WILLIAMSBURG — Linebacker John Pius and offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal earned their seventh postseason All-America honors on Friday, as both players garnered first-team distinction by Walter Camp.
Pius and Sorsdal previously earned All-America accolades by the Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Stats Perform, Athlon Sports, HERO Sports and Phil Steele Magazine.
Voted as the runner-up for the Stats Perform Buck Buchanan Award (national defensive player of the year in the FCS), Pius was also honored as the 2022 Colonial Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year. Additionally, he 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 sixth in TFL (19). A two-time CAA Defensive Player of the Week, Pius led W&M in tackles (72) and quarterback hurries (12).
Sorsdal, who was recently invited to play in the prestigious East-West Shrine Bowl, 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.
Pius and Sorsdal were both instrumental in W&M’s record-breaking 2022 campaign, as the Tribe equaled a school record for wins (11) and posted program records for regular season victories (10) and road triumphs (6). Additionally, W&M secured a share of the CAA title, earned a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Playoffs and advanced to the quarterfinals.
