Olson completes sweep of First-Team All-America Honors

Montana linebacker Dante Olson made it five-for-five on All-America week, capping the five-day postseason awards blitz with his second-straight first-team All-American selection from the American Football Coaches' Association (AFCA), the organization announced Friday.

Olson has now been named a first-team All-American by all five major FCS publications and organizations that provide All-America teams: HERO Sports, the Associated Press, the FCS Athletic Directors Association, STATS, and the AFCA to become a "consensus All-American."

With 14 stops against Weber State in the FCS quarterfinal, Olson broke the Big Sky Conference record for single-season tackles with 179, which also broke the school record he set his junior season. His total of 179 is currently the most tackles of any player in all levels of college football*.

In just two seasons as a starter, Olson also became Montana's all-time tackling leader with 397 career stops, breaking Grizzly Sports Hall of Famer Vince Huntsberger's 2001 career total of 393.

On January 10, Olson will travel to Frisco, Texas, to find out if he is to become Montana's third winner of the Buck Buchanan Award, presented annually to the FCS Defensive Player of the Year at the STATS FCS Awards Banquet.

Prior to that, Olson will also travel to New Orleans on New Year's Eve for the Sugar Bowl as a member of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. As a member of the prestigious team, Olson will spend a day in the Big Easy working with former Good Works team captain Tim Tebow on a community service project. He and the 11 other members will also ride on a float in the Sugar Bowl parade, and be honored on the field at halftime of the Sugar Bowl game; this year played between Georgia and Baylor.

Following the STATS Awards Banquet, Olson will travel to Tampa, Fla., to play in front of NFL scouts in the East-West Shrine Bowl, one of the nation's premier All-Star games.

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.

Olson's Career Individual Football Honors and Records

2019 Season (senior – as of 12/20/19):

Buck Buchanan Award Finalist (FCS Defensive Player of the Year)
AFCA First-Team All-American
STATS FCS First-Team All-American
FCS ADA All-American
Associated Press First-Team All-American
HERO Sports First-Team All-American
Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year
First-Team All-Big Sky Defense
Montana's Steve Carlson Award for Team MVP
Montana Defensive Team MVP
Golden Helmet Award Winner (Team's Hardest Hitter)
179 total tackles in 2019 (76 solo):
- The most total tackles in FCS football for a second-straight season
  - Also the most tackles in all levels of college football (FBS, FCS, D-II, D-III) as of 12/20/19*
- A new Big Sky Conference record for most single-season tackles
- Broke the Montana school record he set as a junior (151)
Became Montana's all-time leading tackler with 397 career stops, breaking Vince Huntsberger's 2001 record of 393.
Posted double-digit tackle totals in 10 of Montana's 14 games
Had a season-high 18 tackles in two games, Posted game-high 14 tackles (10 solo) against Oregon Ducks
National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete & William V. Campbell Trophy Finalist
CoSIDA Academic All-American
CoSIDA Academic All-District
Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Member
Butkus Award Preseason Watch List (Only FCS Player on the list)
Phil Steele Magazine Preseason All-America First Team
Phil Steele Magazine Preseason All-Big Sky First Team
Big Sky Conference Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
STATS FCS Preseason All-American
Athlon Sports Preseason All-American
HERO Sports Preseason All-American
College Football America Yearbook Preseason Starting Lineup

2018 Season (junior):

Set Montana school record for single season tackles (151- Previous 130, K. Van Ackeren, 2015)
NCAA Statistical Champion for Tackles Per Game (13.7 – the most in FCS or FBS football)
Top-three finalist for the STATS FCS Buck Buchanan Award (Defensive Player of the Year)
Phil Steele 2018 FCS Defensive Player of the Year
Phil Steele Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year
Phil Steele First-Team All-American
Athlon Sports All-American
STATS FCS First-Team All-American
Walter Camp Foundation All-American
Associated Press First-Team All-American
American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) First-Team All-American
HERO Sports First-Team All-American
First-Team All-Big Sky Defense
Steve Carlson Team MVP
Grizzly Team Defensive MVP
2018 GoGriz.com Person of the Year
Three-time ROOT Sports Big Sky Player of the Week
Two-time College Sports Madness Big Sky Player of the Week
STATS FCS National Defensive Player of the Week (9/8)
Academic All-Big Sky

