EAST STROUDSBURG – East Stroudsburg University linebacker Matt Freed has been named to the Don Hansen NCAA Division II All-America first team, his third All-America honor of the 2010 season, it was announced Monday.

Freed, one of three linebackers on the first team, was previously named to the Daktronics Division II second team and AP Little All-America third team after recording 120 tackles, 14.0 tackles for a loss and 7.5 sacks in his final season for the Warriors. He was a three-time All-American on both the Daktronics and Associated Press squads.

He is joined on the first team by linebackers Valdosta State (Ga.) senior Larry Dean and Pittsburg State (Kan.) freshman Nate Dreiling. Freed is one of three PSAC players on the first team, along with Bloomsburg running back Franklyn Quiteh and Slippery Rock center Brandon Fusco. Dreiling and Quiteh shared Don Hansen National Freshman of the Year honors.

The Don Hansen Division II All-America Team carries out the legacy of long-time small college football advocate Don Hansen, who passed away at age 75 on Aug. 29, 2010. Hansen, from Brookfield, Ill., started and published Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette for three decades, selecting NCAA Division II All-America teams for the first time in 1988.

The Don Hansen Football Committee selected All-Super Region teams in December and early January, with the first-team and second-team All-Super Region players advancing to the national ballot.

Last week, Freed was named to the PSAC Fall Top 10 for the second straight year, capping a list of academic achievements that includes two first team Academic All-America awards, along with status as a national semifinalist for the National Football Foundation's Campbell Award.

During his senior season, Freed was the only defensive player in nation on the regional ballot for the Harlon Hill Trophy, given to the top football player in Division II. He also repeated as the Daktronics Super Region One Defensive Player of the Year and had 399 career tackles, 45 tackles for a loss and 22.5 sacks as a three-year starter and four-year letterwinner for the Warriors.


Don Hansen Division II All-America 1st Team

Offense
QB – Eric Czerniewski, Central Missouri
RB – Phil Milbrath, Michgan Tech
RB – Franklyn Quiteh, Bloomsburg
FB – Bobby Humphries, Shepherd
WR – Thomas Mayo, Concord
WR – Jamorris Warren, Central Missouri
WR – Fred Williams, St. Cloud State
TE – Ryan Travis, West Liberty
C – Brandon Fusco, Slippery Rock
OG – Dennis Bergland, Nebraska-Omaha
OG – Kyle Thornton, North Alabama
OT – Cameron Bradfield, Grand Valley State
OT – Michael Tribue, Carson-Newman
PK – Gareth Rowlands, Tusculum
AP – Josh Renel, Wayne State (Mich.)

Defense
DE – Malcolm Jenkins, Elizabeth City State
DE – Marc Schiechl, Colorado Mines
DT – Jim Kuntz, Minnesota Duluth
DT – Derrin Nettles, Morehouse
LB – Larry Dean, Valdosta State
LB – Nate Dreiling, Pittsburg State
LB – Matt Freed, ESU
CB – Stevie Harden, Valdosta State
CB – Ryan Jones, Northwest Missouri State
S – Cody Eich, Minnesota Duluth
S – Ron Parker, Newberry
P – Ronnie Partridge, Stillman
RS – Garrett Tidwell, Angelo State