AFCA honors Keefe as First Team All-American

ORANGE, Calif. – Senior Dillon Keefe made more history as the American Football Coaches Association recognized him as a First Team All-American on Tuesday. Keefe earned the distinction as one of the best linebackers in Division III for the second consecutive season.

Keefe was named an AFCA Second Team All-American in 2019 and move up to the First Team in 2021 after another dominant season. His career-best 11 sacks rank as the second-most in Chapman history and ranked 12th in Division III through the regular season.

A two-time SCIAC Defensive Player of the Year and 2017 SCIAC Newcomer of the Year, Keefe graduates as the most decorated player in Chapman history. He is the first Chapman player to be named to the AFCA All-American team twice in his career and earn three major SCIAC awards. He joins former Chapman lineback Keith Dykes as the only two Panthers to earn First Team honors from the AFCA.

He set the Chapman record this year as he ended his career with 43 tackles for loss, including 13.5 in 2021. He is the first Chapman player to have back-to-back seasons with double-digit sacks.

Keefe also leaves Chapman as just the fourth Panther to amass over 200 career tackles. He began the season with a pick six, becoming the only player in Chapman history to return an interception and fumble for a touchdown in his career. He also has a rushing and passing touchdown in his career.

The Panthers ended the 2021 season with a 7-3 overall record.

By Steven Olveda
Sports Information Director

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