GOSHEN, N.Y. – Record-setting West Liberty University punter Griffin Yocum has been honored as an NCAA Division II Pre-Season All-American by the Collegiate Development Football League (CDFL). The Hilltopper standout was a third-team selection.
The CDFL, which sponsors the annual D2 vs. NAIA Challenge Bowl, selected its Pre-Season All-America Team to honor the nation’s top 125 NCAA Division II football players. Honorees were chosen by the D2 vs. NAIA Challenge Bowl Committee and the 2015 Team America coaching staff based on nominations from college coaches, sports information directors, scouts and media. All 125 All-Americans have been placed on the watch list for invitations to the 2014 D2 vs. NAIA Challenge Bowl, which will be held in Myrtle Beach, S.C. on Dec. 20.
Yocum, a 6-0, 180-pound senior from Glen Dale, W.Va. who already holds West Liberty’s school records for career punts (201) and career punting average (39.9 ypp.), is coming off an impressive junior season. A second-team All-MEC pick last fall, he set an MEC record with a career-long 75-yard punt against Charleston and finished with a school single-season record average of 41.5 yards per punt.
He had 16 punts of 50 yards or more with 17 of his kicks being downed inside the opponent’s 20. Over the course of his career, Yocum has launched 28 punts of 50 yards or more and had 44 of them downed inside the opponents’ 20.
Yocum was one of a handful of MEC players to earn Pre-Season All-America honors. Shepherd offensive lineman Isaiah Shelton and Fairmont State running back Daniel Monroe were second-team selections while Concord defensive back Davon Marion joined Yocum as third-team picks. Notre Dame (Ohio) offensive lineman Doniel Gambrell earned honorable mention.
West Liberty kicks off the 2014 season at home on Sept. 6 with a 1 p.m. game against defending MEC champion Shepherd.
