For the third straight season and 12th time since 2000, a member Northwest Missouri State University Bearcat football team has been named the MIAA's Defensive Player of the Year.
 
Senior Elijah Green (Maryville, Mo.) was tabbed the MIAA's top defensive player after he led the league in quarterback sacks (11) and tackles-for-loss (21). He was a two-time MIAA Defensive Player of the Week honoree in 2022.
 
Green joins a long list of Bearcat defensive lineman under the tutelage of Rich Wright, with the likes of Sam Roberts, Spencer Phillips, Collin Blevins, Matt Longacre (twice) and Dave Tollefson, to secure the honor.
 
Northwest's MIAA Defensive Players of the Year Since 2000
Elijah Green, DL, 2022
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
 
Overall, Northwest had 12 players earn All-MIAA status in 2022 with four Bearcats taking home first-team accolades.
 
The Bearcats earning first-team All-MIAA honors were Green, senior defensive lineman Zach Howard, sophomore cornerback Cahleel Smith and senior all-purpose back Jamar Moya.
 
Northwest had four second-team picks in junior center Mitch Goff, junior punt/kick returner Kashan Griffin, senior linebacker Sam Phillips and junior linebacker Isaac Vollstedt.
 
Sophomore kicker Cole Lammel and sophomore defensive lineman Jake Fisher took home MIAA third-team honors.
 
Junior quarterback Mike Hohensee and redshirt freshman safety Shane Fredrickson tallied honorable mention status.
 
BEARCAT FIRST-TEAM BIOS
Elijah Green, Sr., DL, Maryville, Mo.
Green captured MIAA Defensive Player of the Year honors and first-team all-MIAA status. He was an honorable mention all-MIAA selection in 2021. Green led the MIAA in sacks (11) and tackles-for-loss (21). His 21 TFLs rank as the fourth-best single-season total in Bearcat history.  His 11 quarterback sacks are tied for the sixth-best single-season mark in program history. He had a season-high four sacks and 4.5 tackles-for-loss in a 24-7 win over Central Missouri (Sept. 17). Green notched a season-best eight tackles, three TFLs and two sacks in a 16-3 victory over Missouri Western. In the season finale at Emporia State, Green secured six tackles, two TFLs and a sack as the Bearcats reeled off five straight wins to close the regular season and earn a spot in the NCAA Div. II playoffs.
 
Zach Howard, Sr., DL, Bolivar, Mo.
Howard earned his second consecutive first-team all-MIAA honor. Howard started all 11 games and tallied 46 tackles. He was credited with 13 tackles-for-loss and 8.5 quarterback sacks. He ranks No. 4 in Bearcats history in quarterback sacks (26.5) and is tied for seventh in school history in tackles-for-loss (41.5). Howard began the 2022 season with a three-sack performance in a 33-19 win over Fort Hays State (Sept. 1). Howard notched a season-best eight tackles at Pittsburg State (Oct. 8).
 
Cahleel Smith, So., CB, Independence, Mo.
Smith posted his second straight first-team all-MIAA season. Smith recorded two interceptions and broke up five passes. He is credited with 37 total tackles and four tackles-for-loss. He clinched Northwest's 27-21 road win over Emporia State (11/12) with an interception in the end zone in the final minute. He is tied for the team lead in interceptions (2).
 
Jamar Moya, Sr., RB, Bakersfield, Calif.
Moya earned first-team all-MIAA honors for the first time in his career. He led the Bearcats in rushing yards (556) and pass receptions (51). Moya ranked No. 4 in the MIAA in all-purpose yards per game (98.6). Moya ranked No. 8 in the league in rushing yards per game (55.6). Moya had at least seven rushing attempts in each of the 10 games he played. He caught at least four passes in nine of the 10 games he saw action. Moya tallied his first 100-plus rushing game of his career with a 120-yard effort in a 28-24 win at Nebraska-Kearney (Oct. 29). Moya caught eight passes for 116 yards and a touchdown in a 32-30 victory over Washburn (Oct. 15).
 
BEARCAT SECOND-TEAM BIOS
Mitch Goff, Jr., OL, Des Moines, Iowa
Goff moved up to second-team all-MIAA in 2022 after capturing third-team status in 2021. He started 10 games at center and was the guiding force on the Bearcat offensive line. The Bearcat offense ranked No. 5 in the MIAA by averaging 395.6 yards per game. The Bearcats allowed only 16 quarterback sacks in 2022.
 
