For Immediate Release
Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018
AFCA Release
Sioux Falls (S.D.) running back Gabriel Watson headlines the 2018 AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America Teams announced today by the American Football Coaches Association. The NSIC had five players named to the teams, including three first-team members.
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.
2018 AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America Teams – First Team
Offense
| RB |
Gabriel Watson |
6-1 |
221 |
Jr. |
Sioux Falls (S.D.) |
Jon Anderson |
Piedmont, Calif. (Piedmont) |
Defense
| DL |
Chris Garrett |
6-4 |
230 |
So. |
Concordia-St. Paul (Minn.) |
Shannon Currier |
Milwaukee, Wis. (Wisconsin Lutheran) |
| DB |
Gunner Olszewski |
5-10 |
180 |
Sr. |
Bemidji St. (Minn.) |
Brent Bolte |
Alvin, Texas (Alvin) |
2018 AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America Teams – Second Team
Offense
| WR |
Shane Zylstra |
6-5 |
220 |
Jr. |
Minnesota St. |
Todd Hoffner |
Spicer, Minn. (New London-Spicer) |
| OL |
Matt Juneau |
6-5 |
290 |
Sr. |
Minnesota-Duluth |
Curt Wiese |
Brooklyn Park, Minn. (Champlin Park) |
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.