More accolades for Olson
7/16/2019 4:33:00 PM | Football
Montana's preseason Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year Dante Olson has added two more accolades to his resume in the days following the league's football kickoff event in Spokane. One for his work on the field, and one for his work in the community.
Earlier this week, Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) named Olson to its list of nominees for the 2019 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, an annual award given to college football players for the impact they make off the field.
The senior linebacker was also named to the College Football America Yearbook's 2019 FCS Preseason Starting Lineup, the CFAY's version of a preseason All-America team, the publication announced this week.
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Olson is one of 137 student-athletes with inspiring stories of community service who were nominated by their respective institutions for the 2019 AFCA Good Works Team, and one of just two players from the Big Sky Conference to be nominated.
He was selected for his dedication to community involvement, including his promotion and involvement in Montana's Be the Match marrow drive and his continued mentorship of a class of underprivileged kids in Northern California, encouraging them to pursue a college education.
Established in 1992, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team continues to be one of the most coveted community service awards in college football.
From the 137 nominees, the final roster of 23 award recipients will be announced in September, bringing together 11 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision; 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA); and one honorary head coach.
To be considered for a spot on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, each player must be actively involved with a charitable organization or service group while maintaining a strong academic standing.
"To be named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team is no small feat and goes above and beyond sportsmanship and leadership in the classroom or on the field," said Tim Tebow, two-time national champion, Heisman Trophy winner and 2009 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team member.
"These student-athletes believe in the power of giving back and enriching the lives of others, while also helping to shape the lives of future young athletes. Each year, I am struck by the caliber of these nominees and humbled to be a part of telling their stories."
The final 22-member team and honorary coach is selected by a voting panel consisting of former Allstate AFCA Good Works Team members and prominent media members who look for both their dedication to giving back and the embodiment of true leadership on and off the football field.
After the final team members are announced on September 12, 2019, fans can vote for this year's Allstate AFCA Good Works Team captain through the official page on ESPN.com.
A full list of the 2019 Good Works Team nominees can be found below.
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Olson is also one of only three Big Sky players to be named to the CFAY FCS Preseason Starting Lineup.
Olson was named to the list with UC Davis' Jake Maier (the Big Sky Preseason Offensive MVP) and Idaho offensive lineman Noah Johnson.
Seven 2018 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) First-Team All-Americans are on the CFA Starting Lineup. They include Duquesne RB AJ Hines, Colgate DL Nick Wheeler, Dante Olson, Jacksonville State DB Marlon Bridges, Dartmouth DB Isiah Swann, Florida A&M P Chris Faddoul and Towson's Shane Simpson, selected as an all-purpose player.
The 2019 College Football America Yearbook features more than 930 college football teams from the United States and Canada in more than 250 striking, full-color pages. That includes every team from the NCAA (FBS, FCS, Division II and Division III), NAIA, NJCAA, CCCAA and U Sports (Canada).
The College Football America Yearbook also placed Montana at No. 23 in its annual Preseason FCS Top-30 rankings, alongside five other 2019 Grizzly opponents.
The complete CFAY Preseason Starting Lineup and Top-30 can be found below.
The print edition of the College Football America Yearbook is available online via Amazon.com and other major retailers such as Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million.
