Springfield, Ohio — Wittenberg University football standout Eddie Vallery, class of 2011 from South Solon, Ohio, has earned a prestigious All-America award from the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).

Vallery is the 17th Wittenberg student-athlete named to the AFCA's All-America team, putting the Tiger football program in a second-place tie on the all-time list. Wittenberg has had 17 different players earn recognition from the AFCA since the inception of its All-America program in 1945, earning a total of 18 All-America designations (Eric Horstman, class of 1989, earned the award twice). Mount Union leads with 18 players/19 All-America awards, followed by Augustana with 17 players/19 All-America awards.

Vallery recorded 73 tackles, including 22 for a loss, which ranks second in school history. He led the NCAC and all of NCAA Division III with a school record 16.5 sacks, in addition to forcing two fumbles and blocking two kicks. He became the first Wittenberg player to earn North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Defensive Player of the Year honors since Juan Howard in 2001.

Wittenberg tied a school record with 12 wins in 2009. The Tigers compiled records of 12-1 overall and 7-0 in the NCAC to win the program's ninth title in 21 years in the league and advance to the program's 13th NCAA Division III Tournament since its inception in 1973. Wittenberg defeated Mount St. Joseph in the first round and Trine in the second round before losing at No. 2-ranked Wisconsin-Whitewater, 31-13, in the national quarterfinals on Dec. 5.

Written by: Ryan Maurer