Woetzel named third team All-American by Associated Press
12/17/2019 2:36:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh senior linebacker Keith Woetzel has been named a third team FCS All-American by the Associated Press, it was announced Tuesday. Woetzel led the Mountain Hawks in tackles for the third consecutive season in 2019 and ranked among the national leaders in a number of defensive categories throughout his standout senior campaign.
Woetzel earned first team All-Patriot League honors in 2019 and was twice recognized as Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week. He also earned National Defensive Player of the Week honors following a 15-tackle, four-sack, one-interception performance in Lehigh's 30-27 overtime win at Fordham on Oct. 19.
For the season, Woetzel amassed 118 tackles, including 17.5 tackles for loss and set a school single-season record with 12 sacks. He also recorded a pair of interceptions and forced a fumble while leading a much improved Lehigh defense that allowed 100 yards and nearly 14 points per game fewer par game than in 2018.
The Wyckoff, N.J. native ranks second in the FCS in solo tackles per game (7.2), fourth in sacks (1.09), sixth in total tackles (10.7) and 12th in tackles for loss (1.6). Woetzel leads the Patriot League in all four categories.
In addition to his school record 12 sacks, Woetzel set a school single-game mark with five tackles for loss against Lafayette and his four sacks at Fordham mark the second-highest single game total in school history.
Woetzel recorded seven double-digit tackle games in 2019, including a career-best 16 at UC Davis on Sept. 14. His 296 career tackles rank sixth in school history and his 29.5 career tackles for loss also crack the top 10 in the school record books.
Last month, Woetzel was selected as a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the top defensive player in the FCS. He finished 21st in the final balloting.
Prior to Woetzel, the last Lehigh player to earn All-American honors was running back Dominick Bragalone, who was a consensus honoree in 2017. The last Lehigh defensive player to earn All-America honors was cornerback Jarard Cribbs, who was recognized by The Sports Network in 2010. Linebacker Matt Cohen is Lehigh's last defensive AP All-American as he was a second-team selection in 2009.
Woetzel is one of three Patriot League student-athletes named to the AP All-America teams.
Earlier this week HERO Sports announced its overall All-America and freshman/sophomore All-America teams. Lehigh freshman defensive lineman Mikhari Sibblis was an honorable mention selection on the freshman All-America team. Sibblis started all 11 games at defensive end for the Mountain Hawks, finishing with 23 tackles, six tackles for loss and four sacks.
Several other organizations, including the FCS ADA, STATS FCS and the AFCA are expected to announce their All-America teams later this week.
Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
Woetzel earned first team All-Patriot League honors in 2019 and was twice recognized as Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week. He also earned National Defensive Player of the Week honors following a 15-tackle, four-sack, one-interception performance in Lehigh's 30-27 overtime win at Fordham on Oct. 19.
For the season, Woetzel amassed 118 tackles, including 17.5 tackles for loss and set a school single-season record with 12 sacks. He also recorded a pair of interceptions and forced a fumble while leading a much improved Lehigh defense that allowed 100 yards and nearly 14 points per game fewer par game than in 2018.
The Wyckoff, N.J. native ranks second in the FCS in solo tackles per game (7.2), fourth in sacks (1.09), sixth in total tackles (10.7) and 12th in tackles for loss (1.6). Woetzel leads the Patriot League in all four categories.
In addition to his school record 12 sacks, Woetzel set a school single-game mark with five tackles for loss against Lafayette and his four sacks at Fordham mark the second-highest single game total in school history.
Woetzel recorded seven double-digit tackle games in 2019, including a career-best 16 at UC Davis on Sept. 14. His 296 career tackles rank sixth in school history and his 29.5 career tackles for loss also crack the top 10 in the school record books.
Last month, Woetzel was selected as a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the top defensive player in the FCS. He finished 21st in the final balloting.
Prior to Woetzel, the last Lehigh player to earn All-American honors was running back Dominick Bragalone, who was a consensus honoree in 2017. The last Lehigh defensive player to earn All-America honors was cornerback Jarard Cribbs, who was recognized by The Sports Network in 2010. Linebacker Matt Cohen is Lehigh's last defensive AP All-American as he was a second-team selection in 2009.
Woetzel is one of three Patriot League student-athletes named to the AP All-America teams.
Earlier this week HERO Sports announced its overall All-America and freshman/sophomore All-America teams. Lehigh freshman defensive lineman Mikhari Sibblis was an honorable mention selection on the freshman All-America team. Sibblis started all 11 games at defensive end for the Mountain Hawks, finishing with 23 tackles, six tackles for loss and four sacks.
Several other organizations, including the FCS ADA, STATS FCS and the AFCA are expected to announce their All-America teams later this week.
Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
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