VALLEY CITY (VCSU Sports Information)
Valley City State’s Riley Gerhardt has been named to the 2022 AFCA NAIA Coaches All-America Team, announced Thursday by the American Football Coaches’ Association (AFCA).
A junior from Valley City, Gerhardt was named 2nd Team All-American as a defensive lineman. In 10 games this season Gerhardt totaled 109 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks. He led the entire NAIA with his 12.5 regular season sacks.
The AFCA NAIA All-America Teams are the official All-America Teams for the NAIA. Gerhardt earned Honorable Mention All-American after the 2021 season. He has been named 1st Team All-Conference each of the past two seasons.
Gerhardt currently ranks fourth in Viking history with 25 career sacks. His 19.5 TFL and 12.5 sacks this season were both Top 5 seasons in school history.
The AFCA has selected an All-America team since 1945 and currently selects teams in all five of its divisions. What makes these teams so special is that they are the only ones chosen exclusively by the men who know the players the best — the coaches themselves.