St. John’s Power Duo Earns All-American Honors
The St. John’s University football team has two more reasons to celebrate: junior wide receiver Dylan Wheeler and senior quarterback Aaron Syverson have both been named to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division III All-America team.
Wheeler, a Mounds View High School graduate, earned a spot on the prestigious first team. His impressive season saw him rack up an astounding 78 receptions for 1,093 yards and 20 touchdowns. Wheeler’s 20 receiving touchdowns place him just shy of the program record of 22, set by Blake Elliott in 2002, cementing himself as one of the best receivers in Johnnies’ history.
Syverson, a Minnetonka native, received well-deserved recognition on the second team. He showcased exceptional leadership this season, throwing for 3,916 yards, a remarkable 46 touchdowns, and a mere four interceptions. He consistently moved the ball downfield with an average of 356 yards per game and achieved an impressive 13.3 yards per pass. Syverson boasts a remarkable completion percentage of 76%, completing 294 of his 388 pass attempts.
While Syverson and Wheeler were busy tearing it up on the offensive side, their counterpart at the top of their division also had an exceptional season: Cortland senior quarterback Zac Boyes, who earned a first-team spot. Boyes threw for 2,632 yards, 26 touchdowns, and a single interception while averaging 220.5 yards passing per game. He also showcased his dynamic ability by rushing for 542 yards and six touchdowns.
Syverson’s accomplishments extend beyond this season, as he owns several Johnnies and MIAC program and career records: pass attempts (1,372), completions (946), passing yards (12,422) TD passes (142), completion percentage (69.0), passing yards per game (310.5), total offense (12,492 yards) and 300-yard passing games (19).
"The work we’ve put in has been immense."
As the third-ranked Johnnies prepare to welcome the sixth-ranked Susquehanna of Pennsylvania (10-1) in a playoff showdown on Saturday, the team couldn’t miss their chance to celebrate the individual accolades.
"I wouldn’t be here without my teammates, coaches, and coaches," Wheeler expressed his appreciation.
The Selection Process
The AFCA’s Division III All-America teams are chosen through a meticulous process involving head coaches representing each conference from the AFCA’s seven districts. The process includes a district chair, an overall committee chair, and head coaches who rank top players within their districts prior to a conference call.
"It feels great to just be recognized,"Wheeler said, acknowledging the effort of the coaches from each district and symbolizing the collaboration necessary within the process
The Johnnies continue to shiver with anticipation, as they prepare for their playoff journey with their star quarterback and receiver standing strong by their side.The complete list of AFCA Division III All-American teams can be found online: here
