Posted: Dec 07, 2009
WACO,
Texas — Saginaw Valley State
(Mich.) linebacker John Jacobs and Wayne State (Mich.)
runningback Joique Bell headline the 2009
AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America Team, announced today
by the American Football Coaches Association. Jacobs was also
named to the Associated Press Little All-American Defensive
First-Team on Thursday (Dec. 17).
Jacobs,
who was also selected to the Daktronics, Inc. All-America Second
Team, led Division II in total tackles with 149 and ranked third
with 71 solo tackles. He also recorded 14.5 tackles for a loss,
four interceptions and 3.5 sacks. It was the second straight
season he led Division II in total tackles, and finished his career
at Saginaw Valley ranked second all-time in tackles (422). He
also set a new standard for career tackles for loss with 59,
besting the previous record by 19.
At the
conclusion of the regular season, Joique Bell led all four NCAA
divisions in rushing yards per game (189.45), scoring (17.5 points
per game) and all-purpose yards (217.5 per game).
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.
The five
teams now chosen for each AFCA division have 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.
Selection Process: The
AFCA’s Division II All-America Selection Committee is made up
of three head coaches from each of the AFCA’s nine 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 team is chosen.
Class
Distinction: This year’s Division II Coaches’
All-America Team is made up of 17 seniors, seven juniors and one
sophomore.
For more
information on the AFCA and its programs log on to the AFCA’s
website at www.afca.com.