Blazek Named Associated Press First Team All-American

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – Senior Justin Blazek added another postseason honor on Friday afternoon when he was named to the 2023 Associated Press (AP) Division III All-America First Team.

Blazek collects All-American honors from a third organization after being named First Team by the American Football Coaches Association and D3Football.com in recent weeks. The Clark Harris Award finalist and Gagliardi Trophy semifinalist is the first player in program history to earn AP All-American recognition multiple times.

The senior defensive end picked up two Defensive Player of the Year awards following an impressive season that saw him pace the WIAC with 8.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss. The Naperville, Illinois native started all 11 games and finished with 60 total tackles (35 solo, 25 assist), including a season-high 10 against UW-La Crosse on October 14. Blazek recorded at least half a sack in seven games and had seven sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss in just the final six contests. He forced four turnovers on the year with two forced fumbles and two interceptions while adding six pass breakups.

The Pioneers found other ways to get him on the field as well, with Blazek scoring four rushing touchdowns and throwing for another in goal line situations.

The full AP All-America teams can be found HERE.