BISMARCK, N.D. – Preseason accolades continue to roll in for University of Mary linebacker
Grant Singer. The senior was named a second team preseason All-American this week by D2Football.com. He also received recognition as a member of the College Football America 2014 Yearbook Encyclopedia NCAA DII Starting Lineup.
Previously this summer Singer was named to the Sporting News Preseason All-American team and is the 2014 Northern Sun North Division Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Entering his third year as a starter, Singer is tied for second in U-Mary history with 255 tackles and his 36.5 tackles for loss is third all-time. While he probably won't match the 410 career tackles posted by Toby Schweitzer, Singer does have a chance to catch
John Oyloe's record total of 41 tackles for loss.
The 2013 NSIC Co-Defensive Player of the Year, Singer was also selected to the American Football Coaches Association All-American team. The 6-1, 210 pound native of Turtle Lake, N.D., is a two-time All-NSIC North first team choice and a three-time conference defensive player of the week, including twice last season.
Singer posted an NSIC-leading 118 tackles in 2013, including 54 solo stops. A big play producer, he was second in the NSIC in tackles for loss (16.5), third in fumble recoveries (3), fourth in sacks (7.5) and eighth in interceptions (3). Singer ranked 20th in the NSIC in tackles and 22nd in tackles for loss.
In addition to AFCA honors, he was an All-American honorable mention selection by BSN and Don Hansen and was a Daktronics first team and Don Hansen second team all-region selection. He was also a Cliff Harris Award finalist, which honors the top small college defensive player.
An outstanding student, Singer is a 2013 Capital One Academic All-District selection and a two-time NSIC All-Academic choice.
Singer posted 91 tackles (38 solo), including 14 tackles for loss and six sacks, as a sophomore. As a redshirt freshman in 2011 Singer recorded 46 tackles, including six for loss and two sacks, as a reserve.
Fifteen seniors, including Singer, will lead the Marauders on the field for their home opener on Sept. 6 against Southwest Minnesota State University at the newly-renovated MDU Resources Bowl. Kickoff is 2:30 p.m.
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