WACO, Texas – The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) announced its 2019 Division II Coaches' All-America Teams on Tuesday morning and representing Southern Arkansas on the organization's second team is redshirt junior defensive standout Antonio Washington. The Marshall, Texas, native is one of just two players from the Great American Conference named an AFCA All-America performer this season.
 
A three-time All-GAC selection, including back-to-back first-team nods, Washington's impact on the Mulerider defensive front has been immense. In 11 regular season starts, Washington recorded the third-most tackles on the team with 55 total stops (28 solo, 27 ast) and posted the third-most tackles for loss in the GAC at 12.5, including three sacks. In three years, Washington has totaled 30.0 tackles for loss totaling 111 yards.
 
Additionally, Washington, who is a nominee for the 2019 Cliff Harris Award which is given to the nation's top small college defensive player, added seven quarterback hurries, three pass breakups and recovered one fumble. Washington recorded six or more tackles in six games this season and posted two games with at least 3.0 tackles for loss including a career-best effort of 3.5 TFL in a home victory over Oklahoma Baptist.
 
Tuesday's All-America honor is the first for the Texan in his career as a Mulerider. Last season, Washington was named to the All-Super Region 3 Third Team by the Don Hansen Football Committee.  
 
Selection Process: The AFCA's Division II All-America Selection Committee is made up of three head coaches from each of the AFCA's seven districts, one of whom serves as a district chairman, along with another head coach who serves as the chairman of the selection committee. The coaches in each district are responsible for ranking the top players in their respective districts prior to a conference call between the district chairmen and the committee chairman on which the teams are chosen.
 
The Award: Members of the AFCA Coaches' All-America First Team will receive a plaque commemorating their selection to the team, while members of the Second Team will receive a certificate.