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McCook High alum makes NCAA All-America first team
KEARNEY, Neb.- Quarterback TJ Davis, left guard/McCook High 2018 grad Hunter Hays, punter Hunter Kraus and strong safety Darius Swanson represent Nebraska-Kearney on the 2022 Don Hansen Division II All-American team.
The Don Hansen team carries out the legacy of long-time small college football advocate Don Hansen, who passed away at the age of 75 in 2010.
From Brookfield, Ill., he started and published the Don Hansen’s National Weekly Football Gazette for three decades, selecting a D2 All-America team for the first time in 1988. It was www.d2football.com in the non-digital age.
Davis (Colorado Springs) and Swanson (Aurora, Colo.) repeat as Don Hansen All-Americans while this is the first All-American honor for both Hays (McCook) and Kraus (Taylor).
Swanson was named second-team with Davis, Hays and Kraus all honorable mention selections.
Swanson, who will use his “COVID year” playing for the Tulane Green Wave in 2023, earned AA honors from four different outlets this season. His final Loper campaign featured 66 tackles (39 solo), eight pass breakups, three interceptions for 44 yards and one touchdown and 2.5 tackles for loss.
Next, Davis makes his third AA team this offseason. He tallied 2,506 yards of total offense last fall, accounting for 29 TD’s and powering an offense that averaged 33 points and 402 yards per game.
Blocking for him was Hays, a three-year starter. He joined Swanson and Davis as 2022 first-team All-MIAA selections.
Finally, Kraus averaged a healthy 42.5 yards per punt last year. He had seven efforts traveling at least 50 yards with 34% of his boots landing inside the opponent 20-yard line.
Watch for more Lopers in upcoming editions.