Hayden tabbed AFCA All-America selection

Andrew Woodley, Sports Information Director

Full Release

WACO, Texas (Dec. 12) - Bethany College senior linebacker Donavan Hayden (Hyattsville, Md./Northwestern) was named an American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division III Second-Team All-American announced the organization Monday morning.

Hayden, the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Defensive Player of the Year, led the PAC and ended the regular-season ranked second in all of NCAA Division III with 142 tackles (14.2 tackles per game), including 82 solo tackles. His 20 tackles for loss led the league and ranked him 10th in Division III and the three-time PAC Defensive Player of the Week also led the conference and tied for eighth nationally with four forced fumbles at season's end.

Hayden became Bethany's all-time leader with 360 career tackles and his 142 tackles in 2016 was the third-highest single-season total by a Bison in school history.

Hayden is the first All-America selection since 2013, when former Bison defensive lineman Nadim Raddar was tabbed an All-American by the AFCA, and only the second Bethany football player to earn the distinction since 2001.

Hayden was one of four selections to the All-America team from the PAC. Carnegie Mellon running back Sam Benger and Thomas More offensive lineman Trevor Meyer were named to the first team, while Washington & Jefferson wide receiver Jessie Zubik joined Hayden on the second team.