Kashan Griffin, Jr., PR/KR, Apple Valley, Calif.
Griffin led the MIAA in kick returns (28.8 yards/return) and ranked No. 3 in the league in punt returns (18.2 yards/return). He was named the MIAA Special Teams Player of the Week after he returned three punts for 114 yards and caught four passes for 86 yards against Northeastern State (Oct. 22). Griffin was named the MIAA Offensive Player of the Week when he caught seven passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns in a 32-30 comeback win over Washburn (Oct. 15). Griffin ranked No. 6 in the MIAA in all-purpose yards per game (93.8).
 
Sam Phillips, Sr., LB, Tabor, Iowa
Phillips earned his third straight all-MIAA honor by notching second-team status in 2022. He was a third-team pick in both 2019 and 2021. Phillips ranked No. 5 on the team in total tackles (45) and notched 12.0 tackles-for-loss. He began the scoring in a 32-30 win over Washburn (Oct. 15) with a first-quarter safety. Phillips had a season-high eight tackles in wins over Northeastern State (Oct. 22) and Emporia State (Nov. 12). He leads the team in pass breakups (7).
 
Isaac Vollstedt, Jr., LB, Iowa City, Iowa
Vollstedt led the Bearcats in total tackles (66) as he made all 11 starts at linebacker. Vollstedt had 7.5 tackles-for-loss and four quarterback sacks. He posted at least four tackles in every game. He secured nine tackles in the 33-19 win over Fort Hays State (Sept. 1). He also registered nine stops in a 16-3 victory over Missouri Western (Oct. 1). He recovered the game-clinching fumble with :04 left against Nebraska-Kearney (Oct. 29) to help secure a 28-24 victory. He is tied for the team lead in quarterback hurries (7) and fumble recoveries (2).
 
BEARCAT THIRD-TEAM BIOS
Cole Lammel, So., PK, Omaha, Neb.
Lammel leads the Bearcats in scoring and ranks No. 2 in the MIAA among kickers with 69 points scored. Lammel tied the school record for consecutive field goals made with 12. Lammel made 12-of-14 field goals this season, including a season-long 46-yarder. He made three field goals in a 16-3 win over Missouri Western (Oct. 1) and three more in a 36-3 triumph over Northeastern State (Oct. 22). Lammel also punted 17 times for a 39.5-yard average with three punts of 50 yards or more. He had three punts downed inside the 20-yard line. Lammel kicked off 64 times and had 14 touchbacks.
 
Jake Fisher, So., DL, Smithville, Mo.
Fisher ranked third on the team in tackles-for-loss (12.5) and quarterback sacks (7.0). He made 10 starts on the defensive line and saw action in all 11 games. Fisher was credited with 28 total tackles. He had at least one tackle-for-loss in nine games. He posted a sack in seven contests. Fisher notched a season-high five tackles in a 27-21 win at Emporia State (Nov. 12). He is tied for the team lead in fumble recoveries (2).
 
BEARCAT HONORABLE MENTION BIOS
Mike Hohensee, Jr., QB, St. Charles, Ill.
Hohensee led the Bearcat passing attack with 1,615 yards and 14 touchdowns. He threw only six interceptions on 146-of-212 passing. He completed 68.87% of his passes, which ranks No. 4 in the nation. His passing efficiency of 148.99 ranks No. 2 in the MIAA. Hohensee made nine starts and appeared in 10 games at quarterback. He totaled two 300-yard passing games with 312 yards and three touchdowns against Lincoln (Sept. 10) and 366 yards and four touchdowns against Washburn (Oct. 15). He rushed the ball 57 times for 174 yards and two touchdowns. He holds the Northwest career completion percentage mark (71.5%).
 
Shane Fredrickson, R-Fr., DB, Lee's Summit, Mo.
Fredrickson started nine games at safety as a redshirt freshman. He ranks second on the squad with 51 total tackles. He is tied for the team lead in interceptions (2). He registered a season-high eight tackles in a 33-19 win over Fort Hays State (Sept. 1) and in a 27-5 victory over Missouri Southern (Nov. 5). He was credited with at least two tackles in every game he played.
 

