defensive lineman Markus Jones headline the 2018 AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America Teams announced today by the American Football Coaches Association.
The AFCA has selected an All-America team since 1945 and currently selects teams in all five of its divisions. What makes these teams so special is that they are the only ones chosen exclusively by the men who know the players the best — the coaches themselves.
Watson, a finalist for the 2018 Harlon Hill Award, finished the season with 1,957 rushing yards and 26 rushing touchdowns. He led Division II in rushing yards per game (177.9) and rushing touchdowns and was named Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Offensive Player of the Year while setting a school-record 11 straight games of 100 yards or more rushing. Jones, a two-time AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America Teams selection, is the Division II leader in tackles for loss with 34, and sits No. 2 in sacks with 15. Also a finalist for the Harlon Hill Award, Jones set a new school record with 34.5 career sacks while totaling 77 tackles, 13 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles and two blocked kicks in 2018.
2018 AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America Teams – First Team
Offense
| Pos | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | School | Coach | Hometown (High School) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QB | Jayru Campbell | 6-5 | 215 | Jr. | Ferris St. (Mich.) | Tony Annese | Detroit, Mich. (Cass Tech) |
| RB | Jaleel McLaughlin | 5-9 | 173 | Fr. | Notre Dame (Ohio) | Mike Jacobs | Marshville, N.C. (Forest Hills) |
| RB | Gabriel Watson | 6-1 | 221 | Jr. | Sioux Falls (S.D.) | Jon Anderson | Piedmont, Calif. (Piedmont) |
| WR | Craig Rucker | 5-7 | 165 | Jr. | Mars Hill (N.C.) | Tim Clifton | Orlando, Fla. (Edgewater) |
| WR | Trey Brock | 6-3 | 218 | Sr. | Hillsdale (Mich.) | Keith Otterbein | Missouri City, Texas (Ridge Point) |
| TE | Erik Henneman | 6-3 | 228 | Jr. | Lindenwood (Mo.) | Jed Stugart | Gretna, La. (West Jefferson) |
| OL | Derrick Puni | 6-6 | 320 | R-Sr. | Central Missouri | Jim Svoboda | St. Charles, Mo. (Francis Howell Central) |
| OL | Bryce Bray | 6-0 | 260 | Sr. | Harding (Ark.) | Paul Simmons | Rogers, Ark. (Rogers) |
| OL | James Moore | 6-5 | 300 | Sr. | Central Washington | Ian Shoemaker | Tacoma, Wash. (Bethel) |
| OL | Travis Romsa | 6-4 | 300 | R-Sr. | Chadron St. (Neb.) | Jay Long | Burns, Wyo. (Burns) |
| OL | Donald Boone | 6-5 | 310 | Jr. | Chowan (N.C.) | Tim Place | Hertford, N.C. (Duluth) |
Defense
| Pos | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | School | Coach | Hometown (High School) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DL | *Markus Jones | 6-3 | 260 | Sr. | Angelo St. (Texas) | Will Wagner | Fort Worth, Texas (Crowley) |
| DL | Austen Eskew | 6-4 | 248 | Sr. | Northwest Missouri St. | Rich Wright | Lawson, Mo. (Lawson) |
| DL | Michael Wristen | 6-4 | 245 | Sr. | Colorado St.-Pueblo | John Wristen | Broomfield, Colo. (Broomfield) |
| DL | Chris Garrett | 6-4 | 230 | So. | Concordia-St. Paul (Minn.) | Shannon Currier | Milwaukee, Wis. (Wisconsin Lutheran) |
| LB | J.T. Hassell | 6-0 | 199 | Sr. | Florida Tech | Steve Englehart | Titusville, Fla. (Astronaut) |
| LB | Austin Stephens | 5-11 | 210 | Jr. | Miles (Ala.) | Reginald Ruffin | Munford, Ala. (Munford) |
| LB | Tyler Morrissey | 6-3 | 256 | R-Sr. | West Chester (Pa.) | Bill Zwaan | Springfield, Pa. (Delco) |
| DB | Lamont McPhatter II | 5-11 | 190 | Jr. | California (Pa.) | Gary Dunn | New Castle, Pa. (New Castle) |
| DB | Joshua Simmons | 6-3 | 205 | Gr. | Limestone (S.C.) | Brian Turk | Moncks Corner, S.C. (Berkeley) |
| DB | Gunner Olszewski | 5-10 | 180 | Sr. | Bemidji St. (Minn.) | Brent Bolte | Alvin, Texas (Alvin) |
| DB | Brian Williams | 6-1 | 190 | R-Sr. | Davenport (Mich.) | Sparky McEwen | Detroit, Mich. (Oak Park) |
Specialist
| Pos | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | School | Coach | Hometown (High School) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PK | Kristov Martinez | 5-6 | 135 | Sr. | Texas A&M-Commerce | Colby Carthel | Edinburg, Texas (Edinburg) |
