WACO, Texas – Senior Austin Tennessee of the Stevenson University football team was named to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division III All-America team as a First Team selection, it was announced Monday. Tennessee becomes the first All-American in the six-year history of the Mustang program.
Tennessee has garnered a slew of accolades following his outstanding senior season, as he has been named the D3football.com East Region and Middle Atlantic Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He is also a D3football.com First Team All-Region selection, an ECAC Division III South First Team All-Star and a MAC First Team All-Conference selection.
A defensive back, Tennessee totaled 57 tackles (44 solo) for the Mustangs and registered six interceptions to tie for the team lead. He racked up 200 interception return yards and had a pair of interception returns for touchdowns. Tennessee also finished the season with eight pass breakups as he anchored a defense that currently ranks third nationally in interceptions with 26 in 11 games. The Mustangs also rank among the national leaders in turnovers gained with 30 and turnover margin (+1.45).
Stevenson finished 9-2 in 2016 for the second straight season. The Mustangs captured their first-ever MAC championship with an 8-1 league record and made their first NCAA playoff appearance.