Above photo by CJ Halloran/@cjhall_photography
BELTON, Texas- The UMHB football team is well represented on D3football.com’s 2021 Preseason All-America teams, which were released Monday morning.
Safety Jefferson Fritz and linebacker Akeem Jackson headline the Crusader honorees, as the fifth-year seniors were selected to the First-Team.
Fritz has been a key contributor in the UMHB secondary for quite some time, tallying 28 tackles and three interceptions during the spring season. He is also 10 interceptions away from breaking the NCAA record for the most in a career. He enters the season having also been recognized by College Football America Yearbook and Lindy’s Magazine. Fritz also finished last season as a D3football.com All-American.
Jackson joined Fritz as a D3football.com All-American following the 5-0 spring campaign, as he ranked second on the roster in tackles (40) and added 10.5 tackles for loss. Also an ASC First-Team selection in the spring, Jackson is expected to be a major contributor to the linebackers unit this season.
Wide receiver/returner KJ Miller was named a Second-Team Preseason All-American as a return specialist, coming off a spring season that saw him claim the ASC’s Special Teams Player of the Year award. With tremendous speed, the Orange, Texas native averaged 17.7 yards per punt return and 22.6 yards per kick return, and also scored one touchdown.
Jeffrey Sims Jr., an offensive lineman, was named to the Third-Team. He saw action in three games for the Cru last season, and was also recognized by D3football.com as a Second-Team All-American.
The Crusaders are slated to kick off the 2021 season on September 4 against Simpson College in Belton.
