Three Bearcat defenders earn All-American honors

A trio of Northwest Missouri State Bearcat football players were honored by the Daktronics All-America Team released Tuesday.

Senior Nate DeJong earned first team honors and senior linebacker Collin DeBuysere and junior cornerback Brandon Dixon earned second team accolades for the Bearcats.

DeJong helped lead one of the nation's toughest defenses holding opponents to just 13 points per game, the third best mark in NCAA Division II. The senior safety led the Bearcats with seven interceptions on the year as Northwest as a team led the nation with 28 picks.

The Rock Rapids, Iowa native was also named an Academic All-America selection earlier this month.

DeBuysere was the second leading tackler for Northwest recording 74 tackles and a team high nine tackles for a loss. The senior from Geneseo, Ill., also added four interceptions on the season and one fumble recovery for a touchdown.

Dixon was second for Northwest with five interceptions on the season. The junior added 38 tackles and 10 passes defended to go along with five pass breakups and one tackle for a loss. The Margate, Fla., native also returned one interception for a touchdown in the season opening win against East Central.