| P | Josh Carlson | 6-0 | 165 | Fr. | Dixie St. (Utah) | Shay McClure | Gilbert, Ariz. (Gilbert) |
| AP | Lyrics Klugh | 5-10 | 170 | Sr. | Fairmont St. (W.Va.) | Jason Woodman | Lyman, S.C. (Byrnes) |
*-2017 AFCA All-American
2018 AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America Teams – Second Team
Offense
| Pos | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | School | Coach | Hometown (High School) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QB | Layton Rabb | 6-5 | 225 | Sr. | Midwestern St. (Texas) | Bill Maskill | Llano, Texas (Llano) |
| RB | *Marcus Jones | 5-11 | 225 | Sr. | Gannon (Pa.) | Brad Rzyczycki | Painesville, Ohio (Riverside) |
| RB | Devontae Jackson | 5-7 | 176 | Sr. | West Georgia | David Dean | Marietta, Ga. (Wheeler) |
| WR | Chad Hovasse | 6-1 | 215 | R-Sr. | Adams St. (Colo.) | Josh Blankenship | Colorado Springs, Colo. (Mesa Ridge) |
| WR | Shane Zylstra | 6-5 | 220 | Jr. | Minnesota St. | Todd Hoffner | Spicer, Minn. (New London-Spicer) |
| TE | Jalen Jackson | 6-0 | 215 | So. | Lock Haven (Pa.) | Dave Taynor | Williamsport, Pa. (Williamsport) |
| OL | Craig McCorkle | 6-5 | 290 | Jr. | California (Pa.) | Gary Dunn | Cincinnati, Ohio (Winton Woods) |
| OL | Devon Johnson | 6-7 | 310 | Sr. | Ferris St. (Mich.) | Tony Annese | Aurora, Ill. (Waubonsie Valley) |
| OL | Steve Gaviglia | 6-3 | 285 | R-Sr. | Slippery Rock (Pa.) | Shawn Lutz | Cranberry Township, Pa. (Seneca Valley) |
| OL | Matt Juneau | 6-5 | 290 | Sr. | Minnesota-Duluth | Curt Wiese | Brooklyn Park, Minn. (Champlin Park) |
| OL | Justin Gooseberry | 6-4 | 250 | Sr. | Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) | Todd Knight | Little Rock, Ark. (LR Episcopal) |
Defense
| Pos | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | School | Coach | Hometown (High School) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DL | *Davondrick Lison | 6-2 | 235 | R-Sr. | Southern Arkansas | Bill Keopple | Arkansas City, Ark. (McGehee) |
| DL | T.J. Winslow | 6-4 | 250 | Sr. | Harding (Ark.) | Paul Simmons | Houston, Texas (Kingwood) |
| DL | Cardell Rawlings | 6-2 | 240 | R-Sr. | Wingate (N.C.) | Joe Reich | Smithfield, N.C. (Cleveland) |
| DL | James Prater Jr. | 6-0 | 244 | Sr. | Ashland (Ohio) | Lee Owens | Columbus, Ohio (St. Francis DeSales) |
| LB | Dominic Cizauskas | 6-2 | 260 | Jr. | Glenville St. (W.Va.) | Eric Smith | Mukwonago, Wis. (Mukwonago) |
| LB | Aaron Berry | 6-2 | 225 | Sr. | Azusa Pacific (Calif.) | Victor Santa Cruz | Perris, Calif. (Perris) |
| LB | Cody Leonard | 6-1 | 225 | Sr. | Quincy (Ill.) | Gary Bass | Carrollton, Ill. (Carrollton) |
| DB | Traviontae Brown | 6-0 | 170 | Jr. | Benedict (S.C.) | Mike White | Albany, Ga. (Westover Comprehensive) |
| DB | Corey Ballentine | 6-0 | 204 | Sr. | Washburn (Kan.) | Craig Schurig | Topeka, Kan. (Shawnee Heights) |
| DB | O’Shay Harris | 6-1 | 190 | Jr. | Central Oklahoma | Nick Bobeck | Ardmore, Okla. (Lone Grove) |
| DB | Jarey Elder | 5-11 | 170 | Jr. | West Chester (Pa.) | Bill Zwaan | Allentown, Pa. (Parkland) |
Specialist
| Pos | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | School | Coach | Hometown (High School) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PK | #Cole Antley | 6-0 | 190 | Sr. | Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) | Todd Knight | Atlanta, Ga. (East Cowetta) |
| P | Isaac Parks | 6-0 | 210 | R-So. | North Carolina-Pembroke | Shane Richardson | Greensboro, N.C. (Southern Guilford) |
| AP | *Deonte Harris | 5-6 | 170 | Sr. | Assumption (Mass.) | Andy McKenzie | Middle River, Md. (Archbishop Curley) |
*-2017 AFCA All-American #-2016 AFCA All-American
Team Background
The five teams now chosen for each AFCA division evolved from a single 11-player squad in 1945. From 1945 until 1967, only one team was chosen. From 1967 through 1971, two teams – University Division and College Division – were selected. In 1972, the College Division was split into College I and College II. In 1979, the University Division was split into two teams — FBS and FCS. In 1996, the College I and College II teams were renamed Division II and Division III, respectively. In 2006, the AFCA started selecting an NAIA-only team.