MORE: Against UNI (9/1), Olson led the Grizzly defense with 13 total tackles ... Also recorded an interception which he returned 26 yards, a sack for a loss of 9 yards, one PBU and one QB hurry ... Was named the ROOT Sports Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week after the UNI game ... Against Drake (9/8), Olson recorded 16 tackles, 2 sacks (career high), 3.5 TFL's (career high), one forced fumble and one PBU ... Olson recorded 11 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, half a sack, one QB hit, and an interception that he returned 25 yards in a well-rounded performance vs. Western Illinois (9/15) ... Against Sacramento State (9/22) recorded 15 tackles, 1 sack, 1 PBU, and a QB hit ... Against Cal Poly (9/29) Olson earned Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors for the 3rd time in 5 weeks putting up 24 total tackles (career high and 2nd best single-game tackling performance in UM history) ... Against Portland State (10/6) put up 19 tackles, half a sack, 2 TFL's and 2 forced fumbles ... Olson put up 8 tackles and one half of a TFL in a matchup against North Dakota (10/13) ... Olson added to his impressive season totals with a 13 tackle and one sack performance vs. #6 UC Davis (10/27) ... Leading his team in tackling, Olson contributed to his team's road victory over Idaho (11/10) with 10 tackles and a QB hit on the day ... Olson completed his break-out season with an 18 tackle performance against rival Montana State (11/17)

2017 Season (sophomore):

Second Team All-Big Sky on Special Teams
UM's Hauck Family Special Teams Player of the Year
Academic All-Big Sky

MORE: Recorded 38 tackles, 16 of them solo … Had 2 TFLs and one sack against Idaho State for a loss of seven yards … Blocked a kick against Northern Colorado … Logged QB hurries against Savannah State and Eastern Washington … Played in all 11 games for UM … Once again awarded the William (Robi) Robertson Memorial Athletic Scholarship at the annual Lindsay Awards Banquet

2016 Season (freshman):

UM's Hauck Family Special Teams Player of the Year
Academic All-Big Sky

MORE: Olson played in 11 games as a redshirt freshman at linebacker … Recorded 29 tackles, seven of them solo … Had two tackles for loss for six yards, also recorded a sack … Had back to back games with seven tackles against Miss. Valley State and Sacramento State … Recorded both tackles for loss and also his only sack in the Miss. Valley State game... Awarded the William (Robi) Robertson Memorial Athletic Scholarship at the annual Lindsay Awards Banquet.

2015 Season (redshirt):

UM's Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year

High School: Olson was a four-year letterman in football at Cascade Christian HS, where his team won four conference championships (10-3 in 2011; 13-1 in 2012; 12-2 in 2013, and 8-3 in 2014) in a row... Three-year team captain and defensive player of the year.... Also led his team in tackles for three seasons...Voted defensive MVP of his conference and the state two times... His senior year he had 135 tackles, 5 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles; rushed for 583 yards and 8 TDs... Named to the state's All-Star Football Game... A three-time all-state selection at linebacker and tight end (as a senior) ... His prep coach was Jon Gettman.... Also lettered in basketball and tennis.

Scholastic Honors and Accomplishments:
• 2019 National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete & William V. Campbell Trophy Finalist
• 2019 STATS FCS Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award Finalist
• 2019 CoSIDA Academic All-American
• 2019 CoSIDA Academic All-District
• 2018 FCS Athletic Director's Association Academic All-Star
• Four-time selection to Montana's President's Honor Roll for 4.0 GPA (Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Fall 2018, Spring 2019)
• Four-time selection to Dean's List: Fall 2015, Fall 2016, Fall 2017, Spring 2018,
• Three-time Academic All-Big Sky (2016, '17, & '18)
• Two-time recipient of Montana's William (Robi) Robertson Memorial Athletic Scholarship

PERSONAL: Olson carries a 3.91 GPA .... A Business Management major with minor in Entertainment Management … His parents are Linda and Jeff Olson of Medford … His dad Jeff is a Hall of Fame head football coach at Southern Oregon University … Serves as a pen-pal mentor to a class of underprivileged kids in Northern California

Community Service
Campus Activities / Leadership / Citizenship:

Named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team

Serves as a pen-pal mentor to a class of underprivileged kids in Northern California, encouraging them to pursue a college education as part of the "No Excuses University" program.

Helped organize and facilitate a Griz football "Be the Match" Bone Marrow drive, signing UM students to join the national marrow registry to help save lives.

An anti-bullying advocate

* As the nation's current leading tackler, Olson leads the University of California's Evan Weaver in total tackles by six stops (Weaver 173, Olson 179). Weaver and the Golden Bears will play one more game this season against Illinois in the Red Box Bowl (Dec. 30) that will determine the top tackler in college football.

