Defensive lineman Robert Holtz and Head Coach Cris Reisert were the top honorees as the G-MAC announced its All-Conference team as selected by the conference coaches.
Holtz was named Defensive Lineman of the Year after his standout season, while Reisert was named G-MAC Coach of the Year. Jordan Speller was also named the Elite 26 recipient with the highest GPA in the conference. Speller also landed the same honor last season.
Holtz posted 42 tackles along with 7.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss to lead the defense. He also had a forced fumble. He ranked 4th in the conference in sacks and was 9th in tackles for loss. He led a defensive unit that was tops in the G-MAC and finished 2nd in sacks.
Reisert earned his third G-MAC Coach of the Year honor with an unbeaten 11-0 season that currently has the Dragons ranked 9th in the nation. They are the top seed in Super Region 1 and will play in the second round of the NCAA Championships on Nov. 25. The Dragons are ranked in the Top 10 of 16 different statistical team categories and are coming off a strong 26-7 victory over Findlay for the G-MAC Championship. This also marks the first NCAA postseason appearance for the Dragons since 2019.
Tiffin had 10 overall First Team picks. Along with Holtz, linebacker Marshawn Mankins and defensive backs Chucky Lewis, Ramond Jackson, and Patrick Tueimeh were also defensive selections.
Offensively offensive linemen Shane Bumgardner and James Raber were picked along with quarterback Kason Martin, running back Ronald Blackman, and wide receiver Josh Lewis.
Mankins had 42 tackles with 7.5 for loss and a sack along with a fumble recovery and interception. Chucky Lewis had 5 interceptions to lead the team along with 2 tackles for loss. His 5 picks rank him 14th nationally and tied him for first in the conference. Jackson had 52 tackles with 3 sacks and 8 tackles for loss. He also had 2 interceptions, a forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries. Tueimeh, meanwhile, led the team with 55 stops while also registering 2 interceptions, a sack, 6 for loss, and a forced fumble.
Tiffin's defense is first in the nation in turnover margin and turnovers gained while ranking 2nd in defensive touchdowns and 3rd in fumbles recovered. The team is also 4th in team pass efficiency defense, 6th in interceptions, tackles for loss, and total offense, 8th in scoring defense, 4th down conversions allowed, and passing yards allowed.
Offensively nationally TU is 4th in offensive first downs, 5th in rushing offense and total offense, and 7th in scoring offense.
Leading that unit was Martin who was amongst national passing leaders and is still 5th in the G-MAC stats despite being injured in his 9th game. He passed for 1671 yards on 64.1 percent completion percentage with 16 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions. Blackman has 862 yards and 7 touchdowns to lead TU's deep rushing attack and is 5th in the nation in yards per carry. He also ranks 3rd in the G-MAC in rushing behind offensive line stalwarts Bumgardner and Raber. Josh Lewis is also 5th in the conference in receiving and has 42 receptions for 675 yards this season.
Tiffin also had five Second Team picks. Jordan Speller joins the offensive line honorees along with running back Devin Nelson, while defensive lineman Antonio O'Berry and linebackers Barry Brown and Zeke Brown were also picked.
Nelson had 752 yards rushing and is ranked 11th in the nation in yards per carry. He also ranks 4th in the G-MAC in rushing.
O'Berry had 30 tackles up front along with 8 sacks and 11 tackles for loss along with 1 forced fumble and 2 recoveries. He was tied for 2nd in the conference in sacks. Barry Brown had 45 tackles with 2 sacks and 6.5 for loss along with a forced fumble and a recovery, while Zeke Brown is currently at 54 tackles (second on the team) with 3.5 for loss, 2 forced fumbles, a recovery, and an interception.