#39 Sr S Tanner Troutman (Photo by John Green |
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – For the fifth time in the preseason, senior defensive back Tanner Troutman (Hegins, Pa./Tri-Valley) earned a spot on the short list for best returning players in the nation, as he was named a First Team Preseason All-American from D3football.com, the website announced on Friday, Aug. 1.
The dynamic, playmaking safety also earned spots on the Sporting News, Lindy's College Football, Beyond Sports Network and the USA College Football Network Division III Preseason All-American lists. In each instance, he was named to the list’s first team.
The 5-10, 165-pound safety tied for the national lead in interceptions as a junior, finishing with eight in 10 games. He posted a school-record tying three against Stevenson in the season finale to jump into the national lead, helping to spur him on to a host of All-American accolades, including First Team D3football.com and Third Team Beyond Sports Network All-American honors. He was also named the D3football.com East Region Player of the Year.
The buzz around Troutman began to develop at the end of his sophomore season, when he earned Third Team All-East Region honors from D3football.com, leading into a junior year when he was named a First Team Preseason All-American by the website. He was the lone defensive player to earn first team honors at both the beginning and end of the season.
Troutman is the fourth D3football.com Preseason All-American from Lycoming since the website began doing the preseason teams in 2000 and he is the first player in school history to repeat on the team.
The 2013 Warriors finished 7-3 overall under head coach Mike Clark. The team was once again led by its defense, which finished tops in the MAC, allowing a league-best 304.0 yards, 91.4 rushing yards and 18.3 points per game.
The Warriors open the 2014 season on Saturday, Sept. 6, when they host Susquehanna University in the Stagg Hat Trophy game at 1 p.m. at David Person Field.
D3Football.com Preseason All-Americans
2014 – Tanner Troutman, Sr., S, 1st Team
2014 – Tanner Troutman, Sr., S, 1st Team
2013 – Tanner Troutman, Jr., S, 1st Team
2011 – Ray Bierbach, Sr., S, 1st Team
2009 – Ted Geurds, Sr., DT, 2nd Team
2011 – Ray Bierbach, Sr., S, 1st Team
2009 – Ted Geurds, Sr., DT, 2nd Team