The No. 3-ranked and MIAA champion Northwest Missouri State University football team had 18 student-athletes earn All-MIAA honors, including Defensive Player of the Year Sam Roberts.
 
Roberts (Waynesville, Mo.) became the 11th Bearcat since 2000 to be named the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year. He is the fifth straight Bearcat defensive lineman to earn the league's top defensive honor. Roberts is a disruptive force on the Bearcat defensive line as he leads the team with 13.5 tackles-for-loss. Roberts is a two-time MIAA defensive player of the week award winner in 2021. Roberts and the Bearcat defense ranks No. 2 in the nation in total defense (205.2 yards per game). The Bearcat defense is the nation's best against the run allowing 36.7 yards per game. Roberts is also part of a unit that is tops in the country in scoring defense by allowing 9.1 points per game.
 
Northwest's MIAA Defensive Players of the Year Since 2000
Sam Roberts, DL, 2021
Spencer Phillips, DL – 2019
Collin Blevins, DL – 2015
Matt Longacre, DL – 2014
Matt Longacre, DL – 2013
Ryan Jones, DB – 2010
Myles Burnsides, DB – 2008
Jared Erspamer, LB – 2007
Dave Tollefson, DL – 2005
Adam Long, LB – 2004
Brian Williams, LB – 2000
 
The Bearcats produced six first team all-MIAA selections. Joining Roberts on the first team were senior running back Al McKeller (Indianapolis, Ind.), senior offensive lineman Tanner Owen (Kearney, Mo.), junior defensive lineman Zach Howard (Bolivar, Mo.), senior linebacker Jackson Barnes (Kansas City, Mo.) and redshirt freshman defensive back Cahleel Smith (Independence, Mo.).
 
Northwest landed two on the all-MIAA second team in senior wide receiver Alec Tatum (Huntsville, Texas) and senior offensive lineman Gabe Bautz (Waukesha, Wis.).

Northwest added three all-MIAA third team selections in sophomore quarterback Mike Hohensee (St. Charles, Ill.), sophomore offensive lineman Mitch Goff, junior linebacker Sam Phillips (Tabor, Iowa) and senior defensive back Isaiah Nimmers (Cedar Rapids, Iowa).
 
The Bearcats notched six honorable mention all-MIAA picks in senior wide receiver Kaden Davis (Ellsworth, Kan.), senior wide receiver Imoni Donadelle (Youngstown, Ohio), senior linebacker Brody Buck (Omaha, Neb.), senior defensive back Dedrick Strambler (Midland, Texas), junior defensive lineman Elijah Green (Maryville, Mo.) and senior defensive back Drew Dostal (Cedar Rapids, Iowa).
 

BEARCAT FIRST-TEAM BIOS
Al McKeller – leads the MIAA in rushing with 1,337 yards … ranks No. 7 in the nation in rushing yards … has seven 100-plus rushing efforts in 2021 … ranks No. 2 in the MIAA in rushing touchdowns with 15 … NCAA's active career rushing leader with 4,895 yards … has tallied 57 career rushing touchdowns … rushed for a season-high 171 yards in a 30-7 win
 
Tanner Owen – a three-time first-team all-MIAA selection on the offensive line … earned honorable mention all-MIAA status in 2017 … has started 49 consecutive games (all 49 games of his collegiate career) … Bearcat offense ranks No. 8 in the nation in total offense … has paved the way for running back Al McKeller to lead the MIAA in rushing … has kept pass rushers away from quarterback Mike Hohensee, who ranks No. 1 in the nation in passing completion percentage and No. 2 in the nation in passing efficiency … the Bearcat offense has produced six games of 500 yards or more offense that most for Northwest since the 2013 season.
 
Sam Roberts – MIAA Defensive Player of the Year … leads the team with 13.5 tackles-for-loss … ranks second on the team with 44 tackles … had tallied five quarterback sacks … a two-time MIAA defensive player of the week … a four-time all-MIAA player (1^st team in 2018, 2021; 2^nd Team in 2019; honorable mention in 2017) … ranks No. 5 in Northwest history with 42.5 career tackles-for-loss.
 
Zach Howard – ranks second in the MIAA with 7.5 quarterback sacks … ranks fourth on the team with 35 total tackles … second on the squad with 12.0 tackles-for-loss … had a season-high seven tackles in Northwest's demolition of Nebraska-Kearney, 66-13 … second-team all-MIAA selection in 2019 … has 17.0 career quarterback sacks.
 
Jackson Barnes – leads the Bearcats in tackles (61) … third on the team with 7.0 tackles-for-loss … two-time MIAA Defensive Player of the Week in 2021 … registered a season-high 12 tackles in a 20-19 win against Pittsburg State.
 
Cahleel Smith – tied for second on the team with two interceptions … has posted 20 total tackles … began his career as a walk-on and has become a first-team all-MIAA pick as a redshirt freshman.
 
BEARCAT SECOND-TEAM BIOS
Alec Tatum – only Bearcat to have at least one reception in all 10 games … has caught at least one pass in 13 consecutive games dating back to the 2019 season … ranks No. 5 in the MIAA in receptions per game (5.0) … ranks No. 7 in the MIAA with 50 catches … ranks No. 9 in the league in receiving yards with (665) … has caught 125 career passes for 1,604 yards …  eight career touchdown receptions … his 205-yard reception game against Central Oklahoma ranks as the fourth-highest single-game total in Bearcat history.
 
Gabe Bautz – has started in 38 consecutive games on the offensive line dating back to the 2017 season … earned honorable mention all-MIAA status in 2019 … Bearcat offense ranks No. 8 in the nation in total offense … has paved the way for running back Al McKeller to lead the MIAA in rushing … has kept pass rushers away from quarterback Mike Hohensee, who ranks No. 1 in the nation in passing completion percentage and No. 2 in the nation in passing efficiency … the Bearcat offense has produced six games of 500 yards or more offense that most for Northwest since the 2013 season.
 
