By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University senior inside linebacker Jack Nelson (Portland, OR/Jesuit HS) has been named First Team All-America, and senior running back Dylan Jones (Santa Maria, CA/Ernest Righetti HS) was chosen Second Team All-America, as selected by D3football.com. Both athletes were previously named First Team All-West Region.

A total of 26 players received First Team All-America honors, with 26 players on the Second Team, 26 on the Third Team and 26 earning Honorable Mention.

Wide receiver Jake Kumerow from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater was chosen Offensive Player of the Year, while defensive end Tyler Coleman from Hobart College (N.Y.) was selected Defensive Player of the Year. Head Coach Joe Smith from Linfield College was named Coach of the Year.

Willamette concluded the 2014 season with a 5-4 record, including 3-4 in the Northwest Conference. The Bearcats defeated archrival Linfield, 31-28, in McMinnville, Ore., on Nov. 1. During the season, the Bearcats averaged 31.9 points and 413.4 total yards per game.

First Team All-America

 

Jack Nelson (Sr., ILB) achieved a Willamette career record of 315 total tackles. During four seasons with the Bearcats, he registered 191 unassisted tackles and 124 assists. He also earned 25.0 tackles for loss, including 9.5 quarterback sacks. He intercepted four passes, broke up eight passes, forced two fumbles and recovered two fumbles.

 

This season, Nelson led the Northwest Conference with 104 tackles, 63 solo tackles and 41 assists. He ranked 18th in NCAA Division III with 11.6 tackles per game and was 16th in the nation with 7.0 solo tackles per game.

He earned at least nine tackles in every game this fall. He registered a career-high 17 tackles against Puget Sound on Nov. 15. During the season, he recorded 9.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He was named NWC Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week for his efforts against California Lutheran University, Lewis & Clark College and Linfield.

Nelson was chosen First Team All-NWC for the third year in a row. He was joined as a First Team All-America linebacker by Sosthene Kapepula from Wesley College (Del.) and by Jacob Zilbar from University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

Prior to earning First Team All-West Region honors this season, Nelson was named Third Team All-West Region in 2013.

He led the Bearcats in tackles for three consecutive seasons. In 2012, he earned 72 total tackles, with 45 solo stops and 27 assists. In 2013, he provided Willamette with 112 total tackles on 67 solo tackles and 45 assists. He ranked ninth in NCAA Division III in 2013 with 12.4 tackles per game and was seventh in the nation with 7.4 solo tackles per game.

In 2014, Nelson helped Willamette limit opponents to 145.0 rushing yards per game and just 3.6 yards per carry. The Bearcats forced opponents into 21 turnovers with 11 interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries. WU sacked opposing quarterbacks 22 times.

Nelson has been nominated for the Cliff Harris Award this season and was a finalist for the award in 2013. The Cliff Harris Award is presented to the nation's top small college defensive player.

Second Team All-America

 

Dylan Jones (Sr., RB) carried the ball 484 times for 2,857 yards and 34 touchdowns during his career with the Bearcats. He finished just two yards away from the school record of 2,859 career rushing yards set by Stan Solomon from 1957-60.

 

In addition to his rushing touchdowns, Jones also scored on two pass receptions. He concluded his career with 36 total touchdowns and 216 points.

This year, Jones rushed for a school record 1,599 yards on 237 carries. He led NCAA Division III with 177.7 rushing yards per game. He scored 18 rushing touchdowns and ranked fifth in Division III with 12.0 points per game.

He was named NWC Offensive Player of the Year this season and was chosen First Team All-NWC. He was selected Second Team All-NWC in 2012 after rushing for 716 yards and scoring seven touchdowns. He received Honorable Mention All-NWC recognition in 2013 despite missing three of nine games due to injury.

This year, Jones rushed for more than 120 yards in all nine of Willamette's games and gained over 160 yards in five games. He was named NWC Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week three times for outstanding performances against Whitworth University, Linfield and Puget Sound.

He gained a school record 350 rushing yards on 30 carries against Whitworth on Oct. 11. He set another school record with a 98-yard touchdown run against Linfield three weeks later. Against Puget Sound, he rushed for 223 yards on 32 carries.

Jones was one of four finalists for the Gagliardi Trophy who were honored earlier this week at a banquet in Salem, Va. The Gagliardi Trophy, which is awarded to the most outstanding player in NCAA Division III each season, went to quarterback Kevin Burke from University of Mount Union (Ohio) for the second consecutive year.

This fall, Jones led the way as Willamette's offense gained 2,330 rushing yards. The Bearcats ranked 15th in NCAA Division III with 258.9 rushing yards per game. Willamette scored 27 rushing touchdowns.