Ferris State's Dylan Pasquali Tabbed To 2021 AFCA All-America First Team
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Big Rapids, Mich. - Ferris State University football senior offensive tackle Dylan Pasquali (Trenton) has added to his list of impressive achievements this fall by being named today to the 2021 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-America First Team as announced by the national coaches organization.
It marks the seventh consecutive year the Bulldogs have had at least one AFCA All-America selection, which is the longest active streak in the country.
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. Beginning in 2018, the AFCA has started selecting a first and second team and voting is done by member head coaches.
The AFCA's Division II All-America 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 team is chosen.
A total of 20 Ferris State players have now been named to the AFCA All-America team a combined 24 times, which is tied for the third-most all-time among NCAA Division II schools. It also marks the seventh year in a row the Bulldogs have had a player on the AFCA All-America team. Two-Time Harlon Hill Trophy winner Jason Vander Laan became the first Bulldog player named to the AFCA squad since former defensive tackle Jake Visser in 2008 by being chosen as the squad's quarterback in both 2014 and 2015 before standout defensive tackle Zach Sieler was a two-time choice in 2016 and 2017 with cornerback Tavierre Thomas garnering laurels in 2017 as well. Vander Laan, Sieler and Thomas all went on to play with National Football League (NFL) organizations. In 2018, Harlon Hill Trophy winner Jayru Campbell was a first-team pick with offensive tackle Devon Johnson named to the second-team. Finally, in 2019, former standout defensive end Austin Edwards earned first-team recognition with offensive guard Tyler Allison drawing second-team laurels.
Prior to Vander Laan, Visser's selection in 2008 had marked the sixth consecutive season in which a Bulldog player had achieved AFCA All-America First Team status. Former linebacker Kevin Myers was a two-time honoree in 2003 and 2004 followed by wide receiver Carlton Brewster in 2005, linebacker Mike Klobucher in '06 and Visser in both 2007 and 2008. In addition to Visser, Myers, Klobucher and Brewster, Ferris' impressive list of AFCA All-America picks also includes flanker Clarence Coleman (2001), kicker-punter Doc Proctor (1999), defensive tackle Kelly Chisholm (1996), quarterback Bill Love (1995), tailback Tyree Dye (1994), defensive tackle Ed Philion (1993), outside linebacker Monty Brown (1992), and running back Chuck Evans (1976) in addition to Vander Laan, Sieler, Thomas, Campbell, Johnson, Edwards, Allison and now Pasquali.
Pasquali was one of only two Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) picks named to one of the two AFCA All-America squads along with Michigan Tech center Hayden Huttula.
Earlier this week, Pasquali was named the recipient of the 2021 Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year Award presented by the Manheim Touchdown Club. Playing on the nation's top-ranked team, Pasquali and the Bulldogs are ranked in the top-two nationally in both points per game and total offense per contest. An All-American throughout his career, Pasquali has started every game this season being part of the only unbeaten team in NCAA Division II so far this year. He has helped Ferris State to nearly 50 wins during his time on the field. He was also chosen this year as the GLIAC Offensive Lineman of the Year.
Pasquali and the Bulldogs will host Shepherd (W.Va.) in the NCAA Division II National Semifinals this Saturday, Dec. 11, at Top Taggart Field. Kickoff is set for 3:32 p.m. (ET) in Big Rapids.