Sunflower Slate

JACOB BRUSTER (56)

The long-awaited NAIA FB All-American team is out and in this blogger’s humble opinion, the KCAC really cleaned up, led by Friends offensive lineman Jacob Bruster’s first-team selection. That’s a nice bookend to his AFCA first-team All-American pick. I’m not saying there weren’t any snubs — mainly Friends defensive end Jordan Highley being left off both the first and second teams — but dude still made honorable mention, and that ain’t bad.

On a separate note, and before I get into the details of who made what, let me just say that when I ran into Bruster and his fiance two weeks ago at the downtown YMCA, I told him this was on the way. I’m just saying. Bruster is trying to pursue a pro career as a tight end, and I think he’s down from his playing weight of 295 to I’d guess about the 260 range. At 6-foot-5, that’s about the right size for the next level although he told me he needs to work on his speed.

JEFF PAULSON

Any surprises besides Highley? I’d have to say it was a pleasant surprise to see Friends DB Cole Perry on the honorable mention team as a redshirt freshman. That’s big for him, something you can build a career from. McPherson got two deserving kids on there, too, in all-purpose guy Gary Cox and LB Jeff Paulson. Bethany’s running back Sean Dahley made honorable mention … not sure he deserved that one. Running for over 1,000 yards is nothing to sniff at, but when your team is 2-8? I mean, come on, he didn’t even return kicks and punts and had like 13 yards receiving. Ok I’ll pass the Hatorade now.

Here’s the full release from the KCAC and College Fanz Sports Network, which used to be VSN:

LINDSBORG, KANSAS — Twelve football players in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference have received post-season honors — named to the College Fanz Sports Network NAIA Coaches’ All-American Teams.

They are on first and second teams and honorable-mention, announced in Grand Island, Nebraska, by the College Fanz Sports Network. The selections were made by ten NAIA football coaches along with NAIA expert Jason Dannelly, founder of Victory Sports Network — which is now part of College Fanz.

Dannelly said: “The honor teams for this past season are another representation of how great football is at the NAIA level.”

College Fanz Sports Network NAIA Coaches’ All-American

Formerly the VSN NAIA Coaches’ All-American Teams

Players from the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference on the 2008 College Fanz Sports Network NAIA Coaches’ All-American First-Team, Second-Team, and Honorable-Mention are: