CENTRAL MISSOURI’S ZACH ZEBROWSKI AND CENTRAL WASHINGTON’S TANNER VOLK HEADLINE THE 2023 AFCA DIVISION II COACHES’ ALL-AMERICA TEAMS

Central Missouri quarterback Zach Zebrowski and Central Washington defensive back Tanner Volk headline the 2023 AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America Teams announced today by the American Football Coaches Association.

The AFCA has selected an All-America team since 1945 and currently selects teams in all five of its divisions. What makes these teams so special is that they are the only ones chosen exclusively by the men who know the players the best — the coaches themselves.

Zebrowski, a Harlon Hill Trophy finalist, earned AFCA First-Team All-America honors by setting new NCAA Division II single season records for passing touchdowns (61), total offensive yards (5,690), points responsible for (380) and touchdowns responsible for (63 – 61 pass, two rush). He also set Central Missouri and MIAA records for passing touchdowns (8), passing yards (615) and total offense (673 yards) in a single game in the Mules’ 77-27 win over Emporia State (Kan.) on October 21.

Volk, also a Harlon Hill Trophy finalist, earned AFCA First Team honors by leading the entire NCAA in interceptions this season with 13, which also tied a school record. He also ranks 10th nationally with 115 total tackles. Volk has already been named Super Region 4 and Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

Team Background: The five teams now chosen for each AFCA division evolved from a single 11-player squad in 1945. From 1945 until 1967, only one team was chosen. From 1967 through 1971, two teams – University Division and College Division – were selected. In 1972, the College Division was split into College I and College II. In 1979, the University Division was split into two teams — FBS and FCS. In 1996, the College I and College II teams were renamed Division II and Division III, respectively. In 2006, the AFCA started selecting an NAIA-only team.

From 1965-81, a 22-player (11 offensive, 11 defensive) team was chosen. In 1982, a punter and placekicker were added to the team. In 1997, a return specialist was added, giving us the current 25-player team. The return specialist position was replaced by an all-purpose player in 2006. In 2016, the AFCA added a second team All-America.

Selection Process: The AFCA’s Division II All-America Selection Committee is made up of three head coaches from each of the AFCA’s seven districts, one of whom serves as a district chairman, along with another head coach who serves as the chairman of the selection committee. The coaches in each district are responsible for ranking the top players in their respective districts prior to a conference call between the district chairmen and the committee chairman on which the teams are chosen.

The Award: Members of the AFCA Coaches’ All-America First Team will receive a plaque commemorating their selection to the team, while members of the Second Team will receive a certificate.