Football

WACO, Texas - Salisbury University senior defensive end Jarrell Chandler became the 13th All-American in program history as he was named to the 2008 Division III All-American first team by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) on Wednesday. His distinction marks the ninth AFCA All-American first team selection in Sea Gull football history and the first since Byron Westrbrook was honored in '06.

Chandler was one of 11 members named to the Division III All-American defensive team.  He is one of three defensive linemen on the first team as he joins Wabash's Jared Lange and California Lutheran's Jacob Calderon. Chandler and Wesley's Larry Beavers (All-Purpose Specialist) were the only two members selected to the first team from the Atlantic Central Football Conference (ACFC).

Chandler had an outstanding year for the Sea Gulls. The 2008 All-South Region first team selection ranks fourth in the nation for tackles for loss average per game (2.15) and 15th in the nation for sacks per game (0.95). The Salisbury, Md., product is ranked sixth in the ACFC in tackles (64) and tackles per game (6.40). While being honored to the 2008 All-ACFC first team, he was tied for first in sacks (9.5). Chandler also leads the ACFC in tackles for loss average per game and is second in tackle for loss yards (90).

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. The AFCA currently selects only a first team.

Also see:

• 2008 AFCA Division III All-American Team (PDF)
• Official AFCA press release