On Tuesday morning, The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) announced its Division II All-American team. Minot State punter, JoseLuis Moreno, was selected to the AFCA All-American First Team.

Moreno finished second in the nation in punting yards (3,118) and sixth in the country in punting average (42.70). Additionally, Moreno had 22 punts inside the 20-yard line and 23 punts of 50+ yards.

“Jose has been one of the most important members of our team over the past three years,” MSU head football coach Mike Aldrich said. “As our punter and kicker, he has been able to change field position, score points, and make critical tackles when needed. He has been dedicated to his craft and improved each season, and although I know how good he is, it’s great to see him being recognized as an All-American.”

The five teams now chosen for each AFCA division evolved from a single 11-player squad in 1945. From 1945 until 1967, only one team was chosen. From 1967 through 1971, two teams – University Division and College Division – were selected. In 1972, the College Division was split into College I and College II. In 1979, the University Division was split into two teams — FBS and FCS. In 1996, the College I and College II teams were renamed Division II and Division III, respectively. In 2006, the AFCA started selecting an NAIA-only team.

From 1965-81, a 22-player (11 offensive, 11 defensive) team was chosen. In 1982, a punter and placekicker were added to the team. In 1997, a return specialist was added, giving us the current 25-player team. An all-purpose player replaced the return specialist position in 2006. In 2016, the AFCA added a second-team All-America.

The AFCA’s Division II All-America Selection Committee is made up of three head coaches from each of the AFCA’s seven districts, one of whom serves as a district chairman, along with another head coach who serves as the chairman of the selection committee. The coaches in each district are responsible for ranking the top players in their respective districts prior to a conference call between the district chairmen and the committee chairman on which the teams are chosen.

Members of the AFCA Coaches’ All-America First Team will receive a plaque commemorating their selection to the team, while members of the Second Team will receive a certificate.