2019 AFCA Football Championship Subdivision Coaches' All-America Team - First Team
Offense
Pos   Name                                Ht.     Wt.    Cl.        School                           Coach                                                 Hometown (High School)
WR    *Michael Bandy               5-10   190   Sr.        San Diego                     Dale Lindsey                                         La Mirada, Calif. (Servite)
WR    Chris Rowland                 5-8     180   Sr.        Tennessee St.              Rod Reed                                   Nolensville, Tenn. (Ravenwood)
TE     Adam Trautman              6-6     253   R-Sr.    Dayton                           Rick Chamberlin                      Williamsburg, Mich. (Elk Rapids)
OL     Drew Himmelman           6-10   315   Jr.        Illinois St.                       Brock Spack                                             Geneseo, Ill. (Geneseo)
OL     Dillon Radunz                  6-6     298   Jr.        North Dakota St.          Matt Entz                                                    Becker, Minn. (Becker)
OL     Liam Fornadel                 6-4     308   Jr.        James Madison            Curt Cignetti                               Wyckoff, N.J. (Don Bosco Prep)
OL     Spencer Blackburn         6-2     290   R-Sr.    Eastern Washington    Aaron Best                                     Bellingham, Wash. (Meridian)
OL     Marcus Pettiford              6-4     286   R-Sr.    North Carolina A&T     Sam Washington                                      Durham, N.C. (Hillside)
QB    Ben DiNucci                     6-3     210   R-Sr.    James Madison            Curt Cignetti                                   Wexford, Pa. (Pine-Richland)
RB     *James Robinson           5-10   220   Sr.        Illinois St.                       Brock Spack                                             Rockford, Ill. (Lutheran)
RB     Pete Guerriero                5-10   190   Jr.        Monmouth (N.J.)          Kevin Callahan                                  Lyndhurst, N.J. (Lyndhurst)

Defense
Pos   Name                                Ht.     Wt.    Cl.        School                           Coach                                                 Hometown (High School)
DL     Elerson G. Smith            6-7     245   R-Jr.    Northern Iowa               Mark Farley                  Minneapolis, Minn. (Minneapolis South)
DL     Sully Laiche                     6-2     270   Sr.        Nicholls                          Tim Rebowe                                             Gramercy, La. (Lutcher)
DL     Andre Walker                  6-1     221   Sr.        Houston Baptist            Vic Shealy                                           Slidell, La. (Brother Martin)
DL     Ron'Dell Carter               6-3     269   R-Sr.    James Madison            Curt Cignetti                                    Baltimore, Md. (Long Reach)
LB     ^Christian Rozeboom     6-2     230   Sr.        South Dakota St.          John Stiegelmeier                 Sioux Center, Iowa (Sioux Center)
LB     Willie Eubanks III            6-2     215   Jr.        The Citadel                    Brent Thompson                                          Augusta, Ga. (Laney)
LB     *Dante Olson                   6-3     240   R-Sr.    Montana                        Bobby Hauck                         Medford, Ore. (Cascade Christian)
DB     Luther Kirk                       6-2     195   Sr.        Illinois St.                       Brock Spack                                          Garland, Texas (Garland)
DB     Kordell Jackson              5-11   163   Jr.        Austin Peay St.             Mark Hudspeth                                 Birmingham, Ala. (Ramsay)
DB     Robert Rochell                6-2     176   Jr.        Central Arkansas         Nathan Brown                                     Shreveport, La. (Fair Park)
DB     Greg Liggs Jr.                  5-11   198   Sr.        Elon                                Tony Trisciani                Greensboro, N.C. (Southeast Guilford)

Specialists
Pos   Name                                Ht.     Wt.    Cl.        School                           Coach                                                 Hometown (High School)
P        *Alex Pechin                    6-0     210   5^th-Sr. Bucknell                         Dave Cecchini                           Kennett Square, Pa. (Unionville)
PK     Grayson Atkins                5-10   188   Jr.        Furman                          Clay Hendrix                                   Inman, S.C. (Boiling Springs)
AP     D'Angelo Amos               6-1     184   R-Jr.    James Madison            Curt Cignetti                            Richmond, Va. (West Point Prep)

*-2018 AFCA All-American       ^-2017 AFCA All-American

2019 AFCA Football Championship Subdivision Coaches' All-America Team - Second Team
Offense
Pos   Name                           Ht.       Wt.      Cl.         School                                   Coach                                          Hometown (High School)
WR    Kristian Wilkerson      6-1      214     R-Sr.     Southeast Missouri St.        Tom Matukewicz                     Memphis, Tenn. (Craigmont)
WR    Xavier Smith               5-10    165     R-So.    Florida A&M                          Willie Simmons                               Haines City, Fla. (Ridge)
TE     Ben Ellefson               6-3      250     Sr.         North Dakota St.                   Matt Entz                                           Hawley, Minn. (Hawley)
OL     Jerimiah Abby            6-4      328     Sr.         Southern                                Dawson Odums                                    Atlanta, Ga. (Carver)
OL     Blake Jeresaty           6-2      290     Jr.          Wofford                                  Josh Conklin                  Charleston, S.C. (Bishop England)
OL     Pat Allen                      6-4      290     Sr.         Southeastern Louisiana      Frank Scelfo                                Reisertown, Md. (Franklin)
OL     John Gallina               6-6      305     Gr.         Monmouth (N.J.)                  Kevin Callahan                                 Forest Hill, Md. (Bel Air)
OL     Alex Taylor                  6-9      310     R-Sr.     South Carolina St.                Buddy Pough                     Moncks Corner, S.C. (Berkeley)
QB    Trey Lance                  6-3      221     R-Fr.     North Dakota St.                   Matt Entz                                       Marshall, Minn. (Marshall)
RB     Jordan Bentley           6-1      195     Sr.         Alabama A&M                       Connell Maynor                   Guntersville, Ala. (Guntersville)
RB     Alex Ramsay              6-0      225     R-Jr.      VMI                                         Scott Wachenheim                                  Salem, Va. (Salem)

