Northwest Missouri State topped the heap with four D2CCA All-America selections as released Wednesday by the Division II Conference Commissioners' Association.

The Bearcats, who advanced to the NCAA Division II quarterfinals, boasted four first-teamers including senior lineman Tanner Owen and senior running back Al McKeller on offense, while senior defensive lineman Sam Roberts and senior linebacker Jackson Barnes represented the defense.

Owen (Kearney, Mo. / Kearney HS / Univ. of Missouri) earned his second D2CCA First-Team All-America designation after earning that status in 2019 as well. He earned second-team AFCA All-America accolades in 2021 and first-team status in 2019. Owen started all 51 games of his collegiate career and was a three-time first-team all-MIAA selection on the offensive line. Owen was a part of the Bearcat offense in 2021 that ranked No. 13 in the nation in total offense (457.5 yards per game). Owen helped pave the way for Harlon Hill Trophy finalist running back Al McKeller to lead the MIAA in rushing (1,601 yards. Owen helped keep pass rushers away from quarterback Mike Hohensee, who ranks No. 1 in the nation in passing completion percentage (73.6%) and No. 1 in the nation in passing efficiency (187.3 rating). The Bearcat offense produced six games of 500 yards or more offense which was the most for Northwest since the 2013 season. 

McKeller (Indianapolis, Ind. / Lawrence North HS / Univ. of Indianapolis) notched his initial D2CCA First-Team All-America honor as a collegian. McKeller is one of eight finalists for the 2021 Harlon Hill Trophy. McKeller is the NCAA Division II active career leader in all-purpose yards with 5,574. He ranks first among active career leaders in rushing yards (5,159). McKeller has rushed for 61 career touchdowns. In 2021, McKeller rushed the ball 284 times for 1,601 yards, including 19 rushing touchdowns and one receiving score in earning first-team all-MIAA honors. McKeller has produced eight 100-yard rushing performances this season and has tallied 24 100-yard rushing games in his collegiate career. McKeller was a tough customer for defenders to track down behind the line of scrimmage. McKeller  lost only 20 yards rushing this season despite carrying it 284 times, which ranked No. 4 in the nation and No. 1 in the MIAA. He ranks tied for No. 4 in the nation in total rushing yards and No. 8 in the country in rushing yards per game (123.2).

Roberts (Waynesville, Mo. / Waynesville HS) added to his All-America collections with his D2CCA First-Team honor. Robert tallied AFCA First-Team All-America status earlier this month. Roberts has been named the D2CCA Super Region 3 and MIAA Defensive Player of the Year in 2021. He helped lead a dominant Bearcat defense and recorded 18 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks this season. The senior from Waynesville, Missouri has at least a half-tackle for loss in 12 different games. He has helped guide Northwest Missouri State to a No. 2 national ranking in scoring defense (12.1 points allowed per game) and No. 4 in the country in total defense (223.6 yards allowed per game). Roberts was a first-team All-MIAA selection in 2021. Roberts was a two-time MIAA Defensive Player of the Week in 2021.

Barnes (Kansas City, Mo. / Liberty HS) began his Bearcat career as a walk-on and concluded it with a D2CCA First-Team All-America distinction. Barnes earned first-team All-MIAA status in 2021 after notching second-team honors in 2019. Barned led the Bearcats in tackles with 92 this season. He registered 12.5 tackles-for-loss, 2.5 quarterback sacks, seven pass breakups, an interception, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a blocked field goal. Barnes secured a career-high 15 tackles in Northwest's 28-9 NCAA Div. II playoff win at Harding. In three playoff games this season, Barnes posted 31 tackles, 5.5 tackles-for-loss, a half a sack and a blocked kick. Barnes was a two-time MIAA Defensive Player of the Week in 2021.

THE SUPER REGION: Super Region Three boasted a total of 18 All Americans followed by Super Region 2 with 12. SR1 totaled 11 players on the D2CCA All-America squad followed by SR4 with nine.

CONFERENCE COUNTS: The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) led the way with eight total selections including seven first-team picks. The South Atlantic Conference (SAC) was next with six total selections including three first-teamers and three second-teamers. The Great American Conference (GAC) and Gulf South Conference (GSC) boasted five selections each.

The Division II Conference Commissioners Association encourages and promotes Division II athletics and high standards of sportsmanship as important elements of higher education. The CCA is a key communications link among the conferences as they discuss views, policies and regulations that impact Division II intercollegiate athletics and works closely with the NCAA as a communications channel to NCAA Division II member colleges and universities.

By School

School	First Team (Off./Def.)	Second Team (Off./Def.)	Total
Northwest Missouri State	2/2	0/0	4
Ferris State (Mich.)	1/2	0/0	3
Notre Dame (Ohio)	1/1	0/1	3
Valdosta State (Ga.)	1/1	0/1	3
Angelo State (Texas)	0/0	1/1	2
Bowie State (Md.)	0/1	1/0	2
California (Pa.)	0/1	1/0	2
Colorado School of Mines	2/0	0/0	2
Harding (Ark.)	0/0	2/0	2
Mars Hill (N.C.)	0/1	1/0	2
Nebraska-Kearney	0/1	1/0	2
West Florida	0/0	1/1	2
Catawba (N.C.)	0/1	0/0	1
Central Washington	0/0	0/1	1
Fort Hays State (Kan.)	1/0	0/0	1
Frostburg State (Md.)	0/0	0/1	1
Henderson State (Ark.)	1/0	0/0	1
Kentucky Wesleyan	0/0	0/1	1
Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.)	0/0	1/0	1
Lindenwood (Mo.)	0/1	0/0	1
Mary (N.D.)	1/0	0/0	1
Newberry (S.C.)	0/0	0/1	1
Northern State (S.D.)	0/0	0/1	1
Ohio Dominican	0/0	0/1	1
Oklahoma Baptist	0/0	1/0	1
Ouachita Baptist (Ark.)	0/0	1/0	1
Shepherd (W. Va.)	1/0	0/0	1
Slippery Rock (Pa.)	0/0	1/0	1
Southwest Baptist (Mo.)	0/0	0/1	1
Washburn (Kan.)	1/0	0/0	1
Western Colorado	0/0	0/1	1
Wingate (N.C.)	1/0	0/0	1
Winona State (Minn.)	0/0	1/0	1