Framingham State's Maher, Mass. Maritime's Johnston Named AFCA All-Americans
Jacob Maher of Framingham State and Kyle Johnston of Massachusetts Maritime were named to American Football Coaches Association All-American Team as announced by the organization today.
Jacob Maher of Framingham State and Kyle Johnston of Massachusetts Maritime were named to American Football Coaches Association All-American Team as announced by the organization today.
Maher is just the second Ram to earn AFCA All-America first team honors joining former defensive back Jaquan Harris who earned the honor after the 2017 season.
Maher was previously recognized this fall with selection to the All-MASCAC first team and the New England Football Writers College Division All-New England Team.
In 2019, Maher made 56 receptions on the year for 819 yards with eight receiving touchdowns. Maher averaged 14.6 yards per catch, led the Rams with 68 points and carried the ball 20 times with three rushing scores.
Maher, who transferred to FSU this fall, was previously recognized by the AFCA with All-America honors after the 2017 season in which he caught 56 passes for 986 yards and 14 touchdowns while playing for Worcester State. Maher is just one of three players all time to earn AFCA All-America honors at two different schools.
Johnston, the Raynham native totaled 164 tackles, 25.5 sacks, 49.5 tackles for loss, eight forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in his career at the Academy to earn a spot on the second team.
In 2019 Johnston racked up 12.5 sacks, a MASCAC high and fifth best in the nation. He tied for second in conference with 19.5 tackles for loss, forced a league-high three fumbles and tallied 57 total tackles. All of those numbers are career highs for the Buccaneer defensive end and helped earn him the title of All-American.
The AFCA's Division III All-America Selection Committee is made up of head coaches representing each conference from each of the AFCA's eight 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 team is chosen.
Release courtesy of Framingham State and Mass. Maritime Sports Information