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2022 All-MIAA Postseason Awards
Offensive Player of the Year – TJ Davis, Quarterback – Nebraska Kearney
Defensive Player of the Year – Elijah Green, Defensive Tackle – Northwest Missouri State
Special Teams Player of the Year – James Letcher, Jr., Kick/Punt Returner – Washburn
Freshman of the Year – Kolbe Katsis, Wide Receiver and Kick/Punt Returner – Pittsburg State
Coach of the Year – Brian Wright – Pittsburg State

First-Team
Quarterback – TJ Davis – Nebraska Kearney
Running Back – Caleb Lewis – Pittsburg State
Wide Receiver – James Letcher, Jr. – Washburn*
Wide Receiver – Bryce Murphy – Pittsburg State
Wide Receiver – Manny Ramsey – Fort Hays State
Wide Receiver – Corey Thomas – Emporia State
Tight End/Fullback – Devon Garrison – Pittsburg State
All-Purpose Back – Jamar Moya – Northwest Missouri State
Offensive Line – Andrew Funk – Washburn
Offensive Line – Hunter Hayes – Nebraska Kearney
Offensive Line – Trase Jeffries – Pittsburg State
Offensive Line – Conner Lierz – Emporia State
Offensive Line – Kory Woodruff – Pittsburg State
Kicker – Nick Williams – Missouri Southern
Kick/Punter Returner – James Letcher, Jr. - Washburn

Defensive Line – Elijah Green – Northwest Missouri State
Defensive Line – Zach Howard – Northwest Missouri State
Defensive Line – Dubem Okonkwo – Pittsburg State
Defensive Line – David Olajiga – Central Missouri
Defensive Line – Jordan Williams – Emporia State
Linebacker – Grant Bruner – Washburn
Linebacker – Dawson Hammes – Emporia State
Linebacker – P.J. Sarwinski – Pittsburg State
Defensive Back – Brandon Miekus – Pittsburg State
Defensive Back – Jaedon Pool – Emporia State
Defensive Back – Cahleel Smith – Northwest Missouri State
Defensive Back – DJ Stirgus – Missouri Western
Defensive Back – Darius Swanson – Nebraska Kearney
Punter – Ross Brungardt – Emporia State
-Reflects ties in voting
*Indicates unanimous selection

Second-Team
Quarterback – Braden Gleason – Emporia State
Running Back – Nathan Glades – Missouri Southern
Wide Receiver – Peter Afful - Washburn
Wide Receiver – Christian Carter – Pittsburg State
Wide Receiver – Traveon James – Missouri Western
Wide Receiver – Arkell Smith – Central Missouri
Tight End/Fullback – Cam Grandy – Missouri Western
All-Purpose Back – Montrez Jackson – Nebraska Kearney
Offensive Line – Xavier Cason – Emporia State
Offensive Line – Evan Clark – Missouri Western
Offensive Line – Mitch Goff – Northwest Missouri State
Offensive Line – Pat Kelly – Fort Hays State
Offensive Line – Dan Sunderman – Central Missouri
Kicker – Nicky Quevedo – Central Oklahoma
Kick/Punter Returner – Kashan Griffin – Northwest Missouri State

Defensive Line – CJ Ravenell – Missouri Western
Defensive Line – Michael Slater – Central Oklahoma
Defensive Line – Tell Spies – Nebraska Kearney
Defensive Line – Landen Urban – Washburn  
Defensive Line – Zeke Wall – Pittsburg State
Linebacker – Richard Jordan, Jr. – Missouri Southern
Linebacker – Sam Phillips – Northwest Missouri State
Linebacker – Isaac Vollstedt – Northwest Missouri State
Defensive Back – Gabriel Amegatcher – Nebraska Kearney
Defensive Back – Kobe Cummings – Missouri Western
Defensive Back – Diondre Glover – Central Missouri
Defensive Back – Jordan Lamotte – Northeastern State
Defensive Back – Derrick Maxwell – Emporia State
Defensive Back – Rico Payton – Pittsburg State
Punter – Nick Williams – Missouri Southern
-Reflects ties in voting

