Ferris State University senior defensive back Shon Stephens (Bakersfield, Calif.) was recently named to the 2023 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-America squad as announced by the national coaches organization.

Stephens was chosen as an AFCA All-America Second Team choice and it represents the ninth consecutive year the Bulldogs have had at least one AFCA All-America selection, which is the longest active streak in the country.

The AFCA has selected an All-America team since 1945 and currently selects teams in all five of its divisions. What makes these teams so special is that they are the only ones chosen exclusively by the men who know the players the best — the coaches themselves. Beginning in 2018, the AFCA has started selecting a first and second team and voting is done by member head coaches.

The AFCA's Division II?All-America Selection Committee is made up of three head coaches from each of the AFCA's seven districts, one of whom serves as a district chairman, along with another head coach who serves as the chairman of the selection committee. The coaches in each district are responsible for ranking the top players in their respective districts prior to a conference call between the district chairmen and the committee chairman on which the team is chosen.

A total of 23 Ferris State players have now been named to the AFCA All-America team a combined 27 times, which is the second-most all-time among NCAA Division II schools. It also marks the ninth year in a row the Bulldogs have had a player on the AFCA All-America team. Two-Time Harlon Hill Trophy winner Jason Vander Laan became the first Bulldog player named to the AFCA squad since former defensive tackle Jake Visser in 2008 by being chosen as the squad's quarterback in both 2014 and 2015 before standout defensive tackle Zach Sieler was a two-time choice in 2016 and 2017 with cornerback Tavierre Thomas garnering laurels in 2017 as well. Vander Laan, Sieler and Thomas all went on to play with National Football League (NFL) organizations. In 2018, Harlon Hill Trophy winner Jayru Campbell was a first-team pick with offensive tackle Devon Johnson named to the second-team. In 2019, former standout defensive end Austin Edwards earned first-team recognition with offensive guard Tyler Allison drawing second-team laurels. Finally, offensive tackle Dylan Pasquali was a first-team honoree for FSU in 2021 follow by defensive end Caleb Murphy as a first-team choice in 2022 along with offensive guard Adam Sieler as a second-team honoree.

Prior to Vander Laan, Visser's selection in 2008 had marked the sixth consecutive season in which a Bulldog player had achieved AFCA All-America First Team status. Former linebacker Kevin Myers was a two-time honoree in 2003 and 2004 followed by wide receiver Carlton Brewster in 2005, linebacker Mike Klobucher in '06 and Visser in both 2007 and 2008. In addition to Visser, Myers, Klobucher and Brewster, Ferris' impressive list of AFCA All-America picks also includes flanker Clarence Coleman (2001), kicker-punter Doc Proctor (1999), defensive tackle Kelly Chisholm (1996), quarterback Bill Love (1995), tailback Tyree Dye (1994), defensive tackle Ed Philion (1993), outside linebacker Monty Brown (1992), and running back Chuck Evans (1976) in addition to Vander Laan, Zach Sieler, Thomas, Campbell, Johnson, Edwards, Allison, Pasquali, Murphy, Adam Sieler and now Stephens.

Previously, Stephens was chosen this year to the Division II Conference Comissioner's Association (D2CCA) All-Super Region Three First Team along with the All-GLIAC First Team in addition to being tabbed as the GLIAC Defensive Back of the Year. Stephens, who transferred from West Liberty prior to this season, intercepted eight passes in 2023 and scored a pair of touchdowns, including a 100-yard kickoff return. He ranked second nationally in interceptions per game (0.7) and finished with 12 passes defended, including four breakups. He finished tied for fourth among the team leaders with 43 total tackles in his lone season as a Bulldog.

This past season, the Bulldogs reached the NCAA Division II Playoffs for the ninth-straight season, which is the longest active streak in the country. The Bulldogs went 8-3 overall this year following back-to-back NCAA D2 National Championship campaigns in 2021 and 2022.