Edleman named to AFCA all-America team

Central College

PELLA — Central College free safety Jacob Edleman (senior, Mechanicsville, North Cedar HS) was named to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division III Coaches’ All-America Team Wednesday.

Edleman becomes the 14th AFCA all-America selection at Central and first since Jeff Sanger in 2000. He was one of two players from the Iowa Conference selected, joining Wartburg offensive lineman Chris Brinkmeier.

The senior defensive back was first in the conference and tied for fifth in Division III at the end of the regular season with seven interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. He also recorded 48 tackles, including 28 solos and a fumble recovery on defense for Central.

The first-team all-conference selection was named to the D3football.com All-West Region first team Monday. Edleman received conference defensive player of the week and D3football.com team of the week honors after his three-interception performance in a 41-14 Dutch win against Loras Oct. 18.

Central won its final six games of the season to finish 8-2 overall and 6-1 in conference play.

The AFCA has selected an all-America team since 1945 and only 25 players are selected—11 each on offense and defense with three specialists.

Central has had 15 AFCA all-America awards overall—offensive lineman Jeff Helle was chosen in 1993 and 1994. The Dutch have the sixth-most AFCA honorees in Division III history.

Central’s AFCA Div. III all-Americans

1974–Al Dorenkamp, LB

1977–Don Taylor, TB

1984–Scott Froehle, DB

1985–Rich Thomas, NG

1988–Mike Stumberg, NG

1989–Kris Reis, LB

1990–Ron Saak, LB

1992–Bill Mulder, LB

1993–Jeff Helle, OT

1994–Jeff Helle, OT

1995–Rick Sanger, LB

1996–Mark Kacmarynski, TB

1998–Andrew Paulsen, DB

2000–Jeff Sanger, LB

2014–Jacob Edleman, DB