Above photo by Ethan Torres/provided by the UMHB Athletics Department
BELTON- The D3football.com Preseason All-America teams are out. And UMHB is well represented.
Quarterback Kyle King and center Jeffery Sims Jr., both back for their fifth seasons of college football, were named to the First Team, while returner K.J. Miller and tackle Ethan Ruckman are on the Second and Third Team, respectively.
King made a name for himself in his first full season as the starter in 2021, completing 65.6 percent of his passes for 2,682 yards. He threw for 35 touchdowns, with just two interceptions in the process, and also ranked fourth on the team in rushing yards, with 351. His performance in the Stagg Bowl win over North Central College was exceptional, as he threw for a season-high 436 yards and three scores.
Sims returns for his second season at center, but his fourth as a starter on the offensive line. With the graduation of All-American Steven Sellers in 2020, Sims stepped up last fall, and guided the offensive line. The Cru offensive line paved the way for 3,235 rushing yards as a team, and provided excellent pass protection. They allowed just 12 sacks all season, while the quarterbacks threw for a combined 3,953 yards. Ruckman was a key part of that offensive line success, earning D3football.com All-Region honors and a spot on the All-ASC First Team. In addition to All-ASC and All-Region honors, Sims was selected as a First-Team All-America by D3football.com at the end of last season.
Miller, also a starting wide receiver for the Cru, tallied 626 yards on 25 punt returns in 2021. He scored two touchdowns on returns as well, earning All-America honors from D3football.com and the American Football Coaches Association. Miller, in his fifth year of eligibility this season, will be one of four team captains on the roster. Sims and King, along with defensive end Sante Parker Jr., will also serve as captains for the Cru in 2022.
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