From 1965-81, a 22-player (11 offensive, 11 defensive) team was chosen. In 1982, a punter and placekicker were added to the team. In 1997, a return specialist was added, giving us the current 25-player team. The return specialist position was replaced by an all-purpose player in 2006. In 2016, the AFCA added a second team All-America.
Selection Process
The AFCA Division II All-America Teams Selection Committee is made up of three head coaches from each of the AFCA’s seven districts, one of whom serves as a district chairman, along with another head coach who serves as the chairman of the selection committee. The coaches in each district are responsible for ranking the top players in their respective districts prior to a conference call between the district chairmen and the committee chairman on which the teams are chosen.
The Award
Members of the AFCA Coaches’ All-America Teams, First Team, will receive a plaque commemorating their selection to the team, while members of the Second Team will receive a certificate.
Consecutive Years
Texas A&M-Kingsville had at least one player named to the AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America Teams for 18 straight seasons, from 1986 to 2003, the longest streak by any team in Division II. Northwest Missouri State is second, having had 16 straight selections from 1996 to 2011. Pittsburg State has the third longest streak at nine straight selections from 1988 to 1996. Texas A&M-Commerce has the longest active streak with six straight selections from 2013 to today.
Top Teams
Texas A&M-Kingsville has been represented a total of 34 times by 30 players on the AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America Team, to lead all schools. Trailing Texas A&M-Kingsville is Texas A&M-Commerce (23/21), Northwest Missouri State (22/17), Ferris State (21/17), Pittsburg State (20/16), Indiana (Pa.) (19/17), Ashland (16/15), Carson-Newman (16/15), Grand Valley State (16/15), Mississippi College (15/14), New Haven (14/14), American International (14/13), Valdosta State (14/12), Angelo State (13/11), Colorado Mesa (13/11), Catawba (13/10), Indianapolis (12/12), Saginaw Valley State (12/12), Slippery Rock (12/10), West Chester (11/11), West Georgia (11/11), Central Missouri (11/10), Central Washington (11/10), Sioux Falls (11/10), California (Pa.) (11/9), Eastern New Mexico (11/9), Glenville State (11/9), LIU-Post (11/9), Mars Hill (11/9), Minnesota State (11/8), Chadron State (10/10), West Texas A&M (10/10), Winston-Salem State (10/10), St. Cloud State (10/9) and Central State (10/8).
Back-to-Back
Angelo State defensive lineman Markus Jones, Gannon running back Marcus Jones, Southern Arkansas defensive lineman Davondrick Lison and Assumption all-purpose player Deonte Harris are the four players who earned AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America honors for the second consecutive season in 2018. Ouachita Baptist kicker Cole Antley earned his second AFCA All-America honor after being named to the team in 2016.
Three-peat
Catawba linebacker Kyle Kitchens became the fourth player in Division II history to be named to three straight AFCA All-America Teams. Kitchens was a first-team selection in 2015 and 2017, and a second-team selection in 2016. He joins Brandon Williams, a defensive lineman from Missouri Southern State (2010-12), running back Jonas Randolph from Mars Hill (2009-11) and Tywan Mitchell, a wide receiver from Minnesota State (1996-98).
Yearly Leader
Texas A&M-Commerce (2017-OL Jared Machorro, QB Luis Perez and DB Yusef Sterling-Lowe) became the first school to have more than two players named to the AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America Team in one year.
Repeat After Me
Texas A&M-Kingsville’s Johnny Bailey is the only Division II player to earn AFCA All-America honors in four consecutive years. Bailey was a four-year pick at running back in 1986-87-88-89.
Two Players, Two Schools: Punter Mark Bounds and placekicker Greg Zuerlein are the only players to earn AFCA All-America honors at two different schools. Bounds was named to the AFCA College Division I team in 1990 while playing for West Texas A&M. He transferred to Texas Tech after West Texas dropped football and earned I-A All-America honors as a Red Raider in 1991. Zuerlein was named to the Division II Coaches’ All-America Team in 2009 while playing for Nebraska-Omaha. He transferred to Missouri Western State after Nebraska-Omaha dropped its football program and earned Division II honors in 2011 as a Griffon.
Class Distinction
This year’s Division II Coaches’ All-America Team is made up of 31 seniors, 13 juniors, three sophomores, two freshman and one graduate student.
It’s Been A While
All-purpose player Lyrics Klugh from Fairmont State has earned AFCA Coaches’ All-America Team honors for his school for the first time since 1988.
First Time’s A Charm
Notre Dame running back Jaleel McLaughlin, Chowan offensive lineman Donald Boone, Miles linebacker Austin Stephens, Limestone defensive back Joshua Simmons, Davenport defensive back Brian Williams, Lock Haven tight end Jalen Jackson, Benedict defensive back Traviontae Brown and North Carolina-Pembroke punter Isaac Parks earned honors for their schools for the first time in AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America Team history.
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out insider.afca.com and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
