Jefferson Named First Team, Colvin and Bailey Named HM All-American by Don Hansen Committee
Brookfield, Ill. – On Monday, January 27, the Don Hansen Football Committee released the 2019 Don Hansen NCAA Division II All-America teams. Sophomore safety Christopher Jefferson was named to the first team while offensive lineman seniors Logan Bailey and Clay Colvin earned honorable mention. It is the first time in five years that the Oilers have had at least one representative on the all-American list and is the first time that Findlay has had multiple players named.
Jefferson, who has now been named all-American by three major publications, keeps adding to his list of accolades that include a pair of regional Defensive Player of the Year honors, as well.
The Euclid, Ohio native exploded onto the scene this season, earning a starting role after filling in as a backup in his freshman season. In the inaugural game of the 2019 season, Jefferson finished with five tackles, one tackle-for-loss, and an incredible leaping interception against the second-ranked Ferris State Bulldogs.
His season continued to improve as midway through the year he went on a stretch where he recorded seven interceptions over a four-game stretch to quickly make a name for himself on the national scene. Jefferson, a two-time recipient of the league's Defensive Player of the Week honors, would end the year with nine interceptions, tying the Findlay school record. Those nine picks are also tied for the most in the country, regardless of NCAA division, and helped the Oilers defense to a turnover margin that ranked seventh in the country.
Jefferson, who was also named Defensive Player of the Year in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference and in Super Region 1 by the D2CCA, rounded out his year with 62 tackles, fourth on the team, and recorded one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and a conference-leading 1.4 passes defended per game.
Seniors Clay Colvin and Logan Bailey both earned honorable mention all-American after blocking for one of the top offenses in the country. The pair of seniors anchored a line that thrived on protecting their backfield, allowing just 1.36 sacks per game and 4.6 tackles-for-loss per game, both tops in the conference. They also paved the way for a rushing offense that ranked second in the conference at 221.4 yards per game and were key to Findlay's offense that scored 37.7 points per game, second in the league and 27th in the country.