CAA Football Players Receive All-America Honors From AFCA and Phil Steele Magazine

CAA Football Players Receive All-America Honors From AFCA and Phil Steele Magazine

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Rob Washburn

RICHMOND, Va. (December 22, 2022) – National honors continue to roll in for CAA Football players as seven were chosen to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) FCS All-America team and 20 were recognized on the Phil Steele FCS All-America squad.

Earning first-team All-America honors from the AFCA were Monmouth sophomore running back Jaden Shirden, William & Mary senior offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal, William & Mary sophomore linebacker John Pius, Delaware senior defensive back Kedrick Whitehead and Elon senior kicker Skyler Davis.

Making the AFCA All-America second team were Delaware graduate student linebacker Johnny Buchanan and New Hampshire junior running back/returner Dylan Laube.

Shirden led FCS in rushing with 1,722 yards and 13 touchdowns. Sorsdal anchored a W&M offensive line that ranked fourth nationally in fewest sacks allowed (10) and helped the Tribe rank fourth in rushing (265.8 ypg). Pius recorded a team-high 72 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 19.0 TFL’s and 12 quarterback hurries. Whitehead contributed 73 tackles, two interceptions and five pass breakups. Davis converted 18-of-22 field goals, including 7-of-8 from better than 50 yards to tie a FCS record.

Buchanan topped FCS with 150 total tackles, including five games with at least 15 stops. Laube led the nation in all-purpose yards (194.3 ypg) after rushing for 1,205 yards and 15 TD’s and excelling as a kick and punt returner.

Named to the Phil Steele All-America first team were Shirden, Pius, Buchanan, Davis, Laube and Elon senior defensive back Marcus Hillman (83 tackles, 18.5 TFL’s, 8.5 sacks).

Selected to the second team were Sorsdal, UAlbany senior tight end Thomas Greaney (50 rec., 693 yds., 9 TD’s), New Hampshire sophomore defensive end Josiah Silver (55 tackles, 17.5 TFL’s, 8.5 sacks) and Monmouth graduate student punter Ryan Kost (48.1 avg).

Chosen to the third team were Whitehead, Rhode Island junior offensive lineman Nick Correia, William & Mary junior defensive lineman Nate Lynn (61 tackles, 8.0 sacks, 13.0 TFL’s), Towson senior returner D’Ago Hunter (24.6 KOR avg., 2 TD’s/16.3 punt avg., 1 TD)) and Monmouth senior long snapper Kent Vines.

Receiving fourth-team honors were Monmouth graduate student fullback Owen Wright (304 yards, 16 TD’s), Richmond junior offensive lineman Ryan Coll, New Hampshire sophomore defensive end Dylan Ruiz (60 tackles, 12.0 sacks, 14.5 TFL’s), Richmond junior linebacker Tristan Wheeler (110 tackles, 11.0 TFL’s), and Towson sophomore punter Riley Williams (44.7 avg.).