BEARCAT THIRD-TEAM BIOS
Mike Hohensee – leads the nation in completion percentage (73.1%) … ranks second in the nation in passing efficiency (188.1) … ranks second in the country in yards per pass attempt (10.86) … is 141-of-193 passing for 2,096 yards and 20 touchdowns … averaging 209.6 passing yards per game … two-time MIAA player of the week (Special Teams and Offense) … rushed 55 times for 233 yards and seven touchdowns … ranks No. 5 in the MIAA in total offense (232.9 yards per game).
 
Mitch Goff – has started all 24 games at center in his collegiate career … Bearcat offense ranks No. 8 in the nation in total offense … has paved the way for running back Al McKeller to lead the MIAA in rushing … has kept pass rushers away from quarterback Mike Hohensee, who ranks No. 1 in the nation in passing completion percentage and No. 2 in the nation in passing efficiency … the Bearcat offense has produced six games of 500 yards or more offense that most for Northwest since the 2013 season.
 
Sam Phillips – has started all 10 games at linebacker … credited with 22 total tackles and four tackles-for-loss … scored a safety to record Northwest's first points of the season at Fort Hays State in a 15-7 victory.
 
Isaiah Nimmers – ranks No. 5 on the team in tackles (32) … tied for second on the team with two interceptions … started the first six games at safety … has started the last four games at cornerback … transferred to Northwest from the University of Northern Iowa.
 
BEARCAT HONORABLE MENTION BIOS
Kaden Davis – ranks tied for No. 6 in the MIAA and leads the Bearcats with seven touchdown receptions … has 29 total catches for 481 yards … averaging 16.6 yards per catch … tallied two 100-yard receiving games in 2021 … caught four passes 103 yards and two touchdowns at Central Missouri … nabbed seven catches for 102 yards and a touchdown at Missouri Southern.
 
Imoni Donadelle – ranks tied for third on the team with 19 receptions … ranks third on the squad with 445 receiving yards … his four touchdown receptions rank second on the team … averages a team-best 23.4 yards per catch … caught a 79-yard touchdown pass in Northwest's 35-7 MIAA-clinching win over Emporia State … also caught a 72-yard pass earlier in the season at Fort Hays State … has scored 14 career touchdowns for the Bearcats (12 receiving; 1 rushing; 1 kick return) … second-team all-MIAA pick in 2019.

Brody Buck – ranks No. 6 on the team with 31 tackles … has 2.5 tackles-for-loss … has started all 10 games at linebacker … tallied a season-high six tackles at Central Missouri.
 
Dedrick Strambler – ranks third on the team with 39 total tackles … has started all 10 games at safety after transferring to Northwest from Hardin-Simmons University … credited with 171 career tackles and 10 career interceptions.
 
Elijah Green – has started all 10 games on the defensive line … ranks seventh on the team with 29 total tackles … tied for fourth on the squad with 7.0 tackles-for-loss … had a season-high six tackles in Northwest's 20-19 win over Pittsburg State.
 
Drew Dostal – leads the team with three interceptions … intercepted two passes and returned one 37 yards for a touchdown in Northwest's 49-7 win at Missouri Southern … his second-quarter pick-six put Northwest on top 21-0 in Joplin … has tallied four career interceptions … transferred to Northwest from Iowa Western Community College.
  Central Missouri – Arkell Smith – WR; Kyle Linville – OL; Deven Smith – LB; Koby Wilkerson – RB; Zack Aschemann – DL; Chris Diddle – K
Central Oklahoma – Keats Calhoon – QB; Joshua Moore – WR; Markiese King – WR; Derrick Shaw – DL; Elijah Wright – LB
Emporia State – Xavier Cason – OL; Rafe Goucher – DL; Dawson Hammes – LB; Cade Harelson – LB; Corey Thomas – WR; Miles Wade – OL
Fort Hays State – Pat Kelly – OL; Myles Menges – LB; Ethan Sossen – P; Javaris Sanders – DL; Layke Heimermen – LB
Lincoln – Hosea Franklin – RB; Cyril Spells – OL; TeAndre Skinner – LB; Jaylon Mosley – LB; Zyan Thomas-King – DB; Elliott Albert – DB; Winston Ausmer – K/P Ret.
Missouri Southern – Keandre Bledsoe – TE/FB; Labrentae Davis – OL; Nick Kruse – DL; Malachi Broadnax – DB; Nick Williams – P; Colton Winder – LB
Missouri Western – Brandon Hall – RB; Cooper Burton – WR
Nebraska Kearney – Michael Koch – WR; Hunter Hays – OL; Matt Krzysztalowicz – OL; Jacey Nutter – LB; Travis Holcomb – LB; Jacob Browne – OL
Northeastern State – Mark Wheeland – WR; Madison Wrather – OL; Damani Carter – DL; Triumphant Olatunji – DB
Northwest Missouri State – Kaden Davis – WR; Imoni Donadelle – WR; Brody Buck – LB; Dedrick Strambler – DB; Elijah Green – DL; Drew Dostal – DB
Pittsburg State – Tyler Adkins – RB; Caleb Lewis – RB; Elijah Harris – WR; Kaizer Newell – TE/FB; Kory Woodruff – OL; Luke Jennings – LB; Brandon Mlekus – DB
Washburn – Taylon Peters – RB; Peter Afful – WR; Andrew Funk – OL; Peyton Lane – DB; Kevin Neal – DB; Lane Spiker – P