WILLIAMSBURG — Linebacker John Pius and offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal earned their fourth postseason All-America honors on Thursday, as both players garnered first-team distinction by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).
Pius and Sorsdal previously earned All-America accolades by the Associated Press, Stats Perform 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.
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.
