WILLIAMSBURG — After posting tremendous seasons, three William & Mary football standouts earned All-America honors by FCS Football Central.
Linebacker John Pius garnered first-team honors, while left tackle Charles Grant and defensive end Nate Lynn were selected to the second and third teams, respectively.
One of the nation’s elite pass rushers, Pius was the only FCS player named to the 2023 Butkus Award Watch List and earned first-team All-CAA distinction for the second consecutive year. At the conclusion of the regular season, he ranked seventh nationally in sacks per game (0.86) and 14th in TFL per game (1.5), as he finished the year with 53 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 16.0 TFL, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. The Arlington, Va., native ranks fourth in school history in career sacks (24.5) and second in TFL (40.5).
After emerging as one of the country’s best offensive linemen last season, Grant elevated his play even more as a junior this fall and headlined one of the nation’s top offensive lines. In addition to starting all 11 games at left tackle, the two-time first-team All-CAA selection helped W&M rank 13th nationally in rushing (196.9).
A two-time Buchanan Award Finalist and three-time first-team All-CAA selection, Lynn posted a tremendous senior campaign and totaled 58 tackles. 8.0 sacks, 11.0 TFL, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Honored as an All-American multiple times by many organizations throughout his illustrious career, he ranks second in school history in sacks (28.0) and third in TFL (40.0). Additionally, his 12 career forced fumbles led the nation among all active Division I players (FCS & FBS).
