NJCAA champion College of DuPage earned bragging rights for a second consecutive season with its 2022 championship, and as one would suspect, leads this year's NJCAA Division III All-American honors squads.
 
The Chaps, who won the title with a 14-12 victory over North Dakota State College of Science on Dec. 3 at Bjarne Ullsvik Stadium, secured six players on both the first and second teams.
 
Seven earned acclaim on offense, with five on defense.
 
Named to the first team are: half back Samson Zander, offensive lineman Dagen Miller, defensive lineman Byron Puryear, defensive lineman Michael Simon, linebacker Joseph Holmes and defensive back Guy Goss.
 
Named to the second team are: quarterback Gavin Sukup, half back Jaden McGill, wide receiver Matthew Brown, tight end Parker Grimes, offensive lineman Kendall Nellem, and defensive back Danarius Shaw.
 
"I'm very happy and proud for our 12 guys,'' said national coach of the year Matthew Rahn. "Each one is deserving. It's easy to overlook us when compared against the D3 landscape because most teams don't play against five-star bounce-backs like we do when we play D1 teams. A lot of our stats are against D1 scholarship programs, as opposed to those who play only D3 competition and that makes a difference, too. For those 12 guys, it's a testament to their ability to receive the recognition they deserve.''
 
Miller and Nellem, along Grimes received honors at positions where it's difficult to achieve statistics. All three played pivotal roles for COD by paving the way for its division-best 233.5 rushing yards and total offense of 439.1 yards per game.
 
"Dagen and Kendall were mainstays all season long,'' Rahn said. "And Parker was in first season as a tight end, after playing his whole life at quarterback. He was a threat in our receiving game. Our entire line made it possible for us to have the season we had, leading the country in total offense and rushing.
 
"Our coaching staff does a great job of building and working by creating competitive depth,'' Rahn said. "It's a priority to succeed with each other, and not in spite of one another. If you're good, and you buy-in, and earn it, you'll find playing time. Coaches who recruit our guys don't need to see their stats. Spreading the load among a number of guys saves your body and because of that, we feel pretty confident they'll have a successful post-COD career.''
 
On the defensive side, Simon improved upon his second-team honors from a year ago to earn first team.
 
"Michael is a prime example of a guy who played with a chip on his shoulder and made the most of his two years here at COD,'' Rahn said. "He put on size, strength and speed with a work ethic to match.''

First-team All-Americans
HB — Samson Zander (RFr., Carol Stream, Glenbard West HS) … Ranked 4th in rushing (479 yards) ... 5th in rushing TDs (5) and 8th in yards/game (47.9) ... Rushed for season-high 142 yards in 42-0 win at Hocking.
OL — Dagen Miller (Fr., Glendale Heights, Montini HS) … Only true freshman to start all 11 games for the title-winning Chaps ... Key player on nation's No. 1 ranked offense (439 total yards and 233.5 rushing yards)... Consistently graded as COD's top lineman all season long.
DL — Byron Puryear (RSo., Chicago, Al Raby HS) … The 2022 title game MVP ... Finished 2nd in nation in TFLs (13.5) and 5th in sacks (8) ... Led Chaps in title game with 7 solo tackles including game-ending 10-yard sack ... Earned National Defensive Player of Week honor in Week #3 with 4 solos with 3 TFLs in 42-0 win at Hocking.
DL — Michael Simon (So., Lansing, Hanover Central HS) … A 2021 2nd team All-American ... T2 in nation in TFLs (13.5) ... Prominent member of team that ranked No. 3 in points allowed (14.2/game) ... Started all 11 games at DE.
LB — Joseph Holmes (So., Westchester, Proviso West HS) … Ranked 12th in TFLs (9) ... Totaled season-high 9 tackles vs. Rochester ... 5 solos/2 assists with 1 TFL in title-game win over No. 1 NDSCS.
DB — Guy Goss (Fr., Hinsdale, Hinsdale Central HS) … A two-time Defensive Player of the Week … Ranked No. 2 in solo tackles (39) ... Ranked 10th in total tackles (65) ... Posted 4 PBU ... Against D1 Georgia Military, he had 8 solo tackles and earned Player of the Week honors (Week #11) ... Totaled 12 total tackles (5 solos) in win over nationally-ranked Hocking.
 
Second-team All-Americans
QB — Gavin Sukup (Fr., Seward, Neb., Seward HS) … A two-time D3 Offensive Player of the Week … Threw just one INT on the season in 172 attempts … Finished season ranked 2nd in passing efficiency ... 2nd in completion % ... 4th in TD passes … Accounted for 23 TDs (16 passing, 7 rushing) ... Rushed for 406 yards (5.2 ypg) ... Guided team to No. 1 ranking in total offense (439.1 ypg).
HB — Jaden McGill (Fr., Naperville, Naperville Central HS) … Ranked 12th in yards/game (44.3) and 13th in rushing yards (399) ... Rushed for season-high 133 yards on 7 carries with 2 TDs in 51-0 win over Community Christian.
WR — Matthew Brown (So., Aurora, West Aurora HS) … The 2021 title-game MVP ... Ranked 4th in nation in TDs (7) ... Caught 4 passes with 2 TDs for 47 yards in 24-21 loss at D1 Power Georgia Military.
TE — Parker Grimes (RFr., Portland, Ind., Jay County HS) … Started in 10 of 11 games played ... Blocking helped COD earn top rushing average in division (233.5) ... Caught one TD.
OL — Kendall Nellem (So., Yorkville, Yorkville HS) … Prominent starting lineman who played vital role in COD leading the nation in total offense (444 yards) and rushing yards (234 yards).
DB — Danarius Shaw (So., Cincinnati, Ohio, Mt. Healthy HS) … Earned 10 starts ... Ranked 42nd in solo tackles (19) ... T23 in TFLs (7) ... T20 in PBUs (4) … Week #2 Defensive Player of the Week after three solo tackles, one assisted tackle, 3 ½ TFLs and returned a fumble 32 yards vs. Rochester C&TC.