Kearney, Neb. – Nebraska-Kearney redshirt junior quarterback TJ Davis has been named to the 2021 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II All-American team.

This team, consisting of just two teams, is chosen by a panel of head coaches from around the country. This is one of the more prestigious D2 AA teams; the others include A.P. Little All-America, Conference Commissioner's Association (CCA) and Don Hansen's Gazette. 

A second-team pick, Davis (Colorado Springs) is just the seventh Loper to earn AFCA All-America honors. The first Loper at a skill position to be chosen, Davis is the fifth player in UNK's D2 era (1990-present) to make the squad.

The 2021 MIAA and Super Region 3 Offensive Player of the Year, Davis is one of just two QB's in NCAA's four divisions (FBS, FCS, D2 and D3) to throw for at least 2,000 and run for 1,000 yards this fall. Having a hand in 40 touchdowns (21 passing, 18 rushing and one receiving), the Harlon Hill Trophy finalist had eight games with at least two TD tosses, five 100-yard rushing days and four games with four TD's.

UNK and Davis had a banner season, going 10-3, reaching the second round of the NCAA D2 Playoffs, being nationally and regionally ranked throughout the fall and recording the program's third-ever double digit win season.

Other MIAA players selected were Fort Hays State tight end Hunter Budke (first-team), Northwest Missouri State defensive tackle Sam Roberts (first-team) and offensive linemen Tanner Owen (second-team) and Washburn wide receiver/all-purpose back James Letcher Jr. (second-team). Shepherd (W.V.) junior Tyson Bagent was the first-team QB; he has the Rams in the national semifinals and thrown 52 TD's to date.

The five teams now chosen for each AFCA?division evolved from a single 11-player squad in 1945. From 1945 until 1967, only one team was chosen. From 1967 through 1971, two teams – University Division and College Division – were selected. In 1972, the College Division was split into College I and College II. In 1979, the University Division was split into two teams — FBS and FCS. In 1996, the College I and College II teams were renamed Division II?and Division III,?respectively. In 2006, the AFCA started selecting an NAIA-only team.

From 1965-81, a 22-player (11 offensive, 11 defensive) team was chosen. In 1982, a punter and placekicker were added to the team. In 1997, a return specialist was added, giving us the current 25-player team. The return specialist position was replaced by an all-purpose player in 2006. In 2016, the AFCA added a second team All-America.

UNK AFCA All-Americans
Yr.           Name/Position                 Hometown                    Team
1976       Mitch Johnson (DB)          Central City                   College Division
1978       Doug Peterson (DL)          Ord                              College Division
2002       Henrik Juul-Nielsen (K)     Denmark                      1st Team
2009       Jack Hiett (C)                  Arvada, Colo.                 1st Team
2013       Cole Manhart (LT)            Highlands Ranch, Colo.   1st Team
2014       Cole Manhart (LT)            Highlands Ranch, Colo.   1st Team
2016       Tyke Kozeal (LB)              Sargent                         2nd Team
2021       TJ Davis (QB)                  Colorado Springs, Colo.   2nd Team