Pos. Name School
QB JAKE MAIER UC Davis
RB A.J. HINES Duquesne
RB JAMES ROBINSON Illinois State
WR MICHAEL BANDY San Diego
WR JOSH PEARSON Jacksonville State
TE MATTHEW GONZALEZ Robert Morris (PA)
OL ZACK JOHNSON North Dakota State
OL JUSTUS BASINGER Wofford
OL NOAH JOHNSON Idaho
OL MARCUS PETTIFORD North Carolina A&T
C BRANDON FLOORES Incarnate Word
Defense
Pos. Name School
DL NICK WHEELER Colgate
DL MAURICE JACKSON Richmond
DL CHRIS TERRELL Central Arkansas
LB DANTE OLSON Montana
LB CHRISTIAN ROZEBOOM South Dakota State
LB ZACH HALL Southeast Missouri
LB JABRIL COX North Dakota State
DB MARLON BRIDGES Jacksonville State
DB ISIAH SWANN Dartmouth
DB MANNY PATTERSON Maine
DB WILL WARNER Drake
Specialists
Pos. Name School
PK AIDAN O'NEILL Towson
P CHRIS FADDOUL Florida A&M
AP SHANE SIMPSON Towson
KR JEAN CONSTANT Stony Brook
PR D'ANGELO AMOS James Madison
1. North Dakota State
2. South Dakota State
3. James Madison
4. Eastern Washington
5. Jacksonville State
6. UC Davis
7. Towson
8. Weber State
9. Maine
10. Wofford
11. Nicholls State
12. Colgate
13. Northern Iowa
14. Montana State
15. Furman
16. Delaware
17. Southeast Missouri
18. North Carolina A&T
19. Kennesaw State
20. Illinois State
21. Sam Houston State
22. Elon
23. Montana
24. San Diego
25. East Tennessee State
26. Incarnate Word
27. Indiana State
28. Duquesne
29. Monmouth (NJ)
30. Eastern Kentucky
Combined Divisions (FCS, D-II, D-III & NAIA)
Earlier this week, Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) named Olson to its list of nominees for the 2019 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, an annual award given to college football players for the impact they make off the field.
The senior linebacker was also named to the College Football America Yearbook's 2019 FCS Preseason Starting Lineup, the CFAY's version of a preseason All-America team, the publication announced this week.
###
Olson is one of 137 student-athletes with inspiring stories of community service who were nominated by their respective institutions for the 2019 AFCA Good Works Team, and one of just two players from the Big Sky Conference to be nominated.
He was selected for his dedication to community involvement, including his promotion and involvement in Montana's Be the Match marrow drive and his continued mentorship of a class of underprivileged kids in Northern California, encouraging them to pursue a college education.
Established in 1992, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team continues to be one of the most coveted community service awards in college football.
From the 137 nominees, the final roster of 23 award recipients will be announced in September, bringing together 11 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision; 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA); and one honorary head coach.
To be considered for a spot on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, each player must be actively involved with a charitable organization or service group while maintaining a strong academic standing.
"To be named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team is no small feat and goes above and beyond sportsmanship and leadership in the classroom or on the field," said Tim Tebow, two-time national champion, Heisman Trophy winner and 2009 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team member.
"These student-athletes believe in the power of giving back and enriching the lives of others, while also helping to shape the lives of future young athletes. Each year, I am struck by the caliber of these nominees and humbled to be a part of telling their stories."
The final 22-member team and honorary coach is selected by a voting panel consisting of former Allstate AFCA Good Works Team members and prominent media members who look for both their dedication to giving back and the embodiment of true leadership on and off the football field.
After the final team members are announced on September 12, 2019, fans can vote for this year's Allstate AFCA Good Works Team captain through the official page on ESPN.com.
A full list of the 2019 Good Works Team nominees can be found below.
###
Olson is also one of only three Big Sky players to be named to the CFAY FCS Preseason Starting Lineup.
Olson was named to the list with UC Davis' Jake Maier (the Big Sky Preseason Offensive MVP) and Idaho offensive lineman Noah Johnson.
Seven 2018 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) First-Team All-Americans are on the CFA Starting Lineup. They include Duquesne RB AJ Hines, Colgate DL Nick Wheeler, Dante Olson, Jacksonville State DB Marlon Bridges, Dartmouth DB Isiah Swann, Florida A&M P Chris Faddoul and Towson's Shane Simpson, selected as an all-purpose player.
The 2019 College Football America Yearbook features more than 930 college football teams from the United States and Canada in more than 250 striking, full-color pages. That includes every team from the NCAA (FBS, FCS, Division II and Division III), NAIA, NJCAA, CCCAA and U Sports (Canada).
The College Football America Yearbook also placed Montana at No. 23 in its annual Preseason FCS Top-30 rankings, alongside five other 2019 Grizzly opponents.
The complete CFAY Preseason Starting Lineup and Top-30 can be found below.
The print edition of the College Football America Yearbook is available online via Amazon.com and other major retailers such as Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million.
