WACO, TEX. — Monmouth (N.J.) running back Jaden Shirden and North Dakota State defensive back Cole Wisniewski headline the 2023 FCS Coaches’ All-America Team announced today by the American Football Coaches Association. 

A total of 14 in the MVFC made either the first- or second-team unit.

First Team (MVFC Selections)
RB Isaiah Davis, South Dakota State
TE Cam Grandy, Illinois State
OL Garret Greenfield, South Dakota State
OL Jalen Sundell, North Dakota State
LB Brock Mogensen, South Dakota
DB Cole Wisniewski, North Dakota State
DB Myles Harden, South Dakota
DB PJ Jules, Southern Illinois
LS Hunter Brozio, North Dakota State

Second Team (MVFC Selections)
QB Mark Gronowski, South Dakota State
WR Sam Schnee, UNI
OL Mason McCormick, South Dakota State
DL Brendan Webb, South Dakota
PK Matthew Cook, UNI

The AFCA has selected an All-America team since 1945 and currently selects teams in all five of its divisions. What makes these teams so special is that they are the only ones chosen exclusively by the men who know the players the best — the coaches themselves.

Shirden earned his second straight AFCA All-America honor by leading the nation in rushing at the end of the regular season with 1,478 yards. It was the second straight season Shirden accomplished the feat, which earned him his second straight CAA Offensive Player of the Year honors. Wisniewski led the FCS with a school and Missouri Valley Football Conference-tying eight interceptions in 2023. He also recorded a team-high 92 tackles and five pass breakups. 







Team Background: The five teams now chosen for each AFCA?division evolved from a single 11-player squad. 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 — Division I-A and Division I-AA. In 1996, the College I and College II teams were renamed Division II and Division III, respectively. In 2006, the Division I-A and Division I-AA teams were renamed Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), 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. A return specialist was added in 1997, giving us the current 25-player team. The return specialist position was replaced by an all-purpose player in 2006. The AFCA added a second team in 2016.

The Award: 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.