WILLIAMSBURG — The postseason honors continue to roll in for members of the William & Mary football team following a record-breaking season, as five Tribe standouts earned Stats Perform All-America honors.
Linebacker John Pius was selected to the first team, while offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal and defensive lineman Nate Lynn were chosen to the second and third teams, respectively. Cornerback Jalen Jones and long snapper Nick Levy were named to the Freshman All-America Team.
The honors mark the third All-America team to which Pius and Sorsdal have been selected, as both also garnered distinction by the Associated Press and HERO Sports.
Recently selected as one of three finalists to attend the Stats Perform Buck Buchanan Award (national defensive player of the year in the FCS) announcement, Pius was honored as the 2022 Colonial Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year and was a finalist for the Dudley Award, which is given each year to the best college football player in Virginia.
The Arlington, Va., native ranked fourth nationally in sacks (11.5) and fifth in TFL (19). A two-time CAA Defensive Player of the Week, Pius led W&M in tackles (72) and quarterback hurries (12).
Sorsdal anchored the Tribe’s offensive line and started every game this season. A first-team All-Colonial Athletic Association selection, he helped W&M dominate in both the running game and in pass protection. The Tribe ranked fourth nationally in fewest sacks allowed per game (0.77) and in rushing (265.8) – a school record. Additionally, W&M also set school records for rushing yards (3,455) and yards per carry (5.9). The Pittsburgh, Pa., native finished his impressive career with 46 starts.
A Buck Buchanan Award Watch List selection, Lynn earned first-team All-America honors in 2022 after being selected as the league’s preseason defensive player of the year. Lynn tied for third nationally with four forced fumbles and ranked among the CAA’s top 10 in sacks (8) and TFL (13). Additionally, he totaled 61 tackles and ranked second on the team with 11 quarterback hurries.
Jones established himself as one of the nation’s elite freshmen this season and finished eighth in the final voting for the Jerry Rich Award.
The Chesapeake, Va., native ranked tied for 14th nationally with four interceptions. Additionally, he totaled 24 tackles, eight pass breakups, a TFL, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, a pick-six and 61 interception return yards. Highlighting Jones’ remarkable redshirt freshman campaign was his outstanding effort in the win against Campbell when he was selected as the national and conference defensive player of the week after posting three interceptions, including a 33-yard pick-six, and two pass breakups.
W&M’s starting long snapper, Levy’s precision helped placekicker Ethan Chang post of the best seasons by a kicker in school history, as he connected on 18-of-24 field goals. Additionally, punter Will Whitehurst benefited from his consistent snaps and averaged 42.4 yards per punt.
Despite being picked fifth in the CAA Preseason Poll, W&M posted a remarkable 2022 campaign in which it equaled a school record for wins (11) and posted program records for regular season victories (10) and road triumphs (6). Additionally, the Tribe secured a share of the CAA title, earned a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Playoffs and advanced to the quarterfinals.