College Football America Yearbook's 2019 FCS Preseason Starting Lineup
Pos. Name School
QB JAKE MAIER UC Davis
RB A.J. HINES Duquesne
RB JAMES ROBINSON Illinois State
WR MICHAEL BANDY San Diego
WR JOSH PEARSON Jacksonville State
TE MATTHEW GONZALEZ Robert Morris (PA)
OL ZACK JOHNSON North Dakota State
OL JUSTUS BASINGER Wofford
OL NOAH JOHNSON Idaho
OL MARCUS PETTIFORD North Carolina A&T
C BRANDON FLOORES Incarnate Word
Defense
Pos. Name School
DL NICK WHEELER Colgate
DL MAURICE JACKSON Richmond
DL CHRIS TERRELL Central Arkansas
LB DANTE OLSON Montana
LB CHRISTIAN ROZEBOOM South Dakota State
LB ZACH HALL Southeast Missouri
LB JABRIL COX North Dakota State
DB MARLON BRIDGES Jacksonville State
DB ISIAH SWANN Dartmouth
DB MANNY PATTERSON Maine
DB WILL WARNER Drake
Specialists
Pos. Name School
PK AIDAN O'NEILL Towson
P CHRIS FADDOUL Florida A&M
AP SHANE SIMPSON Towson
KR JEAN CONSTANT Stony Brook
PR D'ANGELO AMOS James Madison
2019 College Football America FCS Preseason Top 30
1. North Dakota State
2. South Dakota State
3. James Madison
4. Eastern Washington
5. Jacksonville State
6. UC Davis
7. Towson
8. Weber State
9. Maine
10. Wofford
11. Nicholls State
12. Colgate
13. Northern Iowa
14. Montana State
15. Furman
16. Delaware
17. Southeast Missouri
18. North Carolina A&T
19. Kennesaw State
20. Illinois State
21. Sam Houston State
22. Elon
23. Montana
24. San Diego
25. East Tennessee State
26. Incarnate Word
27. Indiana State
28. Duquesne
29. Monmouth (NJ)
30. Eastern Kentucky
2019 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team nominees:
Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)
| Name | School |
| Kyle Williams | Arizona State University |
| Derrick Brown | Auburn University |
| Owen Rogers | Baylor University |
| Kole Bailey | Boise State University |
| Tanner Karafa | Boston College |
| Gabe Skrobot | Bowling Green State University |
| Uriah Leiataua | BYU |
| Adam Prentice | Colorado State University |
| Koby Quansah | Duke University |
| Alex Turner | East Carolina University |
| James Morgan | Florida International University |
| DeCalon Brooks | Florida State University |
| Jahaziel Lee | Georgia Tech |
| Nick Westbrook | Indiana University |
| Ray Lima | Iowa State University |
| Denzel Goolsby | Kansas State University |
| Matt Bahr | Kent State University |
| Blake Ferguson | LSU |
| Brenden Knox | Marshall University |
| Jack Sorenson | Miami University |
| Joe Bachie | Michigan State University |
| Crews Holt | Middle Tennessee State University |
| Kobe Jones | Mississippi State University |
| James Smith-Williams | NC State University |
| Joe Gaziano | Northwestern University |
| Jordan Fuller | Ohio State University |
| Landon Wolf | Oklahoma State University |
| Mufu Taiwo | Old Dominion University |
| Blake Gillikin, P, Sr. | Penn State University |
| Austin Trammell | Rice University |
| Demerick Gary | SMU |
| Connor Wedington | Stanford University |
| Sam Heckel | Syracuse University |
| Kellton Hollins | TCU |
| Zack Mesday | Temple University |
| Keeath Magee II | Texas A&M University |
| LeDarrius Harris | Texas State University |
| Travis Bruffy | Texas Tech University |
| Jordan Johnson | UCF |
| Isaiah Sanders | United States Air Force Academy |
| Matt Otwinowski | University at Buffalo |
| John Lako | University of Akron |
| Chris Owens | University of Alabama |
| T.J. Smith | University of Arkansas |
| Marcel Dancy | University of California, Berkeley |
| Tyrie Cleveland | University of Florida |
| Jake Fromm | University of Georgia |
| Eugene Ford | University of Hawaii |
| D'Eriq King | University of Houston |
| Bobby Walker | University of Illinois |
| Nate Stanley | University of Iowa |
| Bryce Torneden | University of Kansas |
| Landon Young | University of Kentucky |