Defense
Pos   Name                           Ht.       Wt.      Cl.         School                                   Coach                                          Hometown (High School)
DL     *Nasir Player              6-5      271     R-Sr.     East Tennessee St.             Randy Sanders                       Columbia, S.C. (Ridge View)
DL     Derrek Tuszka            6-5      246     Sr.         North Dakota St.                   Matt Entz                                             Warner, S.D. (Warner)
DL     Aaron Patrick              6-4      245     R-Sr.     Eastern Kentucky                 Mark Elder                                 Dayton, Ohio (Meadowdale)
DL     George Obinna          6-3      240     Sr.         Sacramento St.                     Troy Taylor                                               Tracy, Calif. (Tracy)
LB     *Zach Hall                   6-0      238     Sr.         Southeast Missouri St.        Tom Matukewicz                                   Louisville, Ky. (Male)
LB     Colby Duncan             6-2      223     R-Sr.     Stetson                                   Roger Hughes                      Jacksonville, Fla. (First Coast)
LB     ^Bryson Armstrong    5-11    212     Jr.          Kennesaw St.                       Brian Bohannon                                       Marietta, Ga. (Kell)
DB     *Isiah Swann              6-0      195     Sr.         Dartmouth                             Buddy Teevens                    Queen Creek, Ariz. (Chandler)
DB     Jeremy Chinn             6-3      212     Sr.         Southern Illinois                    Nick Hill                                                Fishers, Ind. (Fishers)
DB     Tymere Berry             6-1      185     R-Sr.     Monmouth (N.J.)                  Kevin Callahan         Toms River, N.J. (Toms River South)
DB     Bryan Mills                  6-2      170     Jr.          North Carolina Central        Trei Oliver                                 Palmdale, Calif. (Quartz Hill)

Specialists
Pos   Name                           Ht.       Wt.      Cl.         School                                   Coach                                          Hometown (High School)
P        *Chris Faddoul           5-11    210     Jr.          Florida A&M                          Willie Simmons    Wesley Chapel, Fla. (Wiregrass Ranch)
PK     Noel Ruiz                    5-11    187     Jr.          North Carolina A&T             Sam Washington                                      Wilson, N.C. (Fike)
AP     Jimmie Robinson       5-8      175     Sr.         Bethune-Cookman               Terry Sims               Palm Coast, Fla. (Flagler Palm Coast)

*-2018 AFCA All-American       ^-2017 AFCA All-American

Team Background: The five teams now chosen for each AFCA division evolved from a single 11-player squad. From 1945 until 1967, only one team was chosen. From 1967 through 1971, two teams, University Division and College Division, were selected. In 1972, the College Division was split into College I and College II. In 1979, the University Division was split into two teams — Division I-A and Division I-AA. In 1996, the College I and College II teams were renamed Division II and Division III, respectively. In 2006, the Division I-A and Division I-AA teams were renamed Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), respectively. In 2006, the AFCA started selecting an NAIA-only team.
From 1965-81, a 22-player (11 offensive, 11 defensive) team was chosen. In 1982, a punter and placekicker were added to the team. A return specialist was added in 1997, giving us the current 25-player team. The return specialist position was replaced by an all-purpose player in 2006. The AFCA added a second team in 2016.

Top Teams: North Dakota State has the most AFCA All-America selections of any current FCS school with 33 selections by 30 players. The Bison are followed by Delaware (32/29), Montana (30/28), Eastern Kentucky (28/26), Eastern Washington (28/24), James Madison (23/23), Northern Iowa (23/20), Weber State (22/21), Furman (21/20), Grambling State (21/20), South Carolina State (21/19), Lehigh (20/20), New Hampshire (20/17), North Dakota (19/17), South Dakota State (19/14), Portland State (18/17), Eastern Illinois (18/16), Youngstown State (18/16), Western Illinois (17/16), Northern Colorado (17/14), Montana State (16/16), Towson (16/16), Tennessee State (16/15), Illinois State (16/14), Cal Poly (16/14), McNeese (16/14), UC Davis (16/14), Abilene Christian (15/14), Florida A&M (15/14) and Stephen F. Austin (15/14).

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Olson completes sweep of First-Team All-America Honors

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