Third-Team
Quarterback – Chad Dodson, Jr. – Pittsburg State
Running Back – Billy Ross – Emporia State
Wide Receiver – Aderias Ealy – Lincoln
Wide Receiver – Jaedon Stoshak – Missouri Southern
Wide Receiver – Jaylen Varner – Emporia State
Tight End/Fullback – Oscar Hammond – Central Oklahoma
Tight End/Fullback – Connor Searcy – Washburn
All-Purpose Back – Xavier Jackson – Central Missouri
Offensive Line – Jacob Glendinning – Washburn
Offensive Line – Layne Grantham – Central Oklahoma
Offensive Line – Keith Russell – Missouri Western
Offensive Line – Cooper Schettler – Pittsburg State
Offensive Line – Lepopeasenuu Tito-Fualaau – Missouri Southern
Kicker – Cole Lammel – Northwest Missouri State
Kick/Punter Returner – Kolbe Katsis – Pittsburg State
Kick/Punter Returner – Jaedon Stoshak – Missouri Southern

Defensive Line – Solomona Fetuao – Missouri Southern
Defensive Line – Jake Fisher – Northwest Missouri State
Defensive Line – Robert Fuentes – Central Oklahoma
Defensive Line – Myles Menges – Fort Hays State
Defensive Line – Jamie Tago – Missouri Southern
Linebacker – Travis DeGrate – Central Missouri
Linebacker – Atoa Fox – Nebraska Kearney
Linebacker – Alex Gaskill – Pittsburg State
Linebacker – Jacey Nutter – Nebraska Kearney
Linebacker – Isaac Wallace – Missouri Western
Linebacker – Makel Williams – Fort Hays State
Defensive Back – Christian Clark – Washburn
Defensive Back – Michael Lacey – Pittsburg State
Defensive Back – Peyton Lane – Washburn
Defensive Back – Mason Perez – Fort Hays State
Defensive Back – Kobey Stephens – Central Oklahoma
Punter – Hunter Kraus – Nebraska Kearney
-Reflects ties in voting

Honorable Mentions
Central Missouri – Cedric Case – QB; Malik Clayborn – TE/FB; Gabe Clark – OL; Curtis Appleton – DB; Noah Blair – DB; Ethan Brown – P; Jake Pospisil – K/P Returner
Central Oklahoma – Andrew Carney – APB; Cooper McCoy – OL; Noah Dobson – OL; Noah West – DL; Connor Johnson – LB; Dylan Buchheit - DB
Emporia State – Canaan Brooks – RB; Cole Schumacher, WR; Tyler Kahmann, WR; Tommy Zimmerman – TE/FB; Hayden Reed – OL; Dante Smith-Posey – OL; Rafe Goucher – DL; Rylan Miller – DL; Montrell Wilson – DB; Caden Dodson – K
Lincoln – Samuel Ingoli – TE/FB; Alejandro Flores – OL; Tommy Medellin – OL; Jahkari Larmond – DL; Samuel Amituanai – DL; Cody Bagby – DL; Jaylon Mosely – LB
Missouri Southern – Dwayne Lawson – APB; Kenneth Fehrman – OL; Solomon Garcia – DL; Coleman Booker – LB; Colton Winder – LB; Jalen Dennis – DB
Missouri Western – Jared Scott – RB; Jonas Bennett – APB; Brenden McClure – OL; Noah Price – OL; Brandon Johnson – DL; AJ Crayton – DL; Tylen Wallace – DL; Anthony Villanueva - LB
Nebraska Kearney – Daniel Cearns – RB; Cody Nelson, WR; Jon Merten – OL; Baylor Hellmuth – DL; Jimmy Harrison – LB; Tre O'Guinn – DB
Northeastern State – Dashawn Williams – WR; Chris Lee – DL; Johnny Jean – DB; Dawondrick Crockett – DB; Tyler Crawford – P
Northwest Missouri State – Mike Hohensee – QB; Shane Fredrickson – DB
Pittsburg State – Cole Sample – DL; Luke Jennings - LB
Washburn – Kellen Simoncic – QB; Taylon Peters – RB; Mason Honne – OL; Braden Rose – DL; Daniel Piburn – DL; Derrick McClendon – LB; Jamison Phelps - DB