KANSAS CITY, MO. --- On Wednesday, the D2Football.com Preseason All-America teams were announced, and
Grant Smith, and
Casey Knutsen Offensive Lineman, and Punter for the South Dakota School of Mines were selected to the first team.
Smith has been a stalwart for the Hardrocker football offensive line for years, now heading into his fourth year with the program, Smith has begun to draw these types of accolades in part due to his play leading the way for record-breaking running games like the program had in 2019, or for an improved offense in 2020. It has drawn the eyes of individuals at the next level as well.
Knutsen was phenomenal last season and was a weapon for the special teams unit. Knutsen punted the ball 19 times for a total of 840 yards, an average of 44.2 yards per punt which was good for second in the nation. Knutsen was able to down 7 punts inside the 20-yard line compared to just 3 touchbacks and booted five 50+ yard punts.
The D2Football.com All-America Team was selected by the staff of D2Football.com with input from coaches and sports information directors from around the country.
D2Football.com has named an All-America Team since its inception in 2000.
The first team is listed below and the full teams can be found at the link above.
First Team
QB
Tyson Bagent 6-3, 215, Jr. Shepherd
RB
Michael Roots 5-9, 211, Sr. CSU-Pueblo
RB
Justin Felder 5-8, 175, Jr. Stonehill
WR
Henry Litwin 6-1, 195, Sr. Slippery Rock
WR
L'liott Curry 6-0, 206, Sr. Henderson State
TE
David Balint III 6-3, 255, Jr. Shippensburg
OL
Amon Simon 6-5, 275, Sr. Texas A&M-Commerce
OL
Tanner Owen 6-5, 290, Sr. Northwest Missouri
OL
Jimmy Burchett 6-4, 320, Sr Notre Dame College
OL
Grant Smith 6-5, 350, Jr. South Dakota Mines
OL
Brent Laing 6-4, 285, Sr. Minnesota Duluth
DL
Demetrice Lofton 6-4, 245, Jr. Morehouse
DL
Joshua Pryor 6-4, 280, So. Bowie State
DL
Charlie Cleveland 6-2, 250, Jr. Tiffin
DL
Sam Roberts 6-5, 292, Sr. Northwest Missouri
LB
Drew Seers 6-1, 225, Sr. Lindenwood
LB
Rondrow Peebles 6-2, 242, Sr. Carson-Newman
LB
Kailen Abrams 6-2, 230, Sr. Central State
DB
Junior Faulk 6-1, 200, Sr. Delta State
DB
Demetri Morsell 5-11, 180, Jr.. Bowie State
DB
Kader Kohou 5-11, 190, Sr. Texas A&M-Commerce
DB
Sam Webb 6-2, 195, Sr. Missouri Western
K
Jefferson Souza 6-1, 185, Jr. Virginia Union
P
Casey Knutsen 5-11, 190, So. South Dakota Mines
AP
Trey Vaval 6-0, 175, So. Missouri Western
