University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Hoage, Knapke Named Top Returning Players in the FCS
6/8/2023 1:56:00 PM | Football
GREELEY, Colo. – The preseason honors continue to roll in for the Northern Colorado football program.
David Hoage and Jordan Knapke were named Hero Sports FCS Preseason Top 25 Returning Players. Hoage was named the No. 6 returning linebacker and Knapke the No. 22 returning safety.
Hoage, a 6-foot-3, 245-pounder out of Smoky Hill High School in Denver, returns after missing the 2022 season due to injury.
The veteran had a stellar 2021 campaign.
Hoage was a Third-Team All-America selection by AP and Stats Performance and First-Team Sophomore All-America selection by Hero Sports He was a Second-Team All-Big Sky Conference selection and led the Big Sky and ranked third in the nation with 22 tackles for a loss. Hoage set the program's DI single-season record for sacks with 10.5 and was the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week after recording eight tackles, four and a half tackles for a loss, three sacks, and recovering two fumbles against Houston Baptist. Also recorded 70 tackles on the year, 39 solo, and led the team with eight QB hurries.
Knapke, an Aurora, Colorado native and Grandview High School product, had a standout 2022 season. He was a Third-Team All-Big Sky Conference honoree and finished with 90 tackles, 56 solo, and 54 assists. He also added three pass deflections and recovered two fumbles.
David Hoage and Jordan Knapke were named Hero Sports FCS Preseason Top 25 Returning Players. Hoage was named the No. 6 returning linebacker and Knapke the No. 22 returning safety.
Hoage, a 6-foot-3, 245-pounder out of Smoky Hill High School in Denver, returns after missing the 2022 season due to injury.
The veteran had a stellar 2021 campaign.
Hoage was a Third-Team All-America selection by AP and Stats Performance and First-Team Sophomore All-America selection by Hero Sports He was a Second-Team All-Big Sky Conference selection and led the Big Sky and ranked third in the nation with 22 tackles for a loss. Hoage set the program's DI single-season record for sacks with 10.5 and was the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week after recording eight tackles, four and a half tackles for a loss, three sacks, and recovering two fumbles against Houston Baptist. Also recorded 70 tackles on the year, 39 solo, and led the team with eight QB hurries.
Knapke, an Aurora, Colorado native and Grandview High School product, had a standout 2022 season. He was a Third-Team All-Big Sky Conference honoree and finished with 90 tackles, 56 solo, and 54 assists. He also added three pass deflections and recovered two fumbles.
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