Keefe earns first All-American honor
ORANGE, Calif. – A historic season has led to the first career All-American honor for junior linebacker Dillon Keefe. Keefe was selected to the American Football Coaches Association's All-America Second Team following his monster season.
The Panthers' team captain from Orange, Calif. filled up box scores this season. His 72 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks and four blocked kicks all led the team. His four blocked kicks are tied for the fourth-most in Division III while his 0.95 sacks per game average ranks 23rd.
With a sack of All-America First Team quarterback Jackson Erdmann of St. John's in the NCAA Second Round game, Keefe became just the fourth Panther to reach double digit sacks in a single season. His 2019 total of 10.5 sacks ranks as the third-most in a single season at Chapman as do his 17.5 TFLs. His 14 career sacks already rank fourth all-time at Chapman while his 28.5 tackles for loss rank eighth.
The outside linebacker also grabbed his first career interception this season, forced two fumbles, broke up nine passes and recovered a fumble. He took the fumble back 21 yards for a touchdown in the Panthers' NCAA First Round win over Linfield.
Keefe is just the third Chapman linebacker to be selected to an All-American team and the 16th Panther in the 26-year history of the program. He is the first Chapman player to be recognized as an All-American by the AFCA since fellow linebacker Keith Dykes earned a spot on the First Team following the 1998 season.
The Panthers' defense ended the season ranked 13th in the nation in rushing defense, sixth in total sacks per game and fifth in takeaways. Chapman put together its first-ever undefeated season on the way to a SCIAC title and the first-ever postseason win in program history.
By Steven Olveda
Sports Information Director
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