| Blanton Creque | University of Louisville |
| Patrick Taylor | University of Memphis |
| Tru Wilson | University of Michigan |
| Seth Green | University of Minnesota |
| Mac Brown | University of Mississippi |
| Ben Stille | University of Nebraska |
| Lucas Weber | University of Nevada |
| Tyriq Harris | University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
| Jalen Elliott | University of Notre Dame |
| Kenneth Murray Jr. | University of Oklahoma |
| Tre Tipton | University of Pittsburgh |
| Brian Ankerson | University of South Alabama |
| Spencer Eason-Riddle | University of South Carolina |
| Kirk Livingstone | University of South Florida |
| Trey Smith | University of Tennessee |
| Bryce Harris | University of Toledo |
| Terrell Burgess | University of Utah |
| Bryce Hall | University of Virginia |
| Chris Orr | University of Wisconsin |
| Darren Woods Jr. | UNLV |
| Michael Pittman Jr. | USC |
| Dominik Eberle | Utah State University |
| Cody Markel | Vanderbilt University |
| Reese Donahue | West Virginia University |
| Justin Tranquill | Western Michigan University |
Combined Divisions (FCS, D-II, D-III & NAIA)
| Name | School |
| Carl Thompson | Alabama State University |
| Clay Shreve | Ashland University |
| Jeremiah Oatsvall | Austin Peay State University |
| Hayden Murphy | Berry College |
| Danny Munoz | Bethel University (Minn.) |
| Peyton Bailey | Briar Cliff University |
| David Barnett | Capital University |
| Antonio Wimbush | Carson-Newman University |
| Brady Berger | Catholic University |
| Carter Terpstra | Central College |
| Dan List | Colorado State University-Pueblo |
| Brandon Plyler | Concord University |
| John Trout | Dakota State University |
| George Hatalowich | Davidson College |
| Scotty Gilkey Jr. | Eastern Illinois University |
| De'Sean McNair | Elon University |
| Travis Russell | Ferris State University |
| Ryan Landis | Frostburg State University |
| Mason Dekker | Hope College |
| Garrett Hirsch | Illinois State University |
| Josh Pearson | Jacksonville State University |
| Dawson Aichholz | Johns Hopkins University |
| Luke Butera | Marist College |
| Adam Diggs | Maryville College |
| Dorian Kithcart | Mercer University |
| Jacob Wenzlick | Michigan Technological University |
| Alvin Joseph | Millsaps College |
| Parker Franzen | Minot State University |
| Aaron Feazelle | Mississippi College |
| Kurt Aumer | Monmouth University |
| Jacob Katzer | Morningside College |
| James Sappington | Murray State University |
| Ben Ellefson | North Dakota State University |
| Tanner Machacek | Northwestern College |
| Chris Zirkle | Northwestern State University |
| Mher Tcholakian | Ohio Wesleyan University |
| Jasper Smiley | Oklahoma Panhandle State University |
| Noah Kasbohm | Peru State College |
| Roy Garris Jr. | Saint Augustine's University |
| Ben Bartch | Saint John's University (Minn.) |
| Drew Balestrieri | Salve Regina University |
| Christian Rozeboom | South Dakota State University |
| Zach Larsen | Southern Utah University |
| Nick Bainter | Springfield College |
| Brant Bailey | Tarleton State University |
| Alex Shillow | Texas A&M University-Commerce |
| Nick Strausbaugh | The College of Wooster |
| Diondre Wallace | Towson University |
| Kooper Richardson | University of California, Davis |
| Ryan Culhane | University of Dayton |
| Blaze Barista | University of Dubuque |
| Dante Olson | University of Montana |
| Noah Wanzek | University of North Dakota |
| Dwight Jackson | University of Puget Sound |
| Vinny Pallini | University of St. Thomas |
| Ryan Oliver | Utica College (N.Y.) |
| Luke Bevilacqua | Wayne State University |
| Peter Hoff | Western New England University |
| Brady Hogue | Westminster College (Pa.) |
Players Mentioned
LB
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